John Day Fossil Beds National Monument of Oregon

Are you interested in Dinosaurs, or perhaps just in fossils? It is said that by learning of our past we can make our future greater. Here are some interesting places in Oregon to visit and take yourself back a few million years. Dig your own fossils; learn what the dinosaurs did and how they lived when they walked our earth. One of my families favorite sites to visit is the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Park.

The John Day Fossil Beds are located in Northeastern/Central Oregon with three specific areas that are a must to visit. First up -

Clarno Unit (Clarno Palisades)

Formed from a succession of ash filled mudflows (lahars) the Clarno Palasades are a wonderful place for learning and seeing first hand what this landscape looked like millions of years ago. The Clarno Unit is speckled with picnic areas and when walking the trails through the unit one can see fossils of plant species and fauna from ancient times.

While in the Clarno Unit visit the Hancock Field Station, which is operated, by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. At the Hancock Field Station visitors can participate in several different programs on geology, paleontology and ecology all surrounding the areas in Central Oregon.

The Clarno Unit is filled with great roads and trails and driving between Clarno and the Painted Hills or Sheep Rock visitors can see some of the worlds most magnificent and colorful scenery in the Pacific Northwest.

Painted Hills Unit

When visiting the Painted Hills Unit bring along a picnic lunch and visit the shaded, beauty filled picnic area. After enjoying a nice lunch then it's off to the Painted Hills Lookout. Filled with different colors this area is the lower area of the John Day Formation. Once you view these vivid colors along the Painted Hills it will feel as if you have stepped onto another planet.

The Painted Hills are formed of volcanic ash and under the different climatic changes the rock layers became these visit reds, pinks, bronze, tan and black. While visiting in the Painted Hills Unit walk along the Carroll Rim Trail, keep in mind this is a .75-mile trail that is moderately strenuous but provides outstanding viewing of the Painted Hills and Sutton Mountain.

Painted Cove Trail is short and winds around a crimson hill, with a manmade walkway this is an easy place for someone who is unable to walk long distance or has walking difficulties to get up close and personal with the landscape in the Painted Hills. See the popcorn-textured clay-stone that make up the Painted Hills.

Leaf Hill Trail is where a large quantity of plant fossils have been removed for study. These fossils are where much of our knowledge about eastern Oregon has been learned. You may not walk on the hill it is strictly prohibited and studies are still taking place today.

The amazing Painted Hills is a photographers playground and brings photographers from around the world to try and capture natures beautiful colorful landscape.

Sheep Rock Unit

One place that is a must for visitors to this historical site in Oregon is Sheep Rock Unit's visitor center. Filled with museum exhibits of fossils that have all been recovered from the John Day Basin learning is easy when visiting this center.

Mascall Formation Overlook is a must stop for visitors to the John Day Fossil Beds Monument Park. The view takes in the entire John Day Valley and Strawberry Mountain Range. See Picture Gorge, Mascall and Rattlesnake formations from this overlook.

Sheep Rock Overlook is just a short distance south of the visitor center and gives a great view and photo opportunity of Sheep Rock.

Blue Basin is a great way to experience Oregon's fossil beds. Walk along the Island of time interpretive trail, only .50-miles into the blue-green canyons. There is a 3-mile strenuous trail called Overlook Trail and this climbs to the rim of the Blue Basin providing magnificent views of the valley and badlands below. Keep in mind that this is a strenuous trail and should not be attempted if the visitor is not physically fit.

Cathedral Rock stood at one time high above the John Day formation. Sliding down the bluff to he west causing a re-routing of the John Day River. This slide caused a horseshoe bend in the river around the Cathedral Rock. Amazing to see nature and its power by standing and viewing this enormous event and its outcome.

Foree Area is a picnic site and includes two short trails that offer views of the John Day formation sediments. A great place to see the enormous flows of Picture Gorge Basalt.

River Access for pedestrians to the Jon Day River is provided at several points along Oregon Highway 19. Be careful when leaving the Highway and take care to bring out what you take into this amazing historical area.

Goose Rock is last on my list of areas to visit when in the John Day Fossil Bed National Monument Park. Take note that the cliffs are river-borne material that settled over 100 million years ago an amazing site and a place that needs protection and respect.

The John Day Fossil Beds Monument Park area is a place where history comes alive, please when visiting this area be respectful of the past, present and future of this amazing place.