Major city · United States
KimberlyKimberly, Oregon
Half a day for the John Day Fossil Beds visitor center and a short hike; one night if you want the full Sheep Rock Unit sunrise. Not a base—use it as a stop on an Eastern Oregon road trip.
Kimberly is a tiny town in Eastern Oregon, best known as the gateway to the Sheep Rock Unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The visitor center, fossil exhibits and short trails (like the Island in Time Trail) can be seen in 2–3 hours. Most travellers pass through on a longer loop from Pendleton or Burns, or combine it with the Painted Hills Unit (about 1 hour south).
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some roads icy)
- Airports
- PDX · RDM
- 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
Emergency numbers for Kimberly911 ▾
- 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 Kimberly, 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; the main risk is wildlife on the road at dusk and no cell service for emergencies.
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 3.5 h drive west via US-26 and OR-19).
- 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.
- Budget bedCabin or campsite at Lands Inn, a night, per roomUS$45
- Mid-range bedCabin or campsite at Lands Inn, a night, per roomUS$70
- High-end bedCabin or campsite at Lands Inn, a night, per roomUS$95
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 3.5 h drive west via US-26 and OR-19) · RDM Redmond Municipal Airport (About 2 h drive southwest via US-26 and OR-19)
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
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°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 (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Mar (10 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kimberly: 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)
9 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 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. OR-19 runs north–south through town; the Sheep Rock Unit visitor center is about 5 min north on OR-19. No public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
John Day Fossil Beds – Painted Hills Unit
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive south on US-26 about 1 h to the Painted Hills turnoff
Combine with Sheep Rock for a full day; no services at the unit.
Pendleton
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Drive north on OR-19 and I-84, about 1.5 h
Pendleton Underground, woolen mill, rodeo grounds.
John Day / Canyon City
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive south on US-26, about 30 min
Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site and motels.
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.
Kimberly town
Lands Inn B&B and a few cabins; no chain hotels.
John Day / Canyon City
About 30 min south on US-26; more motels and restaurants.
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
- $40–80 (camping or cabin, self-catered)
- Mid
- $80–150 (B&B, one meal out)
- High
- $150+ (B&B, meals, activities)
Trip budget
| Cabin or campsite at Lands Inn1 × 1 night × US$70 | US$70 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| John Day Fossil Beds entry (free)2 × US$0 | US$0 |
| Meal at the only restaurant (check)2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$34 |
| Trip total≈ US$187 per person per day, bed included | US$374 |
Campsite $25; cabin $45–95 (check)
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded.
Prices of common things
| Campsite at Lands Inn | $25 (check) |
| Cabin at Lands Inn | $45–95 (check) |
| Meal at the local café (check) | $10–20 |
| Gas (fill up in John Day or Fossil) | check |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No gas station in Kimberly – fill up in Fossil (north) or John Day (south).
- Cell service is patchy; download maps and the NPS app before you arrive.
- The visitor center closes at 4:30 or 5 pm (check NPS site); plan your arrival.The visitor center closes at 4:30 AM or 5 pm (check NPS site); plan your arrival.
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.
KimberlyKimberly, Oregon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Portland (PDX) → Kimberly by car: about 3.5 h, 280 km (174 mi) via US-26 and OR-19about 3.5 h, 174 mi (280 km) via US-26 and OR-19
- Redmond (RDM) → Kimberly by car: about 2 h, 160 km (99 mi) via US-26 and OR-19about 2 h, 99 mi (160 km) via US-26 and OR-19
Say or show
- Howdy — Hello (how-dee)
- Thanks — Thank you (thanks)
- How much? — How much is it? (how much)
- Where's the visitor center? — Where is the visitor center? (whers the viz-uh-tor sen-ter)
English is universal; no language barrier.
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 Kimberly. 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–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some roads icy) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas 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 Kimberly
Loading…
Was this useful?