Trails at Clarno [18 miles west of Fossil, OR, on Route 218]

The Palisades trailhead is located 1/4 mile west of the picnic area along Highway 218. The three trails listed below begin from the trailhead parking area. Stops along the trails have interpretive signs explaining the landscape and unseen aspects of the resource.

Trail of the Fossils [1/4 mile hike] – This is the only trail in the park where one can readily see fossils in the rocks. Large boulders strewn below The Palisades cliff contain hundreds of visible plant fossils from jungle-like forests that blanketed the region about 44 million years ago.

Clarno Arch Trail [1/4 mile hike] – A moderate climb will bring one to the base of The Palisades cliff directly under a natural arch cut into the cliff by erosion. Petrified logs are visible in the cliff face.

Geologic Time Trail [1/4 mile one way] –This trail connects the picnic area and trailhead area, leading one below the

Palisades cliff. The trail symbolizes a timeline. Signs along the way note pre- historic events of the last 50 million years. Each foot of trail represents 37,000 years. The trail may be started from either end, going backward or forward in time.