Welcome to the remarkable Newberry National Volcanic Monument, a captivating destination nestled in the heart of Central Oregon.
This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the essential information you need to plan your visit and make the most of your time at this unique geological marvel.
In fact, we’ll cover campgrounds, hiking trails, resorts, viewpoints, and other important information about Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Let’s jump right into it!
Newberry National Volcanic Monument Map
Use the interactive map below to see what’s up in the monument. You can also expand the map (top right) to open a new window and see the full list of things to do.
Overview of Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Newberry National Volcanic Monument is a stunning landscape shaped by ancient volcanic activity. Within the monument, you’ll find an array of natural wonders, including volcanic peaks, lava flows, pristine lakes, and intriguing caves. Immerse yourself in the rich geological history as you explore this awe-inspiring destination.
The monument encompasses the vast Newberry Caldera, a volcanic depression formed by eruptions that occurred between 400,000 and 7,000 years ago. With its diverse range of features, the monument offers abundant recreational opportunities and a chance to witness the forces of nature at work.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument Facts
- Created in November of 1990
- 54,000+ acres
- Highest point is Paulina Peak (7,985 ft.)
- Newberry Volcano is 1,200 square miles and is both seismically and geothermally active
- The caldera stretches across 17 square miles in the heart of the volcano
- Geologists think the caldera rests on a shallow magma body only 2 to 5 kilometers deep
- Over 400 cinder cones and vents in the area
Geology
The geology of Newberry National Volcanic Monument is a testament to its volcanic past. This area showcases a mix of ancient lava flows, cinder cones, and unique geological formations. Immerse yourself in the fascinating story of the monument’s formation as you witness the remnants of volcanic activity scattered throughout the landscape.
Hiking
Embark on a hiking adventure through the monument’s trails and immerse yourself in the beauty of Central Oregon. From leisurely strolls to challenging hikes, there’s a trail for every level of hiker. Explore the enchanting forests, traverse lava fields, and be rewarded with breathtaking vistas along the way.
Learn more about hiking in Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Camping
Experience the tranquility of nature by camping within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Several campgrounds offer opportunities to immerse yourself in the surroundings and enjoy the serenity of the area. Choose from a variety of lakeside campgrounds, each offering its own unique charm and amenities.
Learn more about camping at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Boating and Fishing
Escape to the tranquil waters of Paulina and East Lakes for boating and fishing adventures. Enjoy a peaceful day on the lake, casting your line or exploring the pristine waters by boat. The lakes provide a picturesque backdrop for water enthusiasts and offer opportunities to reconnect with nature.
Learn more about boating and fishing at Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Resorts
For those seeking a comfortable and convenient stay, Paulina Lake Resort and East Lake Resort provide excellent options. These resorts offer a range of amenities, including accommodations, dining, and recreational facilities, making them ideal for a relaxing getaway amidst the natural beauty of the monument.
Learn more about these lakeside resorts at Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Viewpoints
Don’t miss the chance to take in sweeping panoramic views from the monument’s stunning viewpoints. Paulina Peak offers a vantage point to behold the vastness of the surrounding landscape, while Paulina Falls mesmerizes with its cascading beauty. These viewpoints provide beautiful vistas and are a must-visit during your time at the monument.
Learn more about viewpoints in Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Hot Springs
Paulina Lake Hot Springs are the only commonly known hot springs in Central Oregon, and although they may not wow like some of the hot springs a little farther away the geothermal waters provide a soothing experience. Immerse yourself in the warm, mineral-rich waters and let your cares melt away as you enjoy the natural hot springs nestled within the tranquil surroundings.
Learn more about Paulina Lake Hot Springs
Winter Activities
When winter blankets the landscape, Newberry National Volcanic Monument transforms into a snowy wonderland. Cross country skiing and snowmobiling are popular in the winter months. The road to the lakes are closed, but you can still park near them and hike in.
Learn more about winter activities
Geology of Newberry National Volcanic Monument
The geology of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument showcases a remarkable tapestry of volcanic activity that has shaped the landscape over thousands of years. The monument contains the mighty Newberry Caldera, a massive volcanic depression that sits on top of a shallow magma body.
The origins of the Newberry Monument can be traced back to a series of powerful volcanic eruptions that occurred over 400,000 years ago. A more recent event (75,000 years ago) created the Newberry Caldera. These eruptions, characterized by explosive events and the outpouring of lava, resulted in the creation of the caldera as we see it today.
Within the monument, you’ll find a diverse range of volcanic features. Ancient lava flows, known as basaltic flows, cover large areas of the landscape, creating dramatic black expanses of hardened rock. The most notable lava flow is the Big Obsidian Flow, a massive expanse of glassy obsidian formed by a rapid cooling of lava.
Cinder cones are another prominent geological feature within the monument. These conical mounds are formed when gas-charged lava erupts explosively, creating fragmented rock and ash that accumulates around the vent. Some cinder cones, such as Lava Butte, offer accessible hiking trails that provide an up-close view of these formations.
Venturing underground, visitors can explore the Lava River Cave, a mile-long lava tube formed by flowing lava. As you traverse the cave’s dark passages, you’ll witness the unique formations and textures sculpted by the volcanic activity.
The Newberry Caldera also hosts two stunning lakes: Paulina Lake and East Lake. These pristine bodies of water occupy the depressions left by volcanic activity and offer picturesque settings for boating, fishing, and relaxation. The lakes are nestled within the caldera’s embrace, surrounded by towering peaks and vibrant forests.
The geological history of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument is a testament to the powerful forces that have shaped the landscape. Exploring the monument allows visitors to witness the remnants of ancient eruptions, understand the volcanic processes, and marvel at the incredible transformations that have occurred over time.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument Camping
There are a total of five campgrounds at Newberry National Volcanic Monument. All are on the side of Paulina Lake and East Lake within Newberry Caldera. In our opinion, these are some of the best campgrounds in all of Central Oregon!
| Campground | Description |
| Paulina Lake Campground | A clean and welcoming campground on the southwest side of Paulina Lake. Close to boat ramps and Paulina Lodge which has a restaurant, small store, and watercraft rentals. Best for proximity to amenities. |
| Little Crater Campground | A long and skinny campground that wraps around the southeast side of Paulina Lake. Lots of spacious lakeside sites and a large boat ramp. Closest camping to the hot springs. |
| East Lake Campground | A small campground with spacious lakeside sides. A large rocky beach and boat ramp. Both East Lake and Paulina Lake have great fishing. |
| Cinder Hill Campground | A pleasant campground on the north east side of East Lake. Like the other campgrounds, there is a large rocky beach and a boat ramp. |
| Newberry Group Campsite | A series of three separate group sites on the south side of Paulina Lake. |
Reserving a Campsite at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Campsites for all the campgrounds mentioned above are by reservation only at Recreation.gov.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument Hiking
There are lots of great hikes in the monument, and the four listed in the table below represent well the diversity of options. We love hiking in Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
| Hike | Length (miles) | Elevation Gain (feet) | Description |
| Paulina Lakeshore Loop | 7.5 | Minimal | Long but flat hike around Paulina Lake. |
| Paulina Hot Springs | 4.2 | Minimal | Start at Little Crater day use area. Shortest hike to the hot springs. |
| Big Obsidian Flow Trail | 0.6 | 200 | Short but rocky hike through lava fields with nice interpretive signs. |
| Paulina Peak Trail | 4 | 1,300 | Start at National Forest Road 500. Park at day use area. Hike up Crater Rim Trail to Paulina Peak. Best views in the area. You can also drive to this peak. |
Newberry National Volcanic Monument Fishing and Boating
There are two lakes in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument: Paulina Lake and East Lake. They both are open to motorized boats and offer excellent fishing.
Paulina Lake Fishing and Boating
Paulina Lake is renowned for its fishing opportunities, including the state record German brown trout and large kokanee and rainbow trout.
The lake, situated at a high elevation of over 6,300 feet, offers year-round fishing, with early ice-out periods providing the best chance to catch trophy-sized fish. Anglers can target brown trout with lures like crankbaits and spinners, while fly fishing with streamers is effective.
Rainbow trout can be caught using natural baits and trolling techniques, and kokanee respond well to trolling lures and jigs. It’s important to be familiar with the fishing regulations and camping options available in the area.
Learn more about fishing at Paulina Lake.
East Lake Fishing and Boating
East Lake offers breathtaking views and excellent fishing opportunities. Like Paulina Lake, East Lake contains brown trout, rainbows, and kokanee. Anglers targeting brown trout often use trolling or casting techniques with lures resembling smaller trout or kokanee, while fishing during lower light conditions near sunrise and sunset increases success rates.
Rainbow trout, stocked by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, can be caught using still-fishing techniques with natural or prepared baits, as well as trolling with lures, bait, or flies. Fly fishing is particularly popular for rainbow trout near the lake’s weed beds.
Kokanee, which grow to substantial sizes in East Lake, are commonly caught by trolling or jigging, especially in deeper waters during the summer months. It is important to be aware of mercury levels in the fish and follow consumption guidelines.
Learn more about fishing at East Lake.
Boat Ramps Paulina Lake and East Lake
| Boat Ramp | Location | Dock? |
| Paulina Lake Boating Site | Southwest Paulina Lake. Near Paulina Lake Lodge | Yes |
| Little Crater Boat Ramp | Southeast Paulina Lake. Little Crater Campground. | Yes |
| East Lake Boating Site | South East Lake. East Lake Campground | No |
| Hot Springs Boating Site | Southeast East Lake. Dedicated boating site. | Yes |
| Cinder Hill Boating Site North | East East Lake. Cinder Hill Campground. | No |
| Cinder Hill Boating Site South | Northeast East Lake. Cinder Hill Campground. | No |
Newberry National Volcanic Monument Resorts
We’ve already covered the campgrounds in the monument. However, there are also two excellent resorts with lodging and other amenities.
Paulina Lake Lodge
Paulina Lake Lodge is pretty much what you think of when you think “rustic lakeside lodge”. There is a main lodge with a bar and restaurant as well as a small store. Of course, they also offer watercraft rentals. There are 13 rustic cabins that have a full kitchen and bathroom. Overall, this is a great lodge for a lakeside weekend getaway with all the amenities you need.
East Lake Resort
East Lake Resort has cabins, RV and tent sites to accommodate visitors. There is also a restaurant and store. Don’t worry, there are watercraft rentals too! Overall, East Lake Resort is a great getaway for the whole family, especially for the avid angler.
If you’re planning a trip to Central Oregon, consider options beyond the Newberry Monument and check out these other great resorts near Bend.
Viewpoints at Newberry National Volcanic Monument
The Newberry National Volcanic Monument has three primary viewpoints. These are sites that you can view within a short walk of your car.
| Viewpoint | Description |
| Paulina Falls | An impressive waterfall right near the outflow from Paulina Lake. Reachable via a very short walk from the parking lot. |
| Paulina Peak | An expansive view of the entire monument and landscape beyond. The highest elevation in the monument. Road is gravel but in decent shape. |
| Lava Butte Lookout | A pleasant and accessible view of the Cascade Mountain Range and surrounding area. Right off of Highway 97. |
Paulina Lake Hot Springs
Paulina Lake Hot Springs is a natural hot spring on the east side of Paulina Lake. It is accessible via a trail from Little Crater Day Use Area and also by boating/paddling. The hot springs are a pleasant and worthwhile soak.
There are a series of pools in a rocky beach area. Some are hotter and some are cooler, but most maintain a soakable temperature during the accessible times of the year. The pools are not deep, but a horizontal soak is possible and worthwhile.
A shovel is helpful to dig the pools out and regulate cold water input from the lake. Beware the pools can sometimes go underwater when the lake is high.
Winter in Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Winter in the monument means snow activities. The high elevation of the lakes mean limited access as a result of road closure. The road into the lakes is closed at Ten Mile Snow Park which is a great parking area for winter activities.
Several hiking trails lead towards Paulina Falls and Paulina Lake. This is also a staging area for snowmobiles and cross country skiing.
Conclusion
We hope this guide to Newberry National Volcanic Monument was helpful! Get out there and adventure responsibly.
Paulina and East Lake are just two of hundreds of lakes near Bend that offer incredible paddleboarding, camping, and more.
If you are visiting Bend, welcome! We hope you enjoy your time here. If you’re still in the planning stages, be sure to check out our other articles about visiting central Oregon. You also might want to know some other things to do in Bend. Let us help plan your trip with insightful Bend trip itineraries.
