John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is unique because of its well-preserved and diverse fossil specimens. Within the heavily eroded volcanic deposits of the scenic John Day River basin is a well-preserved fossil record of plants and animals. This remarkably complete record, spanning more than 40 of the 65 million years of the Cenozoic Era the “Age of Mammals and Flowering Plants” is world-renowned. Authorized October 26, 1974 and established in 1975, this 14,000 acre park is divided into three widely separated units; the Sheep Rock Unit, Painted Hills Unit and Clarno Unit. The monument’s main headquarters is at the visitor center in the Sheep Rock Unit. The time period of the specimens found here spans 40 million years and is the most complete of any site in the world.
Nature & Science
Ecology
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument protects one of the longest and most continuous records of evolutionary change and biotic relationships in North America. Scientists have unearthed countless fossils of land plants and animals dating back 6 to 54 million years as well as evidence of the dramatic climatic changes that have occurred. The monument includes over 14,000 acres found in 3 widely separated units, the Sheep Rock Unit, Painted Hills Unit and Clarno Unit. All 3 units are in the John Day River Basin, a major tributary of the Columbia River and the longest undammed river that flows into the Columbia today. Deep ravines and erosive, fossil bearing formations bisect the steep mountainous terrain. Each unit goes from this steep terrain down to river or stream valley bottoms.
The monument lies within the Blue Mountain physiographic province in northeast Oregon. With average rainfall in the 9-16 inch range, it is categorized as a semi-arid climate due to the rain shadow effects from the Cascades and Ochoco Mountains to the west. Elevations run from 2,000, to 4,500 feet within the John Day Fossil Beds and much of the precipitation for the area comes as snow in the winter. The river and streams are vital to the survival of many of the wildlife species inhabiting the monument. Over fifty species of birds, 40 species of mammals, 14 species of reptiles, 6 species of amphibians and 10 species of fish use the park either seasonally or yearlong. Over 240 plants and flowers have adapted to the growing conditions found here.
Two Research Natural Areas are found in the Sheep Rock Unit and protect nearly pristine vegetative communities. Seventy-five acres of agricultural land is irrigated and maintained to protect the cultural landscape of the Cant Ranch National Historic District.
Attractions
The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is comprised of three units. The Sheep Rock area, which lies east of the others, consists of the Visitor Center and Fossil Museum. The historic Cant Ranch site now houses the museum and visitors can tour the structure and the grounds. You’ll find indoor and outdoor exhibits on geology and paleontology at the Cant Ranch. The Painted Hills and Clarno Units of the Monument contain outdoor exhibits pertaining to geology and paleontology. Dirt trails lead to dig sites in all three areas of the park, where visitors will find interpretive panels explaining the finds.
Recreation
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is divided into three widely separated units, the Sheep Rock Unit, Painted Hills Unit and the Clarno Unit. The Sheep Rock Unit is located at the intersection of routes 26 and 19, near the town of Dayville. The Sheep Rock Unit’s Thomas Condon Paleontology Center serves as the primary visitor center. It has a fossil museum, orientation films, bookstore and restrooms, is located at this unit. The center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. The center will be closed Federal Holidays from Thanksgiving Day through Presidents’ Day.
The James Cant Ranch Museum is located at the Sheep Rock Unit, acroos the highway from the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center. The ranch house features a museum on the human settlement of the valley and the sheep and wool industry of the region. The house museum will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and by appointment on weekends and holidays.
Getting There
All three units of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument lie in north central Oregon. The Sheep Rock Unit, lies at the intersection of State Routes 26 and 19, eight miles west of Dayville, Oregon.
The Painted Hills Unit is located ten miles west of Mitchell, Oregon, on State Route 26.
The Clarno Unit lies 18 miles west of Fossil, Oregon, on State Route 218.
Traveler Facts
Contact Information
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
HCR 82 Box 126
Kimberly, OR 97848-9701
Phone: 541-987-2333
Weather/Climate
The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument may seem harsh and unchanging when temperatures on a hot summer day rise above 100 degrees F or a cold, below zero winter morning. Its semi-desert ecosystem is split by the life-giving waters of the John Day River and its tributaries. The area is blessed with the four seasons and all of the changes that occur because of them. While the mountains receive plentiful moisture both as rain in the summer and snow in the winter, the monument has very few days were the 9-16 inches of precipitation puts a damper on outside activities. Daily and even hourly temperature changes do need to be followed and the proper clothing, amounts of water and gear brought along so that the visitor can enjoy the many trails and outdoor activities available at the monument and the surrounding area.
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