About Thomas Condon Paleontology Center – Sheep Rock Unit

Thomas Condon Paleontology Center – Sheep Rock Unit

Did you know that early cousins of elephants, camels, rhinoceroses and sabertooth tigers used to roam freely in Eastern Oregon?

You can see evidence of this at the new Thomas Condon Paleontology Center Museum, located in the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Here, scientists actively study the area's 50 million years of plant and animal evolution through a massive collection of 40,000 fossils. And there are plenty of fun, interactive exhibits microscopes, touch tables, fossils, bones, formations and a Junior Ranger Program to keep the kids entertained.

Don't forget to check out the Painted Hills Unit and the Clarno Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

Reviews & Ratings

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.8/5 TripAdvisor Traveler Rating based on 44 reviews

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  • TripAdvisor Rating
    May 18, 2025
    terrybU4540NQ

    FASCINATING!

    Fascinating collection, interesting 20 minute movie, and you could see researchers working on fossils. Many of the displays encourage you to touch, and there were numerous drawers to open holding tools of the trade.

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    March 28, 2023
    Ena S

    Free museum

    The museum is free and the displays are very informative. The collection of fossils is quite impressive. We recommend spending about an hour to check out this place. The gift shop is nice as well.

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    December 28, 2022
    Bill M

    Very informative and educational

    The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center in Kimberly performs dual functions - First as a Visitor Center for the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and secondly, as a paleontology research facility for the fossils excavated in the area. The Center has awesome colorful murals, fossil exhibits, and a see-thru paleontology laboratory. The staff is very helpful with suggestions for visiting the three Units of the National Monument. When I visited there one early morning in June, there was ample parking.

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    September 15, 2019
    Brewsk

    Amazing exhibits

    Great display of fossils unearthed from the region. There are also beautiful murals that help you imagine what the earth might have looked back then, and what these unusual plants and animals looked it.

  • TripAdvisor Rating
    August 26, 2019
    havenandzac

    Phenomenal find

    We went on a road trip to the John Day area wanting to explore a part of Oregon we hadn’t been to before. We had never previously heard about the John Day fossil beds, which in hindsight is a crime. Turns out this region has been instrumental in understanding prehistoric mammals. The rangers were so nice and helpful. The museum gallery is beautifully put together, so many fascinating exhibits on display. Definitely watch the video they have put together -it’s worth the time. There is a short walk off the back of the parking lot to an overlook that we also recommend.

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