Where are the Painted Hills located?
Visiting the Painted Hills Unit The Painted Hills Unit is located about 10 miles northwest of the town of Mitchell, Oregon. Distinguished by varied stripes of red, tan, orange, and black, this area preserves a sequence of past climate change.
How do I get to the Painted Hills?
From Bend:
- Head North on Hwy 97.
- Connect to Hwy 26 and take it East towards Mitchell.
- Drive through the Ochoco National Forest (about 1 hour)
- Look for brown signs mentioning the Painted Hills & Burnt Ranch Road.
- Take a left on Burnt Ranch Road.
- A few miles down, you’ll see the picnic area & colorful hills. You’re there!
Are the Painted Hills open now?
The outdoor areas, trails, and overlooks at all three units: Sheep Rock, Painted Hills, and Clarno units, are open at all times.
Can you walk on the Painted Hills?
The only difficult walk in the Painted Hills Unit is the 1.6 mile Carroll Rim Trail. You will need to climb about 400-feet, but the reward is a unique and spectacular panoramic view of this otherworldly landscape.
Where should I stay to see Painted Hills?
There is no lodging close to the Painted Hills but there are a few motels in Prineville which is located about an hour away. You can choose from the Econo Lodge, Best Western Inn or Country Inn & Suites in Prineville. There you will find a few grocery stores and restaurants.
What town is closest to Painted Hills?
Getting To Painted Hills The closest large town is Bend which is 90 miles and about two hours away. From Portland it’s 200 miles and will take approximately five hours to get to. You need to take US26 (Ochoco Highway) and turn onto Burnt Ridge road but there will be signs so you shouldn’t miss the turn-off.
What is the best time of year to go to the Painted Hills in Oregon?
September is an excellent time to visit the Painted Hills, since the days will still be sunny but cooler and more comfortable for seeing the sites. The main site of the Painted Hills, one of 3 units in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is just outside of Mitchell, OR.
Where should I stay when visiting the Painted Hills?
Are Painted Hills worth it?
Overall, the trip to the Painted Hills was better than expected and certainly worth the trip. The sights are so beautiful, and the landscape so unique, that it’s one of those places every Oregonian should visit at least once. It is not, as I might have believed from afar, overrated.
Where is the closest city to the Painted Hills?
The Painted Hills are 9 miles northwest of Mitchell, Oregon — a small town in eastern Oregon. The closest big city is Bend, Oregon, which is a 2-hour drive (90 miles). From Bend, take US-26 5 miles east of Mitchell and then turn right at the signs for John Day Fossil Beds — Painted Hills Unit.
Where is the Painted Hills Unit in Bend Oregon?
The Painted Hills Unit is closest to the town of Mitchell, OR. It is about 2 hours from Bend, OR and 4 hours from Portland, OR. At the Painted Hills Unit, there is a grassy picnic area, restrooms, and five hiking trails. The road through the park is a well-maintained gravel road.
How old is the Painted Hills Unit?
The Painted Hills Unit also contains a diverse assemblage of leaf fossils aging 39-30 million years old called the Bridge Creek Flora, and a small outcropping of rock containing animal fossils from 30-27 million years ago.
How many miles is the Painted Hills Trail?
The Painted Hills Overlook Trail is 0.5 mile / 0.8 km 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 km roundtrip.