Photo: NPS Photo / Scott Ritner
Large rhino-like brontotheres roam a semitropical forest.
Weather now29°F Clear
Dog-sized, three-toed horses dart between the trees. The cat-like nimravid and bear dogs stalk their prey.
The climate cools and forests alter to dryer grasslands. Saber tooth cats and camels get replaced by mountain lions and deer.
Paleontologists learn more about the ancient animals and environment with every new fossil they discover.
There is currently no water available at the Clarno Unit of the park. Please plan accordingly and bring water when visiting.
19 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
The Blue Basin Overlook Trail is a 3.25 mi (5.2 km) trail that climbs 760 ft (230 m) in elevation to an overlook of Blue Basin. This trail provides breathtaking views down into steep canyons and…
Learn more about Blue Basin Overlook Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
The Carroll Rim Trail is 1.6 miles (2.6 km) roundtrip. The trail climbs over 400 ft (120 m) of elevation to a panorama view of the Painted Hills.
Learn more about Carroll Rim Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
This 0.5 mi (0.8 km) trail climbs almost 200 ft (60 m) in height to the base of the Palisades to a view of an arch above. No collecting is permitted.
Learn more about Clarno Arch Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Mostly easy with several stair steps, this 0.5 mi (0.8 km) long trail ends at a dramatic cliff face and a view of colorful geologic formations and fiery floods of basalt across the valley.
Learn more about Flood of Fire Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Travel in time between the past and present on this 0.5 mi (0.8 km) path connecting the Trail of Fossils and the picnic area. No collecting is permitted.
Learn more about Geologic Time Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
This 1.3 mi (2.1 km) trail follows the canyon floor and ascends 200 ft (60 m) in elevation through blue-green badlands. Exhibits and fossil replicas along the trail tell the story of the fossil…
Learn more about Island in Time Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Become a John Day Fossil Beds Junior Ranger
Learn more about John Day Fossil Beds Junior Ranger Program on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Layers of Life: Stories of Ancient Oregon
Learn more about Layers of Life: Stories of Ancient Oregon on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
This trail is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) roundtrip. Leaf Hill has been extensively excavated and studied by paleontologists. Signs explain more of its history. No collecting is permitted. Please stay on trail.
Learn more about Leaf Hill Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
This 430 ft (131 m) roundtrip trail leads to a scenic view of the Mascall Formation, Picture Gorge, and John Day Valley.
Learn more about Mascall Formation Overlook on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
The Painted Cove Trail is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) roundtrip. The Painted Cove is an amazing color palette of vibrant rocks. A portion of this trail features a level boardwalk to cross over sensitive soils…
Learn more about Painted Cove Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
The Painted Hills Overlook Trail is 0.5 mile (0.8 km) roundtrip. This fairly level trail follows an old road and offers further distinctive views of the Painted Hills. Walking on the hills is…
Learn more about Painted Hills Overlook Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
This mostly level trail is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long and leads to a hill of bright yellow and red clays; called Red Hill Trail on road signs. Walking on the exposed soils is strictly prohibited. Please…
Learn more about Red Scar Knoll Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Starting at the Cant Ranch parking lot, this 0.6 mi (1 km) long trail passes through historic fields and alongside a historic fruit orchard on its way to the John Day River. Fruit may be collected…
Learn more about River Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Starting at the front gate of the historic Cant home, this 0.5 mi (0.8 km) trail ends at an overlook with a view of the river valley with Sheep Rock high above.
Learn more about Sheep Rock Overlook Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
The mostly level Story in Stone Trail loops through dramatic pillars of blue-green claystone rocks that make up the Turtle Cove formation of John Day Fossil Beds. Before the trail intersection, the…
Learn more about Story in Stone Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
This 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long trail starts at the far end of the Thomas Condon Visitor Center parking lot and ends at an overlook of the river valley.
Learn more about Thomas Condon Overlook Trail on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
The Trail of Fossils is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long and is the best trail in the monument to see real fossils. Look for leaf imprints and pieces of wood within the boulders that have fallen from the…
Learn more about Trail of Fossils on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)Showing 19 of 19
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Find visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Visitor Center
Enjoy the exhibits on the ground floor of the Historic Cant Ranch Museum located in the Sheep Rock Unit. It features artifacts from some of the Native Americans who…
32651 HWY 19, Kimberly, OR Directions
Facility
Located in the Sheep Rock Unit, the Thomas Condon Visitor Center is a National Park Service research facility containing an outstanding paleontology lab dedicated to the…
Kimberly, OR (541) 987-2333 Directions
Open 24 hours, daily · Outdoor Recreation Areas
All outdoor recreation opportunities in the park are open daily, including all overlooks and hiking trails at the park’s three units: Sheep Rock, Painted Hills, and Clarno.
No entrance fees listed.
56° 29°
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Updated 55 min ago
Weather conditions at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument are highly variable in this semi-arid desert landscape. Summer highs can climb into the 110's. Winters tend to be fairly mild, with occassional snow and ice and lows occasionally dipping into the single digits.
John Day Fossil Beds encompasses 14,000 acres in three geographically separated units in Oregon: Sheep Rock Unit, Painted Hills Unit, and Clarno Unit. The Sheep Rock Unit is located between the towns of Dayville and Kimberly.
The Painted Hills Unit is located 9 miles northwest of of the town of Mitchell. The Clarno Unit is located on Highway 218 twenty miles west of the town of Fossil.
Mailing address: 32651 Highway 19, Kimberly, OR 97848
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