Thomas Condon Paleontology Center

Part of the Sheep Rock Unit, the well-designed and informative Thomas Condon Paleontology Center is a research facility and also serves as a visitor center for the entire John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Take time to explore the fossils and habitats of eight different “assemblages”, each one an ancient ecosystem beginning 50 million years ago, and watch A Place of Discovery, the 18-minute film presentation. It’s hard to imagine this area was once a river flood plain with lush forest, prehistoric horses, elephants and saber tooth tigers. As well, you can observe scientists cleaning and studying fossils from the window that overlooks the laboratory.