: Clarno Unit of John Day Fossil Beds by Kate Jorgensen

Antelope

This little ranching town was born when a stagecoach rumbled to a stop on an arid plain in Central Oregon.

Antelope draws fossil fanatics to the nearby Clarno Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, while the Crooked River National Grassland teems with options for camping, hiking and fishing. Whitewater thrill seekers and flat-water floaters enjoy the Deschutes and John Day rivers. Get a scare with a visit to a nearby ghost town.

Central Oregon

Nearby cities: Shaniko, Ashwood, Kent, Maupin, Fossil

Trip Ideas

More Trip Ideas

A Trip Into “Wild Wild Country”

Curious travelers planning an adventure to this wild pocket of the Pacific Northwest should pack boots and cowboy hats — you’ll need both while exploring this arid side of the Cascades. The region is rich...

Dez Ramirez
Journey Through Time Scenic Byway

The marks of time are stamped across the landscape on this 286-mile/ 460-kilometer route through prehistoric fossil beds, mining boomtowns and surprising sights like the Painted Hills — one of Oregon’s 7 Wonders.

Travel Oregon
Oregon’s Ghost Towns: Shaniko

Ghost towns have always been a fascinating subject for me, in part because I love to imagine what the energy was like when it was thriving. Towns are not created with the intent to become...

Michelle Fahlgren

Don't Miss Near Antelope

Need help planning transportation to and around Antelope?

See all transportation options

Transportation Options

Bicycle

Ground

Ask Oregon

What’s the best route to see the John Day Fossil Beds?

You can make a great loop between Portland and John Day. The most exciting route will be to take Highway 26 all the way. It will take you over Mt Hood into central Oregon and through The Painted Hills. Total driving time is about 5 hours. For a return trip, I recommend heading north through…