Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Deschutes National Forest

Lava Land V.C.

Lava Lands Visitor Center and Lava Butte

Deschutes National Forest - Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District

Lava Lands Visitor Center

Please excuse our dust! Exciting changes ahead for Lava Lands Visitor Center!"
"Plans are moving forward to upgrade the 30-year-old Lava Lands Visitor Center during the summer and fall of 2007. Access to the visitor center may be affected after July 1. Follow the Lava Lands V.C. link on the right for more information, especially if you are planning a visit this summer."

The Lava Lands Visitor Center is the interpretive hub for Newberry National Volcanic Monument and is located just off U.S. Hwy. 97, 13 miles south of Bend. Lava Lands offers nature walks, interpretive programs, visitor information, displays on geology, volcanology and the cultural history of Central Oregon. A small book shop offers books on the Central Oregon area.

Behind the Visitor Center there are two self guided interpretive trails, to explore at your own pace. One, the Trail of Molten Land, meanders over the 7000 year-old lava flow from Lava Butte, the imposing cinder cone behind the Visitor Center. The other, Trail of the Wispering Pines, wanders through a young ponderosa pine forest.

Lava Lands Visitor Center Hours - 2007:

• Spring Schedule: open May 2, Wednesday - Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM
• Summer Schedule: open June 27 through September 16, daily, 9 AM to 5 PM
• Fall Schedule: September 19-October 15, Wednesday - Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM

Lava Butte

Lava Butte rises 500 feet above the visitor center. This cinder cone erupted 7,000 years ago and covered over nine square miles with lava. The butte offers a panoramic view of central Oregon, including a spectacular view of the Cascade Range and the northwest flank of Newberry. The Lava Butte interpretive trail circles the crater rim.

Due to limited parking at the summit, there is "Controlled Access" on high use days. Each day is divided into 15 different 30-minute time slots. There are 14 tickets issued for each half hour time slot. Visitors can choose the next available slot or pick one later in the day. When their half hour time slot begins they can take their vehicle up.

Lava Butte Trivia

Lava Butte Geologic Site

LOCATION: on Hwy. 97 at Lava Butte in Newberry National Volcanic Monument - B on location map

ACCESS: from Bend, 11.2 miles south on Hwy. 97

ELEVATION: 4500 feet

FACILITIES: flush toilets, trails, visitor information and displays, book sales

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES: interpretive talks and walks, interpretive trails include Lava Butte Trail, Trail of the Molten Land, and Trail of the Whispering Pines.

OPERATED BY: Forest Service

PHONE: 541-593-2421 with recorded info when the center is not open.

FEE: Recreation Pass Site - Vehicle Permit - $5.00 Day Pass or $30.00 Annual Pass or other valid Recreation Passes

TOUR BUS FEES:

• Fee based on number of passengers
  • 15 or less - $25.00
  • 16 to 25 - $50.00
  • 26 or more - $100.00