Lava Butte
Explore a 7,000-year-old cinder cone volcano with stunning summit views and fascinating lava flow trails.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Lava Butte
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore a 7,000-year-old cinder cone volcano with stunning summit views and fascinating lava flow trails.
"Such a great place. Breath taking and a nice shuttle but for only $5 to take you to the top and bottom."
🚗 Shuttle is Essential
During summer, a shuttle from Lava Lands Visitor Center is required to reach the summit. It's $5 and worth it!
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The rim trail is on cinder, so good walking shoes are a must for comfort and stability.
Quick Facts
Rating
4.8 · 287 reviews
Type
Tourist Attraction
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Lava Butte Summit
Summit
Stand atop a 7,000-year-old cinder cone for breathtaking 360-degree views of the volcanic landscape.
Fire Lookout Tower
Summit
Climb this historic tower for an even higher vantage point and a glimpse into early fire watch history.
Rim Trail
Summit crater rim
Circle the crater's edge on a cinder-covered path, offering unique perspectives of the volcanic formation.
Trail of the Molten Land
Base of Lava Butte
An easy, paved path through a fascinating old lava flow, perfect for families and strollers.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Shuttle Service is Key
Accessibility & Trails
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Shuttle is Essential
During summer, a shuttle from Lava Lands Visitor Center is required to reach the summit. It's $5 and worth it!
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The rim trail is on cinder, so good walking shoes are a must for comfort and stability.
💧 Bring Water
Especially on warmer days, stay hydrated as you explore the trails and summit.
📸 Capture the Views
The panoramic vistas from the top are incredible, perfect for photography enthusiasts.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Shuttle is Essential
During summer, a shuttle from Lava Lands Visitor Center is required to reach the summit. It's $5 and worth it!
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
The rim trail is on cinder, so good walking shoes are a must for comfort and stability.
💧 Bring Water
Especially on warmer days, stay hydrated as you explore the trails and summit.
📸 Capture the Views
The panoramic vistas from the top are incredible, perfect for photography enthusiasts.
🐶 Pet-Friendly Shuttle
Good news for dog owners: pets are allowed on the shuttle to the summit!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Lava Butte's stunning volcanic landscapes and panoramic views, calling it a 'must-see' in Central Oregon. The $5 shuttle to the summit is considered a great value, and the pet-friendly policy is a big plus. While the summit trail is steep for some, the overall experience is highly recommended for its natural beauty and educational opportunities.
"Such a great place. Breath taking and a nice shuttle but for only $5 to take you to the top and bottom. Lots of smaller trails to explore the lower lava flow as well.
It's just really unbelievable that something like this exists. Lots of knowledge rangers that are very friendly with lots of information about the butte in the visitor center. Lots of great souvenirs and very pet friendly place where they let you take your dog on the shuttle as well!"
Louis Volpe
"It is nice that you can drive most of the way up the butte. The final trail to the top is steep but short. A real challenge for those with breathing issues. Getting a wheelchair up would likely require at least 2 people in very good shape pushing and then very hard coming back down.
If you can get to the top the views are awesome."
Russ Roush
"Lava Butte sits above the trail of the molten lands. It is home to one of the first fire watch towers in the area and has a rim trail that circles the edge of the crater. It is a steep hike up to the fire watch tower and has an information center under neath the tower with information and history. There is a nice pathway. We were unable to do the rim trail as there was a huge lightning storm coming in. From the top you can see lava rock for miles from the eruption thousands of years ago."
Lizzy Carter
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Lava Butte is located in central Oregon, near Bend and Sunriver. You'll typically drive to the Lava Lands Visitor Center, where you can then catch the shuttle to the summit during peak season.
Parking is available at the Lava Lands Visitor Center. During the summer, you'll need to park there and take the shuttle up to Lava Butte's summit.
A parking permit is required for the Lava Lands Visitor Center, which can be purchased online. An Interagency Pass or Northwest Forest Pass may also cover fees.
You can drive most of the way up Lava Butte, but the final trail to the summit requires either the shuttle service or a hike.
The visitor center and some paths are accessible. However, the final trail to the summit is steep and would be very challenging for a wheelchair.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There's a $5 fee for the shuttle to the summit, which is a great deal for the experience. Parking permits are also required for the visitor center.
The Lava Lands Visitor Center is typically open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM during the season. The shuttle operates during these hours as well.
The shuttle service to Lava Butte typically begins in the summer months and runs daily from the Lava Lands Visitor Center.
Yes, you can hike to the summit, but the shuttle is recommended for convenience and to experience the full area.
There are no specific age restrictions mentioned for the shuttle, but it's a short ride to the summit.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can explore the summit, walk the rim trail, visit the historic fire lookout tower, and learn at the visitor center. The Trail of the Molten Land is also nearby. 
Most visitors spend 2-3 hours exploring the summit, rim trail, and visitor center. Add more time if you explore the Trail of the Molten Land.
The views are spectacular! You get panoramic vistas of the surrounding volcanic landscape, lava fields, and distant mountains.
The rim trail is on cinder and can be a bit uneven, but it's generally considered moderate. The hike to the summit itself is short but steep.
Yes, there are knowledgeable rangers at the visitor center who can provide information about the butte and its history.
📸 📸 Photography
Late afternoon offers beautiful golden hour light for capturing the landscape. Sunrise and sunset can also be stunning if accessible.
You can capture wide-angle shots of the volcanic crater, panoramic landscapes, the fire lookout tower, and details of the lava rock formations.
With minimal light pollution in the area, Lava Butte could be a good spot for astrophotography, especially during clear nights.
A wide-angle lens is great for landscapes, and a telephoto lens can be useful for details. A tripod is helpful for low-light conditions.
Drone usage is typically restricted in national monuments and forests. It's best to check the specific regulations for Newberry National Volcanic Monument before flying.
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