Newberry Crater National Monument
The Newberry National Volcanic Monument, located about ten miles south of Bend in Central Oregon, is
one of the nation's newest national monuments. Within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, one finds
some of the most unique attractions in the nation. Cinder cones, pumice cones, lava flows, including
obsidian flows, Lava Cast Forest, caves, lakes, streams, and waterfalls all attract visitors to this
marvelous area.
Throughout much of the monument, you can view major lava flows that record the geologic history of the
area. One flow changed the course of the Deschutes River. Another sudden lava flow created Lava Cast Forest,
where visitors can see molds of downed trees and stumps frozen in time when the lava cooled.
The native people living in the area we know as Central Oregon visited Newberry Crater for at least 10,000
years. They came for many of the same reasons people come today and also to quarry obsidian glass, an
important material used to craft tools and projectile points. Throughout this time, Newberry Volcano was
very active. Explosive eruptions of ash, pumice and other volcanic products were often followed by the
comparatively quiet flow of lava.
Newberry Crater holds two alpine lakes, East Lake and
Paulina Lake,
which are home to trophy-size brown and rainbow
trout, as well as kokanee and Atlantic salmon. There are seven campgrounds in the Crater, offer shoreline
camping, boat ramps, sanitary facilities, group camping, and a horse camp with equestrian trails. In the
winter, the Crater is a popular destination for both snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. Miles of trails
run through the Monument, offering visitors year round opportunities for hiking and exploring. Hiking trails, include the
popular Peter Skene Ogden National Recreation Trail and other trails lead to major lava flows and around
portions of the crater rim.
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Oregon Mountains
