John Day Fossil Beds National Monument · Oregon

Blue Basin Overlook Trail

2.9 mi of trail, end to end · about 700 ft of climbing · 2,146 ft–2,907 ft · native surface · trail class Developed · hiking

Picnic areas

2,244 ft 2,898 ft · 1.3 mi high 2,907 ft

Along the way Blue Basin Picnic Area

Blue Basin Overlook Trail the Park Service's write-up

1-3 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Sheep Rock Unit

Blue-green rock formations sit in a valley surrounded by green grass and shrubs and brown mountains
Blue Basin Overlook Photo: NPS Photo

The Blue Basin Overlook Trail is a 3.25 mi (5.2 km) trail that climbs 760 ft (230 m) in elevation to an overlook of Blue Basin. This trail provides breathtaking views down into steep canyons and grand vistas of the John Day River valley. It starts both at the Blue Basin parking lot and also connects along the Island in Time Trail.

No collecting is permitted and off-trail hiking is strictly prohibited. Please stay on trail.

Accessibility This trail climbs 760 feet in elevation with a minimum width of 15 inches. Trail has rocks and changes between gravel, dirt, and claystone composition throughout. There is a wooden bridge for a short portion of the trail. Potential hazards: Rocks, high winds, muddy after rain and snow

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 17 trails in John Day Fossil Beds National MonumentFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.