A metal bridge leads to blue-green claystones with a tree on the side.
20-60 Minutes

Island in Time Trail

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

This 1.3 mi (2.1 km) trail follows the canyon floor and ascends 200 ft (60 m) in elevation through blue-green badlands. Exhibits and fossil replicas along the trail tell the story of the fossil landscape. Dog owners please note: There are over a dozen metal bridges on this trail. All have rough footplates that many dogs refused to cross. You may need to carry your dogs across the bridges. No collecting is allowed and off-trail hiking is strictly prohibited. Please stay on

This 1.3 mi (2.1 km) trail follows the canyon floor and ascends 200 ft (60 m) in elevation through blue-green badlands. Exhibits and fossil replicas along the trail tell the story of the fossil landscape. Dog owners please note: There are over a dozen metal bridges on this trail. All have rough footplates that many dogs refused to cross. You may need to carry your dogs across the bridges. No collecting is allowed and off-trail hiking is strictly prohibited. Please stay on trail.

Tags

Front-Country HikingFossils and PaleontologyGeologySheep Rock unithikingpaleontologygeologyfossils

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Details

Duration

20-60 Minutes

Fees Apply

No

Seasons

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Time of Day

Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk

Accessibility

This 1.3 mi. (2.1 km) roundtrip gravel and claystone trail has 13 bridges with metal grates. The trail has an average width of 57 inches with a minimum width of 18 inches. After 600 feet, there is a large rock in the center of the trail. There are benches along the trail with minimum shade. Potential hazards: Muddy after rain and snow, rocks, metal bridges

Pets

Yes — Dog owners please note: There are over a dozen metal bridges on this trail. All have rough footplates that many dogs refuse to cross. You may need to carry your dogs across the bridges.

Reservations

No

Location

Sheep Rock Unit

View on NPS.govBack to John Day Fossil Beds

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