Trip Idea

Full-Day Trip to John Day Fossil Beds

Multiple Parks

Blue-green claystone formations in a canyon below tan and green bunchgrass covered hills.
Duration Full Day
Topic(s) Fossils and Paleontology, Geology, Schools and Education, Climate Change, Scenic Views
Activities Front-Country Hiking, Museum Exhibits, Junior Ranger Program, Park Film
Type Kid Friendly, Active, Relaxed, Solitary/Remote, Educational, Indoors, Outdoors more »
Parks John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Due to the time and distance between units, we highly recommend not visiting all three units in one day. You may find it helpful to plan your trip based on the route or location you're traveling to/from:

  • For visitors traveling East/West on HWY 26 to/from Bend, OR or Boise, ID: Sheep Rock Unit and Painted Hills Unit
  • For visitors traveling North/South from I-84 to/from Portland, OR and HWY 395 to/from Burns, OR: Sheep Rock Unit and Clarno Unit
  • For visitors traveling to/from Bend, OR or Portland, OR along I-84 and HWY 19 and HWY 207: Clarno Unit and Painted Hills Unit
Sheep Rock Unit and Painted Hills Unit
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Fossil Gallery
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Thomas Condon Visitor Center
    • Duration: 10–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Fossils on display with murals

    Fossil gallery

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Layers of Life: Stories of Ancient Oregon
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Park Film
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Thomas Condon Visitor Center and Park Website
    • Duration: 20 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A blue-green geologic formation with green grass and a tree in the foreground.

    Layers of Life: Stories of Ancient Oregon

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    John Day Fossil Beds Junior Ranger Program
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Junior Ranger Program
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Thomas Condon Visitor Center
    • Duration: 20–120 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Book with text

    Become a John Day Fossil Beds Junior Ranger

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Island in Time Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Sheep Rock Unit
    • Duration: 20–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A metal bridge leads to blue-green claystones with a tree on the side.

    This 1.3 mi (2.1 km) trail follows the canyon floor and ascends 200 ft (60 m) in elevation through blue-green badlands. Exhibits and fossil replicas along the trail tell the story of the fossil landscape.  Dog owners please note: There are over a dozen metal bridges on this trail. All have rough footplates that many dogs refused to cross. You may need to carry your dogs across the bridges. No collecting is allowed and off-trail hiking is strictly prohibited. Please stay on

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Story in Stone Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Sheep Rock Unit
    • Duration: 15–30 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Layered blue claystone rocks in a valley with blue skies in the background

    The mostly level Story in Stone Trail loops through dramatic pillars of blue-green claystone rocks that make up the Turtle Cove formation of John Day Fossil Beds. Before the trail intersection, the walkway is paved for 900 ft (275 m). Please stay on trail, no collecting permitted, and keep your pets leashed.

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Painted Hills Overlook Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Painted Hills Unit
    • Duration: 5–30 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Red and green striped hills with shrubs in the foreground and clear blue skies in the background.

    The Painted Hills Overlook Trail is 0.5 mile (0.8 km) roundtrip. This fairly level trail follows an old road and offers further distinctive views of the Painted Hills. Walking on the hills is strictly prohibited.

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Painted Cove Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Painted Hills Unit
    • Duration: 10–30 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A wooden boardwalk goes between two red claystone hills. Cloudy blue skies are in the background.

    The Painted Cove Trail is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) roundtrip. The Painted Cove is an amazing color palette of vibrant rocks. A portion of this trail features a level boardwalk to cross over sensitive soils. Please stay on the designated trail.

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Red Scar Knoll Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Painted Hills Unit
    • Duration: 15–30 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Red and yellow claystone hills

    This mostly level trail is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long and leads to a hill of bright yellow and red clays; called Red Hill Trail on road signs. Walking on the exposed soils is strictly prohibited. Please stay on trail.

    View Details
Sheep Rock Unit and Clarno Unit
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Fossil Gallery
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Thomas Condon Visitor Center
    • Duration: 10–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Fossils on display with murals

    Fossil gallery

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Layers of Life: Stories of Ancient Oregon
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Park Film
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Thomas Condon Visitor Center and Park Website
    • Duration: 20 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A blue-green geologic formation with green grass and a tree in the foreground.

    Layers of Life: Stories of Ancient Oregon

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    John Day Fossil Beds Junior Ranger Program
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Junior Ranger Program
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Thomas Condon Visitor Center
    • Duration: 20–120 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Book with text

    Become a John Day Fossil Beds Junior Ranger

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Island in Time Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Sheep Rock Unit
    • Duration: 20–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A metal bridge leads to blue-green claystones with a tree on the side.

    This 1.3 mi (2.1 km) trail follows the canyon floor and ascends 200 ft (60 m) in elevation through blue-green badlands. Exhibits and fossil replicas along the trail tell the story of the fossil landscape.  Dog owners please note: There are over a dozen metal bridges on this trail. All have rough footplates that many dogs refused to cross. You may need to carry your dogs across the bridges. No collecting is allowed and off-trail hiking is strictly prohibited. Please stay on

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Story in Stone Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Sheep Rock Unit
    • Duration: 15–30 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Layered blue claystone rocks in a valley with blue skies in the background

    The mostly level Story in Stone Trail loops through dramatic pillars of blue-green claystone rocks that make up the Turtle Cove formation of John Day Fossil Beds. Before the trail intersection, the walkway is paved for 900 ft (275 m). Please stay on trail, no collecting permitted, and keep your pets leashed.

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Geologic Time Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Clarno Unit
    • Duration: 10–35 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A gravel path goes through grass and shrubs

    Travel in time between the past and present on this 0.5 mi (0.8 km) path connecting the Trail of Fossils and the picnic area. No collecting is permitted.

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Trail of Fossils
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Clarno Unit
    • Duration: 10–35 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A leaf fossil in a rock

    The Trail of Fossils is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long and is the best trail in the monument to see real fossils. Look for leaf imprints and pieces of wood within the boulders that have fallen from the cliffs. No collecting is allowed and please stay on trail.

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Clarno Arch Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Clarno Unit
    • Duration: 15–45 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A small rock arch at the top of a cliffside formed from erosion

    This 0.5 mi (0.8 km) trail climbs almost 200 ft (60 m) in height to the base of the Palisades to a view of an arch above. No collecting is permitted.

    View Details
Painted Hills Unit and Clarno Unit
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Painted Hills Overlook Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Painted Hills Unit
    • Duration: 5–30 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Red and green striped hills with shrubs in the foreground and clear blue skies in the background.

    The Painted Hills Overlook Trail is 0.5 mile (0.8 km) roundtrip. This fairly level trail follows an old road and offers further distinctive views of the Painted Hills. Walking on the hills is strictly prohibited.

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Painted Cove Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Painted Hills Unit
    • Duration: 10–30 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A wooden boardwalk goes between two red claystone hills. Cloudy blue skies are in the background.

    The Painted Cove Trail is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) roundtrip. The Painted Cove is an amazing color palette of vibrant rocks. A portion of this trail features a level boardwalk to cross over sensitive soils. Please stay on the designated trail.

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Leaf Hill Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Painted Hills Unit
    • Duration: 10–30 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A brown hill covered with leaf fossils with a short wooden fence in front.

    This trail is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) roundtrip. Leaf Hill has been extensively excavated and studied by paleontologists. Signs explain more of its history. No collecting is permitted. Please stay on trail.

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Geologic Time Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Clarno Unit
    • Duration: 10–35 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A gravel path goes through grass and shrubs

    Travel in time between the past and present on this 0.5 mi (0.8 km) path connecting the Trail of Fossils and the picnic area. No collecting is permitted.

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Trail of Fossils
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Clarno Unit
    • Duration: 10–35 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A leaf fossil in a rock

    The Trail of Fossils is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long and is the best trail in the monument to see real fossils. Look for leaf imprints and pieces of wood within the boulders that have fallen from the cliffs. No collecting is allowed and please stay on trail.

    View Details
  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Clarno Arch Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Clarno Unit
    • Duration: 15–45 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A small rock arch at the top of a cliffside formed from erosion

    This 0.5 mi (0.8 km) trail climbs almost 200 ft (60 m) in height to the base of the Palisades to a view of an arch above. No collecting is permitted.

    View Details

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Last updated: December 10, 2022