Newberry National Volcanic Monument
a vast volcano expressed through lava flows, cinder cones, lakes, obsidian, and geothermal features defines the visit to Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
Artwork inspired by Maude Kerns
Newberry is a broad shield volcano expressed through lava flows, cinder cones, obsidian, lava tubes, hot springs, and a caldera holding Paulina and East lakes. Its scale becomes clear only by comparing sites rather than treating each feature as an isolated attraction.
Lava Lands and Lava River Cave sit along US 97, while the caldera requires a separate mountain drive. Snow, cave reservations, seasonal roads, and cold underground temperatures should determine which volcanic contrast anchors the day.
- Setting
- Bend, Oregon
- Admission
- Separate passes and reservations by site
- Allow
- At least half a day
Quick guide
- Primary evidence
- a vast volcano expressed through lava flows
- Then examine
- Lava Lands ↔ Keep one ecological question active while moving between viewpoints
An evidence route through Newberry National Volcanic Monument
- Orient at Lava Lands
- Use the visitor center and Lava Butte area to identify Newberry’s scale before driving to a second volcanic feature.
- Compare surface and tube
- Set a rough lava flow beside Lava River Cave and ask how the same eruption system produced exposed rock and an enclosed cold passage.
- Enter the caldera separately
- At Paulina or East Lake, look for obsidian, pumice, lake basins, and geothermal signs that reveal a different part of the volcano.
- Plan two arrival systems
- Check cave reservations, Cascade Lakes Highway snow, caldera road status, and driving time between US 97 and the lakes.
Good to know
Reserve cave entry where required and account for snow, cold lava tubes, and dispersed drives. Confirm the monument’s cave and road status before leaving Bend; closures can separate otherwise nearby stops by substantial driving time.
Notice these
- a vast volcano expressed through lava flows
- Lava Lands
- Keep one ecological question active while moving between viewpoints.