2023 Map of Painted Hills

About this map

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument anchors this landscape, preserving the distinctive geological formations of the Painted Hills. The terrain is defined by deep incisions like Coyote Canyon and Shaw Canyon that lead toward the John Day Wild and Scenic River in the north. This modern survey illustrates the preservation of a sensitive fossil-bearing environment, where human impact is limited to established routes such as Burnt Ranch Rd and the Carroll Rim Trail. Distinctive landmarks like Brown Grotto and Rainbow Hill highlight the layered, colorful stratigraphy that makes this portion of Wheeler County scientifically significant. The hydrography is dominated by the winding course of Bridge Creek and Bear Creek, which have carved through the volcanic ash and sediment over millions of years to create the prominent Carroll Rim.