Major city · United States
Fossil
Half a day: dig for fossils at the public fossil field, then move on. One night if you want a ranch stay.
Fossil is a tiny town in Eastern Oregon with the only public fossil field in the US. You can dig for fossils behind the high school, see the historic Hoover House, and stay on a working ranch. Most people come for a few hours and continue to John Day or Pendleton.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–September
- avoid December–February (cold, some services closed)
- Airport
- PDX
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Fossil911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Fossil, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPDX Portland International (About 3 h 30 min drive west via I-84 and OR-19; nearest major airport).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketFossil Field entrycheck$5
- Budget bedWilson Ranches Retreat (double room), a night, per roomUS$79
- Mid-range bedWilson Ranches Retreat (double room), a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedWilson Ranches Retreat (double room), a night, per roomUS$149
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PDX Portland International (About 3 h 30 min drive west via I-84 and OR-19; nearest major airport)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Fossil: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town is small enough to walk, but the fossil field and ranch are outside town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
goDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
Drive south on OR-19, about 1 h 15 min
Sheep Rock Unit and visitor centre; combine with Fossil.
Pendleton
goDoor to door: 1 h 30 min
Drive north on OR-19 and I-84, about 1 h 30 min
Pendleton Round-Up grounds, underground tours, woolen mills.
The Dalles
goDoor to door: 1 h 45 min
Drive north on OR-19 and I-84, about 1 h 45 min
Columbia River Gorge access, historic downtown.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Wilson Ranches Retreat
Working ranch B&B on 9,000 acres, about 10 min drive from town. $79–149 per night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–80
- Mid
- $100–150
- High
- $200+
Trip budget
| Wilson Ranches Retreat (double room)1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Fossil Field entry fee2 × US$5 · check | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$36 |
| Trip total≈ US$198 per person per day, bed included | US$396 |
2026 estimate in USD. Car rental and fuel not included.
Prices of common things
| Fossil Field entrycheck | $5 |
| Wilson Ranches Retreat (double) | $79–149 |
| Meal at a local diner | $10–20 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $3.50–4.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fossil Field is behind Wheeler High School; bring your own tools or buy a kit at the info centre.
- No gas station in town: fill up in The Dalles or John Day.
- Check the official city website for fossil field hours and fees.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
FossilFossil
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fossil Field entry: $5 (check)
- Wilson Ranches Retreat (double): $79–149 per night
Say or show
- Howdy — Hello
- Thanks — Thank you
- How much? — How much is it?
- Where's the fossil field? — Where is the fossil field?
Most services are cash only; bring small bills.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Fossil. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–September · avoid December–February (cold, some services closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Fossil
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