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Painted Hills Unit

  1. Areas
  2. OR
  3. …Columbia Gorge
  4. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
  5. Painted Hills Unit

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Overview

The Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is named for the colors found in the hills from various geological eras. Located roughly 9 miles northwest of Mitchell, Oregon, it is one of the three units that form the national monument.

Local Info

There are several short trails in the unit that allow you to get close to the hills. Due to the fragile nature of the clay hills, walking on the hills is prohibited in order to preserve them for others to enjoy. The Red Hill Trail, Painted Cove Trail, Leaf Fossil Trail, and Painted Overlook Trail are all roughly about 1/4 mile long and allow you to get closer to the hills. The Carroll Rim Trail is the longest run in the unit, and climbs to the top of Carroll Rim where 360-degree views of the monument and surrounding areas await.

Visiting Tips

The seasons can change the look of the monument (wildflowers in the spring and snow in the winter), making it a great place to visit year round.

Gems in Painted Hills Unit - 1

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gem Favorite A bench sits off to the right side of the trail, allowing you to take in the views of Painted Ridge and the surrounding hills.

Carroll Rim Summit

(3) Fossil, OR

Painted Hills Unit Running

  • 2 Miles 3 Kilometers of Trail
  • 0 Recommended Routes
  • 1 Gem Gems
  • 4 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 1 Intermediate Trail Intermediate Trails
  • 0 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Trails in Painted Hills Unit - 5

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0.3 mi 0.5 km #1Painted Hills Overlook
Easy
Fossil, OR
Easy
Fossil, OR 3 
0.8 mi 1.3 km #2Carroll Rim Trail
Intermediate
Fossil, OR
Intermediate
Fossil, OR 5 
0.2 mi 0.4 km #3Red Hill Trail (Red Scar Knoll Trail)
Easy
Fossil, OR
Easy
Fossil, OR 1 
0.3 mi 0.4 km #4Painted Cove Trail
Easy
Fossil, OR
Easy
Fossil, OR 1 
0.2 mi 0.4 km #5Leaf Hill Trail
Easy
Fossil, OR
Easy
Fossil, OR 1 

Photos of Painted Hills Unit - 45

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The glorious colours of the Painted Hills in Central Oregon.
Jul 24, 2019 near Mitchell, OR
The trail climbs a small hill and the views open up. You can see the private land just beyond the monument boundary, and the hills that you just traveled by.
Nov 29, 2016 near Fossil, OR
The Painted Ridge from the trail in the rain. Even in the rain, it's an amazing view.
Nov 28, 2016 near Fossil, OR
A bench sits off to the right side of the trail, allowing you to take in the views of Painted Ridge and the surrounding hills.
Nov 30, 2016 near Fossil, OR
Bright and Yellow clay compose the hill that this trial is named for.
Nov 30, 2016 near Fossil, OR
A view of Painted Ridge from the Overlook Trail. Great views of the hills can be found all along the trail.
Nov 28, 2016 near Fossil, OR
A better view of the surrounding hills come into view as the trail climbs behind the fossil hill.
Nov 28, 2016 near Fossil, OR
More of the Painted Hills unit of the John Day National Monument. The 360 degree view from the top is stellar.
Dec 1, 2016 near Fossil, OR