John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Things To Do Near John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

This beautiful park covers over 14,000 acres of epic scenery that offers great hiking opportunities and lots to explore. The best way to get the most out of your trip is to travel by RV. You will have a place to rest during the heat of the day and never have to worry about getting a reservation for a place to spend the night. This park has three different units connected by winding roads, with hiking trails, wildlife, and areas to explore in each area. 

Hiking Trails

• Painted Hills Overlook

  This trail near Mitchell offers an easy walk through a wonderful area full of beautiful wildflowers during the spring and summer seasons. This is also a good area for bird-watching, and it's accessible all year. The views are absolutely stunning, with vivid colors that stand out, especially on a sunny day.

  Location

  37375 Bear Creek Road, Mitchell, OR 97750

  Length

  0.6 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Blue Basin Overlook Trail

  The Blue Basin Overlook Trail features a river and is perfect for nature trips and bird-watching. This trail takes you into another world with spectacular rock formations. It is a well-marked trail with a place to sit and rest at the overlook. There is limited shade, so be sure to wear a hat and bring sunscreen and some water to stay hydrated.

  Location

  Blue Basin Parking Area, Dayville, OR 97825

  Length

  4 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Island in Time

  Island in Time offers spectacular views with a gentle climb up to an amphitheater of rock. This is a beautiful hike that is not as crowded as some of the other trails. There is clear signage along the way and a few bridges to cross. There is some amazing geology on this trail as well.

  Location

  Sheep Rock Unit, Dayville, OR

  Length

  1.2 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• Thomas Condon Paleontology Center

  The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center is named after the scientist who first recognized these fossil beds and did the first study of some of their specimens. Start your visit by watching the park orientation film to learn more about the area. Explore the displays of over 500 fossil specimens taken from the John Day Fossil Beds. There are also viewing windows where the public can watch scientists study the fossils.

  Location

  32651 OR-19, Kimberly, OR 97848

• Cant Ranch

  The Cant Ranch was owned by James and Elizabeth Cant in the early 1900s. Their former house is now the headquarters for the park. The structure of the house is mostly the same as it was back then when the girls would sleep on the upstairs porch during the heat of the summer and the boys were downstairs. The grounds around the ranch were designed to help them be self-sufficient with a vegetable garden, fruit orchards, chickens, and cows. They also harvested wheat and alfalfa. 

  Location

  Dayville, OR

• Sheep Rock

  Sheep Rock is located on the highway between Kimberly and Dayville. These rocks date back as far as 95 million years, and scientists have found fossils in this area also dating back millions of years. There are vault toilets available here but no water, so make sure you are well stocked before you make the trip.

  Location

  32651 OR-19, Kimberly, OR 97848

Museums

• Grant County Historical Museum

  The Grant County Historical Museum began as one man's antique collection and grew from there. Most of the exhibits are made up of donations from residents, giving their "old relics" to fill out the collections. Exhibits cover subjects like mining, brewing, law and military, music, clothing, and Native Americans. All these collections tell the story of the local area's history from many different points of view. 

  Location

  101 S. Canyon City Blvd., Canyon City, OR 97820

• Grant County Ranch & Rodeo Museum

  The Grant County Ranch & Rodeo Museum gives you a taste of western culture cowboy style. The museum has collections of photos, tools, and literature that tell the story of the cowboy lifestyle in the best and worst of times. 

  Location

  241 E. Main Street, John Day, OR 97845

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Dayville Mercantile

  The Dayville Mercantileis one of the oldest general stores in the state of Oregon. It is an old-fashioned store that sells everything from dry goods to food to hats to whiskey. This is the perfect place to stock up on any supplies you will need before heading up to the park. 

  Location

  207 Franklin Street, Dayville, OR 97825

• Wheeler County Trading Company

  The Wheeler County Trading Company is a grocery store near the park where you can get anything you need. They have groceries, hardware, and sporting goods. This is a typical rural market with a variety of supplies, seasonal products, and gardening. They even have raffles.

  Location

  100 W. Main Street, Mitchell, OR 97750

• Dayville Café

  The Dayville Café is a down-home family-owned restaurant with the owner doing the cooking and his mom making the pies. His wife and daughter provide great service when you come to eat.

  Location

  212 Franklin Street, Dayville, OR 97825

• Twisted Treasures

  Twisted Treasures is a small, comfortable restaurant known for its breakfast burritos and lattes. They offer a friendly atmosphere, good prices, and excellent service. 

  Location

  150 Franklin Street, Dayville, OR 97825

How To Get To John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Starting from Bend, Oregon, take US Highway 97 and travel north to Redmond. Just south of Redmond, turn right onto SW Veterans Way. Then turn left on SE Veterans Way. Turn right onto OR-126 E and follow that highway into Prineville. Merge onto OR-26 E/NW 3rd Street. Follow Highway OR-26 East for about 77 miles to reach John Day Fossil Beds.

Address

32651 OR-19, Kimberly, OR 97848

Fee: Entry fee $0

Visiting John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is an adventure akin to visiting the Old West. You will be venturing into a rural corner of Oregon into the high desert. There are not a lot of populated areas out there, just a few small towns, but traveling by RV means you will have everything you need right with you, so you are free to explore. You will find a host of stunning views in the layers of rock formations and the colors they bring out. The stunning views, fascinating history found in the fossils, and down-home culture make this area worth the trip.