John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Walk short trails past colorful striped claystone hills and see fossils of ancient mammals and plants at the visitor center.

32651 Highway 19 (Thomas Condon Visitor Center, Sheep Rock Unit) · Kimberly, OR

About John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Three separate units spread across eastern Oregon preserve plant and animal fossils from about 44 to 7 million years ago. The Painted Hills Unit near Mitchell is known for its colorful striped hills, and the Clarno Unit is the only unit with fossils along the trail. The Sheep Rock Unit holds the Thomas Condon Visitor Center and the Cant Ranch Museum. No entrance pass is required, and collecting fossils is never allowed.

#national monument
#painted hills
#fossils
#hiking
#scenic overlook

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What's around here?

The closest stops to John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Sightseeing
Local Gem
Mitchell
No admission fee
Small Eastern Oregon town nine miles from the Painted Hills unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
Transit: reachable by public transit
25 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Sports & Outdoors
Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site
Check prices
Riverside Oregon state park with a campground, picnic area, and access to nearby wilderness and historic sites.
29 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Outdoor Adventure
Painted Hills
No admission fee
Short trails and overlooks take you past hills striped in red, tan, orange and black claystone.
31 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor
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A scenic drive along Highway 395 through pine and larch forest, with a primitive campground and river fishing.
51 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Prineville Reservoir State Park
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High desert state park centered on a 3,000-acre reservoir in Central Oregon, known for camping, boating, fishing, and night-sky viewing.
54 mi awayMore like this
Sports & Outdoors
Battle Mountain Forest State Scenic Corridor
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A forested Oregon state scenic corridor along U.S. 395 north of Ukiah, known for pine and fir stands, wildlife, and spring birding.
59 mi awayMore like this