Newberry National Volcanic Monument is one of those places that immediately changes how you see Central Oregon. Just south of Bend, this vast landscape tells the story of ancient eruptions through obsidian flows and lava fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. At the heart of it all sits the Newberry Crater, home to Paulina Lake and East Lake, where clear alpine waters meet rugged volcanic terrain.
Whether you are dropping into the Lava River Cave, hiking the rim of the caldera, or standing at the summit of Paulina Peak at golden hour, this is one of the most remarkable volcanoes in Oregon. A visit to the Newberry National Volcanic Monument is easily one of the most memorable adventures the region has to offer.
Central Oregon is packed with unforgettable experiences. In nearby Bend, a thriving craft beer scene invites you to explore award-winning breweries and lively outdoor taprooms. Beyond town, Deschutes National Forest stretches across miles of pristine wilderness, and for a truly iconic detour, Crater Lake National Park delivers breathtaking views of the deepest lake in the United States.
History lovers, nature seekers, and outdoor adventurers alike find more than they expect here. With so many things to do in Central Oregon, you could easily fill a week without repeating yourself; and still come home wishing you had more time.
After a full day of exploring, you will want to return to somewhere that feels like home. Historic Gilchrist Waterfront Resort is one of the most inviting Central Oregon Vacation Homes, offering lakefront cabin rentals ideal for families, friend groups, and multi-generational gatherings.
Guests can unwind by the water, enjoy the pool and hot tub, or challenge each other on the sports courts before settling into fully equipped cabins that are a true home away from home. With easy access to Newberry National Volcanic Monument and all the adventure Central Oregon has to offer, your stay may just become a new tradition. Book your stay today!
Visit Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Few landscapes in the Pacific Northwest feel as dramatic or as alive as this one. Just south of Bend, this shield volcano covers more than 54,000 acres, a geological and recreational wonder roughly the size of Rhode Island. The Newberry National Volcanic Monument is a protected landscape that includes one of Oregon’s most dynamic volcanoes. In a single day, you can visit open lava fields, dense ponderosa forest, and then descend into lava tube caves that have been sealed in time for thousands of years. The landscape never stops shifting, and neither does your sense of discovery.
The Newberry Volcano formed roughly 600,000 years ago as a gently sloping shield. A massive eruption about 75,000 years ago collapsed the summit and created the Newberry Caldera, a vast crater spanning about 17 square miles. The last ice age sculpted the valleys and helped form Paulina Lake and East Lake, which now sit side by side at the center of the caldera.
Even today, the Newberry Volcano remains quietly active, with ongoing seismic and geothermal activity beneath the surface. Walking across obsidian fields or ducking into lava caves here, the geology here is ancient, and it is still unfolding beneath your feet.
Since earning its protected status in 1990 within Deschutes National Forest, the Newberry National Volcanic Monument has been organized into three main regions: Lava Lands, Lava Cast Forest, and the Newberry caldera. A natural starting point is the Lava Lands Visitor Center, where exhibits, a short film, and detailed trail maps help orient first-time visitors to the sheer scale of what they are about to explore. From there, a shuttle to the top of Lava Butte runs every 20 minutes and rewards you with sweeping panoramic views of the monument and the Cascade peaks beyond. A Northwest Forest Pass is required for entry, and most areas are seasonal, generally open from early May through early October due to snowpack.
Planning your visit in advance pays off. Some of the most popular experiences, including the Lava River Cave and certain guided hikes, fill up quickly during the summer months, so reservations are worth making early. Visitors with young children or older family members will find that many of the easier trails and viewpoints are accessible with minimal physical effort, making this a destination that works well for groups of all ages and abilities.
Hiking options span a wide range of difficulty and wonder. The Lava Cast Forest loop is an easy walk past ghostly tree impressions swallowed by lava 7,000 years ago, while the Big Obsidian Flow Trail offers a one-mile circuit across glossy black volcanic glass that formed just 1,300 years ago — remarkably recent in geologic terms.
The Lava River Cave is a standout experience, a two-mile journey through one of the longest lava tubes in Oregon, requiring a lantern and advance reservations during peak season. It is a genuinely otherworldly experience, especially with kids or first-time visitors who have never set foot inside a lava tube before. Inside the caldera, Paulina Falls rewards a short walk with views of an 80-foot twin waterfall, and the Paulina Peak Trail climbs to one of the breathtaking viewpoints in all of Central Oregon. There is no shortage of ways to fill your days at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
On the water, Paulina Lake draws paddleboarders, kayakers, and fly fishers to its calm, crater-framed surface. The setting is truly unique, volcanic cliffs rise around the shoreline while the water remains glassy and still. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, mule deer and elk in the meadows, bald eagles and osprey circling above the lakes. In winter, the caldera becomes a peaceful snow park with Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobile routes, while Paulina Lake Lodge provides a warm, welcoming spot for lunch after a cold morning outside. Every season brings a different version of this place, which is exactly why people keep finding reasons to return.
The Perfect Central Oregon Vacation Homes for a Family Reunion
Planning a family reunion or a large group getaway in Central Oregon? Our resort was built for exactly that kind of gathering. Our Central Oregon Vacation Home sleeps up to 20, and we also have lakefront cabins. A full property buyout gives your group the rare opportunity to have an entire private resort to yourselves. Imagine starting the day with breakfast overlooking a lake, spending the day exploring lava tubes at Newberry National Volcanic Monument, and gathering around a long table in the evening to share the day’s stories. That is the Gilchrist experience.
Our property offers the space and amenities to keep every generation happy and engaged. Kids can splash in the pool or compete on the sports courts while parents relax in the hot tub. Grandparents can enjoy a quiet morning on the water while the more adventurous members of the group make the drive south toward the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. The whole property rental option means no one is spread across different hotels or vacation rentals across town: everyone is together, steps from the same lake, making core memories.
Whether you are celebrating a milestone birthday, a retirement, a long-overdue family reunion, or simply carving out time to reconnect, our resort provides the ideal place to make it happen. Every cabin is fully stocked and ready, and our team is happy to help you coordinate the details. Book your group stay today and start planning the reunion everyone will be talking about for years to come. Reserve your Central Oregon Vacation Home now!
