John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
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John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
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Contact Information:
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
32651 Highway 19
Kimberly, OR 97848
541-987-2333 (Sheep Rock Unit)
541-462-3961 (Painted Hills Unit)
541-763-2203 (Clarno Unit)
http://www.nps.gov/joda/
Size: 13,944 acres.
Location: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is divided into three widely separated units in north-central Oregon: the Clarno Unit, located 20 miles west of Fossil, OR; the Sheep Rock Unit, located 6 miles west of Dayville, OR; and the Painted Hills Unit, located 9 miles northwest of Mitchell, OR. The park headquarters is at the visitor center in the Sheep Rock Unit.
Description: The heavily eroded volcanic deposits of the John Day River basin preserve a remarkably complete record of animal and plant life, spanning more than 40 of the 65 million years of the Cenozoic Era (the "Age of Mammals and Flowering Plants").
Activities: Regularly scheduled, and specially arranged, ranger conducted programs are offered on a year-round basis, including fossil museum talks, trail hikes, and off-site presentations, featuring the geological and paleontological story. The schedule of activities changes during each of the four seasons.
Operating
Hours: Park trails, overlooks, and grounds are open during daylight hours. General visitor center hours
are from 8:30am to 4:30pm daily; Closed on all federal holidays between Thanksgiving and Presidents Day.
History: Authorized on October 26, 1974.
See other National Monuments
See other Oregon National Parks
