John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Oregon is not known for its hiking like the larger parks units of the National Park System. That said, all the trails in this national monument are great leg stretchers, with three hikes over a mile (1.62 km) in length. These trails hikes will introduce you to colorful geology for which this park is famous.

Below is a quick rundown of trails within each unit. Though not listed, almost all these hikes are easy – moderate, though some may be rocky and a couple gain over 200 feet (61 m) elevation. For more detailed information about the trails, click on the unit’s name.

Clarno Unit Trails

Trails within the Clarno Unit, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument / NPS file

A view of the landscape and Palisades from along the Geologic Time Trail, Clarno Unit, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument / Rebecca Latson

Trail of Fossils
0.25-mile (0.4 km) loop
Considered the best trail in the national monument to see fossils

Geologic Time Trail
0.5-mile (0.8 km) roundtrip hike
This hike connects the Trail of Fossils and the picnic area.

Clarno Arch Trail
0.5-mile (0.8 km) roundtrip hike
200-feet (61 m) elevation gain to to the base of the Palisades to a view of an arch above.

Sheep Rock Unit Trails

Map of trails within the Sheep Rock Unit, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument / NPS file

Thomas Condon Overlook Trail
0.25-mi (0.4 km) roundtrip hike
At trail’s end is an overlook of the river valley.

Mascall Formation Overlook
430 feet (131 m) roundtrip
This very short trail leads to a scenic view of the Mascall Formation, Picture Gorge, and John Day Valley.

River Trail (James Cant Ranch Historic District)
0.6 mile (1 km) roundtrip hike
This trail passes through historic fields and alongside a historic fruit orchard on its way to the John Day River. You can even collect fruit from the orchard when in season, but please do not climb the trees since the branches are old and brittle.

Sheep Rock Overlook Trail (James Cant Ranch Historic District)
0.5 mile (0.8 km) roundtrip hike
Trail’s end is an overlook with a view of the river valley with Sheep Rock high above. 

Island In Time (located at the Blue Basin Trailhead)
1.3 miles (2.1 km) roundtrip
This trail starts at the canyon floor and ascends 200 feet (61 m) through blue-green badlands formations. Note: there are several metal bridges that might become slippery during cold weather and over which you might need to carry your pets.

Blue Basin Overlook
3.25 miles (5.2 km)
This is the longest trail of the three units and climbs 760 ft (230 m) in elevation to an overlook of Blue Basin. 

Flood of Fire (Foree Trailhead)

0.5-mile (0.8 km) roundtrip hike
Mostly easy with several stair steps, this trail ends at a dramatic cliff face and a view of colorful geologic formations and basalt layers across the valley.

The green claystones seen along the Story In Stone Trail of the Foree Area in the Sheep Rock Unit, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument / Rebecca Latson

Story In Stone (Foree Trailhead)
0.3-mile (0.48 km) loop
This mostly-level trail loops through dramatic pillars of blue-green claystone rocks that make up the Turtle Cove formation of John Day Fossil Beds.

Painted Hills Unit Trails

Hikes Featured In The Traveler

Painted Hills Unit Trails
There are trails within each of the three units comprising John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, none of them very long. In truth, you can do every single trail within a unit (not each unit, but a unit) in an entire day. That’s essentially what I did at the Painted Hills Unit. I’d arrived there in the afternoon one day, then returned to spend a morning there the next day.

To read more of these hikes, head to this page.

The boardwalk along the Painted Cove Trail, Painted Hills Unit, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument / Rebecca Latson