John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument protects exceptionally preserved layers of fossil plants and animals and the colorful geological strata of the John Day Basin in east-central Oregon. The monument covers multiple noncontiguous units, each representing different intervals of the Cenozoic fossil record and distinct landscape character.

The Painted Hills Unit displays vividly banded and iron-rich soils and is popular for short walks and photography; the Sheep Rock Unit contains the main visitor center and museum exhibits that interpret the region’s fossil history; the Clarno Unit exposes older volcanic and sedimentary deposits with trails to fossil-bearing outcrops. Each unit offers interpretive trails and roadside viewpoints suited to geology and paleontology interests.

The area’s rock layers preserve fossil assemblages that document changes in climate and ecosystems over many millions of years; scientific study of these deposits has produced fossil plants and mammals used to reconstruct ancient environments and evolutionary history. The monument was designated to protect both scientific resources and the visible stratigraphy that records these changes.

Units are spread across the John Day Basin in east-central Oregon; the Sheep Rock Unit is near the town of Dayville, the Painted Hills Unit is near Mitchell, and the Clarno Unit lies closer to Prairie City. Distances among units mean visitors typically travel by car between them.

• Three separate units: The monument is spread across three units each with different geology and fossils - Sheep Rock, Clarno and Painted Hills - and visitors often plan separate day trips for each unit due to distance between them.

What to See#

• Sheep Rock Unit: Sheep Rock Unit, which contains the park’s main visitor center, fossil exhibits and interpretive displays focused on the John Day Basin’s fossil record.
• Clarno Unit: Clarno Unit, featuring older volcanic and fossil-bearing rock layers with roadside stops and short trails that highlight early Tertiary plant and animal fossils.
• Painted Hills Unit: Painted Hills Unit, noted for its vividly colored stratified hills and short trail loops that allow close views of the multi-hued geological formations.

• Start at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center in the Sheep Rock Unit for the best orientation, fossils exhibits and up-to-date trail information before driving to the other units.
• Divide your visit by unit-Sheep Rock, Painted Hills and Clarno-to avoid long backtracking; Painted Hills is best photographed in the softer morning or late-afternoon light, while Clarno tends to be far less crowded.
• Factor in driving times and limited services between units-many visitors underestimate distances and miss the less-visited Clarno Unit, which offers distinct geology and fewer people if you're short on time.