Mountain Peak
Painted Hills, a stunning geologic formation spanning 3,132 acres in Wheeler County about 9 miles northwest of Mitchell in north-central Oregon's high desert, forms one of three units of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument with vividly layered bands of red, yellow, gold, black, and gray mudstone, shale, siltstone, and lignite revealing 35-28 million years of climate shifts from Eocene tropical wetlands to cooler Oligocene dryness.
Volcanic ash and pumice from ancient Cascade eruptions settled here, oxidized into iron-rich laterites for rust hues during wet periods and manganese oxides for darker streaks, with leaf fossils from the Bridge Creek Flora dating 39-30 million years amid rolling hills best viewed late afternoon when colors intensify under shifting light and moisture.
Free short trails like 0.25-mile Painted Cove Loop, 1.6-mile Carroll Rim Overlook with panoramic vistas, and Red Hill Draw lead through the badlands for hiking and photography year-round, drawing visitors to this Seven Wonders of Oregon site preserving Eocene-to-Miocene evolution.
| Elevation | 744 m |
| Address | Oregon 97750, United States |
Painted Hills is located in Oregon, United States.
Painted Hills is situated in the state of Oregon.
The address of Painted Hills is Oregon 97750, United States.
Yes, Painted Hills is family-friendly and attracts visitors of all age groups.
Visitors usually spend a few hours to a full day exploring Painted Hills.
Yes, there are several hotels and accommodations near Painted Hills in Oregon.
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