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!
Wheeler County
Courthouse - Before
the turn of the century,
Fossil residents were strong advocates for a separate county from surrounding counties.
The new county was named after Henry Wheeler, a pioneer who survived an Indian battle. Fossil was designated as a temporary county seat in 1899 when two attorneys from Salem moved their offices into the Odd Fellows building.
Do you have a local event, meeting or other information you would like posted on this site? Please email details, including flyers, pictures or links, if you have them, to pfontenot@co.wheeler.or.us.
Wheeler County 