John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
FAQFrequently asked questions
What are John Day fossil beds and what are they interesting for?
This is a national monument in Oregon (USA), where plants and animals of the last 40 million years have been preserved in the colorful hills. Among the findings are the oldest remains of a beaver in North America, about 7 million years old.
Where is it and how to get there?
This is eastern Oregon, about 122 miles northeast of Bend and 240 miles from Portland. The monument consists of three separate areas - Sheep Rock, Painted Hills and Clarno, between which there are 45-81 miles of road, so you can't cover everything in one visit - prepare a car and a plan.
What is worth seeing on the spot?
The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center with its fossil museum and laboratory, the petroglyphs in Picture Gorge, the Clarno Palisades rock formations and the Painted Hills themselves. Trails are short - from 300 feet to 3 miles, with explanatory signs.
When is the best time to go?
In the summer, it is warm (up to +30) and it is convenient to walk along the paths. In winter, it snows and the roads are icy, so from November to February enthusiasm decreases.
What should you know before the trip?
Entrance and visits to the center are free, open all year round during daylight hours. Inside there is no housing, no camping, no food - and no mobile communication either. Elevations range from 2,000 to 4,500 feet, and mountain sheep were reintroduced here in 2010.
