John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Fossil, Oregon

Start Your Tour of the John Day Fossil Beds at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center . The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the most impressive outdoors attractions in the state of Oregon. You can explore trails, go river rafting and even enjoy an afternoon of fishing at the John Day Fossil Beds, but plan to spend at least a few hours learning about the amazing fossils located here,too!

The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center is located at Sheep Rock Unit within the National Monument in Kimberly, Oregon. This is the best place to start your exploration of the incredible John Day Fossil Beds. The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center features a Museum with a variety of exhibits, special interpretive programs, and audiovisual presentations on fossils, geology, and paleontology research.

As you tour the Paleontology Center Museum, you’ll learn about the geology and fossils at the John Day Fossil Beds, plus the evolution traced in the more than 40,000 item fossil collection amassed at the Center. You can also view the Paleontology Center’s fossil preparation laboratory for a fascinating glimpse at the ongoing research and methodology used by paleontologists here.

You can start your tour of the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center by requesting to view an 18 minute orientation film. You can then begin exploring the diverse exhibits at the Museum, including displays of fossils covering 40 million years of animal and plant evolution.

The Horse Family Tree exhibit is one of the many intriguing displays at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center that you’ll see on your tour. This exhibit details the evolution of the horse over the course of millions of years and features fossils that illustrate the horse’s adaptation to the changing environment.

Another exhibit features a scale model of the large nimravid, Pogonodon platycopis in attack position. The Rattlesnake Formation exhibit includes fossils and a detailed representation of how the area appeared 7 million years ago. These are just a few of the exhibits at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center.

In addition to viewing the exhibits at the Paleontology Center at Sheep Rock Unit, you may be able to attend a special talk presented by a park Ranger. Sheep Rock talks are available Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm, June through September. Talks may not be available if another program is being held at the Center.

20 miles west of the town of Fossil on Highway 218
Fossil, Oregon 97830

Discover Scenic Natural Wonders at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Oregon

The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the most interesting attractions you can visit in Oregon. The Monument consists of three separate areas that provide visitors with a variety of educational experiences. Your visit to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is likely to include a museum tour, trail hikes, picnicking and more.

A great place to start your exploration of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is at the paleontology museum at the Sheep Rock Unit. You can visit both the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center and the Cant Ranch Historical Museum at the Sheep Rock Unit. The Paleontology Center's exhibits focus on fossils, geology and paleontology, while the Museum at Cant Ranch details the cultural history of the John Day Valley.
There is a variety of trails at Sheep Rock, including both long and short trails as well as trails that are paved. You can view fossils and enjoy beautiful views of the John Day River Valley along the trails at Sheep Rock. There are two picnic areas at the Sheep Rock Unit.

The Painted Hills Unit is a must-see John Day Fossil Beds National Monument attraction. This Unit consists of over 3,100 acres of natural wonders. The undulating surfaces of the hills here appear to have been painted in a variety of colorations. In addition to the intriguing and beautiful colorations of the Painted Hills, the area is of interest due to the large number of vertebrate fossils found here. Wildflowers are yet another attraction to enjoy at the Painted Hills Unit.

Wildflowers are at their peak from late April to early May in this part of Oregon.
There are many trails to explore throughout the Painted Hills Unit, including boardwalks that are accessible by wheelchair. Interpretive signs and benches are featured on some trails, as well. There is a picnic area at this Unit where you can relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

The Clarno Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument consists of nearly 2,000 acres of trails and exhibits and one picnic area. The cliffs of the Palisades at the Clarno Unit make an impressive display. They are perhaps even more impressive for the fact that they are 44 million years old. Many different types of fossils of the near-tropical forest climate of the time were preserved within the Palisades. Today, the Palisades stand in a near-desert environment.

Whether you choose to visit one or all three of the areas that together comprise the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, you're bound to have a memorable time. To fully experience the diverse natural wonders of the Monument, plan to spend at least several hours exploring each Unit.