Be advised that the NPS has issued alerts for this park.
Blue Basin Overlook Trail Closed
The 3.25 - mile Blue Basin Overlook trail in the Sheep Rock unit is closed until further notice. A mudslide and trail washouts have created unsafe conditions for hiking. The shorter 1.3- mile Island In Time trail remains open.
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 cam...
Mascall Formation Overlook (430 feet round trip) includes sweeping views of the John Day Valley and Picture Gorge. There is a short trail leading to a scenic view of the formation. Informational brochures, picnic tables, and pit toilets are located here.
A grassy area with picnic tables and a path leading to a shaded pavilion with a picnic table. Pit toilets are available at the edge of the parking area. A small kiosk with informational bulletins and brochures is in the center of the picnic area.
Enjoy the exhibits on the ground floor of the Historic Cant Ranch Museum located in the Sheep Rock Unit. It features artifacts from some of the Native Americans who inhabited the region and stories from homesteaders describing early ranch life. Learn about James and Elizabeth Cant's experience immigrating to John Day Basin from Scotland in the early 1900s, raising a family, and living off the land until their deaths in the early 1970s.
Located in the Sheep Rock Unit, the Thomas Condon Visitor Center is a National Park Service research facility containing an outstanding paleontology lab dedicated to the John Day Fossil Beds. Picture windows let you view the working laboratory and collections room with over 60,000 specimens. In the fossil museum gallery, you can walk through nearly 50-million years of the Age of Mammals. Hundreds of fossil specimens are displayed, along with eight large murals depicting plants and animals of the time.
This 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long trail starts at the far end of the Thomas Condon Visitor Center parking lot and ends at an overlook of the river valley.
Trail of Fossils
The Trail of Fossils is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long and is the best trail in the monument to see real fossils. Look for leaf imprints and pieces of wood within the boulders that have fallen from the cliffs. No collecting is allowed and please stay on trail.
Story in Stone Trail
The mostly level Story in Stone Trail loops through dramatic pillars of blue-green claystone rocks that make up the Turtle Cove formation of John Day Fossil Beds. Before the trail intersection, the walkway is paved for 900 ft (275 m). Please stay on trail, no collecting permitted, and keep your pets leashed.
Sheep Rock Overlook Trail
Starting at the front gate of the historic Cant home, this 0.5 mi (0.8 km) trail ends at an overlook with a view of the river valley with Sheep Rock high above.
River Trail
Starting at the Cant Ranch parking lot, this 0.6 mi (1 km) long trail passes through historic fields and alongside a historic fruit orchard on its way to the John Day River. Fruit may be collected from the orchard when in season, but please do not climb the trees since the branches are old and brittle.
Painted Cove Trail
The Painted Cove Trail is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) roundtrip. The Painted Cove is an amazing color palette of vibrant rocks. A portion of this trail features a level boardwalk to cross over sensitive soils. Please stay on the designated trail.
Red Scar Knoll Trail
This mostly level trail is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) long and leads to a hill of bright yellow and red clays; called Red Hill Trail on road signs. Walking on the exposed soils is strictly prohibited. Please stay on trail.
Painted Hills Overlook Trail
The Painted Hills Overlook Trail is 0.5 mile (0.8 km) roundtrip. This fairly level trail follows an old road and offers further distinctive views of the Painted Hills. Walking on the hills is strictly prohibited.
Mascall Formation Overlook
This 430 ft (131 m) roundtrip trail leads to a scenic view of the Mascall Formation, Picture Gorge, and John Day Valley.
Leaf Hill Trail
This trail is 0.25 mi (0.4 km) roundtrip. Leaf Hill has been extensively excavated and studied by paleontologists. Signs explain more of its history. No collecting is permitted. Please stay on trail.
Island in Time Trail
This 1.3 mi (2.1 km) trail follows the canyon floor and ascends 200 ft (60 m) in elevation through blue-green badlands. Exhibits and fossil replicas along the trail tell the story of the fossil landscape. Dog owners please note: There are over a dozen metal bridges on this trail. All have rough footplates that many dogs refused to cross. You may need to carry your dogs across the bridges. No collecting is allowed and off-trail hiking is strictly prohibited. Please stay on
Geologic Time Trail
Travel in time between the past and present on this 0.5 mi (0.8 km) path connecting the Trail of Fossils and the picnic area. No collecting is permitted.
Flood of Fire Trail
Mostly easy with several stair steps, this 0.5 mi (0.8 km) long trail ends at a dramatic cliff face and a view of colorful geologic formations and fiery floods of basalt across the valley.
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.
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. It starts both at the Blue Basin parking lot and also connects along the Island in Time Trail. No collecting is permitted and off-trail hiking is strictly prohibited. Please stay on trail.
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.
Tours
Count: 2
Cant Ranch Walking Tour
This is a story of rugged ranching life from the late 1800s through the 1900s. Seasonal ranch rhythms contrast against changing lives and times. Two families, the Officers and the Cants, made a life here. Follow the guide and step back into a world of hard work and challenges. Numbers on the map correspond to stops along your walk. Information in the guide will be found next to the corresponding number. Using this guide, it should take about 45 minutes to an hour to explore the Cant Ranch.
Clarno Unit - Arch Trail Guided Hike
Imagine yourself in a semi-tropical environment like Florida or Mexico. Palms, swamps, and even crocodiles once covered the landscape, which are now fossils preserved in the Palisades and fallen rocks around you. Fossil leaf imprints of tropical-loving flora imprinted in the boulders tell a story about the ancient environment. Discovering these fossils shaped the way scientists and visitors alike understand and appreciate Oregon’s past. What are you hoping to discover during your visit to the Clarno Unit?
