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Live · updated todayTypical peak look

John Day Fossil Bedswildflowers

Out of season: the next wildflowers season is in 2027.

Right now in John Day Fossil Beds · September

  • Late bloom: rabbitbrush and snakeweed · Aug–Oct

185days to the next wildflowers seasonApr 1–Jul 31, The monument's average-year trend by unit, per NPS: Clarno April–May, Painted Hills late April–May, Sheep Rock late May–July

Local timing
Apr 1–Jul 31
The monument's average-year trend by unit, per NPS: Clarno April–May, Painted Hills late April–May, Sheep Rock late May–July. General timing for this place: not a peak date, and not a forecast.

Next 7 days

No frost, strong wind or heavy rain in the forecast.

National Weather Service forecast, issued Mon 12:01 PM (Eastern). Frost: a low of 36°F or less; wind: 20 mph or more; rain: 60% chance or more.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument through the year

  • Hottest monthsJul–Aug
  • Sunflowers and prickly pear peak at the Painted HillsJul
  • Late bloom: rabbitbrush and snakeweedNowAug–Oct

Best spots around John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

  • Painted Hills UnitBitterroot and hedgehog cactus late April–May; sunflowers and prickly pear peak in mid-July
  • Clarno UnitGrass widow and yellow bell April–May, prairie rocket mid-May, mariposa lilies late June
  • Sheep Rock UnitFlowers spread widest here: mariposa lilies, globe mallow and blazing star late May–July

How we know

National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Sep 28) · National Park Service, John Day Fossil Beds wildflowers (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · National Park Service, John Day Fossil Beds weather (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)

All our sources and how we use them →

Questions people ask

When is peak wildflowers in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in 2027?

The monument's average-year trend by unit, per NPS: Clarno April–May, Painted Hills late April–May, Sheep Rock late May–July: Apr 1–Jul 31. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.

Is it blooming in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument right now?

Not now: the wildflowers season is over for this year. The next one starts in about 185 days (Apr 1–Jul 31, The monument's average-year trend by unit, per NPS: Clarno April–May, Painted Hills late April–May, Sheep Rock late May–July).

When is wildflower season?

Spring and early summer. In an average year the Clarno Unit blooms April–May, the Painted Hills late April–May, and Sheep Rock late May through July.Source: National Park Service, John Day Fossil Beds wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Is every year good at the Painted Hills?

No. Bloom there varies a lot: some years flowers are plentiful, some years there are almost none.Source: National Park Service, John Day Fossil Beds wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)

How hot does it get?

Summer highs can reach the 110s; at Dayville, the town closest to the Sheep Rock Unit, July and August average highs are in the 90s.Source: National Park Service, John Day Fossil Beds weather ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the best spots in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument?

Painted Hills Unit: bitterroot and hedgehog cactus late April–May; sunflowers and prickly pear peak in mid-July; Clarno Unit: grass widow and yellow bell April–May, prairie rocket mid-May, mariposa lilies late June; Sheep Rock Unit: flowers spread widest here: mariposa lilies, globe mallow and blazing star late May–July.

What is John Day Fossil Beds National Monument like through the year?

Sunflowers and prickly pear peak at the Painted Hills (Jul), Hottest months (Jul–Aug) and Late bloom: rabbitbrush and snakeweed (Aug–Oct).