Posts from April 22nd, 2025
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Lava Butte is a Quick Hike Near Bend
Lava Butte is Located Just South of Bend
Lava Butte is part of the Lava Lands Visitor Center which is the interpretive hub for Newberry Volcanic National Monument. Located just south of Bend on the west side of Highway 97, the Visitor Center is closed from the middle of October through the beginning of May. However, the parking lot remains open year round (snow permitting) for people who hike the 5.5 mile Sun-Lava paved path over the lava fields or hike the 3.3 mile round trip up Lava Butte. The road up Lava Butte is traveled by a shuttle during the summer, but during the off season a gated fence stops vehicles from making the trip. However, hikers and bicyclists can access the butte through a person gate in the fence and enjoy the trek up the butte and views from the top.
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Those who walk the 1/4 mile around Lava Butte's rim can read a lot about the geology of the area in the interpretive signs. Newberry Crater is the largest volcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with an area of 1,200 square miles when its lava flows are taken into account; this area is larger than the state of Delaware. From north to south, the volcano has a length of 75 miles, with a width of 27 miles and a total volume of approximately 120 cubic miles. Over 400 lava buttes are part of the volcano, Lava Butte being one of them. From the top of the butte, many other cinder cones are visible, among the most popular for Bend residents is Pilot Butte located within the city limits.
Although not a long hike, the trek up Lava Butte provides for almost 600 feet in elevation gain along a paved road. For those who want more, there are many additional hikes in Newberry Volcanic National Monument which become available late spring/early summer.
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