📍 See the Painted Hills

Iconic banded hills at the John Day Fossil Beds — yellow, ochre, red, and black layers stacked from millions of years of volcanic ash and minerals. Several short trails (Painted Hills Overlook, Carroll Rim, Painted Cove) showcase different vantage points.

Good to know

• Free entry.
• Late afternoon and morning have the best light for photos.
• No services in the immediate area; gas up in Mitchell or Prineville before heading in.

Google's editorial: Nature area featuring walks & fossil beds amid scenic hills striped with red, tan, orange & black.