Painted Hills Unit Trails

A close-up map of the Painted Hills Unit depicting the road, picnic area, and trail locations.

Hiking Trails at the Painted Hills Unit

The Painted Hills Unit has a total of five trails, each with their own parking area. Directional signs along Bear Creek Road point the way to each trailhead. (Note: The Red Scar Knoll Trail is called Red Hill on the road signs.) RVs and other large vehicles are not recommended past the Painted Hills Overlook.

Please remember to recreate responsibly, stay on trail, and Don't Hurt the Dirt!

  • Carroll Rim Trail (1.6 mile / 2.6 km roundtrip)
  • Painted Hills Overlook Trail (0.5 mile / 0.8 km roundtrip)
  • Painted Cove Trail (0.25 mile / 0.4 km)
  • Leaf Hill Trail (0.25 mile / 0.4 km)
  • Red Scar Knoll Trail (0.25 mi / 0.4 km)
For a PDF or JPG download of this and other park maps, visit the NPS maps page.
 
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    Clarno Unit Trails

    See real fossils along the trail from an ancient semi-tropical rainforest.

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    Sheep Rock Unit Trails

    Explore hiking trails with views of blue-green claystones or near the Thomas Condon Visitor Center.

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    Painted Hills Unit

    The colorful stripes and gentle ripples of the Painted Hills makes it one of the most popular destinations in the park.

    Clarno is the best place for fossils in situ.
    Clarno Unit

    The Clarno Unit has the oldest exposed layers of the park, and the only unit with fossils along the trail. Remember, no collecting fossils.

    Eroded claystone reveals the past with blue, tan, pink, and brown rock layers.
    Sheep Rock Unit

    Home to the Thomas Condon Visitor Center and the Cant Ranch Museum, the Sheep Rock Unit also has many trails and scenic views.

    Last updated: September 24, 2024

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    Mailing Address:

    32651 Highway 19
    Kimberly, OR 97848

    Phone:

    541 987-2333

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