Top Tips for Visiting John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Planning a trip to John Day Fossil Beds National Monument? Here is how to plan like a park ranger.

The Thomas Condon Visitor Center's fossil gallery holds specimens spanning 40 million years. NPS photo

1. Start with the story

The Thomas Condon Visitor Center, in the Sheep Rock Unit, is the best place to see fossils and learn about them: a fossil gallery, a paleontology lab, and displays covering more than 40 million years of fossil record. Watch the 20-minute park film Layers of Life: Stories of Ancient Oregon in the theater, and pick up a Junior Ranger or Junior Paleontologist book at the front desk — for all ages — to earn a badge.

Questions? Ask a ranger at the desk, email the park, or call ahead at (541) 987-2333.

NPS photo

2. Expect long drives

The monument's three units are 1–2 hours apart, whatever order you visit them in. Plan a long, scenic drive: download music or podcasts, bring snacks, and — if you must — caffeinate.

• Fuel and charging: know where gas stations and electric vehicle chargers are. Some pumps are self-serve with irregular hours, and availability differs by town. Plan ahead so you don't get stranded.

Clarno Palisades. NPS photo

3. Unplug — but plan for it

The monument has many places simply to sit and take in the quiet, the sounds and the stillness of the rock formations. Be respectful of others.

• Cell service is spotty, so GPS directions are unreliable. Download directions, agree plans with your group beforehand, and carry paper maps — available at the visitor center, the Painted Hills picnic area and the Cant Ranch parking lot.
• The NPS App lets you download maps and park information for offline use.

Painted Cove trail. NPS photo

4. Recreate responsibly

• Follow Leave No Trace and stay on the trail: the geology is fragile, and fossils may lie at or just under the surface. Trail guides are available across the park.
• Dogs are welcome on the trails — leashed at all times, with waste bagged and thrown away.

Sheep Rock from the Sheep Rock Overlook Trail. NPS photo

5. Prepare for any weather

The monument sees everything from snow to extreme heat. Pack for the forecast.

Hot asphalt can hurt or burn a dog's paws. Bring water for your dog too, and never leave a pet alone in a car.

Expect crowds at popular trails and information centers. NPS photo

6. Have a plan — and a backup

• Overnight: there is no camping in the monument, but there are campgrounds nearby each unit. Some campgrounds and lodges need reservations, so book ahead.
• The unexpected: cars break down and weather turns. Popular trailheads fill up, and full lots can close temporarily — have a quieter trail in mind while you wait.

Sources

Based on "Top Tips for Visiting John Day Fossil Beds," National Park Service; a work of the United States government in the public domain.