Oregon’s Painted Hills had been on my bucket list for the longest time. The otherworldly landscape in this region makes me question if the photos I’ve seen of the Painted Hills are real or if someone has a doctorate in Photoshop.

As someone who (happily) grew up in Oregon, I have heard the endless hype about the famous Painted Hills for years! But between you and me– I kept pushing it back to the back burner.

It took me way too long to visit the Painted Hills (included in the prestigious 7 Wonders of Oregon list). But can you blame me? Oregon is chock-full of natural wonders and I only have 24-hours in a day!

Thankfully you can learn from my mistake. After seeing Oregon’s Painted Hills firsthand, I now understand why this unique place has such a strong appeal, myself included.

If you’re planning on visiting the Painted Hills, I hope you find the guide below helpful. I had a lot of fun writing it! The guide outlines all the things we learned during our visit. Hope you enjoy!

Quick tip before we start: Don’t forget to pack sunscreen for your visit! Here’s the sunscreen I’ve used for the past 6+ years, I discovered it in France and now buy it in bulk. You’ll never catch me without it!

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Note: All of my adventures are paid for out-of-pocket (Embrace Someplace is a passion project). As such, this post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase the items I use and recommend.

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Oregon Painted Hills Guide (FAQ)

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First things first, what exactly are the Painted Hills in Oregon?

Found in the heart of central Oregon, the Painted Hills (an aptly named collection of colorful hills) is a part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument consists of three interesting units (Sheep Rock and Clarno being the other two), but the Painted Hills are — by far — the most popular of the bunch, and it’s not hard to see why.

Walking around the Painted Hills feels like an other-worldly experience, like walking on mars. Glorious multi-colored stripes mar these hills with deep reds, brilliant yellows, rusty copper blues and pastel greens.

This area is ripe for exploration, especially for those that can’t get their fill of geology. Best known for its abundance of fossils, the Painted Hills are revered for their contribution in advancing our understanding of the evolution of many plants and animals.

In particular, the fossils found in this area were used to trace the close ancestral connection between horses and dogs. How cool is that?

Note: Fossil collecting is strictly prohibited. Federal law protect all fossils and other natural and cultural features in the park. If you stumble upon a fossil, do not collect, dig or disturb.

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Why are the Painted Hills so colorful?

Oregon’s Painted Hills are a lesson in stratigraphy.

I know, I know — say what?

Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers to see determine the relationship to a geological time scale.

Ancient eruptions caused volcanic ash layers to deposit over millions of years, causing different minerals to react and solidify into various colored bands over time.

These colors tell geologist what was happening in the area many years ago. Nerdy guide below.

Here’s a quick guide to the different colors:

• Red/orange soil: laterite formed during humidity and warmth.
• Black soil: lignite (vegetation that grew along the floodplain)
• Grey soil: shale, mudstone and siltstone

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Best time to visit the Painted Hills in Oregon

For comfortable temperatures and blue skies, I suggest visiting in the early fall and late spring. September and October are a safe bet because temperatures will be comfortable.

The spring months (April, May and early June) are also a good time to go, but there’s a higher chance of rain. Don’t let that deter you though, the hills are more vibrant after the rain. The vividness is hard to beat! Plus, you may even see wildflowers (May is a great month for flowers).

Based on personal experience, I suggest avoiding the summer months (June thru August) because it gets very hot, which makes it hard to explore the area.

Fall offers cooler temperatures, but a higher chance of rain. However, the cooler temps make it a lot easier to hike around. In terms of winter, the area is no stranger to snow, but it gets terribly cold.

Likewise, if your schedule allows, plan on visiting the Painted Hills during sunrise or sunset. The colors truly come alive when the light fills (and leaves) the valley. It’s definitely worth the effort.

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Best Hikes Painted Hills Oregon

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When you enter the Painted Hills, the first parking lot you pass will lead you to the Carroll Rim Trail. I suggest driving past the lot (for now) and continuing on directly to the Red Scar Knoll/Red Hill Trail first. This way you’ll work your way up to the longest (and most scenic) hike in the park.

If helpful to know, every trail has its own parking lot, so you don’t need to hike between the trails. Most of the trails are very short (the longest being 1.6 miles), use the photos below to determine which interest you the most. If you choose to do all 5 hikes in the Painted Hills, expect to clock in around 3 miles of hiking.

We spent 2-3 hours exploring the area and felt like we saw it all. If you’d like, you can throw in a picnic to stretch out the time, but otherwise, visiting the Painted Hills for hiking can easily be a half-day event.

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#1. The Painted Cove Trail

• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Distance: 1/4 mile loop

Let’s start this list of the best Painted Hills hikes with the most popular trail. You’ve probably seen a photo of the picturesque boardwalk swallowed by bright red hills on either side (and now you’ll have an opportunity to get a photo for yourself!).

A level boardwalk takes you through a striking color palette of vibrant yellow, lavender and crimson hills. Clocking in with a distance of 0.25 miles, it’s hard to overstate how short the trail is. Feels like it’s over before it begins!

The boardwalk stretches a (very) short portion o f the hike, which is why it gets busy so easily. If you’re keen to avoid the swarms of visitors, try visiting early in the morning.

Goes without saying, but make sure to stay on the trail to avoid damaging sensitive habitat.

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#2. Red Scar Knoll/Red Hill Trail

• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Distance: 1/4 mile loop

Of all the hikes at the Painted Hills, the Red Scar Knoll surprised me most. I hadn’t seen many photos of this hill prior to my trip and found myself completely impressed while visiting Oregon’s Painted Hills.

The short and sweet (and level) trail takes you to a massive hill composed of bright red and yellow clay. You can get very close to the hill, but make sure not to touch it.

The dry landscape and interesting outcropping remind me of fascinating African landscapes. This feels like a scene straight out of a safari.

Local’s Tip: To reach this Painted Hills hike, follow the signs leading to Red Hill.

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#3. Hike the Leaf Hill Trail

• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Distance: 1/4 mile loop

This Painted Hills trail has been extensively studied and excavated by paleontologists over the years.

While the Leaf Hill Trail doesn’t boast any colorful hills, it does meanders past informative signs that better explain the area’s interesting history. Stop and enjoy the grandeur of the land you’re walking on!

Thousands of fossils have been excavated from this area, making for some interesting discoveries. If you see fossils during your visit, it’s imperative that you leave them be. As mentioned, collecting fossils is strictly prohibited.

Between you and me, this trail doesn’t offer the interesting scenic beauty the other hikes at the Painted Hills do. As such, don’t feel compelled to hike this one if you’re short on time. I loved it for the solitude (it was the least busy hiking trail), but it was definitely the least memorable (am I allowed to say that?).

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#4. Hike to the Painted Hills Overlook

• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Distance: 1/2 mile out and back
• Best time to visit: Sunset

The panoramic views of the surrounding alien landscape make this one of the best hikes at the Painted Hills. Thankfully, the flat trail is only 0.5 miles long and is very easy to manage — offering big reward for little effort.

From the overlook you’ll be privy to dramatic striated rolling hills boasting bright reds, oranges and yellows.

Let me tell you — watching the sun leave the valley floor from the overlook was incredible! The colors are so breathtaking. As such, I’d argue that catching sunset from this viewpoint is undoubtedly one of the best things to do at the Painted Hills.

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#5. Hike the Carroll Rim Trail

• Difficulty Level: Easy/Moderate
• Distance: 1.6 miles out and back, 400 feet of elevation gain

The Carroll Rim Trail is the only Painted Hills hike that can quality as “moderate.” The trail follows a ridge-line that overlooks the valley below and offers unparalleled views of the most notable features in the park (like the Red Knoll and Painted Cove).

Clocking in at 1.6-miles round trip, this is the longest trail in the park while still being completely manageable. So if you want to get your heart pumping for sunset, opt for this hike. In fact, since this was the most challenging hike, it also ended up being the most memorable, so I highly recommend it for anyone visiting the Painted Hills.

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Tips for Visiting Oregon’s Painted Hills

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Leave No Trace

• If you’re unfamiliar with Leave No Trace, it’s a measure to be a good steward of the land. You can read about the seven principals of Leave No Trace here.

Painted Hills is relatively small

• The road from start to finish is only 3.5 miles long so believe me when I tell you it’s a small area to explore. You won’t need more than 3 hours total.

Hiking in the Painted Hills

• There are only five (short and mostly flat) hikes in the park, ranging from .25 miles to 1.6 miles. We hiked all 5 trails and cover them in detail below.
• Stay on the trail and wear appropriate footwear to prevent yourself from tripping and slipping.

Desert critters

• Watch out for rattlesnakes, ticks, scorpions and black widow spiders. It goes without saying, but remember to watch where you step!

Water is NOT available

• There’s no water within the area, aside from the picnic area. Even then, water is only available during the summer months, so make sure to bring water with you — it gets hot quickly.

Painted Hills Weather

• The weather varies greatly at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, which is typical of a desert landscape. Summer temperatures can rise to 110 (yikes!) and winters sometimes bring snow and ice, although overall they’re known to be mild.

Sunscreen, layers and hats

• The sun is intense and shade is minimal. I can’t tell you how many folks I saw nursing sunburns at the end of the day. Carry sunscreen and apply liberally.
• Light layers and hats are a huge help as well. I NEVER leave the house without this top. Oh, and don’t forget your sunglasses.

Hiking with pups

• Dogs are allowed on the trails (only) and must be kept on a leash. We saw so many cute pups during our trip, always makes the trip better!

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Camping near Oregon’s Painted Hills

My two favorite campgrounds near the Painted Hills in Oregon are:

1. Redhill Dispersed Campground
2. Big Bend Campground

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How to get to Oregon’s Painted Hills

The Painted Hills are 9 miles northwest of Mitchell, Oregon — a small town in eastern Oregon.

The closest big city is Bend, Oregon, which is a 2-hour drive (90 miles). From Bend, take US-26 5 miles east of Mitchell and then turn right at the signs for John Day Fossil Beds — Painted Hills Unit.

We drove from Portland, which was a five hour drive. Take US25, turn onto Burnt Ridge Road and take the signs for Painted Hills.

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Best Hikes Painted Hills Oregon (Post Summary)

In sum, here’s a list of the best hikes at the Painted Hills in Oregon.

• The Painted Cove Trail
• Red Scar Knoll/Red Hill Hiking Trail
• Hike the Leaf Hill Trail
• Painted Hills Overlook
• Carroll Rim Trail

You may enjoy reading: 10 Reasons Oregon is the BEST State to be Quarantined In

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Map of the Best Things to Do Painted Hills Oregon | Painted Hills Guide

And there you have it, folks! I hope you enjoyed this Oregon Painted Hills Guide helpful. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions!

Happy hiking,

Antonina

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