Things To Do Near John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
This beautiful park covers over 14,000 acres of epic scenery that offers great hiking opportunities and lots to explore. The best way to get the most out of your trip is to travel by RV. You will have a place to rest during the heat of the day and never have to worry about getting a reservation for a place to spend the night. This park has three different units connected by winding roads, with hiking trails, wildlife, and areas to explore in each area.
Hiking Trails
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Painted Hills Overlook
This trail near Mitchell offers an easy walk through a wonderful area full of beautiful wildflowers during the spring and summer seasons. This is also a good area for bird-watching, and it's accessible all year. The views are absolutely stunning, with vivid colors that stand out, especially on a sunny day.
Location
37375 Bear Creek Road, Mitchell, OR 97750
Length
0.6 miles
Intensity
Easy
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Blue Basin Overlook Trail
The Blue Basin Overlook Trail features a river and is perfect for nature trips and bird-watching. This trail takes you into another world with spectacular rock formations. It is a well-marked trail with a place to sit and rest at the overlook. There is limited shade, so be sure to wear a hat and bring sunscreen and some water to stay hydrated.
Location
Blue Basin Parking Area, Dayville, OR 97825
Length
4 miles
Intensity
Moderate
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Island in Time
Island in Time offers spectacular views with a gentle climb up to an amphitheater of rock. This is a beautiful hike that is not as crowded as some of the other trails. There is clear signage along the way and a few bridges to cross. There is some amazing geology on this trail as well.
Location
Sheep Rock Unit, Dayville, OR
Length
1.2 miles
Intensity
Easy
Sightseeing
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Thomas Condon Paleontology Center
The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center is named after the scientist who first recognized these fossil beds and did the first study of some of their specimens. Start your visit by watching the park orientation film to learn more about the area. Explore the displays of over 500 fossil specimens taken from the John Day Fossil Beds. There are also viewing windows where the public can watch scientists study the fossils.
Location
32651 OR-19, Kimberly, OR 97848
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Cant Ranch
The Cant Ranch was owned by James and Elizabeth Cant in the early 1900s. Their former house is now the headquarters for the park. The structure of the house is mostly the same as it was back then when the girls would sleep on the upstairs porch during the heat of the summer and the boys were downstairs. The grounds around the ranch were designed to help them be self-sufficient with a vegetable garden, fruit orchards, chickens, and cows. They also harvested wheat and alfalfa.
Location
Dayville, OR
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Sheep Rock
Sheep Rock is located on the highway between Kimberly and Dayville. These rocks date back as far as 95 million years, and scientists have found fossils in this area also dating back millions of years. There are vault toilets available here but no water, so make sure you are well stocked before you make the trip.
Location
32651 OR-19, Kimberly, OR 97848
Museums
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Grant County Historical Museum
The Grant County Historical Museum began as one man's antique collection and grew from there. Most of the exhibits are made up of donations from residents, giving their "old relics" to fill out the collections. Exhibits cover subjects like mining, brewing, law and military, music, clothing, and Native Americans. All these collections tell the story of the local area's history from many different points of view.
Location
101 S. Canyon City Blvd., Canyon City, OR 97820
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Grant County Ranch & Rodeo Museum
The Grant County Ranch & Rodeo Museum gives you a taste of western culture cowboy style. The museum has collections of photos, tools, and literature that tell the story of the cowboy lifestyle in the best and worst of times.
Location
241 E. Main Street, John Day, OR 97845
Nearby Shops and Restaurants
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Dayville Mercantile
The Dayville Mercantileis one of the oldest general stores in the state of Oregon. It is an old-fashioned store that sells everything from dry goods to food to hats to whiskey. This is the perfect place to stock up on any supplies you will need before heading up to the park.
Location
207 Franklin Street, Dayville, OR 97825
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Wheeler County Trading Company
The Wheeler County Trading Company is a grocery store near the park where you can get anything you need. They have groceries, hardware, and sporting goods. This is a typical rural market with a variety of supplies, seasonal products, and gardening. They even have raffles.
Location
100 W. Main Street, Mitchell, OR 97750
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Dayville Café
The Dayville Café is a down-home family-owned restaurant with the owner doing the cooking and his mom making the pies. His wife and daughter provide great service when you come to eat.
Location
212 Franklin Street, Dayville, OR 97825
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Twisted Treasures
Twisted Treasures is a small, comfortable restaurant known for its breakfast burritos and lattes. They offer a friendly atmosphere, good prices, and excellent service.
Location
150 Franklin Street, Dayville, OR 97825