Painted Hills Unit

Oregon’s Painted Hills are a beautiful display of earth’s artwork and history. Layers of black, gray, yellow, gold and red soil tell a story of the area’s geological transitions and provide visitors with stunning vistas. Part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the Painted Hills Unit is a visual reminder that what we now know as desert was once a very different place – an ancient flood plane home to early horses, camels and rhinoceroses!

The black soil is lignite consisting of vegetable matter from the flood plain. The grey soil is composed of mudstone, siltstone and shale, and the red is laterite, a soil formed in warm, tropical climates.

There are many trails to choose from as you explore Painted Hills. Most are short and relatively level, and each offers a slightly different perspective and focus.

The Painted Hills Unit has a total of five trails, each with their own parking area. Directional signs along Bear Creek Road point the way to each trailhead. (Note: The Red Scar Knoll Trail is called Red Hill on the road signs.) RVs and other large vehicles are not recommended past the Painted Hills Overlook.

• The Carroll Rim Trail is 1.6 miles / 2.6 kilometers round trip. The trail climbs over 400 feet (120 m) of elevation to a panorama view of the Painted Hills. Overflow parking is available at the Painted Hills Overlook.
• The Painted Hills Overlook Trail is 0.5 mile / 0.8 kilometer roundtrip. This fairly level trail follows an old road and offers further distinctive views of the Painted Hills.
• The Painted Cove Trail is 0.25 mile / 0.4 kilometer round trip. The Painted Cove is an amazing color palette of vibrant rocks. A portion of this trail features a level boardwalk to cross over sensitive soils.
• The Leaf Hill Trail is 0.25 mile / 0.4 kilometer round trip. Leaf Hill has been extensively excavated and studied by paleontologists. Interpretive signs along the trail explain more of its history.
• The Red Scar Knoll Trail is 0.25 mile / 0.4 kilometer roundtrip. This mostly level trail leads to a hill of bright yellow and red clays. This trailhead is called Red Hill on the road signs.

The Painted Hills Overlook Trail is popular for its views of the most well-known hills. The Leaf Hill Trail, on the other hand, is named for the thousands of leaf fossils found along the path that represent an ecosystem that is nearly 40 million years old. Some trails are wheelchair accessible and others are not. However you choose to tour, be sure to stay on the trail to protect the beauty of this fascinating place. If your itinerary allows it, consider visiting the Painted Hills in late afternoon or early evening to see the changing light illuminate the area with varying and dramatic colors.