Following an itinerary in the Pacific Northwest of the United States can reveal many unexpected surprises, as is the case here. The Painted Hills are one of the seven wonders of the state of Oregon. They are located within the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and, as you can guess from the name, the main peculiarity of these mountains are the different layers of red and green color one after the other. Let’s find out how to visit them and what this park can offer us. It is a bit off the usual tourist routes, but no less fascinating.
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Where is John Day Fossil Beds NM Located?
The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a park extending to three areas that are separated from each other. These are:
- Sheep Rock Unit: located between the city of Kimberly and Dayville.
- Painted Hills Unit: about 10 miles northwest of the city of Mitchell.
- Clarno Unit: located along Highway 218 between the towns of Fossil and Antelope.
It is quite difficult for you to see all three sections in a single day, this is because you would have to undertake several drives that, although not excessively long, would still take too much time out of your visit. For example, if you want to go from the Painted Hills to the Sheep Rock section, you’ll have to drive for at least one hour, while the journey from Sheep Rock to Clarno Unit takes at least an hour and a half.
If you intend to visit all three areas in their entirety, you should consider finding accommodation in the area and finish off your visit the next day. Otherwise, all you have to do is choose one (or two, depending on your itinerary) of the three.
You can access these areas, and all the trails they include, from dawn to dusk every day of the year. The Thomas Condon Paleontology and Visitor Center, on the other hand, is open seasonally, at the following times (however, check the official website for any changes) :
- Summer period (Memorial Day through Labor Day): 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily
- March, May and September: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily
- November through February: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday and for federal holidays
Admission to the three sections of the park under the auspices of the National Park Service is totally free.
Painted Hills Trails and Overlook
This is definitely the most spectacular section of the park. Hilly reliefs stand out on the surrounding plain with the peculiar characteristic of developing in various colors ranging from green to red, forming an almost alien landscape. To reach it, you’ll have to take the scenic Bridge Creek Road that runs close to the river of the same name. As for the remaining sections of the park, the main activity to undertake is to walk the trails. In this case, there are five trails to choose from, but if you’re short on time, I suggest you consider at least these:
- Carroll Rim Trail: this is perhaps the most scenic trail because it will give you an overview of these particular mountains. It’s about 1.5 miles round trip, so taking at least 40 minutes to get to the end of the trail and back to the starting point, not counting the classic stops for photos and rest. You can leave your car at the parking lot of the nearby Overlook Trail, which you can also walk (just under 0.6 miles round trip) to see the same mountains from a different point of view.
- Painted Cove Trail: a very short (about 0.3 miles round trip) and easy trail, but one that still manages to be particularly spectacular. Thanks to this trail you will be able to walk along and through a part of the Painted Hills. If you have the opportunity to choose a time of day, I suggest you enjoy this walk at sunset when the particular light at this time of day helps to create more intense colors.
Sheep Rock Unit
In this area of the park, the colors are not as bright as those of the Painted Hills: here the volcanic rocks have taken on a characteristic coloration between gray and blue, with shades tending to green. As you get closer to them, they will seem almost like huge sand castles, not only in their shape and composition, but also because there is no vegetation of any kind.
Here you will also find the Thomas Condon Paleontology and Visitor Center that you can visit to find maps and more information about the park, and also to visit a permanent exhibition with fossils found in this area.
On weekends during the summer months, just a short walk from the visitor center, you can also visit the Cant Ranch Historic Home & Museum, a large area built around an early 20th century farmhouse with old farm tools on display. A true open-air museum with the rock formations in the background. From here you can take The River Trail, which will take you to the banks of the river, and the Sheep Rock Overlook Trail, which will take you to an elevated area from where you can look down on the area below.
If you want to walk a trail that is more “in theme” with the park, our advice may be to opt for the Island in Time. It is a path of about 1.2 miles round trip that heads into the canyon. You will be surrounded by high rocks of mixed color, gray, green and blue. Some of the fossils are displayed in cases to protect them from the weather and to allow you to observe them at the same time. If you are particularly interested you can also undertake the Story in Stone which is shorter and partly paved.
Clarno Unit
This is perhaps the least interesting area compared to the other two (as well as being the least extensive). Here the main attractions are the so-called Palisades pinnacles of lava rock that were formed millions of years ago. There are three trails that you can take, although they are basically subdivisions of the same path. The Trail of Fossils and the Clarno Arch Trail have their beginnings along the course of Highway 218, where there is a small parking area at the start of the walks. If you can’t find a place to park your car, just head to the picnic area just a little further on and take the Geologic Time Trail that will lead you to the beginning of the other two trails.
Where to Stay near Painted Hills
A good place to stay when visiting these areas would be in the city of Redmond, about an hour and a half drive from the Painted Hills section.
- Best Western Plus Rama Inn (2630 SW 17th Place): a relatively new property that makes the Best Western brand its strong point. Rooms are quite spacious, and the hotel also provides guests with a large indoor pool and a smaller pool with a whirlpool.
- Sleep Inn & Suites Redmond (1847 North Highway 97): this hotel is part of a large hotel chain like the previous one, so it could be a bit impersonal, but those who want excellent value for money can rely on this place. Again, there is an indoor pool (though smaller in size) and the rooms are more spacious than the average American hotel.
- WorldMark Eagle Crest (1590 Mountail Quail Drive): this might be an option to consider if you plan to treat yourself and pamper yourself a bit. Rather than rooms, you’ll have real apartments with balconies, set in a fine structure surrounded by greenery where you can enjoy a relaxing walk or a dip in the pool (outdoors).
If these facilities are not for you, or you want to get a general idea of not only what the city of Redmond can offer you but also its surroundings, you can click on the link below.