Located just nine miles away from the Painted Hills — one of the three units of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument — Mitchell is situated in a rugged canyon off U.S. Highway 26.

An impressive rock formation, the Mitchell Rock, looms above the town’s entrance and two hills, Black Butte and White Butte, rise up in the near distance. Three restaurants, one espresso stop, a historic hotel, two European cottages and a city park with RV hookups and camping make this a popular stop for visitors to the monument. Every Labor Day weekend, Mitchell celebrates the colorful Painted Hills Festival — an old-fashioned, fun event for the entire family.