Blue Basin Overlook Trail

Painted Hills Overlook is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Mitchell, Oregon.

The Painted HIlls is the most dramatic of the three units that make up John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Any trip to Eastern Oregon via Rt 26 requires a stop at the Painted HIlls to take in the unique landscape.John Day Fossil Beds are fee-free and as you enter you will see an area with bathrooms, picnic tables, and water fountains. This is the only place to find them, so stop there first...

To get to the trailhead, use the US highway 26 which is the only way you can go to the Painted Hills Unit. Make a turn when arriving at Burnt Ranch Rd junction. Drive up and follow the sign around 6 miles. The trail junction is where you passed the Carroll Rim Trail and Painted Hill Overlook. Turn right at the junction then drive around 1 or 2 miles and you are there. If you need an exact coord...

Tucked into the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness region near John Day, Oregon, the Magone Lake Trail offers a peaceful loop around a crystal-clear mountain lake. Perfect for hikers of all skill levels, this 1.5-mile loop is surrounded by lush forest, abundant wildlife, and quiet shoreline views, making it a great stop for hiking, fishing, swimming, and nature photography. Trail Overview L...

Heading south from Wasco, the scenery trades off between new farms and old abandoned homesteads. Most areas are fenced off along the road to keep in the roaming cattle, but now and then there is access to adventure off and visit the places that the settlers decided on in the 18-1900's.About 50 miles south of Wasco, you come over a rise to see an old crossroad surrounded by wooden storefronts an...

Head East out of Bend, Oregon towards Prineville Reservoir State Park and Highway 27, which runs along the Crooked River. It is about an hour outside of Bend. Once you reach Highway 27 (Crooked River Highway), there are several campgrounds and pull-outs along the side of the road where you can stop and fish.I recommend a guide for your first time. I used Fly and Field Outfitters located in Bend...