Lava Cast Forest Day Use Interpretive Site

This interpretive site is situated in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. The landscape was formed by various lava flows and includes many tree molds that were created as the lava burned through the wood and cooled into casts.

Self-guided interpretive brochures are available at the site to take you through the Lava Cast Forest Trail.

There are picnic tables on site.

To learn more about the Lava Cast Forest, download this brochure.

For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest National Forests, click here.

Recreation Fee Site: Parking at this site requires a recreation pass. Passes are available at this site, but can also be purchased from Forest Service offices or vendors.

At a Glance

Fees:	Recreation Fee Area: $5/vehicle/day – On-site payment not available.
Open Season:	May - Late Fall (open until no longer accessible due to snow)
Usage:	Light-Medium
Water:	No
Restroom:	Vault Toilet
Passes:	Recreation Fee Site: Parking at this site requires a recreation pass. Please check here for more information about recreation passes and where they can be purchased. Acceptable passes include: Northwest Forest Passes (Oregon & Washington) Day ePass ($5) National Forest Day Pass ($5) Annual Pass ($30) Local Pass Digital Recreation Day Pass ($5) (Day Pass for Forest Service fee sites ONLY in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Deschutes National Forest, Mt. Hood National Forest, and Siuslaw National Forest) Interagency Passes 4th Grade Interagency Pass (free for current fourth graders) Interagency Annual Pass ($80) Interagency Senior Lifetime Pass ($80) Interagency Annual Senior Pass ($20) Interagency Access Pass (free) Interagency Annual Military Pass (free) Gold Star Family Voucher (free)

General Information

General Notes:

For more information call Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District Office:

541-383-4000

Directions:

From Bend, OR :Travel 15 miles south on Highway 97 (3 miles south of Lava Lands Visitor Center), then 10 miles east on Forest Road 9720 (note, this is a gravel road and is rarely maintained).

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Day Hiking

Interpretive Areas

The former Lava Cast Forest Geological Area (now part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument) was established by the Forest Service in 1942. The geological area was established to protect the many lava trees and tree molds which occur in this area. The various flows of the Lava Cast Forest were all erupted from the Northwest Rift Zone of Newberry Volcano. This site offers a one mile paved self guided interpretive trail with barrier free access. The trail loops through an area where hot molten lava erupted from the northwest flank of Newberry Volcano and engulfed the forest 7,000 years ago. The landscape now includes the "casts" or molds of these ancient trees. Colonizing plants such as delicate penstemon flowers and Indian paintbrush, have now taken root in the rocky soil. Ponderosa pine trees have re-established themselves and flourished as well. The landscape now includes a blend of the past and the present.