Written by Team Homeward Found · Updated June 30, 2025 · Sunriver, Oregon
Sunriver sits at the doorstep of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most underrated geological wonders. Newberry Volcanic Monument—a 54,000-acre landscape of crater lakes, obsidian flows, lava tubes, and towering waterfalls—lies just 35 to 40 minutes south along US-97, making it the perfect summer day trip for families, hikers, and anyone fascinated by volcanic geology.
Unlike Crater Lake, which draws long lines and requires a multi-hour drive, Newberry delivers the same jaw-dropping caldera scenery with a fraction of the crowds. The monument is typically snow-free from late May through early November, and summer is the ideal window to explore every corner—from the glassy surface of Paulina Lake to the eerie depths of Lava River Cave.
What Makes Newberry Volcanic Monument Worth Visiting from Sunriver?
Newberry is a shield volcano that last erupted roughly 1,300 years ago, leaving behind a landscape unlike anything else in Oregon. The caldera alone spans over 17 square miles and holds two pristine lakes—Paulina Lake and East Lake—each stocked with trout and surrounded by hiking trails, hot springs, and campgrounds. Outside the caldera rim, the monument extends west to include Lava River Cave, Lava Butte, Benham Falls, and the Lava Lands Visitor Center.
From Sunriver, you can reach the Lava Lands Visitor Center in about 15 minutes, Benham Falls trailhead in roughly 20 minutes, and the Paulina Lake area in around 40 minutes. That proximity makes it easy to spend a full day exploring or break the monument into multiple half-day outings throughout your stay.
Which Trails and Attractions Should You See First?
Paulina Falls
Paulina Falls is one of the most photogenic spots in all of Central Oregon. Paulina Creek drops 80 feet over a basalt ledge in a dramatic twin waterfall that thunders hardest in June and early July when snowmelt is at its peak. The viewpoint trail is only about half a mile round trip, mostly paved, and accessible to visitors of most fitness levels. A lower viewpoint offers a different angle and catches rainbow mist on sunny mornings.
Big Obsidian Flow
The Big Obsidian Flow is the youngest lava flow in Oregon—just 1,300 years old—and the one-mile interpretive trail across its surface feels like walking on another planet. The loop includes metal stairways, interpretive signs explaining the geology, and views across glittering fields of black volcanic glass. Closed-toe shoes are essential here, as obsidian edges are razor-sharp. The trailhead is located between Paulina Lake and East Lake inside the caldera.
Paulina Lake and East Lake
Both lakes sit inside Newberry’s caldera at around 6,300 feet elevation. Paulina Lake, the larger of the two, offers a boat ramp, shoreline trails, and access to natural hot springs along its eastern shore—Paulina Hot Springs, where geothermally heated water seeps into the lakeshore. East Lake is slightly smaller and known for excellent trout and kokanee fishing. Both lakes have Forest Service campgrounds that fill quickly in July and August, so reservations through Recreation.gov are strongly recommended.
How Do You Explore Lava River Cave Near Sunriver?
Lava River Cave is the longest known lava tube in Oregon, stretching over a mile underground. The cave was formed roughly 80,000 years ago when the surface of a lava flow cooled and hardened while molten rock continued to drain beneath it, leaving behind a massive hollow tunnel. Walking the full out-and-back route covers about 2.2 miles and takes roughly 1.5 hours.
The cave is open seasonally, typically from mid-May through mid-September. As of 2025, timed reservations are required through Recreation.gov, and a $2 per-person reservation fee applies. Entry times run from 9 AM to 3 PM during peak summer. The interior holds a constant temperature of about 42°F year-round, so bring warm layers even on a 90-degree day outside. You’ll also need at least two light sources per person—headlamps work best—and sturdy, closed-toe shoes for the uneven rock floor.
One important note: to help prevent the spread of white-nose syndrome in bat populations, visitors cannot bring any gear that has been used in other caves. The Forest Service provides this guidance at the entrance and may ask about prior cave visits.
Where Is Benham Falls and How Do You Get There from Sunriver?
Benham Falls is a powerful 25-foot cascade on the Deschutes River, created roughly 6,000 years ago when the Lava Butte eruption sent a lava flow across the river channel. The falls are not a single vertical drop but rather a dramatic, churning stretch of whitewater through a narrow basalt canyon. The 1.7-mile round-trip trail from the Benham Falls West trailhead is mostly flat and follows the river through ponderosa pine forest—an easy and scenic walk for all ages.
From Sunriver, you can reach the trailhead in about 20 minutes by heading north on US-97 and turning west on Forest Road 9702. Note that during peak season (May 15 through September 15), dogs must be kept on leash along this corridor to protect nesting wildlife.
What Should You Know Before You Go?
Every vehicle entering Newberry Volcanic Monument needs a valid Northwest Forest Pass or an America the Beautiful Interagency Pass. A day pass costs $5, a season pass runs $30, and the America the Beautiful pass is $80 for a full year of access to all federal recreation sites nationwide. You can purchase passes at the Lava Lands Visitor Center, at self-service kiosks at most trailheads, or online in advance.
Cell service is limited to nonexistent inside the caldera, so download maps and directions before you leave Sunriver. The drive up to Paulina and East Lakes follows Forest Road 21, a paved two-lane road that gains significant elevation and includes some tight curves. The Lava Lands Visitor Center, located off US-97 between Sunriver and Bend, is a worthwhile first stop—the rangers can update you on trail conditions, fire closures, and cave availability.
Why Do Families Moving to Sunriver Love Newberry?
Newberry Volcanic Monument is one of the reasons Central Oregon draws so many families, retirees, and outdoor enthusiasts to the Sunriver area. The combination of geological education, easy-to-moderate hiking, fishing, and scenery that rivals national parks—all within 40 minutes of home—is hard to match anywhere in the West. Whether you’re visiting for a week or considering a permanent move, Newberry is the kind of place that makes Sunriver feel like the center of something extraordinary.
If you’re thinking about relocating to Sunriver, Three Rivers, or anywhere in the Bend area, we’d love to help you find a home that puts this landscape in your backyard.
Ready to Make Central Oregon Home?
Whether you’re drawn to the trails around Newberry or the quiet beauty of the Deschutes corridor, Team Homeward Found can help you find the perfect place to call home in Sunriver and beyond.
Get in Touch →Newberry Volcanic Monument: Common Questions
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+ How far is Newberry Volcanic Monument from Sunriver?
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+ Can you swim in Paulina Lake or East Lake?
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About Chance & Tianna
Team Homeward Found · Realty One Group Discovery
Chance and Tianna Jackson are a husband-and-wife real estate team serving Bend, Sunriver, Three Rivers, La Pine, Redmond, Prineville, Tumalo, and Sisters. Between military roots, marketing expertise, and years of investing in Central Oregon, they guide retirees, families, Veterans, and investors through buying, selling, and relocating with a level of care that only locals can offer.
Chance Jackson
Oregon Realtor® · Top Producer
(503) 816-2780
Mr.ChanceJackson@gmail.com
MLS #201227270
Tianna Waite-Jackson
Oregon Realtor®
(503) 207-8636
Ms.TiannaJackson@gmail.com
MLS #2012482478