Buckhorn Drive — John Day Fossil Beds High Desert Circuit
Painted badlands and fossil rimrock, zero crowds.
Buckhorn Drive is the kind of route that eastern Oregon regulars know about and almost nobody else does. It loops through the Clarno and Painted Hills units of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument’s outer buffer country — BLM ground mostly, with the kind of striped clay badlands and columnar basalt rimrock that makes you think you’ve wandered onto another planet. The route picks up off Highway 218 near Fossil and tracks northeast through Service Creek country before dropping into the John Day River canyon at Twickenham, where a low-water crossing tests clearance. The Clarno Palisades visible from the upper bench sections are a 54-million-year-old volcanic mudflow — stacked trunks and leaves still legible in the rock face.
Most of this route is passable in a high-clearance 2WD in dry conditions, but the clay sections turn to axle-deep greasy mud in rain or after snowmelt — the kind that packs into wheel wells and doesn’t leave. Don’t push it if the sky looks uncertain. The Twickenham crossing is usually ankle-deep in summer but can run higher in June. No permit required. Fossil is your last fuel and water stop — it’s a small town with limited hours, fill up before you leave. Cell service is dead once you’re in the river country. Dispersed camping on BLM is available but sites are primitive.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 42 mi / 67.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3900 ft |
| Best season | May-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD dry conditions, 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Fossil, Oregon |
| Land manager | BLM — Prineville District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Buckhorn Drive without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner handles this trail fine. On dry conditions, a high-clearance 2WD can manage, but 4WD is the right call given the mixed dirt and gravel two-track and any wet stretches near water crossings.
What months should I avoid and when does the trail get muddy?
Avoid July and August — heat is brutal and the clay-heavy desert surface turns to grease after any rain. Winter access is unreliable due to snow and mud. Stick to May–June or September–October for the best conditions.
Do I need a permit to drive Buckhorn Drive or camp along the route?
No permit required. The trail runs through BLM Prineville District land, so dispersed camping is free and legal under standard BLM rules — 14-day stay limit, 200 feet from water sources, leave no trace.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be ready for?
No single section is a technical obstacle, but the combination of rutted two-track, loose gravel descents, and clay surfaces after moisture keeps you honest for 42 miles. The bigger challenge is remoteness — if something goes wrong, you're a long way from help.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead and is there any water on route?
Fossil, Oregon is your last guaranteed fuel stop — top off there before you head out. There are water crossings on the route but treat any water before drinking; carry enough for the full 1–2 day run since there are zero services and no cell signal the entire length of the trail.
Trail track
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