BEND, OR -– The road to Newberry National Volcanic Monument’s Newberry Caldera will open to motorized vehicles Friday. Officials will open the gate that blocks access to the caldera area of Paulina and East Lakes as well as area campgrounds. Lava Lands Visitor Center and Lava River Cave also will open to visitors that day.
The opening is begins an exciting year of events and activities highlighting the 25th Anniversary of the designation of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. More information on anniversary events can be found at the Forest Service's website. In addition, visitors will have access to a renovated Lava River Cave, which has additional safety and increased access.
Other Monument Sites and Services Anticipated Opening Dates:
|
LOCATION |
Opening Information |
|
Forest Service Rd. 9720 to Lava Cast Forest |
Open and snow free |
|
Paulina Lake Lodge |
Friday, May 8 |
|
East Lake Resort |
Friday, May 22 |
|
Paulina Visitor Center |
Weekends starting May 9 |
|
Caldera Campgrounds |
Check Hoodoorecreation.com for status |
|
Caldera Boat Docks Installed |
Planned to be ready for May 1 |
|
Paulina Falls and Big Obsidian Flow |
Open with snow patches on the trails |
|
Forest Service Road 500 to Paulina Peak |
TBD based on snowmelt |
List of 25th Anniversary Celebration Activities
Newberry National Volcanic Monument BIO-BLITZ, May 23, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Lava Lands Visitor Center
An event to count and name animal and plant species sited within Newberry National Volcanic Monument on the Deschutes National Forest.
MONUMENT KICK-OFF CELEBRATION WEEKEND
June 19, SHARC in Sunriver, 6:30pm – 9pm
· Newberry National Volcanic Monument Promotional Film Debut
· Speakers, USFS, Stu Garrett, Congressman Peter DeFazio – Oregon, 4th District
· Key Note Speaker: In Search of Ancient Oregon and Living with Thunder Author Ellen Morris Bishop
· Newberry National Volcanic Monument Local Photographer’s Exhibit
June 20 Newberry National Volanic Monument – Monument-wide 9:00am – 5:00pm
· Earth Cache for both kids and adults
· Newberry National Volcanic Monument Local Photographer’s Exhibit
· Jr. Ranger Activities
· Specialized Interpretive Programs at each Volcanic Wonder
· Presentations by USGS research geologist Dr. Julie Donnelly-Nolan, OSU volcanologist Daniele McKay, and USFS geologist Bart Wills
· Monument Guided Recreation Fair
· Woodsy the Owl
· Flint knapping demonstrations
· Stewardhip project at Pauline Lakeshore Loop Trail
· All-day shuttles to Benham East
· Book Signing by Author, Ellen Morris Bishop
· Conoe or Kayak with a Forest Service Ranger
· Bike with a Forest Service Ranger
· Birds of Prey Exhibit
·
Father’s Day Brunch at Newberry Caldera, June 21, Paulina Lake Lodge/ East Lake Resort
History Pub at McMenamin’s in Bend, June 30, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
The Making of a Monument, Dr. Stu Garrett
Stars over Newberry, September 12, 4:00pm – 10:00pm, Monument Wide – Lava Butte
Activities will focus on the darker side of Newberry, sensory awareness, the arts and the night sky. Certain events will require tickets.
Newberry Caldera Stewardship Project, September 12, 9:00am – 2:00pm, Trail Maintenance and more.
