Clarno Unit

Trip Planning

Plan Your Visit

The Clarno Unit is located 18 miles west of the town of Fossil, Oregon. Interested in seeing fossilized plants along the cliff walls? Visit the Clarno Unit Trails page.

Collecting fossils or other natural items is not allowed.

Two people read a sign along a trail. A large cliff dominates the skyline behind them. — The Clarno Palisades are the eroded remnants of ancient volcanic mudslides.
NPS photo / Tim Gohrke, 2018 Artist in Residence

The Palisades

The Palisades are the most prominent landform and are volcanic lahars, or mudflows, that formed 54-40 million years ago in a lush semi-tropical rainforest environment. Tiny four-toed horses, huge rhino-like brontotheres, crocodilians, and meat-eating creodonts that once roamed ancient jungles are now found in the rocks of the Clarno Unit, as well as an incredibly diverse range of plant life. Leaves, fruits, nuts, seeds, and petrified wood from 173 species of trees, vines, shrubs, and other plants have been found here thus far.

Learn more about the Clarno Formation.