Newberry National Volcanic Monument

The Deschutes National Forest in central Oregon south of Bend

The highest point on the summit is Paulina Peak, from where these photographs were taken. The mountain - monument is a 17 square mile caldera at the summit of a 500 square mile volcano. Geologists estimate that the volcano sits over a shallow lake of magma, a little more than a mile to a little more than 3 miles deep. Hence, it is geothermally and seismically active. Quite remarkable when you think that a visit to the monument entails a trip inside a volcano, so to speak. :-)

 paulina lake and east lake from paulina peak in the newberry volcanic national monument in the high desert of central oregon.

As such, Newberry caldera offers many opportunities for unique sightseeing & photography: Paulina Lake, Paulina waterfalls. spectacular lava flows, East Lake, obsidian flows & hot springs. Be sure to drive to the top of Paulina Peak, for expansive view of the caldera: both lakes the obsidian and lava flows and the surrounding terrain of high desert and the Cascade Mountains. Right at hand are more than 400 cinder cones - but then these are visible in many places around Oregon. Check out Crater Lake National Park for them as well.

So ... a few of the opportunities available at
Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Camping at both East Lake and Paulina Lakes, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, great fishing, swimming, boating, rafting, hiking, grand adventures in sightseeing, photography, as well as, all the scenic wonders of the area. I list just a few of them here: Lava Lands: Lava River Cave, Lava Cast Forest, the Cascade Mountains all around you. Be sure to go to the High Desert Museum.

Two easy hiking trails that are wheelchair accessible for much of their length: One begins at the Lava Cast Forest Parking lot. It's a paved interpretive loop trail of 0.9 mile that helps you discover the strange world of tree molds formed by molten lava 7,000 years ago. Some sections of the trail are too narrow or steep for wheelchairs. Elevation at the lowest point: 5750' and 5850' a the highest point.

Trail of the Molten Lands: the trailhead is found at the parking lot of Lava Butte at the Lava Lands Visitors Center. The trail of 0.75 mile loops out across the lava flow to its source at the base of Lava Butte. The trail is paved, but some sections are too steep for wheelchairs. Elevation at the lowest point: 4500' and at the highest 4550'.

Both trails require a visitors permit: $5.00 per vehicle per day, or a $30.00 annual pass.

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paulina lake and the obsidian flow photographed from paulina peak in newberry crater volcanic national monument.

Forward ~ Big obsidian flow at Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Oregon - I wish you could have seen it as it was when I first saw it

Back ~ The Deschutes River and hiking trail at LaPine State Park in central Oregon

Newberry National Volcanic Monument is under the auspices of the USFS: The Deschutes National Forest in Oregon.

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Travel Oregon and northern California while staying at Gathering Light ... a retreat
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Contact Brad at Gathering Light ... a retreat.

Spring took a 3 week visit in winter, leaving us with no snow, so we went hiking in the hills (pictured above) near Gathering Light ... a retreat. Rustic simplicity, a place to "Just Be", Gathering Light is nestled on the banks of the river, surrounded by the Fremont Winema National Forest of southern Oregon and not far from Crater Lake National Park.