Park Regulations

To help make your visit to John John Day Fossil Beds National Monument safe and enjoyable we have listed some of the park regulations intended to protect both the resource and the visitor. The following information is based upon Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Not all the park regulations from CFR-36 are listed below.

Preservation of Natural Features:  The digging, disturbance, or possession of fossils, rocks, plants, and other natural resources is prohibited within the monument.

Hunting and Firearms: Hunting and the use and possession of loaded firearms on park lands is prohibited.  A permit is required to transport a weapon across park land.       

Pets:   Pets must be kept under physical restraint (such as a leash) at all times. Pets are only allowed in developed, outdoor areas and along designated trails. Pets are not allowed backcountry.

Horses:  Horse use on monument trails and within picnic areas is prohibited.  Horses may traverse backcountry but must stay off bare rock and hardpan exposures.

Fishing:  Fishing is permitted with the appropriate Oregon fishing license.

Camping:  Camping is not allowed within the monument boundaries. There are many public and private campgrounds nearby.

Fires:  Fires are only permitted in established metal grills located at picnic sites within the monument, when local fire restrictions allow. 

Trails and Backcountry:  Off-road vehicle use is prohibited. Hiking off trails into backcountry is permitted on areas of soil with vegetation. Due to the fragility of small buried fossils, walking upon bare rock or hardpan exposures is prohibited. Hiking into the Blue Basin area is restricted to developed trails. Please refer to signs and notices at each of the trailheads for site regulations. 

If you are unclear about any of the regulations listed above, or wish to check on other regulations, please contact the park before or during your visit.