About John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Large rhino-like brontotheres roam a semitropical forest. 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.
Quick Facts
Operating Hours
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.
Activities
Getting There
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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
John Day Fossil Beds Junior Ranger Program
Become a John Day Fossil Beds Junior Ranger
Layers of Life: Stories of Ancient Oregon
Layers of Life: Stories of Ancient Oregon
Fossil Gallery
Fossil gallery
Thomas Condon Overlook Trail
This 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long trail starts at the far end of the Thomas Condon Visitor Center parking lot…
Trail of Fossils
The Trail of Fossils is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long and is the best trail in the monument to see…
Story in Stone Trail
The mostly level Story in Stone Trail loops through dramatic pillars of blue-green claystone rocks that make up the Turtle…
Visitor Centers
Historic Cant Ranch Museum
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…
Hours: The Historic Cant Ranch Home and Museum is open to the public as staffing allows and is subject to change. Park Rangers or Volunteers-in-Parks (VIPs) share the Cant family history during operating hours. The outdoor areas of the Historic Cant Ranch district are open year-round, 24 hours of the day.
Thomas Condon Visitor Center
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…
Hours: The grounds and trails remain open when the visitor center is closed.
🗺️ Guided Tours & Experiences
Discover John Day Fossil Beds National Monument with expert-led tours
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
🏨 Find Hotels Near John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Compare accommodation options for your visit
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
More Parks in Oregon
Plan Your Trip From a Nearby City
Find national parks near these cities, including John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.