Taking a drive deep into the remote stretches of Central and Eastern Oregon will take you through areas where the landscape is dominated by miles of nothing but dusty mountains, rivers, and, if you’re lucky, the occasional farm. Here, visitors are often shocked that they are in the same state known for its lush greenery and endless rain.
But treks deep into the Oregon outback are well worth the long drive as they hold some stunning sights hidden far off the beaten path. These places are home to ancient swamps filled with dinosaur fossils, magical canyons that feel like a fairytale, and hillsides that bleed an array of colors down their slopes.
It is this last place that brings in visitors year-round despite being miles from any type of civilization.
The Painted Hills
Located within the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the painted hills are one of the main attractions in this otherwise desolate stretch of Eastern Oregon desert.
The Painted Hills are made up of a series of small to large hills that look like they were painted with an artist’s brush as bands of reds, yellows, and oranges sweep across their faces. These colors are the result of minerals within the different layers of soil as they were deposited by rivers and volcanic eruptions.
Today, the site is a photographer’s dream, as the varying light and weather make it feel as if the colors are changing in real-time.
What to See at the Painted Hills
There are three main attractions here, the primary one being the largest of the painted hills. This broad hillside offers the most striking example of the colors trapped in these soils.
Walking on the hills is strictly forbidden, but luckily, there are plenty of trails that take you to some amazing vantage points.
This area can get busy on warm weekends, especially during the late afternoon, as many folks have a long drive to get there, and the light is best at this time of day, but there is still usually plenty of room to spread out to find your own space to take in the sights.
Painted Hills Overlook Trail
The Painted Hills Overlook Trail is by far the most popular spot in the park. This half mile trail takes you up the ridge that overlooks the biggest of the Painted Hills and offers a variety of viewing angles.
Expect to see photographers set up along the way, as almost every famous photo of the hills is taken from this angle.
There is a large parking lot for the trail, but even still, it can fill up on busy weekend days. Spots usually open up fairly quickly, though, as the trail is short, which keeps people cycling through rather quickly.
Painted Cove Trail
This short 1/4-mile trail winds its way through a series of small, brightly colored mounds along a raised boardwalk. It is the best place to get up close to the soil that makes up this stunning area, and the boardwalk ensures that people don’t climb on the hills and ruin their beauty for future visitors.
During the evening, the light cascading between the hills and along the boardwalk is absolutely stunning, and you’ll quickly see why this is such a popular spot for up-close photography.
Red Scar Knoll
Red Scar Knoll is located a bit further down the road, away from the main attractions of the area.
Like the other trails, this one is also short, but it can offer a nice respite from the crowds as most visitors don’t make their way down to this area. The dirt trail takes you to a small area next to Red Scar Knoll, a brightly colored hill made up of red and yellow clays.
This is a great spot to bring a picnic, provided the weather isn’t too hot, as there is little to no shade!
Carroll Rim Trail
If you’re looking to stretch your legs a little more after the long drive from Portland (it takes nearly 4 hours one-way to get here) then take a hike up the Carroll Rim Trail.
This 1.6-mile trail climbs 400 feet to the top of Carroll Rim and offers a panoramic view of the entire area.
Where to Stay and Eat near the Painted Hills
The only place close to the Painted Hills is the tiny town of Mitchell, Oregon. Although small, this town offers a surprisingly impressive dining and beer option with Tiger Town Brewing. Open 363 days a year, this is a great spot to grab a burger and a beer and take in the live music that frequently plays.
Within town, there are also a few lodging options, like the Oregon Hotel or camping at Mitchell City Park.
If staying out in the country isn’t quite your style, then Bend is only an hour and 45 minutes away, although it is a very, very dark drive if you stay at the Painted Hills until after sunset.
