John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Large rhino-like brontotheres roam a semitropical forest.
Photo: NPS Photo / Scott Ritner / NPS
About John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
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 camels get replaced by mountain lions and deer. Paleontologists learn more about the ancient animals and environment with every new fossil they discover.
Pair it with another park
WAdrive time
ORdrive time
IDdrive time
ORdrive time
CAdrive time
CAdrive time
Driving times from John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.
Hours
Outdoor Recreation Areas
- Mon
- All Day
- Tue
- All Day
- Wed
- All Day
- Thu
- All Day
- Fri
- All Day
- Sat
- All Day
- Sun
- All Day
Activities
Getting there
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.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument?
- Popular activities include Bookstore and Park Store, Front-Country Hiking, Hiking, Junior Ranger Program, Museum Exhibits, Park Film.
- Which national parks are within a day's drive of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument?
- Within about a day's drive you can reach Whitman Mission National Historic Site (3 h 49 min), Crater Lake National Park (4 h 6 min), Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail (4 h 11 min), Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (4 h 20 min), Tule Lake National Monument (5 h 16 min), Lava Beds National Monument (5 h 46 min).