National Monument · Oregon
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
The candy-striped Painted Hills
TypeNational Monument
StateOregon
Best seasonSpring & fall
Don’t missThe Painted Hills
Three units of central Oregon high desert holding 40 million years of fossils — and the surreal, banded Painted Hills that glow at golden hour. One of the most photogenic landscapes in the Northwest.
What to see
- Painted Hills
- Blue Basin
- Sheep Rock
- Thomas Condon center
- Clarno palisades
On public wild lands, services are sparse and conditions change fast — check the managing agency (Forest Service / BLM / Park Service) for road and seasonal closures, fire restrictions, and any permits before you go, and pack out what you pack in.
Build a trip around wild places like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: