National Monuments

A premier national monument in eastern Oregon, preserving over 14,000 acres of vividly colored badlands, world-class fossil beds, and unique geologic formations. Explore ancient ecosystems preserved from 44 to 7 million years ago, through miles of scenic trails, stunning viewpoints, and immersive visitor centers.

Overview

• The monument protects plant and animal fossils spanning 44 million to 7 million years ago, covering most of the Age of Mammals and Flowering Plants.
• It offers insight into ancient climates, ecosystems, and volcanic activity that shaped the northwest United States.
• The monument is managed by the National Park Service and is located in a rural area of eastern Oregon, with limited cell service and no fossil collecting allowed for the public.

Geology & Fossils

Geologic History

• The region’s geology records volcanic eruptions, river floods, and changing climates that buried plants and animals in layers of ash and sediment.
• Each unit preserves different fossil and rock formations, from the volcanic Clarno Formation to the vividly layered Painted Hills and fossil-rich formations near Sheep Rock.
• The monument’s badlands display colorful bentonite clays, ancient soils, and volcanic rocks that tell stories of ancient forests, lakes, and cataclysmic eruptions.

Fossil Discoveries

• Fossils include extinct mammals such as brontotheres, three-toed horses, saber-tooth cats, and plant species that document evolving ecosystems.
• The Clarno Unit has the oldest exposed layers, with fossils directly visible along trails; the Sheep Rock Unit features a visitor center with extensive fossil displays.
• The site does not contain dinosaur fossils, as the region was underwater during the age of dinosaurs; instead, it focuses on mammals and plants from after their extinction.

Main Units & Scenic Highlights

Sheep Rock Unit

• Home to the Thomas Condon Visitor Center, which offers comprehensive fossil exhibits, geology displays, and trailhead access.
• The Cant Ranch Museum interprets pioneer history and offers hiking trails with spectacular views of the John Day River and surrounding formations.
• Trails such as the Scenic Gorge Trail and Foree Trail provide immersive experiences of the monument’s unique geology and scenery.

Painted Hills Unit

• Famous for its vividly colored hills, with red, ochre, and gold layers representing ancient soils and changing climate conditions.
• Scenic trails and overlooks like Painted Cove Trail, Painted Dunes Overlook, and Carroll Rim Trail highlight the beauty and geology of the area.
• The Painted Hills Picnic Area offers a shaded rest stop with restroom facilities and interpretive panels.

Clarno Unit

• Features the oldest exposed rock layers in the monument—Clarno Formation—visible as twisted, jumbled cliffs and unique fossil sites.
• The Clarno Palisades Trail leads visitors to spectacular fossil and rock formations, showcasing ancient flood and volcanic debris.
• Fossils are visible along the trail, though collecting is strictly prohibited.

Visitor Information

Visitor Centers & Museums

• The Thomas Condon Visitor Center is the main hub for orientation, fossils, and geology exhibits, located in the Sheep Rock Unit.
• The Cant Ranch Museum presents the history of early settlers and ranching in the John Day Basin.

Hiking & Exploration

• Each unit offers hiking trails ranging from easy walks to moderate hikes that explore fossil sites, colorful hills, and unique rock formations.
• Popular hikes include the Blue Basin Loop Trail, Foree Trail, Cant Ranch Loop Trail, and Clarno Palisades Trail.

Planning Your Visit

• There is no cell phone service within the monument except for public Wi-Fi at the Thomas Condon Visitor Center and Painted Hills Picnic Area.
• Fuel and food are available in nearby towns such as Dayville, Spray, Fossil, and Mitchell.
• The monument is best enjoyed from spring through fall, with some trails possibly affected by weather in winter.

Ecology and Human History

Ancient Ecosystems

• Fossils document subtropical forests, grasslands, volcanic activity, and the animals that lived through these changes.
• The evolving plant and animal fossils provide evidence of climate change and environmental shifts over millions of years.

Native Peoples

• The area lies within lands traditionally used by Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, and other Native American groups.
• Indigenous peoples have longstanding cultural ties to the region, hunting, gathering, and living in the John Day River basin long before European settlement.

Additional Resources

• NPS – John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
• Plan Your Visit – John Day Fossil Beds
• John Day Fossil Beds – Fossils of the Region
• John Day Fossil Beds Hiking Trails
• John Day Fossil Beds – Current Conditions & Alerts
• John Day Fossil Beds – FAQs【1:0】【6:6】【12:12】【1:0】【6:6】【1:0】【12:12】【1:0】

Links

• Website
• Map

Hours

• Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM