Webcams

The rugged and remote landscape of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is fascinating and awe-inspiring. As you admire the layers of volcanic clay on Caroll Rim, imagine what ancient wonders lay hidden there, encased in a tomb of hardened ash for millions of years.

The units of John Day Fossil Beds are all at least an hour apart, so weather conditions may vary from unit to unit. You can call the rangers at the Thomas Condon Visitor Center for Sheep Rock Unit conditions and check Trip Check from the Oregon Department of Transportation for road conditions between the units.

 

Painted Hills Unit: Carroll Rim

The webcam points towards the northwest at Carroll Rim, a 2430 ft (741 m) hill capped by ignimbrite, or a massive pyroclastic deposit. The ignimbrite sits on top of the Turtle Cove member of the John Day formation. The iconic painted hills are not visible in this image, but the view gives a good approximation of what the weather may be like at the Painted Hills Unit.

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Sheep Rock Unit Cam

Sheep Rock is one of the magnificent centerpieces of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Located just across the John Day River from the Thomas Condon Visitor Center, it rises over 1,000 feet above the valley floor. Colorful, fossil-rich volcanic ash layers can be seen on its slope. The camera is located at an elevation of approximately 2,100'.

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Paleo Lab Web Cam

The paleo lab web cam views the fossil preparation workspace. Under a microscope using a pencil-shaped tool called an air scribe, the fossil preparator removes rock from a fossil. Watch as fossils are prepared for display and research.

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