Newberry National Volcanic Monument Pictures

South of Bend in Central Oregon is Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Here you will find an area packed full of recreation opportunities, especially inside the Newberry Caldera. You could enjoy a day here or longer if you basecamped at a local campground or one of the resorts. The centerpiece is the two turquoise lakes, Paulina and East Lake which offer good fishing and boat recreating. A scenic drive takes you to the highest mountain summit where sweeping views are waiting at 7,985 feet. You will be 1,500 feet above the lakes and have views of all of central Oregon. Imagine that this shield volcano once reached about 10,000 feet before it blew its top. You can also hike up the 4 mile trail to the top or hike/bike the 21 mile trail around the monument. A seven mile trail wraps around Paulina Lake Another spot is Paulina Falls, an 80 foot waterfall. Also walk the trail around the Big Obsidian Flow, the largest in the county. Visit now, the USGS has found the caldera floor with the highest recorded temperatures of all the inactive Cascade volcanoes. There are two visitors centers, the Paulina Visitors Center in the caldera area, and another at Lava Butte.

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Big Obsidian Flow

The Big Obsidian Flow was formed 1,300 years ago and was used as a source for arrowheads by Native Americans. In turn, they traded these obsidian tools around the west. A mile long interpretive trail crosses the obsidian flow, well signed from the main road between the lakes. In 1964, Astronaut R. Walter Cunningham tested the mobility of a moon-suit at the Big Obsidian Flow.

Lava Butte is part of the Newberry Volcano, but detached a bit from the rest of the sights. Lava Butte has the Lava Lands Visitor Center at the base which offers films and exhibits focusing on geology of the area. Interpretive hikes leave from the visitors center. Above the visitors center is a short drive to the 500-foot summit of Lava Butte. The top has an active fire lookout, one of the easiest to reach in the state.

Lava Cast Forest

The 7,000 year old Lava Cast Forest is where mature ponderosa pines were preserved by molten lava. A lava cast, or tree mold is formed when lava flows around a tree trunk and solidifies. The tree burns away leaving a hole. This area was established in 1942 by the forest service. A one mile paved trail takes you around an interpretive trail that shows this unique geologic feature. Most of the trail is flat with a few small ups and downs. The dirt access road is usually passable by May. Take Hwy 97 south from Bend 10 miles to Exit 153, go left & follow signs to Lava Cast Forest. The paved road will turn to gravel, you reach the parking area in about 9 miles.

Lava River Cave

Just a mile south of Lava Butte is this cave perfect for tourists who want some adventure. You can hike the near mile long Lava River Cave, formed from an uncollapsed lava tube. The cave passes under Highway 97 and is the longest cave of its kind in Oregon. Bring some flashlights, warm cloths and some sturdy shoes.

Paulina Peak is the highest point of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. For the summit, a popular tourist road goes all the way to the top although a 3 mile trail does exist. From the top, close views are of the Pauline Lakes and the Big Obsidian lava flow and the entire Newberry caldera area. Distant views are of the Cascades from Adams to Shasta as well as the Oregon desert region.