John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

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Kimberly, OR
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

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Welcome to the official page for John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Oregon.

A visit to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is like taking a journey into ancient Oregon. Whether you tour the museum at Sheep Rock (in Kimberly Oregon), hike a trail at the Painted Hills (located in Mitchell, Oregon), or picnic at Clarno (located in Fossil, Oregon), Oregon's exciting past will be revealed.

Park Alert: Our phones are down with no estimated time of restoration. You can still get a hold of us by email at JODA_i...

10/26/2026

Park Alert: Our phones are down with no estimated time of restoration. You can still get a hold of us by email at [email protected]

10/26/2026

Look closer the next time you visit the Cant Ranch, the story just got richer!

Our paleontology and interpretation staff teamed up to update and install new exhibit panels at the Cant Ranch. The panels dig into what it was like to run an early 20th century livestock operation, covering lambing, shearing, the barn and the layout of the ranch.

James and Elizabeth Cant bought the property in 1910, and grew it into a well-known stop for travelers between Dayville and the Columbia River. The National Park Service acquired the ranch in 1975. The story of ranch remains an important chapter for John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

The ranch house now serves as Park Headquarters and is open seasonally. Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/joda/learn/historyculture/cant-ranch.htm

10/22/2026

🤩Power has been restored! 😍 The Thomas Condon Visitor Center is back open!

10/22/2026

The Thomas Condon Visitor Center is currently closed due to an unexpected power outage. The trails and grounds remain open.

09/29/2026

Calling all Passport stamp collectors! We're thrilled to announce a brand-new stamping station now available outside the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument!

Stop by and add this one-of-a-kind stamp to your National Parks Passport book to commemorate your visit to one of the richest fossil records in the world. The best part? You don't even need to catch us during business hours. This stamp is available 24/7, rain or shine, open or closed.

📍 Thomas Condon Paleontology Center
🕘 Open Thursday to Monday, 10am - 4pm (closed Tuesday/Wednesday)
🐎Come see the exhibits, talk with a ranger, and learn about Oregon’s fossil history

Whether you're working through the Pacific Northwest region of your book or just passing through the John Day River valley, this stop is worth the detour!

08/22/2026

Alert: Water is not available at the Clarno Unit. Please bring plenty of water when visiting John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

NPS photo

08/07/2026

We’re open! Evacuation levels have dropped and it’s now safe for visitors and staff to re-enter the park.

Extreme fire danger and critically dry fuels persist across the monument and much of central Oregon. Before you hit the road, plan ahead and be prepared for travel impacts due to existing and new large fires.

Now more than ever it’s important for visitors to stay on the trail to preserve and protect priceless geologic and paleontological resources.

Learn more at https://www.nps.gov/joda/learn/news/newsreleases.htm

Photo caption: Before you hit the road to see the iconic landscapes of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, like Cathedral Rock (pictured here), plan ahead and prepare for potential travel impacts due to large fires. NPS photo by Kyle Sullivan.

07/29/2026

Fire Update

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument remains closed due to multiple large fires burning in the region.

The Rowe Creek Complex burned portions of the Painted Hills Unit. The fire burned in a mosaic pattern, with low to moderate severity. Some of the grass at the top of the land forms burned, but the hills themselves are devoid of flammable material. The most significant impacts are at Leaf Hill, where trees and protective fencing along the trail have burned.

The Sheep Rock Unit, including the Thomas Condon Visitor Center and the historic Cant Ranch, remain closed as the area remains in Level 1 Be Prepared and Level 2: Be Set evacuation status from the Shingle Fire.

Firefighters were able to keep fire south of Highway 218 in the Clarno Unit. Structure wrap was used to protect infrastructure at the picnic ground. The unit remains closed due to fire activity in the area.

Fire danger in Central Oregon remains extremely high, and roads into and out of the area may be closed or impacted by fire. Visit Tripcheck.com for current road conditions.
Thank you, firefighters from the Rowe Creek Complex, Hay Creek Complex 2026 and Shingle Fire.

07/25/2026

Due to threats from the Shingle Fire which started on July 23 and is currently estimated at approximately 11,140 acres, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level 2 Evacuation order for the zone that includes the Thomas Condon Visitor Center of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, and a Level 3 Evacuation order for the portion of Sheep Rock south of Picture Gorge. An Emergency Closure of the Sheep Rock Unit has been implemented to protect public safety.

07/20/2026

Hooray! Park phones are up and running again to take your calls and voicemails!

Address

32651 Highway 19
Kimberly, OR
97848

Telephone

+15419872333

Website

http://www.nps.gov/joda/

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