Painted Hills & John Day Fossil Beds Photos & Information

Visit the Painted Hills & John Day Fossil Beds

Explore one of the most geologically diverse and scenic places in Oregon, known for its vibrant colors, otherworldly landscapes and beautiful blue skies. The area offers something for everyone to do including hiking, photography, bird watching, cycling, digging for fossils or just disconnecting for a while. Comprised of three units: The Painted Hills, Sheep Rock and Clarno, plus the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center and the beautiful surrounding area.

The Painted Hills

Sheep Rock

Clarno

The beautiful John Day River in Mitchell, Oregon in the fall

The Surrounding Area

The Painted Hills

One of the 7 Wonders of Oregon, the Painted Hills are the most visited unit of the Fossil Beds and are famous for their stunning colors created by different geological eras. The most vibrant and saturated colors are seen after a rainfall, and the late afternoon sun makes the rolling hills look golden. In the morning, the light highlights different areas and makes for a unique experience, particularly for photography images.

Painted Hills in the John Day Fossil Beds on a beautiful summer day, Mitchell, Oregon

The Painted Hills from Overlook Trail on a beautiful summer day

Painted Cove Trail in the Painted Hills of Oregon, Mitchell, John Day Fossil Beds

Painted Cove Trail. Painted Hills

Sunset showing one of the many old trees at the Painted Hills in the John Day Fossil Beds

One of the many old trees at the Painted Hills at sunset

Wildflowers blooming in the summer at Red Hill

Snow covering the Painted Hills of Oregon

Painted Cove trail on a cloudy day at the Painted Hills of Oregon

Painted Cove Trail on a cloudy day, Painted Hills

The beautiful view on the drive to the Painted Hills, Mitchell, Oregon

The view on the beautiful drive to the Painted Hills

Golden Hour at the entrance to the Painted Hills

Bright colors showing through the snow at the Painted Hills of Oregon

Bright colors showing through the melting snow

Sunset at Painted Cove Trail in the Summer

Summer sunset, Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds

Summer Sunset from Overlook, Painted Hills

Late afternoon sun at Red Hill, Painted Hills

Panoramic view of the Painted Hills from Carroll Rim Trail with an empty bench, John Day Fossil Beds

Stopping for a rest on Carroll Rim Trail at the Painted Hills

Summer at the Painted Hills of Oregon, Mitchell

Looking the other way from Overlook in the Summer

Stormy Sky over the Painted Hills in the Fall

The back side of Red Hill is Yellow, painted hills oregon

The back side of Red Hill is actually Yellow

Saturated colors at Painted Cove after the rain

Cool blue, winter sky at Red Hill in the Painted Hills of Oregon

Cool blue sky in the winter at Red Hill

The Sheep Rock Unit

The Sheep Rock Unit has several stops (Blue Basin, Cathedral Rock, Foree & the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center) all marked by diverse features and beautiful hikes. You can also continue driving on Highway 19, part of the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway, and stop and pick fresh, seasonal fruit in at Thomas Orchards in Kimberly.

Photograph of Blue Basin on a beautiful Summer Day, John Day Fossil Beds, Sheep Rock Unit

Blue Basin in the Summer

Driving by Cathedral Rock in the spring

Foree, Flood of Fire Trail in the Sheep Rock Unit

Cathedral Rock in the Fall

Panoramic view of Blue Basin from Overlook Trail

Leaving Blue Basin covered in snow, John Day Fossil Beds, Sheep Rock Unit

Leaving Blue Basin in the snow

Cathedral Rock in the Spring

Two trees at Foree

The Clarno Unit

The Clarno Unit is about an hour and a half northwest of Mitchell, Oregon past the town of Fossil. It is marked by jagged peaks and unique rock formations. While visiting, you can dig for fossils in of Fossil and stop at an old, ghost town, Shaniko.

Clarno Unit in the late summer with blue sky, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Clarno in the late Summer

Clarno peak that is taller than it looks peak when hiking up

I'ts taller than it looks when hiking up

Panoramic view of Clarno

Hiking up to the top

Looking down from the top

Where should I stay when visiting the John Day Fossil Beds?

Mitchell, the Gateway to the Painted Hills, is the perfect place to stay when exploring the the area as it is the most central location for lodging to easily visit all three units of the Fossil Beds, and is the closest city to the Painted Hills. It is surrounded by beautiful landscapes with unique and varied scenery and is also central to the Ochoco National Forest and John Day River.