John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument was proclaimed a national monument on October 26, 1974, and is governed by the National Park Service. The park spans a total area of 13,944 acres of land that is located in Wheeler County and Grant County in the state of Oregon. Some of the metropolis areas that are close to the national monument include Mitchell, Fossil, and Danville.

This national monument is divided into three widely separated units including the Clarno Unit that is located 20 miles west of Fossil, the Painted Hills Unit which is located nine miles northwest of Mitchell and the Sheep Rock Unit which is located six miles west of Danville. The main park headquarters is situated in the visitor center in the Sheep Rock Unit. 

Some of the distinct features that visitors to John Day Fossil Beds National Monument can experience include the heavily eroded volcanic deposits of the John Day River basin that preserve a remarkably complete record of biota. This preserved biota spans a prehistoric period that spans 40 million of the 65 million years of the Cenozoic Era, which is also known as the ‘Age of Mammals and Flowering Plants.’

Visitors can also get to participate in recreational activities due to the parks available amenities that include a picnic area, restrooms, museum, visitor center, and self-guided trails. The recreational activities that visitors to the park can enjoy include auto touring, ranger-led programs, hiking, river rafting, and fishing.

Dog owners and their pets are allowed into John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, but as you would expect, some regulations are designed to protect the park's resources. Some of these regulations regarding dogs are as follows. First, dogs should always be leashed. Secondly, dogs should be kept away from restricted areas including park buildings like the visitor center.