Bear Creek

Bear Creek is the access road to the iconic Painted Hills in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. This road follows hills distinguished by varied red, tan, orange, and black stripes.

The yellows, golds, blacks, and reds of the Painted Hills are stunning at all times of the day but are best lit for photography in the late afternoon. Changing light and moisture levels significantly affect the tones and hues visible in the hills. The seasons also radically transform their appearance. Spring brings yellow wildflowers that grow in open areas and even in the ripples of the hills. In winter, the hills can be blanketed in snow, concealing the vibrant hues until the snow melts, revealing interspersed stripes of gold and red.

The road is drivable for passenger cars and provides access to designated trails for a closer view of the hills. Camping is not allowed on this road.