Clarno is part of the John Day National Monument system and is located at Oregon route 218 near the John Day river.

The Clarno Unit is located 18 miles west of the town of Fossil, Oregon.

There are trails located ¼ mile west of the picnic area along Highway 218. The Trail of Fossils and the Clarno Arch Trail start at the trailhead. 

There  is a picnic and parking area close to the Palisades rocks, and parking in front of the rocks.  

The nearest town with accommodation and extensive services is approximately an hour away. 

Permits are required by the park ranger from the John Day National Monument and should be applied for a minimum 21 days in advance.

Absolutely no drone use in the Monument.

 

Blue Basin is a stunning formation within the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day National Monument. Nearest towns are Dayville, and John Day (accommodation and services).

Stunning visuals are available, and large parking area for production vehicles.  You cannot walk on the rock formations as they are delicate, but there are hiking paths around the area that lend themselves specifically to print campaigns.  This is one of the less populated areas of the John Day National Monument, and as such an excellent location for film purposes.

Permits must be obtained 21-30 days in advance from the park ranger. 

ABSOLUTELY NO drone use within the National Monument.

 

 

 

 

 

Burnt Ranch Road (also known as Bridge Creek Road)  leads from the Ochoco Highway in Mitchell to the Painted Hills Overlook (part of the John Day National Monument/Painted Hills division). The road itself is partial monument land, part BLM, so care must be taken with permit applications.

The road itself is a stunning drive surrounded by geological fossil formations on one side, and grasses and farm land on the other. It also winds alongside Bridge Creek.

BLM permit applications require 60 days advance notice through BLM Prineville.

John Day National Monument should be done at least 30 days in advance.

Nearest accommodation and services are in Mitchell (limited/10-15 minutes away), and wider availability in Prineville (1 hour via Hwy 26).

 

 

 

 

Located in the heart of the Ochoco Mountains, approximately 30 minutes from Prineville (accommodation and services). Privately owned, the Prairie is surrounded by U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land and is easily accessible from Prineville (thirty miles to the west) and U.S. 26 (ten miles to the northwest). According to historian Steve Lent, Big Summit Prairie received its name because of its size, which is larger than Little Summit Prairie, a smaller area twelve miles to the east. Both areas are at the summit of the Ochoco Mountains.

Big Summit Prairie is a five-by-seven-mile basin at an elevation of 4,500 feet, and is described by Stuart G. Garrett as an “unexpected meadow island in the dramatic old growth ponderosa pine forests.” Geologically, the basin was formed when soft tuff, or volcanic ash (underlain by the John Day Formation), was eroded away from the surrounding basalt.

A perfect spot for any cowboy or western productions, with vast open fields surrounded by ponderosa’s and pine.  Cattle on land, and wild horses.

Particularly stunning during Fall when the Tamarack’s change color.

Permits via private owner and BLM, Prineville.

 

 

Point Campground is a small campground on Elk Lake with stunning views of Mt. Bachelor.  Boat launch area and parking for production vehicles.  Campground is surrounded by tall ponderosa’s and pine trees.  Close to Cascade Lakes Highway for easy access.  Also close to Elk Lake Resort (restaurant, boat and kayak rentals and limited supplies including gas).

Images taken early August, late afternoon.   Permit Fees to be paid to Deschutes National Forest with 21 – 30 days advance application.

Cascade Lakes Highway is generally closed from late November to mid-May depending on snow pack. Accessible by snow-cat (through Elk Lake Resort).

 

 

 

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