The Painted Hills: One of Oregon’s 7 Wonders

When most people think of Oregon, they think of the rocky coastline and lush forests. But did you know that Eastern Oregon is home to some of the most beautiful desert landscapes in the state? The Painted Hills are a series of hills located near Mitchell, Oregon that is covered in a layer of brightly-colored clay and soil.

The Painted Hills change color with the seasons, making them a popular destination for tourists and photographers. It’s one of the reasons they have made the list for the 7 wonders of Oregon.

Contents

• Where are the Painted Hills in Oregon?
  • Map: The Painted Hills Trails
• What makes the Painted Hills “painted”?
• When to visit the Painted Hills in Oregon?
• Where to stay: Accommodations & Camping
• Things to do in the Painted Hills
  • The Other 7 Wonders of Oregon

Where are the Painted Hills in Oregon?

The Painted Hills are located in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, about 30 miles from Mitchell, Oregon. The monument is home to a variety of landscapes, including the Painted Hills, that have been preserved for millions of years. The other sections of this park include the Sheep’s Rock Unit and the Clarno Unit.

Map: The Painted Hills Trails

This map shows all the hikes in the Painted Hills unit. They aren’t particularly long hikes and hiking on the hills themselves is a no-no because the footprints erode them and last quite a long time. 

Trails of the Painted Hills: The unit’s five micro-hikes let visitors get a little closer to the outstanding colors that can so easily be seen from the park road.

1. Painted Hills Overlook Trail
   • 0.5 miles – Don’t miss this. It’s the main view of the Painted Hills. And, parking is super close to the Painted Hills Overlook trailhead.
2. Carrol Rim Trail
   • 1.6 miles – The bird’s eye view. The hike ascends to 400 feet of elevation and gives you a panorama view of the Painted Hills.
3. Painted Cove Trail
   • 0.25 miles – A short broad-walk trail takes you around a Mars like mix of deep red/yellow hills.
4. Leaf Hill Trail
   • 0.25 miles – This trail has fossilized remains of plants scattered everywhere and has been the site for extensive scientific research going back to the 1920s.
5. Red Scar Knoll/Red Hill Trail
   • 0.25 mile – The trail has two names–both are the same thing. The Red Scar Knoll/Red Hill Trail is located at the end of Painted hills unit.

If you can only do one hike, definitely pick the Painted Hills Overlook Trail. It’s the best view, in my opinion. My second pick would be the Red Hill Trail. Both have parking very close by. The Red Scar Knoll/Red Hill trail is a short drive past the Painted Hills Overlook Trail. In recent years, the unit has also made a picnic space and a restroom structure in the Painted Hills.

What makes the Painted Hills “painted”?

The hills are made up of three different types of soil: red clay, yellow silt, stone, and black shale. Each type of soil has a different color, which is why the hills appear to be “painted.” It almost gives you the impression of being on Mars in many parts of the national park.

These colors represent rock layers as old as 55 million years. They formed through various lava flows, volcanic ash, and mudslides. Each color has a different composition that gives it its unique pigment.

• Yellow: deposits are rhyolitic ash that is about 70% silica.
• Red: from iron deposits in the soil.
• Black: manganese nodules that may have formed when plants fixed manganese, or, more likely when manganese-rich salts concentrated as pools of water-rich in the mineral dried up. 

As hard as it may be to picture this area of Eastern Oregon was once a lust forested area. It fell victim to colossal change as volcanoes devastated the region and its wildlife. Many animals and plants were quickly trapped and buried in these volcanic events which preserve them. It’s a large reason there are so many fossils that are still being discovered here.

When to visit the Painted Hills in Oregon?

The best time to see the Painted Hills is in the Spring or Fall, when the hills are covered in green grasses and wildflowers. This also lets you escape the crowds and heat of the summer.

The hills also look more vivid and have starker colors when the weather is a bit wetter than it is in mid-spring/fall. If you are going to take a bunch of pictures then going in the late afternoon gives you great light. When the sun is low in the sky and casts a warm glow on the hills.

What’s the weather like in the Painted Hills?

The average temperature in the Painted Hills

Average Number of Rainy Days by Month

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Where to stay: Accommodations & Camping in the Painted Hills

Camping in this part of Oregon, near the Painted Hills, is different than camping in Central and Western Oregon. The climate’s a bit more arid as it ranges from grasslands to dessert. That said, there are a range of options for where to stay given how remote it can be.

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Things to do in the Painted Hills

Fun for everyone: This area isn’t just for avid hikers. All of the trails are very easy and family-friendly. Additionally, there are a number of different activities you can do in the Painted Hills, depending on your interests.

• -If you’re a photographer, head to the hills in the late afternoon to get the best light for photos. The golden hour is optimal for this landscape.
• -For nature lovers, take a hike through the hills to see all the different plants and animals that call this place home.
• -And for history buffs, visit the Paleontology center or Kam Wah Chung Museum in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument to learn about the ancient landscape that has been preserved for millions of years.

No matter what your interests are, you’re sure to find something to love about the Painted Hills of Eastern Oregon! So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today.

The Other 7 Wonders of Oregon

Just in case you were wondering about the other wonders of Oregon they are:

1. Crater Lake National Park
2. Wallowa Mountains
3. Oregon coast
4. Painted Hills
5. Mount Hood
6. Columbia River Gorge
7. Smith Rock State Park

There are also the other two units in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument that are worth seeing. Both Sheep’s Rock and the Clarno Unit have some surprises and views you won’t seen anywhere else.

And that’s just the beginning if you’re looking for a more comprehensive guide to all PNW National Parks, check out our guide.

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