The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a national park in the north-eastern region of Oregon. The park consists of different units, each with unique identifying features and attractions. The museum associated with the park sits just off the John Day Highway and is 9.8 miles south of Dayville, Oregon. The fossil beds are used by a team of paleontologists who collect, stabilize and identify the many fossils excavated from the park. Although the public is prohibited from digging for fossils inside the park, public digging is available in the town of Fossil, which is 60 miles to the north.
The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center houses a collection of 40,000 fossils, all found and excavated from the John Day Fossil Beds. The hills around the center provide access to fossils from the area's 50 million years of evolutionary history, which tend to be well-preserved because of the arid climate of the eastern Oregon region. Paleontologists actively study, excavate and preserve the fossils. Visitors can observe the scientists at work through a viewing window inside the museum.
Sheep Rock has several hiking trails that provide access to sites that show the natural beauty and paleontological importance of the area. The trails feature replicas of fossils, exhibits and vistas. The Blue Basin trails are self-guided nature trails that lead to the Blue Basin rock formation, which is made of blue-green stone formed from ancient volcanic ash. Other trails connect to the Sheep Rock Overlook and to the James Cant Ranch, which is the headquarters for the John Day Fossil Beds.
The Clarno Unit consists of 1,969 acres of arid, desert-like land and is located 18 miles west of Fossil. Paleontologists believe that this area of land used to be a near-tropical rain forest, which was home to four-toed horses and crocodilians. The Palisades are one of the most prominent landmarks in the unit and were formed by volcanic mudflows 44 million years ago. The cliffs preserved a large diversity of fossils, and the stratification of the rock made dating specimens easier. There are several hiking trails that run throughout the unit. The Palisades formation has a parking lot and picnic area for visitors' convenience.
The Painted Hills Unit has outdoor exhibits and picnic areas. This area is characterized by treeless, rolling hills that are covered in vivid tints of yellow, gold, black and red. The hills gain their color from different types of claystone that have mixed into the soil and dispersed over millions of years. The resulting bands of color that cover the hills change hues constantly because of varying light and moisture levels. Most vista points are located a far distance from the hills; however, closer views can be obtained by hiking down one of the many hiking trails. The hills are also known for wildflower viewing, which is best in late April and early May.
