Trip Idea

Half-Day Trip to John Day Fossil Beds

Multiple Parks

Red and yellow striped hills with tan grasses in the foreground and blue skies.
Duration Half Day
Topic(s) Scenic Views, Fossils and Paleontology, Geology, Schools and Education
Activities Front-Country Hiking, Museum Exhibits
Type Kid Friendly, Active, Relaxed, Solitary/Remote, Educational, Outdoors more »
Parks John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Just passing through but want to see the park highlights? Listed below are the "Don't Miss!" features to see in each unit.

Half Day in Clarno Unit
  • 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.

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  • 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.

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Half Day in Painted Hills 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.

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  • 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.

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  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Carroll Rim Trail

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Painted Hills Unit
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    View of red and green striped hills from trail above, with green sagebrush and windy dirt road below

    The Carroll Rim Trail is 1.6 miles (2.6 km) roundtrip. The trail climbs over 400 ft (120 m) of elevation to a panorama view of the Painted Hills.

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Half Day in Sheep Rock 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

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  • 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

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  • 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.

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  • John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

    Thomas Condon Overlook Trail

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Sheep Rock Unit
    • Duration: 5–20 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A tall pointed formation with fields and a road in front of it

    This 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long trail starts at the far end of the Thomas Condon Visitor Center parking lot and ends at an overlook of the river valley.

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Last updated: December 10, 2022