Head into the heart of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument at the Lava Butte Interpretive Site, home to a short walking trail, expansive views, and a working fire lookout. It all sits atop its namesake cinder cone, which rises 500 feet above the surrounding landscape—which includes a lava flow that measures nine square miles. (That lava flow is more than a quarter the size of the city of Bend.)
Hikers and bicyclists can walk the road to the summit of Lava Butte all year long, while those in personal vehicles or an on-site shuttle can visit the summit between spring and early fall. From the summit, views include Cascade Range peaks (such as Mount Bachelor), the rim of Newberry Caldera, surrounding forests of ponderosa pine, ancient lava flows, and smaller buttes that dot the landscape. If you’d like to stretch your legs and savor even more views, take a short walk on the quarter-mile trail that follows the rim of the cone.
As for the fire lookout itself: Visitors are welcome to enter the first floor, where interpretive panels identify peaks and notable landmarks around Lava Butte. Visitors should not disturb the staff members working in the fire lookout’s second floor.
Open Season
The Lava Butte Interpretive Site is accessible to personal vehicles or via shuttle ride between mid-April and mid-October. Visitors without motorized vehicles may access the butte from dawn to dusk year-round; access in winter depends on snow levels.
Dog Friendly and/or Leash Rules
Dogs are not permitted on the seasonal shuttle to the summit of Lava Butte.
Best time to visit
May-mid-October
Don’t Miss
Views are impressive from the Lava Butte parking area and fire lookout, but take the short walk around the butte’s rim for a closer look at the forces that shaped this otherworldly landscape—and take time to admire the rust-colored cinder that dots the surface along the trail.
Fees or Pass Needed
Forest Pass ($5 per day pass or $30 per annual pass) or America the Beautiful pass ($80 per annual pass) accepted. There is also a $3 fee to ride the Lava Butte shuttle; the ride is free for children 2 and younger.
Restrictions
Personal vehicles are not permitted to drive to the summit of Lava Butte between mid-June and Labor Day Weekend; rather, shuttle service is available from the Lava Lands Visitor Center daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Vehicles longer than 22 feet may not drive to the summit of the butte.
Activities
Walking
Viewpoint
Parking
Personal vehicles are permitted to drive to the summit of Lava Butte mid-April to mid-June, as well as between Labor Day and mid-October; drivers must have a timed permit, available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Lava Lands Welcome Station.
Directions
The Lava Butte Interpretive Site is 13 miles south of Bend via Highway 97 and Forest Road 100—and is seven miles northeast of Sunriver via South Century Drive, Highway 97, and Forest Road 100.