Rate John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Learn and Explore
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Our Mission
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Monument
Operating Hours & Seasons
Thomas Condon Paleontology Center
Contructed in 2003, the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center (TCPC) is the best place to see fossils at the monument. Here, fossils from all three units of the park, as well as those from other federal lands in the area, are on display for visitors to see up close. The TCPC summer hours are from Memorial Day until Labor Day. The rest of the year, the hours are from 10 am to 5 pm. In 2017, the Historic Cant Ranch will be open on weekends starting June 11 – August 12 from 10 am until 4:30 pm.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Monday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Tuesday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Wednesday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Thursday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Friday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Saturday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Additional Information View More
- Christmas Day:
- Closed
- Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.:
- Closed
- New Year’s Day:
- Closed
- Washington’s Birthday:
- Closed
- Thanksgiving Day:
- Closed
- Veterans Day:
- Closed
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $0.00 – No entrance fees at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
There are no entry fees at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
About
There are no entry fees at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
Active Science & Spectacular Scenery
Colorful rock formations at John Day Fossil Beds preserve a world class record of plant and animal evolution, changing climate, and past ecosystems that span over 40 million years. Exhibits and a working lab at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center as well as scenic drives and hikes at all three units allow visitors to explore the prehistoric past of Oregon and see science in action.
Directions
John Day Fossil Beds encompasses 14,000 acres in three geographically separated units in Oregon: Sheep Rock, Painted Hills, and Clarno. The Sheep Rock Unit is located between the towns of Dayville and Kimberly. The Painted Hills Unit is located 9 miles northwest of of the town of Mitchell. The Clarno Unit is located on Highway 218 twenty miles west of the town of Fossil.
Visitor Centers
Thomas Condon Paleontology Center
Contructed in 2003, the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center is the best place to see fossils at the monument. Here, fossils from all three units of the park, as well as those from other federal lands in the area, are on display for visitors to see up close.
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. Winters tend to be fairly mild, with occassional snow and ice and lows occasionally dipping into the single digits.
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