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Fossil Beds
JOHN DAY FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
preserves a world class record of evolution - animal, plant,
climate and ecosystem - spanning over 40 million years.
Fossils of land plants and animals, as well as evidence of
dramatic climate change, have been discovered, dating from
5 million to 44 million years old.
The monument’s more than 14,000 acres are found in
three diverse, separate units: the Sheep Rock Unit, Painted
Hills Unit and Clarno Unit, all in the John Day River Basin.
Although the units are spread out in rural areas over winding
roads, with an early start it is possible to visit all three in
one day.
The Sheep Rock Unit is the largest area of the
monument and contains the Historic Cant Ranch and
Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, the informational
facility of the monument. It is the best place to see examples
of what can be found in all three units, and you can find park
rangers with answers to your questions. The center also
includes a lab, where the paleontology crew can oftentimes
be observed at work.
The Clarno Unit, about 20 miles away and closer to the
town of Fossil, holds a variety of rock formations known as
the Palisades. Signs of small and large animals as well as
plant life can be seen. Although digging for fossils is not
allowed anywhere in the monument, near to this unit is the
Wheeler High School Fossil Beds, where visitors are
allowed to search for their own fossils (entrance fee
required).
The Painted Hills Unit is aptly named, as it showcases
varied colorful shades in exposed volcanic layers. This unit
is best viewed in the late afternoon for panoramic scenes of
the hills or close-up views of the multi-hued layers. Seasonal
blooms add their own touch.
Hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty are found
throughout the monument, as well as picnic areas and
restrooms.
42 | OFFICIAL GRANT COUNTY VISITOR GUIDE 2016 | MyEagleNews.com
John Day Fossil Beds National
Monument
32651 Highway 19, 8 miles west of Dayville
541-987-2333 • www.nps.gov/joda
Open: Daily, year-round, except federal holidays
between Thanksgiving and President’s Day.
Winter hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Summer hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Whether you are interested in plants and animals, rock
formations and geology or the history of the people who
once lived here, the well-documented changing of the life
and landscape is a must-see. Visit today for your chance to
experience the prehistoric past of the John Day Fossil Beds
National Monument.