Cant Ranch

The ranch is just a short distance from the John Day Fossil Beds Visitor Center but interprets a totally different period. The ranch was owned by the Cant family from 1910 until 1975. The family raised sheep, pigs, chickens, hogs, and cattle. They had a large vegetable garden, fruit orchards, and grew alfalfa and wheat. 

All of the buildings, except for a log cabin, built by an earlier owner, were added during the time the Cants lived on the property. The house, which is open as staffing allows, and the sheep barn are the only buildings that visitors can enter. The other buildings are mainly small outbuildings. A trail with interpretive signs goes from the parking lot to the sheep barn. Two more short trails the Sheep Rock Overlook Trail and the River Trail also start at the parking lot.

The house which has a ramp to the porch was not open during our visit. The sheep barn also has a ramp to access the stalls where the sheep were sheared. None of the trails are accessible due to loose gravel. 

The parking lot by the house is too small for RVs but there are RV spaces in the lot located between the road and the cattle pen. Ranch  44.55583, -119.64522