• Wheeler High School Fossil Beds are a productive public fossil dig site
• Fossilized leaves are hidden inside soft shale rocks
Located in the city of Fossil, Wheeler High School Fossil Beds are an easily accessible public digging site open for a small donation fee. The productive fossil bed lies on the hillside just behind the baseball field.
Wheeler High School Fossil Beds, along with other fossils of the John Day Formation, were formed over 30 million years ago. At that time, the region had a moist temperate climate.
A prehistoric lake was surrounded by lush deciduous forest. During the formation of the Cascade Mountains, volcanic ash and silt, along with leaves, needles, fish, salamanders, and insects, were washed into the lake. Over millions of years, these sediments fossilized, preserving ancient organic material.
More than 30 different plant species have been discovered here, including ones similar to modern alder, maple, sequoia, oak, ash, rose, and hawthorn.
Some extinct species have also been identified. After the Cascade Mountains formed, they blocked much of the precipitation from reaching eastern Oregon, creating a rain-shadow effect. As a result, the climate east of the Cascades gradually became semi-arid.
The fossil bed was exposed during the construction of Wheeler High School in 1949. Since then, public access to the site has been allowed.
Nearly every rock on the hillside behind the school bears a leaf impression, though some digging is often needed to expose the shale layers. Fossilized leaves are hidden inside the soft rock, and collectors occasionally discover insects, salamanders, seeds, and flowers.
To reveal fossils, carefully split the shale layers with a chisel or sturdy knife, then lightly tap them with a hammer. With some luck, a complete ancient leaf may appear inside.
Some tools are available to borrow on-site, but bringing your own equipment is recommended, including a rock pick hammer, trowel, and chisel.
Wheeler High School Fossil Beds Campgrounds & Accommodations
Wheeler County Fairgrounds RV Park is a convenient in-town base for campers. Its proximity to the dig site makes early starts and quick midday breaks easy. The campground offers a mix of pull-through and back-in sites with standard 30/50-amp hookups, potable water access, and a shared dump station.
Sites are gravel with room for larger rigs, and restrooms are typically available during fairs and events. The park sits roughly 0.5 to 1 mile from the high school — just minutes from the fossil beds.
For a quieter, more rustic setting, Bear Hollow County Park is a good tent-friendly option, located about 8–10 miles south of Fossil along OR-19.
Campsites are first-come, first-served and include picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though hookups are not available. Water availability may be seasonal, so bringing extra water is recommended.
Hotel stays are limited in Fossil itself; you’ll find more rooms in nearby towns such as Condon, Spray, and Mitchell.
Fossils Bed in Fossil | Facts
Open: Year-round
Managed by: Wheeler High School
Rocks & Minerals: Fossils
Tools: Picks
Amenities: None
Activities: Rockhounding
Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes
Elevation: 2,700 ft (823 m)
Fossils bed in Fossil is located:
- 90 miles southeast of The Dalles
- 109 miles northeast of Bend
- 173 miles southeast of Portland.
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Wheeler High School Fossil Beds
From I-84,
- Take exit 104 for Highway OR-206 East
- Follow 42 miles on OR-206 East to Highway OR-19
- Turn right onto OR-19 and continue 19 miles to First Street in Fossil
- Turn left onto First Street then left onto Broadway Street and follow to Jay Street
- Turn left onto Jay Street and continue to the high school.
Phone: 541-763-4480
Email: paleolands@gmail.com
OPLI Field Center, 333 West Fourth Street, Fossil, Oregon 97830