Wheeler Fossil Beds, right behind the baseball field of Wheeler High School in the small town of Fossil, Oregon, offer easy fossil hunting with a short walk, soft shale, and a steady chance of finding leaf fossils from the John Day Formation.

These beds formed over 30 million years ago in a moist, temperate lake system. Volcanic ash and silt buried leaves and small animals. Today, thanks to the Cascades rain shadow, the hill is dry, but the ancient forest is still preserved in rock.

A unique feature of this site is the soft, layered shale that splits like pages in a book. There’s a quick “wow” when a full leaf appears with sharp veins. If you like simple wins and short sessions, you can split 10–15 rocks in 20 minutes and pull 3–5 clean leaf impressions. Sometimes, it feels like your own little dig patch.

This spot is perfect for anyone who enjoys Oregon rockhounding, fossil hunting, the John Day Formation, family day trips, or easy, beginner-friendly collecting.

Wheeler High School Fossil Beds Rockhounding

Wheeler High School Fossil Beds is a public site supported by a small day-use donation. You can park, walk a couple of minutes up the hill, and start splitting shale. Almost every rock hides something.

Here’s what you might find as you work the seams:

Fossilized leaves are the main prize. Common types include alder, maple, oak, ash, hawthorn, and sequoia-like leaves. Many measure 2–5 inches long, and some plates hold two or three leaves together.

Rare finds also happen: insects, salamanders, fish fragments, seeds, and flowers. Insect impressions are the rarest of all.

The layered shale breaks along natural seams. A quarter turn of the chisel and a few light taps can reveal a perfect leaf.

👉 Tip: No heavy tools needed. Bring a rock hammer, a narrow chisel or sturdy putty knife, gloves, and safety glasses. Tap lightly, and keep both halves—mirror fossils are common.

Be sure to follow Wheeler High School’s posted rules and stay within the marked dig area.

Fossil, Oregon is more than a quick fossil dig. It’s a calm little town with big sky views and easy day trips. You can fill a weekend without rushing.

John Day Fossil Beds day trips: Visit the Painted Hills Unit near Mitchell (about 47 miles) for striking reds and golds, then continue to the Sheep Rock Unit and the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center near Dayville. The museum is free, features real fossils, and has engaging exhibits for kids.

Scenic driving: OR‑18 and OR‑19 wind through basalt rims, ranchland, and river canyons. The stretch along the John Day River is a favorite, with pull-offs that make perfect photo stops. Sunrise and sunset light up the cliffs.

Hiking: Try short walks at the Clarno Unit (about 18 miles southwest). The Trail of Fossils is an easy loop with plant fossils visible in the rocks along the path. Stay on the trail and look, don’t pry.

Rock shops and digs: Richardson’s Rock Ranch near Madras (seasonal access; call ahead) is a classic thunderegg stop. Priday Polka Agate & Canyon Rim Thunderegg Beds and Lucky Strike Mine can be another fun add if you’re chasing thundereggs.

History in town: Walk Fossil’s small main street, check local displays, and grab a burger or ice cream.

The Wheeler County Fairgrounds RV Park offers easy in-town camping close to the site. Sites are convenient for early starts and quick returns between sessions. You’ll find pull-through and back-in spaces with typical 30/50-amp hookups, potable water, and a central dump station.

Expect gravel pads, room for larger rigs, and basic restrooms nearby during fair season and events. It’s about 0.5–1.0 miles from the high school, so you can be tapping shale in minutes.

For tent camping under trees, Bear Hollow County Park provides a quieter, rustic option a short drive away. It’s roughly 8–10 miles from Fossil along OR‑19.

You get shaded, first-come, first-served campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, vault toilets, and no hookups. Water availability can be seasonal, so bring extra jugs just in case.

For hotels, you’ll find limited options in Fossil and the area, including Condon, Spray, and Mitchell.

Lodging in Fossil and Nearby Towns