Newberry National Volcanic Monument facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newberry National Volcanic Monument |
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 Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Location in the United States
Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Location in Oregon
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| Location | Deschutes County, Oregon, United States |
| Nearest city | Bend |
| Area | 54,822 acres (221.86 km2) |
| Created | November 5, 1990 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Website | Newberry National Volcanic Monument |
The Newberry National Volcanic Monument is a special place in Oregon, USA. It was created on November 5, 1990. Its main job is to protect the amazing land around the Newberry Volcano. This monument is part of the Deschutes National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service takes care of it. It covers about 54,822 acres. That's a huge area filled with lakes, old lava flows, and cool rock formations!
Did you know that Apollo astronauts trained here? From 1964 to 1966, they practiced exploring the moon on this volcano!
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Exploring Newberry Volcano's Wonders
The Newberry National Volcanic Monument has four main spots to visit. These are Lava Butte, Lava River Cave, Lava Cast Forest, and the Newberry Caldera. Each place shows off different parts of this volcanic area.
Paulina Peak: A High View
Paulina Peak is the highest point in the monument. It stands tall at about 7,985 feet (2,434 meters). From the top, you can see amazing views of the Oregon Cascades mountains. You can also see the high desert landscape.
You can drive to Paulina Peak during the summer. The road is steep and has sharp turns. It's best not to bring trailers or very long vehicles. At the top of Newberry Volcano, there are two clear lakes. These are East Lake and Paulina Lake. Both lakes are full of trout fish.
The Big Obsidian Flow
The Big Obsidian Flow is a huge field of black, shiny rock. It was formed about 1,300 years ago. This area covers about 700 acres (2.8 square kilometers). You can easily reach this cool obsidian field. There are good roads inside the caldera. You can also walk a trail that goes right across the flow.
Lava Cast Forest
The Lava Cast Forest is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Bend. You get there by driving about 9 miles (14 kilometers) on a gravel road from Highway 97. This forest has a lava flow that is 6,000 years old. When the lava flowed, it created molds of ancient trees. It looks like the trees are still there, but they are just hollow shapes made of lava!
Lava Butte
Lava Butte is about 11 miles (18 kilometers) south of Bend, Oregon. It's a cinder cone volcano. It rises about 500 feet (152 meters) above the Lava Lands Visitor Center. You can drive or hike up a paved road to the top. At the summit, you'll find signs that explain things. You'll also get great views of the lava flows and mountains. There's even an active fire lookout station there.
Lava River Cave
Lava River Cave is about 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of Bend. You can visit this cave from May through September. It is the largest lava tube in Oregon that has not collapsed. You can explore it with a lantern. The temperature inside the cave stays around 42°F (5.5°C), so it's always cool!
Newberry Caldera: A Volcanic Wonderland
The Newberry Caldera is about 37 miles (60 kilometers) from Bend. It's also about 19 miles (31 kilometers) from La Pine. This is the biggest developed area within the monument. A caldera is a large bowl-shaped hollow. It forms when a volcano's magma chamber collapses after an eruption. Over time, water filled this caldera. This created Paulina Lake and East Lake.
The Newberry Caldera offers many fun things to do. Visitors can find campgrounds and hiking trails. You can also enjoy water activities on the lakes. There are places to stay and great viewpoints. Forest Service staff are often there to help and teach visitors. The caldera is popular most of the year. It gets very busy during peak times.
There are twelve trails inside the Newberry Caldera. They range from short 0.25-mile (0.4-kilometer) walks to long 21-mile (34-kilometer) adventures. Some trails are just for hiking. Others allow hiking, biking, and even horses. Along the trails, you can go fishing. You'll also find amazing viewpoints, picnic areas, and even hot springs!
The lakes have seven boat launches for water fun. Boats on the lakes must go slower than 10 miles per hour (16 kilometers per hour). The Caldera also has nine campsites. These sites can hold both tents and RVs. In winter, you can enjoy snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. You can also rent rooms at the resorts.
