National Monument

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a National Monument in Oregon. The NPS currently lists 2 active alerts, 0 campgrounds and 2 visitor centers, and no entrance fee.

Oregon National Monument No entrance fee

Updated Oct 28, 2026, 3:52 AM EDT · NPS Data API

Painted Hills · Photo: NPS Photo / Scott Ritner (via nps.gov)

About the park

“Large rhino-like brontotheres roam a semitropical forest. Dog-sized, three-toed horses dart between the trees. The cat-like nimravid and bear dogs stalk their prey. The climate cools and forests alter to dryer grasslands. Saber tooth cats and camels get replaced by mountain lions and deer.”

— National Park Service, nps.gov/joda

Active alerts

Closures

Campgrounds

Visitor centers

Current alerts and closures

2 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 0 closures, 0 danger, 0 caution and 2 information.

Information

Park Phones are Down

The park's phones are currently not working to call in. If you have questions, please email us at [email protected]. If it is an emergency dial 911.

Posted or updated Oct 25, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Information

No Water Available at the Clarno Unit

There is currently no water available at the Clarno Unit of the park. Please plan accordingly and bring water when visiting.

Posted or updated Aug 21, 2026 ·Park conditions on nps.gov

Entrance fees and passes

This site has no entrance fee, according to NPS fee data.

Things to do

Blue-green rock formations sit in a valley surrounded by green grass and shrubs and brown mountains — Photo: NPS Photo

Blue Basin Overlook Trail

The Blue Basin Overlook Trail is a 3.25 mi (5.2 km) trail that climbs 760 ft (230 m) in elevation to an overlook of Blue Basin. This trail provides breathtaking views down into steep canyons and grand vistas of the John Day River valley.

1-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed

Front-Country Hiking

View of red and green striped hills from trail above, with green sagebrush and windy dirt road below — Photo: NPS

Carroll Rim Trail

The Carroll Rim Trail is 1.6 miles (2.6 km) roundtrip. The trail climbs over 400 ft (120 m) of elevation to a panorama view of the Painted Hills.

30-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Front-Country Hiking

A small rock arch at the top of a cliffside formed from erosion — Photo: NPS Photo

Clarno Arch Trail

This 0.5 mi (0.8 km) trail climbs almost 200 ft (60 m) in height to the base of the Palisades to a view of an arch above. No collecting is permitted.

15-45 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed

Front-Country Hiking

See all 19 things to do in John Day Fossil Beds →

Activities the NPS lists for John Day Fossil Beds.

HikingFront-Country HikingJunior Ranger ProgramPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsBookstore and Park Store

Operating hours

All outdoor recreation opportunities in the park are open daily, including all overlooks and hiking trails at the park’s three units: Sheep Rock, Painted Hills, and Clarno.

Outdoor Recreation Areas
Day	Hours
Monday	All Day
Tuesday	All Day
Wednesday	All Day
Thursday	All Day
Friday	All Day
Saturday	All Day
Sunday	All Day

Weather: Weather conditions at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument are highly variable in this semi-arid desert landscape. Summer highs can climb into the 110's.

Contact and directions

Phone: 5419872333
Email: [email protected]
Address: 32651 Highway 19, Kimberly, OR 97848
Coordinates: 44.6257, -119.8811· View on OpenStreetMap

Official park page on nps.gov Directions

Visitor centers

Visitor center	Standard hours	Phone	Passport stamp
Historic Cant Ranch Museum	Daily: Closed	—	Yes
Thomas Condon Visitor Center	Mon 10:00AM - 4:00PM · Tue Closed · Wed Closed · Thu 10:00AM - 4:00PM · Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM · Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM · Sun 10:00AM - 4:00PM	(541) 987-2333	Yes

Campgrounds

No NPS campgrounds are listed for this site. Nearby national forests or state parks may offer camping.

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More parks in Oregon

California National Historic Trail Crater Lake National Park Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Nez Perce National Historical Park Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve Oregon National Historic Trail All in Oregon

Nearest other NPS sites

Whitman Mission National Historic Site WA
Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail WA, OR, ID, MT
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site OR, WA
Crater Lake National Park OR
Mount Rainier National Park WA
Tule Lake National Monument CA

Sources

Park details, alerts, fees and passes, visitor centers and campgrounds: National Park Service Data API, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Official park page: https://www.nps.gov/joda/index.htm
Data: National Park Service (NPS) Data API, U.S. Department of the Interior (developer.nps.gov). This product uses the NPS Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the National Park Service. The National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior do not endorse OpenParks. Photos are NPS images shown with their original credits; park descriptions are short excerpts credited to the NPS. Always confirm current conditions on nps.gov before you travel.