Newberry Volcano formed more than a half-million years ago—and has remained an active volcano, just east of La Pine, ever since. Today, the shield volcano is the heart of the broader Newberry National Volcanic Monument—and nowhere are its effects easier to see or understand than from along the Lava Cast Forest Trail on its northwestern flank. The largely shade-free Lava Cast Forest Trail is a one-mile, wheelchair-accessible (paved) path that heads through the heart of what was once a grand forest. But roughly 7,000 years ago, as Newberry erupted and sent lava in the surrounding landscapes, it burned through many of those trees. As the lava cooled, it formed what are called tree molds—basically, smooth outlines in the rock of where trees once stood.
The Green Lakes Trail looms large in the imagination of hikers across Central Oregon—and for good reason. Over the course of about 9.5 miles (round-trip), the scenic hike heads through a quiet alpine forest, passes the raging Falls Creek Falls, skirts the edge of a dramatic lava flow, enters a wide-open plain, and affords views of some of the region’s most notable peaks—including Broken Top and South Sister—from the shores of its namesake pools. Total elevation gain, meanwhile, totals about 1,400 feet—offering plenty of scenic payoffs without demanding strenuous climbs.
Nowhere else in Oregon can you hike through a 1,300-year-old lava flow inside an active volcano’s caldera—but such is the charm of the Big Obsidian Flow Trail, which offers a dramatic look at the region’s explosive past within the broader Newberry National Volcanic Monument. The Big Obsidian Flow Trail, largely accessible between June and October, measures roughly one mile (round-trip) and challenges hikers with about 200 feet of elevation gain along the way. It takes visitors into the heart of Oregon’s youngest lava flow, offering up-close looks at glassy obsidian rocks and softer pumice rocks that cover one square mile. Learn about the area’s natural history, geology, and other fascinating facts with seven interpretive panels that line the path—and take time to rest on benches along the trail and admire the disparate landscapes that sit within Newberry Volcano’s remarkable caldera (including old-growth forests and a pair of crystal-clear lakes). The trail is free of shade, so be sure to bring plenty of water if hiking in summer. Rangers give talks at the on-site Big Obsidian Flow Amphitheater each summer, and a few picnic tables invite visitors to enjoy lunch or dinner in the shadow of the expansive lava flow.
When locals talk about the scenic Deschutes River Trail, they’re typically referring to one of two trails that line the Deschutes River—but which are disconnected from each other. Either way, you’ll find unique landscapes and plenty to love about each trail.
The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail runs about 25 miles north-south in the heart of the Cascade Range, rarely losing sight of its namesake waterway and connecting visitors to some of Central Oregon’s most beloved outdoor destinations.
