Lava Lands Visitor Center

Lava Lands Visitor Center is the interpretive hub of Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Friendly rangers will help orient you to the Monument using our 3D topographic map.Visit our state of the art interpretive exhibit on area geologic and cultural history, shop in the Discover Your Forest Bookstore, view a variety of films scheduled daily, walk the Trail of Molten Land and the Trail of the Whispering Pines, travel on the fully accessible 5.5 mile Sun-Lava paved path, picnic under the pines, attend a ranger talk, walk to the top of Lava Butte for a spectacular view of Central Oregon.

During peak season from Memorial day weekend through Labor Day weekend, there is a shuttle that runs approximately every 20 minutes that departs from Lava Lands Visitor Center to access the summit of Lava Butte. The cost is $2 per person for the round trip and exact change is required or you can pay via credit card here. Motorized access by personal vehicles to Lava Butte is not available on days when the shuttle is in service. Access by personal motorized vehicles is possible outside of peak season with free first-come, first-served time permits available at the Lava Lands Welcome Station and only when the Lava Lands Visitor Center is open.

10:00 a.m. First shuttle departs from Lava Lands to Lava Butte

4:00 p.m. Approximate time of last shuttle to Lava Butte for the day

Visitors may access Lava Butte by non-motorized at any time generally from dawn to dusk.

The parking area for the visitor's center is open year-round, and access is dependent upon snow accumulations during winter months.

For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest National Forests, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/accessiblerecreation

Recreation Fee Site:

Recreation fees are required. Passes are available at this site and can also be purchased from other Forest Service offices or vendors. Please check here for more information about recreation passes and where they can be purchased.

Valid Passes Accepted:

Northwest Forest Day Pass
Northwest Forest Annual Pass
3- Day Monument Pass
Interagency Annual Pass
Interagency Senior Pass (America the Beautiful, Golden Age)
Interagency Access Pass
Interagency Military Pass
Every Kid in a Park Pass
Northwest Forest ePass

Additional Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Picnicking

Road Biking

Wildlife Watching

Hiking

Activities

Day Hiking
Mountain Biking
Picnicking
Road Cycling
Viewing Wildlife
Visitor Centers

Accessibility

Accessible facilities, including Lava Lands Visitor center and paved paths.

Fee

Day use: $5/vehicle/day or for day pass or display any other valid recreation pass
Tour bus fee: Fifteen people or less = $25.00, Twenty Five people =$50.00, Over 25 people = $100.
School/Education Groups: Please book your tour in advance with our Friends partner, Discover Your Forest

Hours

2021 Season - Lava Lands Visitor Center opened May 20, 2021. Due to current COVID19 conditions, the exhibit hall and theatre room will not open. Staffed visitor contact stations will be located on the Lava Lands grounds and, though there will not be scheduled visitor tours or talks, informal interpretation opportunities will be available to visitors. Discover Your Forest will operate the visitor center lobby and bookstore. Capacity will be limited in the lobby and bookstore. If you have not yet been vaccinated, please wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Lava Lands Visitor Center parking area will remain open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily for accessing trails and Lava Butte roadway on foot or bike.

Website

Lava Lands Visitor Center