While each of the three units (Clarno, Painted Hills, Sheep Rock) of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument are not exactly out in the middle of nowhere, they are located within very rural areas of north-central Oregon and there is no shuttle or public transportation to these units or between these units. Still, the paved roads make it easy to reach each of these parts of the national monument, and you will enjoy some stunning scenery along the way. Just follow posted speed limits along those very curvy roads, and watch out for the areas of open range (take those blind corners slowly in case you meet up with cattle in the middle of the road).
A regional map of the area around the three units of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument / NPS file
Clarno Unit
The Clarno Unit is located between the towns of Fossil and Antelope. It’s the northernmost unit of this national monument. If you are driving south on Interstate 5 from Seattle toward Portland, or southeast from Portland International Airport in Oregon, you’ll need to head east on Interstate 84, paralleling the Columbia River, then south on U.S. Route 26, and east again on Highway 218. The total trip time will be approximately 3 hours (176 miles / 283 km).
If you are anywhere along Interstate 84 in Oregon, paralleling the Columbia River, you can turn off toward Wasco, driving due south on U.S. Route 97 to Antelope, Oregon, then due east on Highway 218 for a total trip time of approximately 2 hours (97 miles / 156 km).
From Interstate 84, you can also head due south from Arlington, Oregon, on Oregon Route 19 (aka John Day Highway) to the town of Fossil, Oregon, then due west on Highway 218 for a total distance of 73 miles (117.5 km).
There is no visitor center at this unit, but there are restrooms and a picnic area in addition to a few very short trails.
Sheep Rock Unit
The Sheep Rock Unit is located between the towns of Dayville and Kimberly. The Thomas Condon Visitor Center is on Highway 19, two miles north of the junction with Highway 26. The Cant Ranch Museum is slightly north of the Visitor Center on the opposite side of the road. Trails and picnic areas are also available in the unit. Further north of the visitor center is the Foree Area of the Sheep Rock Unit, with a couple of very short trails on which to stretch your legs.
Painted Hills Unit
The Painted Hills Unit (the most colorful and popular of the three units) is located 49 miles (79 km) northeast of Prineville, Oregon, and 9 miles (14.5 km) northwest of Mitchell, Oregon. Prineville and Mitchell are on Highway 26, and you must turn on Burnt Ranch Road (44 miles / 70.8 km east of Prineville or 3 miles / 4.8 km west of Mitchell). Travel six miles up Burnt Ranch Road and turn left onto Bear Creek Road to enter the monument. There is no visitor center at this unit, but there is a kiosk with maps, a picnic area, and restrooms, all located at this unit’s entrance.
Distances And Drive Times Between Units
Sheep Rock Unit to Painted Hills Unit - 45 miles / 72 km (1 hour)
Painted Hills Unit to Clarno Unit - 75 miles / 121 km (1 hour 30 minutes)
Clarno Unit to Sheep Rock Unit - 81 miles / 130.4 km (2 hours)
Plugshare.com indicates there is at least one EV charging station as well as a gas station at each of the very small communities of Mitchell, Fossil, and Dayville. The larger towns of Prineville (pop. 11,497 as of 2022) and John Day (pop. 1,660 as of 2022) offer more consistent fueling options, both gasoline and EV.
Prineville and John Day are where you should stock up on groceries and other supplies, as well.
Heading south on the Service Creek-Mitchell Highway in Oregon toward the Painted Hills Unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument / Rebecca Latson
