Lava Lands Visitor Center

Mountain Biking

General Info:

Accessible facilities, including museum and paved path.

Road Cycling

The Sunriver to Lava Lands multi-use path (Sun-Lava) is a paved, non-motorized path between Sunriver, Benham East Day Use Area and Lava Butte. The path offers an accessible recreation opportunity that will allow people of all abilities to explore their National Monument and neighboring destinations.

View of map of this paved path here.

Day Hiking

• Trail of the Molten Land
• Whispering Pines Trail

Behind the Visitor Center are two self guided interpretive trails that can be explored at your own pace.  The Trail of Molten Land meanders over the 7000 year-old lava flow from Lava Butte, which is the imposing cinder cone behind the Visitor Center. The Trail of the Whispering Pines wanders through a young ponderosa pine forest. It is possible to walk up Lava Butte, but there is no trail, you have to walk up the congested road, please watch for traffic. Black Rock Trail begins at the lower parking lot of the Visitor Center and continues over 4 miles to the Deschutes River along the lava flow. The Sun-Lava paved path is 5.5 miles of non-motorized trail that connects Lava Butte to East Benham Falls Day Use Area and Sunriver to the Lava Lands Visitor center. 

General Info:

Lava Lands Visitor Center has accessible doors and rest rooms. One third of the Trail of the Molten Land has been recontructed to provide a Universally Accessible experience.

Lava Lands Visitor Center now has a before and after hours DAY USE ONLY parking area at the west end of the Lava Lands parking lot for visitors desiring to access the trails before 9:00am or after 5:00pm. Please display your Recreation Pass when parked in this area.

Viewing Wildlife

Expect to find golden-mantled ground squirrel, yellow-pine chipmunk, and yellow-bellied marmot. Their abundance as prey sometimes attract ermine and long-tailed weasel. Mountain chickadee, evening grosbeak, red-breasted nuthatch, pygmy nuthatch, and red crossbill have been sighted. Up on Lava Butte, look skyward for a soaring red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, or turkey vulture.

Featured Wildlife Groups:

• Amphibians/Reptiles
• Birds of Prey
• Songbirds
• Weasels/Skunks
• Squirrels/Rodents

Habitats:

• Forest - Lodgepole Pine
• Forest - Ponderosa Pine
• Rock - Outcrop
• Rock - Talus

Visitor Centers

Experience the new Lawrence A. Chitwood Exhibit Hall, which marks the final piece of a significant remodel of the Visitors Center. In 2008, a new 1,500 square foot addition was added to the center in order to house the lobby, reception area, and bookstore. These makeovers to the center are the first of their kind in over 30 years. The interpretive themes of the new exhibit hall will showcase how our local geology, ecology, climate, and culture are all interwoven. Through various partnerships and assistance, we are able to showcase the latest information on topics ranging from volcanic activity in the Cascade Mountains to Paleo-Indian technology. In addition, new hands-on activities will allow younger visitors to explore the bottom of Paulina Lake, test out the weight and buoyancy of our local rocks, examine a molar of a Columbian Mammoth, and experience the sights and sounds of an active volcano! The exhibit hall is dedicated in memory of Larry Chitwood, former geologist with Deschutes National Forest, and recognizes his significant contributions to the development and scientific understanding of Newberry National Volcanic Monument. We hope that you enjoy the exhibits and your experience at Lava Lands Visitor’s Center.

Picnicking