What if I told you the largest Cascade volcano was located in a relatively unknown national monument in Central Oregon?  Newberry National Volcanic Monument is located just south of Bend Oregon, and contains Newberry Volcano, the largest volcano in the Pacific Northwest!

While this volcano doesn’t have the profile or social cred that Mt Rainier or Hood have, and it isn’t nearly as lofty (the highpoint is just under 8,000 feet), this is still a gem of an outdoor destination!  With a pair of pristine alpine lakes, incredible lava flows, lava tube caves, and some fantastic panoramic views, Newberry National Volcanic Monument should 100% be on your radar!

What Newberry National Volcanic Monument is Known For:

Definitely check out No Name Lake outside Bend!

The centerpiece of the monument is the Newberry Caldera and volcano.  The volcano is the largest in the Cascades if you include its lava flows, and honestly you’ll be driving for miles over the volcano’s footprint!  Some of these lava flows ran across the ground a mere 1,300 years ago which is basically seconds in geologic time!

The caldera of Newberry is the primary tourist destination.  While it looks like a crater, it is in fact a caldera.  While that may not mean anything to you, it has a much different meaning.  The caldera of Newberry was formed when the magma chamber underground emptied, and the rocks above collapsed into the now empty chamber.  As a result, you have what looks like a crater!

Outside the caldera, one of the coolest places in Newberry is Lava River Cave.  This cave was originally a lava tube, an underground river of molten lava, which formed as a result of an eruption from the volcano.  Liquid lava flowed through this cave while the outer edge cooled and formed the current shell of the cave.  The cave is one of the highlights of the monument!

Why You Should Go:

The Green Lakes, Soda Creek Loop is another great hike outside Bend!

If you’re a fan of geology, there aren’t many places that have cooler rocks than here!  From the Big Obsidian Flow, which has pumice stones and obsidian scattered everywhere, to the Lava River Cave, to the summit of Paulina Peak, the geology here is awesome.  There really aren’t many places that have the level of volcanic features that you’ll find here.

If you enjoy hiking, this is also a great place to visit.  From short 1 mile or under trails to easily reached viewpoints, to the 6 and change mile hike to Paulina Peak, to the much longer circuit around the Caldera, there is excellent hiking here!  Add to that the excellent views you’ll have of the Cascades and it’s pretty great!

Maybe you’re the type of person who wants to relax in the sunshine, take a spin on their paddleboard, and then enjoy the evening camping under the stars.  You can do that here too!  

The Good:

• The views.  The views over the Newberry Caldera themselves are pretty sweet, but when you get high enough, you’ll earn clear looks at the Three Sisters and Mt Bachelor.  On clear days, you can even see Mt Jefferson and Mt Hood in the distance.  
• The geology.  Honestly I’ve never seen so many cool rocks.  From the almost still fresh lava flows, to the caves, to the caldera, to the cinder cones, there is fascinating geology everywhere you look.
• The hiking.  Newberry has a wide variety of trails that differ in difficulty, so whether you want a big time challenge, or you just want to get off the highway, there is a hiking trail here for you.
• Accessibility.  Many of the incredible natural places in this country are hours from even minor cities, but here, you’re just 20 miles or so from the city of Bend.  Bend is close enough for this to be a day trip if you wish, or if you prefer, you can camp within the caldera, but still have access to the city’s amenities if needed!

The Bad:

• The size.  Newberry is a bit small, and you definitely won’t get lost exploring its nooks and crannies the same way as you can at places like Yellowstone or Yosemite.  The stuff here is excellent, but you won’t find too many empty corners.
• The amount of different things to do.  Newberry is awesome, but if you’re looking for a place to spend a week, this probably isn’t it.  I think Newberry is best experienced as a long weekend because honestly there just isn’t all that much here.

How Much Time To Spend At Newberry:

​​Make sure you visit Lava River Cave on a visit to Newberry!

The perfect amount of time to spend at Newberry is probably a long weekend, but you can hit pretty much all of the highlights in a day if you really push yourself.  I think a long weekend here would be great.  Camp in the caldera, enjoy the lakes in the afternoon after some hiking in the morning.  Sounds great!

However, if you’re really rushed, you could come here on a day trip.  Most of the postcard type things here are near each other and easily reached.  You could very easily visit Lava River Cave, Big Obsidian Flow, drive to the summit of Paulina Peak, and relax at the lake in a day.  If you live nearby or are simply in a hurry, that would work too!

Some places you really can’t spend too much time, but here I would probably limit my stay to around 4 or 5 days.  If you really just are a completionist, then maybe a week would be fine, but you could do pretty much everything worth doing in 4 or 5 days.  Again, I think a 3 day weekend is about the sweet spot, but you could add a day or two, slow down a bit, and explore off the beaten path a little more too!

What Time Of Year To Visit:

Roadtripping to Bend?  Check out all of our road trip planning tips!

The hardest limit on hiking in the Cascades is snow.  This mountain range receives massive quantities of snow each winter, and this snow limits the hiking season at high elevations.  If you are ok with snowshoes, microspikes, crampons, or other snow gear, you can go pretty much whenever you want, though it will limit access and some of the other activities you can do.

If you prefer not to hike in the snow, then the season is roughly June through September.  Expect at least some trace remains of snow through the first half of June atop Paulina Peak (possibly into July), and be ready for early snowstorms by September.  June and October are pushing it weather and snow wise, so I would probably recommend July through September.

If you hope to visit Lava River Cave (which I highly recommend), you’ll need to visit between May and mid-September.  The cave is only open during that time of the year, and you should check the forest service website for exact days and reservations before visiting. 

Top Things To Do:

Go for a hike.  There are some awesome trails here, and I don’t really think you can fully experience the outdoors without getting off the highway!  There are trails here of just about every difficulty level, so whether you want a flat, 1 mile, paved path, or want to climb a mountain, you’ll find something!

Enjoy the water.  The Newberry Caldera contains a pair of beautiful mountain lakes in Paulina Lake and East Lake, and you should definitely enjoy them!  Swim, kayak, rent a boat, whatever it is, enjoy the water!  It’s especially nice on a hot afternoon after a hike!

Take a drive.  There aren’t a ton of places where you can drive to the summit of a prominent mountain, but this is one of them.  Paulina Peak, the highest mountain in the monument, actually has a gravel road all the way to the top.  It’s steep, twisting, and may not be for everyone, but it’s a pretty sweet place to be able to drive too!

Explore a cave.  Newberry contains the largest intact lava tube in Oregon with Lava River Cave, and you 100% should stop there if you’re going to visit.  I’m not really even a cave person, but this one is just so unique you gotta see it!

Best Hikes In Newberry:

Paulina Peak

Help keep nature pristine.  Follow Leave No Trace!

The trail to the summit of Newberry’ highest peak is perhaps the best, and most visible hike in the monument.  Starting from the lakeshore, this trail climbs about 1,600 vertical feet to the summit.  While you can simply drive to the top, it doesn’t quite feel the same as actually climbing it yourself!  If you’re looking for a single day hike to do in Newberry, this is the one!

Big Obsidian Flow

This is bear country so make sure you’re bear safe!

My pick for the best short hike in Newberry, this quick 1 mile loop gets you up and onto one of the newest features of the park.  This is the dried and cooled remains of a lava flow, a river of molten rock flowing over the ground.  This is about as alien an environment you’re going to find anywhere, and to me is a must see on a visit to Newberry!

Lava River Cave

Not so much as a hike as an adventure, this is just something you should go and see.  You can explore up to about a mile deep in the cave, and while that may not sound like a ton, you’ll be stopping every third step to look at incredible volcanic formations!  Bring a jacket because it’s 42 degrees inside all year round!

Paulina Falls

Always follow basic trail etiquette when you’re hiking!

A visit to Paulina Falls can range from a short, almost a mile, hike, or a quick walk to a viewpoint.  Whether you hike down to the base of the falls, or just visit the viewpoint, this is a worthy stop.  At most, you’re looking at spending an hour here, so I’d make it a stop on my way into the caldera.  

The Crater Rim Trail

If you like this article, you might like our guide to Grand Teton National Park!

If you’re really looking for a challenge, try out the Crater Rim Trail, a hike that takes you all the way around the caldera.  You’ll roughly follow the ridge of the caldera in a circle around the lakes below, and while this would be a seriously long day, it would be pretty sweet!  Try it out as a long mountain bike trail too!

Accessibility:

Newberry has a number of paved and accessible trails.  The Whispering Pines Trail and the Trail of the Molten Land are both paved and leave from the Lava Lands Visitor Center.  

In the caldera, the roads are paved, though most of the trails are not.  The road to the summit of Paulina Peak is not paved, but there is a large, flat, parking lot and viewing area at the summit.  Check out this video from this forest service for more information.

Top Tips:

• Bring food.  There isn’t much infrastructure in the monument itself, so you should bring your own unless you plan on driving out each day.  The Paulina Lake Lodge and the East Lake Lodge do have restaurants, but hours appear to be limited.  
• Try to camp in the caldera.  There are a number of campgrounds that line the twin lakes of Newberry, and I think the best way to experience this place is to camp right in the heart of it.  You’ll have quick and easy access to most of the monument’s hikes, and easy access to the lakes!
• Get reservations ahead of time for Lava River Cave.  The cave gets super busy during peak season, so you’ll need to have reservations if you plan on going inside.  Check the forest service website for more detailed and up to date information. 

Where To Stay When Visiting Newberry:

Camping:

East Lake Campground

• Reservations required
• 29 sites
• Flush toilets

Cinder Hill Campground

• Reservations required
• 108 sites
• Vault toilets

Little Crater Campground

• Reservations required
• 49 sites
• Vault toilets

Paulina Lake Campground

• Reservations required
• 68 sites
• Flush toilets

Newberry Group Campsite

• Reservations required
• 3 sites
• Vault toilets
• For large groups

Not Camping:

East Lake Resort

Historic lodge first opened in 1915.  Offers cabins, RV campsites, and tent sites.  Contains general store, restaurant, and boat rentals.

Paulina Lake Lodge

Built in 1929, this lodge offers numerous types of cabins for guests to stay in.  There is also a general store and restaurant.  The Paulina Lake Lodge also offers various types of boat rentals.

Must See Spots:

• Paulina Peak.  The highest point in the park, there really is no reason to not visit the summit here at nearly 8,000 feet.  You can hike to the summit, and it’s one of the best trails in the monument, or you can drive.  Either way, make it up there!
• Lava River Cave.  Reservations are required, so make sure you plan ahead on this one.  It’s the largest intact lava tube in the state of Oregon, and you can explore it all the way down to about a mile deep.  As someone who isn’t really a big cave person, this one is just so unique and easy to visit that you gotta do it!
• Big Obsidian Flow.  Lava flowed across the surface here only 1,300 years ago, and what’s left is a solidified chunk of volcanic rock that destroyed everything in its path.  The little 1 mile hike that takes you onto the flow is pretty easy and accessible for most people, and even if you don’t hike the whole thing, at least walk up onto it to check it out!

Driving to Bend?  Make sure you have the Top Down Lifestyle playlist!

Newberry is great, and if you’ve been there you probably don’t need me to tell you that, but for those who maybe haven’t even heard of it, you should go!  It really is a hidden gem that offers some really beautiful nature without the crazy crowds.  Whether you can make it for a long weekend, or if you plan on stopping by as you drive through, make an effort to visit Newberry!