Oregon · Hiking

Island in Time Trail

0.4 mi
one way
148 ft
climb
2,414 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Island in Time Trail open right now?

No closures listed

The National Park Service lists no closures for John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

As of · Source: NPS · John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Island in Time Trail is a short, easy hike in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Oregon, managed by the National Park Service. The route is 0.38 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 148 feet, and it runs from a low point of about 2,257 feet to a high of about 2,414 feet. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 10% grade near the start. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 82°F, while July and August average in the low 90s. The trail makes an easy addition to a visit to the monument. The Blue Basin Loop Hike is about 0.2 miles away, and the Blue Basin Overlook Trail is about half a mile off. The Story in Stone Trail lies about 4 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Island in Time Trail

    Best months: March–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      45° / 29°

    2. Feb

      50° / 29°

    3. Mar

      57° / 33°

    4. Apr

      63° / 37°

    5. May

      73° / 44°

    6. Jun

      81° / 49°

    7. Jul

      93° / 55°

    8. Aug

      92° / 53°

    9. Sep

      82° / 47°

    10. Oct

      68° / 39°

    11. Nov

      54° / 33°

    12. Dec

      46° / 27°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dayville 8 Nw, OR, 2.7 mi away at 2,260 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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