Where to Stay Near John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
For the second half of our Oregon road trip, we took the scenic route from Joseph and the Wallowa Mountains to the John Day Fossil Beds. In a single day we went from the alpine peaks of the Wallowas through lush forested mountain passes and ended up in the otherworldly desert landscape that surrounds the national monument. Before talking about where to stay if you’re wanting to explore this area, it helps to understand how the Fossil Beds are arranged.
Although they make up a single national monument, the Fossil Beds actually consist of three separate and unique units that are geographically distinct. Because of the distance between the units (for instance, the Sheep Rock Unit is 78 miles and approximately an 1 1/2 hour drive from the Clarno Unit), it would be a stretch to visit all three units in a single day and I would venture to say impossible to do so with a young child unless you are fully intent on having a miserable day that is fun for absolutely no one. This is also a very rural area of Oregon, so you are not going to find a centrally located luxury hotel. You can barely find a gas station. What you will find are lots of opportunities for camping, a handful of cute home rentals, and historical hotels with local flair. If you cannot fathom any of those options, well, you’re probably reading the wrong blog. However, you may find what you’re looking for in Prineville where there is a selection of midrange hotels with recognizable names or in Bend where your options abound. The tradeoff is spending much more of your vacation driving and likely seeing much less of the wonder that is the John Day Fossil Beds. I also think you lose a bit of the sense of place, but that’s just me.
Okay, now that that is out of the way - this is what we (and by that I mean I because, let’s be honest, I’m the planner in these here parts) decided to do. We could have chosen to stay in a different area each night, but I didn’t want to, so we narrowed it down to the Mitchell/Dayville area. I’ll share more about our exact itinerary in another post, but we selected this area because it was (very) slightly less remote than some of the other options (read: located along a main road) and there was close access (again, this term is relative) to two of the three units. Once this was decided, an exhaustive search of all of our lodging options thankfully led us here: to Haiku Hollow outside of Dayville.
Guys, this place was amazing!! The couple who own the extensive, off the grid property have several options for places to stay, including a cabin. But this tent was perfection.
We couldn’t use the wood stove or outdoor wood heated bathtub due to fire restrictions, but they had added a propane fire pit so we could still enjoy a warm fire during the cool evenings.
Our arrival to this special place was almost magical. We stepped out of the car and were immediately surrounded by the unmistakable scent of juniper. We almost couldn’t believe our eyes as we began exploring our home for the next couple of nights. The outdoor kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed to make delicious meals with the groceries we brought. Most importantly, the bed was so comfortable. This was definitely glamping.
I especially loved the special touches, like a welcome basket full of local goodies, our host stopping by with flowers and a melon freshly picked from their garden, and the small herb garden that thoughtfully included plants to deter mosquitos.
As guests here, we were free to explore the property. Short walks led to astounding views, which were especially spectacular at sunset.
I really do think you should stay here. But, if you need more options or if this property is not available, below are a few more places to stay near the John Day Fossil Beds.
Camping:
Whether you are a RV camper or a tent camper or somewhere in between, there are so many camping options, from no fee, no reservations sites to nearby national forest campgrounds. Here is a link to a map with all the camping information you need to start planning your trip, but there are a couple spots I would like to highlight.
This forested, national forest campground is closest to the Painted Hills Unit. For a fee of $13 a night, sites are available on a first come, first serve basis. Although facilities are basic (vault toilets), this is a beautiful spot to get away from it all with scenery that serves as a nice contrast to the landscapes of John Day Fossil Beds. Although you will feel like you’re getting away from it all, this campground is easily accessible from Highway 26.
Further down Hwy 26 near Mt. Vernon is Clyde Holliday. Like many Oregon state campgrounds, Clyde Holliday has sites with electric hookups and facilities like hot showers and flushing toilets. Not only that, with campsites set along John Day River, this campground is quite beautiful. There are also two reservable teepees that have sleeping space for up to 8 people.
More centrally located in Dayville is the FIsh House Inn and RV Park. Whether you’re looking for a spot to park your RV for a few nights, seeking the perfect spot to pitch your tent, or wanting to rent a cozy room in the historic craftsman style house that was built in 1908, there are a variety of options here. Other amenities include easy access to the river and shared use grills in the common area. This is just about as “in town” as you can get in the small town of Dayville - the town’s single restaurant is within walking distance.
Hotels and Rentals:
Speaking of not camping options, if glamping or an actual hotel is more your speed, this area offers those options, as well, although they are certainly not as abundant as campgrounds.
Although of the options I’m sharing, this is the furthest away from the Fossil Beds, this is one of the very few actual hotels in the area, at least that I would be willing to stay at (I get a bit weird about where I sleep). Originally built in 1910, this historic hotel has been lovingly restored to its original purpose. Each of the nine rooms provides a perfect retreat after a day of exploring outdoors. The hotel is located along the main street of the quite charming town of Prairie City, with quaint shops and restaurants a short stroll away. This hotel also caters especially to bikers, so whether you need a place to store your bike, want information on the best day trips, or would just like someone to pack a picnic lunch for your day, the staff at Hotel Prairie have you covered.
This little cabin in Kimberly, located north of the Sheep Rock Unit, is the perfect spot if you’re looking for your own slice of paradise. With a cook shack and a shower house near to the cabin, this is like a miniature summer camp for grownups, but waaaay better because no one is guilting you into playing softball, which you are terrible at so only manage to embarrass yourself in front of the cute guy you have crush on. Anyway. This is a lovely spot with a cozy cabin.
This is the collection of rental properties that includes the amazing Haiku Hollow. In addition to a second glamping tent, there is an off the grid cabin and a small farmhouse available. I already mentioned this, but our host went of out her way to make our stay extra special and I would not hesitate to stay at any of these properties.
Painted Hills Vacation Cottages
Renting one of these cheerful cottages in Mitchell was another option I seriously considered for our trip. Each colorful house, set amid trees and flowers and gardens, is homey and includes everything a family would need after a long day of exploring. Traveling with a child has given me a whole new appreciation for having extra space, access to a kitchen, and an extra bedroom for uninterrupted naps and early bedtimes. I love that there are options for larger groups, as well.
Now that you know where to stay, I’m going to share my list of “must dos” when you’re in this area of Oregon. If you’ve explored this part of Oregon, what were your favorite places to sleep? Any recommendations that I missed? There are so many great camping spots.