This Under-The-Radar Oregon City Is A Scenic Escape With Rivers, High Desert Landscapes, And Fossil-Rich Terrain

With such a vast and diverse landscape, the U.S. offers an ample mix of outdoor activities and city getaways. Sometimes even within the same state. Take Oregon, for example, known for Mount Hood, the state's tallest mountain and one of America's hardest hikes; its city Portland, known as America's coffee capital; and Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the U.S. Beyond the most renowned locations, Oregon is also worth a trip for an off-the-beaten-path city. Nestled in John Day Valley, 125 miles from Bend, Dayville is a hinterland characterized by a scenic landscape of rivers, high desert, and fossil-rich terrain.

The John Day River, cutting through Dayville, is Oregon's longest stream that's popular for fishing, mostly smallmouth bass and steelhead, and other outdoor activities. In winter and autumn, visitors can hunt ducks, birds, and deer, or go skiing and snowmobiling during the coldest months. The John Day Basin is also a perfect location for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. You may see bald and golden eagles, falcons, hawks, and ospreys, along with mules, elks, minks, lizards, and more.

The river flows across tablelands, past farmlands, precipitous hills, and rocky cliffs, creating an impressive scene. The nearby South Fork John Day River blazes a trail heading north through forests and lava rock in central Oregon, running from Ochoco and Aldrich Mountains to meet the John Day River near Dayville. Granite Creek and Deer Creek are both small tributaries feeding into the John Day River. The former runs through a 3.4-mile trail that starts from the Granite Creek Trailhead toward the North Fork John Day River. Whilst the latter runs through high desert ground typical of the John Day Basin.

The John Day River Basin displays a distinctive wild landscape characterized by hilly terrain, steep gorges, and local fauna. Some of the striking features of this territory are earth-toned, rugged hills that seamlessly blend with the adjacent sweeping vista. Cottonwood Canyon State Park stretches over 8,000 acres featuring sheer cliffs, ravines, and rock-covered pastures. As you explore the area, you may encounter wild animals such as American antelopes, coyotes, and rabbits, as well as reptiles. Thanks to its location far from light pollution, the park offers an amazing stargazing experience, which earned the reserve the accreditation as an International Dark Sky Park.

Around 60 miles from Dayville, Bates State Park stretches across 131 acres along the Middle Fork John Day River, Bridge Creek, and Clear Creek, offering spacious green spaces for hiking, biking, and camping as well. There are 28 campsites with basic accommodations, and you don't need to book in advance, spaces are claimed in arrival order.

The Sheep Rock Unit, named after the bighorn sheep that used to roam in the region, is located about 7 miles from Dayville and is another perfect example of high desert landscape. Its mix of geological layers leaves visitors in awe thanks to a blend of green claystone and basalt formations formed by ancient volcanic activities. Hikers can embark on seven different trails, most of them take about 30 minutes to complete, while the Blue Basin Overlook Trail takes up to three hours.

While Utah's highest mountain range is an underrated gem, the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument offers a unique fossil-hunt experience that transports you back in time. Explore the Sheep Rock Unit, the Painted Hills, and the Clarno Unit, which are located about two hours apart from each other making for a perfect scenic road trip. 

Start at the Sheep Rock Unit which boasts both non-fossils rocks dating back to 95 million years and fossils of plants and animals from up to 33 million years ago. The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center can be your starting point to discover the history behind the creatures that once inhabited the land. The center displays more than 40,000 fossils, alongside paleontology laboratories, interactive displays, and children's programming.

The Painted Hills, as the name suggests, captivate tourists with colorful hues of gold, yellow, red, and black that create stripes on the surface. To best experience the park, hop on a bike and ride along the 161-mile Painted Hills Scenic Bikeway and plan to stick around for sunset. 

Continue on your fossil adventure by visiting the Clarno Unit. Despite being the smallest area of the three units, archaeologists uncovered fossils of plants and petrified wood, alongside animals like four-toed horses, crocodiles, rhino-like creatures, and carnivorous mammals. If you want to visit Dayville and its surroundings, the closest airports are Roberts Field and Eastern Oregon Regional Airport, which are both about a two- to three-hour drive.