See all 27 photos
Approaching the heart of the Blue Basin.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
Sheep Rock Unit and the Blue Basin
The Blue Basin and its trails are part of the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument located in Central Oregon.
Surprisingly, not many people know about the Blue Basin. The John Day Fossil Beds NM is composed of 3 different units–the Painted Hills Unit (probably the most popular and well known), the Clarno Unit and the Sheep Rock Unit.
While you can see “blue” hills along the back roads traveling within the confines of the 14,000 acres that comprise the monument, you’ll miss the Blue Basin entirely if you don’t hike in on the trails.
The John Day National Monument is an amazing trip back in time and the incredible scenery makes it definitely something any photographer would enjoy. However, due to the nature of the three units being so spread out, it’s recommended that people try and see one unit in a day’s time. Two might be doable if the days are long and the weather cooperative, but doing all three units in a day is not recommended. There’s simply too much to see and do, especially if you factor in the driving between units.
One of the best ways to see any of the units is to hike the trails. Every unit has unique trails of varying difficulty and length. A few are wheelchair accessible as well.
Do keep in mind that the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is literally out in the middle of nowhere so plan accordingly. Camping, food, lodging and gas are available in the towns near the individual units but nothing is available within the NM itself.
Sheep Rock Unit/Blue Basin = Dayville, Oregon
Painted Hills Unit = Mitchell, Oregon
Clarno Unit = Fossil, Oregon
Contact the National Park Service, Department of the Interior for more information.
Park Headquarters: 32651 Highway 19, Kimberly, Oregon 97848 (Cant Ranch)
Phone: 541-987-2333
Website: nps.gov/joda
See all 27 photos
Some of the “blue” hills you might see from the road.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
OREGON HISTORY OF JOHN DAY FOSSIL BEDS IN NATIONAL MONUMENT, 1996
Current Bid: $6.00
NEW One Hundred Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades – Sullivan, William L.
Current Bid: $12.70
Blue Basin and Sheep Rock Trails
The Blue Basin part of the Sheep Rock Unit has two trails. There are other trails within the Sheep Rock Unit and in the general vicinity listed below as well.
Island in Time Trail – 1 mile – flat terrain, leads you into the heart of the Blue Basin and ends at a bench where you can sit and look at the ancient “city” of rock formations. Along the trail, you’ll find fossil exhibits and information about the rocks and their history.
Blue Basin Overlook Trail – 3 miles and climbs roughly 600 feet – longest trail in the area and is moderate to strenuous though has benches to stop and take a rest along the way. This gives the best up-top view of the Blue Basin.
Foree Area Flood of Fire Trail – 1/4 mile – north of the Blue Basin Trails. Have a caution as there is a steep cliff at the end of the trail.
Foree Story in Stone Trail – 1/4 mile – accessible – exhibits with fossils along trail.
Mascall Formation Overlook Trail – south of the Blue Basin near Dayville at the junction of Highway 26 and State Route 19 – fossil exhibits and overlook point.
Thomas Condon Center Overlook Trail – 1/4 mile leaving parking lot at the center.
Don’t forget Picture Gorge along State Route 19.
Cathedral Rock is located between Foree and the Blue Basin.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
Old growth trees dot the landscape as well.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
Watch for fossils on display.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
Hiking Trails within the John Day NM
There are some simple things to keep in mind when hiking anywhere within the John Day National Monument, no matter what trail you’re on or what unit you happen to be visiting.
Fossils are protected by law and must not be removed or disturbed
Digging for fossils is prohibited unless you have a research permit
This also includes plants, animals and rocks–all are protected by law
Stay on the trails! Fragile vegetation is present throughout the units and should not be disturbed
Dogs are welcome on leash at all times — waste clean up should be done and bring plenty of water for pets and humans
Keep in mind that spring and fall are the most temperate for visiting the units. In summertime, the temperatures soar and the rock formations become a literal baking clay oven
With increased temperatures, rattlesnakes are plentiful so beware–especially with dogs on the trail, it can be dangerous if they like to root around in bushes. This author took a trail at Clarno at the end of March and there had already been a rattlesnake seen on the trail
Wear appropriate attire in terms of good shoe gear, hats or sunglasses and wear sunscreen as the Central Oregon sun is unrelenting
Keep in mind that there are very limited services and that most of the fossil bed units are in remote locations – if medical care is an issue (or veterinary care), it could be a dangerous spot to be in
Drinking water is available at all picnic areas in spring and fall
Trails and picnic areas are open year round during daylight hours
There is no camping within the monument but there are campgrounds nearby as well as hotels and/or lodges
On the trails, be on the watch for rattlers, black widow spiders, ticks, scorpions and puncture vine – ticks are especially prevalent in this area
Fishing is allowed within the monument with a current fishing license
Contact the park staff regarding guns and hunting
There is private land within the park – stay out where posted
Remember–no off trail hiking! This is not a place to “leave your footprint!”
See all 27 photos
Keep dogs on the trail as rattlers and ticks abound here.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
Atlas of Oregon Wilderness
Amazon Price: $15.92
List Price: $24.95
100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades
Amazon Price: $12.69
List Price: $18.95
DVD-Explore John Day Fossil Beds with Noah Justice
Amazon Price: $9.30
List Price: $14.99
Sheep Rock Unit
There is much to see within every unit of the John Day Fossil Beds. The Sheep Rock Unit is no exception.
Take some of the back roads and byways and take in the beautiful scenery.
You might get lucky and see some of the following:
Mule deer
Pronghorn antelope
Rattlesnakes – do not approach for any reason – though smaller than some species, they are just as venomous if not more so
Cougars or mountain lions
Bald eagles
Rocky Mountain elk
Steelhead salmon
Look closely–there are 2 pronghorn standing in a mirror pose.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
Where Did Sheep Rock Get Its Name?
Sheep rock got its name from the fact that the first settlers to the area, the Cants, found that raising sheep was quite conducive to this part of the countryside.
See all 27 photos
Sheep Rock used to be home to flocks and flocks of sheep.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
More Views Inside the Blue Basin
The views along the trails inside the Blue Basin are mesmerizing.
The absolute quiet is also equally amazing and lulls one into a sense of peace and tranquility.
See all 27 photos
Come along the trails and marvel at the rock formations.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
Hiker’s view of the canyon.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
The rock formations dazzling in their diversity.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
Dried clay river bed.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
Breathtaking views of the rock formations inside the Blue Basin.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
“Bell” formation of some of the walls within the Blue Basin.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
The rock formation I coined the “Birdhouse.”
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
Sit on the bench at the end of the trail and reflect on the wonder of this place.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
Wonder of the World – John Day Fossil Beds
For an amazing journey through the John Day National Monument, watch the video below. Breathtaking doesn’t describe what you can see in this part of the country.
Visit the Cant Ranch at the Sheep Rock Unit
Call the National Park Service for operating hours as they have changed with recent government cutbacks.
This is a great place to visit with groups and/or school groups. Make reservations for tours of the ranch to get a sense of the history of the region.
Elizabeth and James Cant came to the United States from Scotland in the early 1900’s and the ranch itself was built in 1917.
The Cant Family donated it to the National Park Service in the 1970’s.
See all 27 photos
The Cant Ranch, donated by the Cant Family and now home to the Park Service.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
A Room with a View
The grounds of the Cant Ranch are immacutely maintained and a treasure trove of history.
The view from the back of the ranch.
See all 27 photos
View of Sheep Rock from the Cant Ranch.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
Historical Farm Equipment
The Cant Ranch has many interesting pieces of farm equipment scattered around the confines of the ranch.
This is just one old piece of equipment on display at the ranch.
See all 27 photos
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
Thomas Condon Paleontology Center
No trip to Sheep Rock would be complete without stopping by the Thomas Condon Center. This beautiful building is set at the base of Sheep Rock and does offer a 1/2 mile trail as well from the center.
However, for a learning experience you won’t forget, take a tour of the center and indulge in all the interpretive exhibits. Don’t miss the 20 minute movie either detailing the history and geology of the area.
See all 27 photos
The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center is worth the trip!
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See How Fossils are Found
It’s an incredibly tedious process to uncover a fossil. Here you can get a bird’s eye view of just how long it takes to uncover something buried in rock.
See all 27 photos
Incredibly tedious work, fossil discovery is worth the effort.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
Inside the Paleontology Center
Just some of the fascinating exhibits within the center.
Call for information on tours and operating hours as they have changed.
Ample parking is available for large groups and/or buses and motorhomes.
See all 27 photos
One of many exhibits of fossils.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
One of eight beautiful murals depicting prior life in the area.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
Animal tracks frozen in time.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
One of the many skulls found amongst the rock and clay.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
See all 27 photos
Small tortoise on display.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
Where are the John Day Units Located?
This map gives a good general idea of how spread out the three units are within the John Day NM.
Take the time to visit all three but give yourself ample time to hike and observe all that you can in each one.
The John Day Fossil Beds represent 1 of 390 parks in the National Park Service. Of the 390, there are 232 national parks that have fossils.
See all 27 photos
Map showing location of the 3 units within the John Day NM.
Source: Audrey Kirchner, CC BY, via Hubpages
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
show route and directionshide route and directions
Show driving directionswalking directionsbicycling directions with distances in mileskilometers
Dayville Oregon –
Dayville, OR 97825, USA
[get directions]
Fossil Oregon –
Fossil, OR 97830, USA
[get directions]
Mitchell Oregon –
Mitchell, OR 97750, USA
[get directions]
Painted Hills Oregon –
Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon 97750, USA
[get directions]
Sheep Rock, John Day Fossil Beds –
Sheep Rock, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon 97825, USA
[get directions]
Palisades John Day Fossil Beds –
The Palisades, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon 97830, USA
[get directions]
{“lat”:44.733803,”lng”:-119.976669,”zoom”:8,”mapType”:”TERRAIN”,”markers”:[{“id”:”43911″,”lat”:44.468201,”lng”:-119.535812,”name”:”Dayville Oregon”,”address”:”Dayville, OR 97825, USA”,”description”:””},{“id”:”43912″,”lat”:44.998184,”lng”:-120.216141,”name”:”Fossil Oregon”,”address”:”Fossil, OR 97830, USA”,”description”:””},{“id”:”43913″,”lat”:44.566525,”lng”:-120.153343,”name”:”Mitchell Oregon”,”address”:”Mitchell, OR 97750, USA”,”description”:””},{“id”:”43914″,”lat”:44.661522,”lng”:-120.273071,”name”:”Painted Hills Oregon”,”address”:”Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon 97750, USA”,”description”:””},{“id”:”43915″,”lat”:44.547367,”lng”:-119.633041,”name”:”Sheep Rock, John Day Fossil Beds”,”address”:”Sheep Rock, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon 97825, USA”,”description”:””},{“id”:”43916″,”lat”:44.912354,”lng”:-120.417526,”name”:”Palisades John Day Fossil Beds”,”address”:”The Palisades, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon 97830, USA”,”description”:””}]}
Green Water at the Blue Basin