Imagine stumbling on a fossil that has been around for centuries. Now imagine that you’re in Oregon. Once upon a prehistoric time, ancient relatives of horses, rhinoceroses and cats roamed free. Flora such as fruit and nut trees stood at the banks of lakes and streams here. It may be hard to believe, but the proof is in the petrified rock.  

About 300 miles southeast of Portland, just a two-hour drive from Bend, sits tiny Dayville, Oregon. Dayville is home to one of the most abundant fossil sites in the entire world where fossils dating back over 50 million years have been discovered. It is a travel destination for paleontologists, amateur fossil hunters and eco tourists. 

The major draw of Dayville is the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. One of three park sections, Sheep Rock lies just northwest of the town and is something of a home base for the entire monument. Here, you can visit both the Cant Ranch Museum and the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center…for free!

At the Cant Ranch Museum, you’ll unearth the cultural history of the John Day Valley.  There are indoor and outdoor exhibits on human settlement in the area. The museum is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and by appointment on Fridays and weekends. 

The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center is truly the main event here. You’ll see spectacular exhibits featuring an extensive collection of fossils, all amazingly found right in Oregon! At the center’s “Please Touch” tables, you can get your hands on actual fossils locally unearthed. Take a peek inside the state-of-the-art laboratory through the viewing window in the museum. You can watch as world-renowned scientists carefully preserve and analyze the fossils. The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center is open from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. until October 31, and from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. from November to February. 

The Sheep Rock Unit also has several hiking trails offering stunning views of the Blue Basin area. Trails range in difficulty and length, so there is something for everyone. Get detailed trail information at www.nps.gov/joda/planyourvisit/sheep-rock-trails.htm.

Though the Sheep Rock Unit is certainly a great daytrip prospect, some visitors say there’s so much to see, you will want to spend more than a day in Dayville. Check out what other Dayville trippers are saying at www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Oregon/Dayville.html.

Spend the night at the Fish House Inn and RV Park on Highway 26 in Dayville. This quaint inn has several options for your stay including the Cottage, the Attic, the Main House and an RV park. Visit the inn’s website for room information and rates at www.fishhouseinn.com/rvpark.html. 

The inn makes a great jumping off point to visit the entire John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. A drive around all three sections of the 14,000-acre monument (the Sheep Rock Unit, Painted Hills Unit and Clarno Unit) will take you on a stunning 201-mile loop. The views are spectacular enough to enjoy without ever leaving the comfort of your car. If you need to stretch your legs, you can get out and fossil hunt. Make sure you know exactly where you are before you decide to take any fossils with you; there are certain areas where fossil collecting is restricted, and a permit may be required in other areas. The National Park Service offers some basic guidelines for fossil collecting online at www.nps.gov/joda/planyourvisit/fossil-collecting-regulations.htm.

For more information about Dayville attractions including local restaurants and more, visit the Grant County Chamber of Commerce website at www.gcoregonlive.com/bus_display.php/134.