John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Protected park · OR, USA
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in OR, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Usual hours
- Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00
About
This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.
Before you go
- Mobility
- Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.
- Limits
- Pets are allowed in developed areas (such as picnic areas, overlooks, etc.) and along hiking trails, but are not allowed inside government buildings
- Limits
- Pets are allowed in developed areas (such as picnic areas, overlooks, etc.) and along hiking trails, but are not allowed inside government buildings
- Park alert: No Water Available at the Clarno Unit
- There is currently no water available at the Clarno Unit of the park. Please plan accordingly and bring water when visiting.
- Getting there
- John Day Fossil Beds encompasses 14,000 acres in three geographically separated units in Oregon: Sheep Rock Unit, Painted Hills Unit, and Clarno Unit. The Sheep Rock Unit is located between the towns of Dayville and Kimberly. The Painted Hills Unit is located 9 miles northwest of of the town of Mitchell. The Clarno Unit is located on Highway 218 twenty miles west of the town of Fossil.
- Weather & when to go
- Weather conditions at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument are highly variable in this semi-arid desert landscape. Summer highs can climb into the 110's. Winters tend to be fairly mild, with occassional snow and ice and lows occasionally dipping into the single digits.
- Visitor center
- Blue Basin
- Visitor center
- Clarno Palisades
- Visitor center
- Foree
- Visitor center
- Foree
- Visitor center
- Historic Cant Ranch Museum
- Visitor center
- Historic Cant Ranch Museum
- Visitor center
- Historic Cant Ranch Museum
- Visitor center
- Historic Cant Ranch Museum — The Historic Cant Ranch Home and Museum is open to the public as staffing allows and is subject to change. Park Rangers or Volunteers-in-Parks (VIPs) share the Cant family history during operating hours. The outdoor areas of the Historic Cant Ranch district are open year-round, 24 hours of the day. — From the HWY 26/HWY 19 junction, drive two miles north on HWY 19 and the museum and parking lot are located on the right-hand side (East side) of the road.
- Visitor center
- Mascall Formation Overlook
- Visitor center
- Mascall Formation Overlook
- Visitor center
- Painted Hills Picnic Area
- Visitor center
- Painted Hills Picnic Area
Facilities on the park map
6 bench, 3 defibrillator, 3 first aid kit, 2 mobility rental, 10 picnic area, 7 restroom, 15 visitor information, 2 water fountain.
History
- Opened
- 1975
- Park opened