A Lava Lands Detour
Located along scenic Highway 97, just north of Bend, Lava Lands Visitor Center (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=38394) is worth a stop on any Crater Lake road trip. Unfortunately many visitors zip right on by this volcanic site on the way to the more popular national park. Beside the visitor center, this site offers several trails that wind through the eerie remnants of an ancient eruption. And despite its foreboding name, this remote Oregon stop is actually a good choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Lava Lands Visitor Center
There’s accessible parking near the Lava Lands Visitor Center, with curb-cut access to a paved pathway that leads to the front door. Inside there’s plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair through the galleries. The visitor center serves as the interpretive hub for the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, which includes over 54,000 acres of lava flows. Exhibits focus on the geology and cultural history of the area, and rangers are available to field questions. There’s also a bookstore, a theater and accessible restrooms inside the visitor center.
Outside on the back patio there are several benches to sit and enjoy the mountain views. It’s also the site for ranger programs and presentations. It should be noted that the visitor center is only open seasonally, usually from late May until winter.
Explore the Lava Flow
Save some time to explore the unusual landscape near the visitor center, on one or more of the accessible trails. At the top of the list is the Trail of Molten Land, which begins just to the right of the visitor center patio. The first part of the trail is shaded by pines, but once you turn the corner the stark reality of the eruption that happened some 7,000 years ago really hits home. The Lava Butte cinder cone is clearly visible in the background, as the trail winds around the basalt lava flow. To say it’s stark is an understatement.
The paved trail has a slight elevation gain in the beginning, but there are level spots to stop and rest. At about the .3-mile mark there’s a nice viewpoint which offers a stunning Cascade panorama. Unfortunately the wheelchair-access ends at this point, as the trail continues on with a steep uphill climb. Still it’s a nice .6-mile round-trip stroll.
In contrast, the nearby Trail of the Whispering Pines offers a pleasant walk through a pine forest, on the edge of the lava flow. The trailhead is located to the left of the visitor center patio. This quarter-mile trail is paved and includes a nice shaded bench to rest and take in the the snow-capped mountain view. The trail winds around the Ponderosa Pines and skirts the parking lot, before it circles back to the visitor center. It’s a nice choice for a hot summer day.
Enjoy a Longer Stroll
Finally, if you’d fancy a longer hike, the Sun-Lava Paved Path begins at the far side of the parking lot, near the accessible porta-potty. This wide paved trails runs through the forest, gradually descends to the Deschutes River, then continues on to Sunriver Resort. Although the grade never exceeds 5%, and there are level places to rest along the way, remember it’s an uphill trek on the return trip, so plan accordingly. It’s a beautiful trail, and you can do as little or as much of it as you like.
Once you’ve concluded your hikes, it’s just a short drive through the forest to reconnect with Highway 97. All in all, it’s a pleasant detour, and there are also a few accessible picnic tables near the parking lot if you happen to visit around lunch time.
