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Located in sunny north central Oregon, Wheeler County is the
least populated and one of the most beautiful counties in
the state. Fossil digging, fishing, rafting, hiking and camping
are among the many fun and educational activities that abound
here. Located just three hours from Portland, Wheeler County
is a great place to escape for a weekend adventure. Wheeler
County has been billed as a "Geologic Wonderland"
and as the place "Where the Sidewalk Ends and the Old
West Begins." Come and make your own adventure of time
travel and discovery across this mysterious landscape.
Wheeler County is as rugged
and uneven as any Oregon county, with the terrain varying
widely from deep river canyons edged in rimrock to high timbered
mountains covered in pine and fir. Portions of the Ochoco
and Umatilla National Forests lie within its boundaries, covering
nearly one third of the county. The three units of the John
Day Fossil Beds National Monument are located all or in part
within Wheeler County featuring painted hills, petrified mudslides
and lava flows, unique geologic formations and one of the
most outstanding depositories of prehistoric plant and animal
fossils in the world.
For a more in-depth education on the
fossils visit the popular Oregon Paleo Project site. The county
is also a hunters' paradise for big game and for world-class
bass fishing along the John Day River. The county's three
communities, Fossil, Mitchell and Spray offer great home cooking
at local cafes as well as accommodations ranging from motels
to quaint bed & breakfasts to working dude ranches. The
Wheeler County Bluegrass Festival, the first weekend of July
in Fossil, is also one of many favorite events.
You'll find friendly people
and their communities eager to welcome you and to share their
histories with you. Wheeler County welcomes you! |
