Obsidian Trail - Newberry Crater

Hiking in Oregon

Nearby Destinations

Central Oregon

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
Duration: 1 hour or less

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Overview: This is a very cool interpretive loop over a 1,300 year old obsidian lava flow below Paulina Peak in Newberry Crater. You'll pass by lava rock that is as smooth as glass (and sharp - be careful). You'll have great views up to the top of Paulina Peak above you and across Paulina Lake.

Tips: Trailhead
From Bend head south on Highway 97. Turn left onto Forest Road 21 between milepost 161 and 162. Follow this road 11 miles and enter the park past the toll booth. It is $5 to enter. Head down the road and look for the trailhead between Paulina Lake and East Paulina Lake.

Points of Interest

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Parking Lot

From here head out on the Obsidian Trail. There will be several informative signs on this loop hike. Take the time to read them. They are interesting.

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Entering the Flow

Here you are about to climb up onto the Obsidian Flow. This flow happened 1,300 years ago and is the youngest lava flow in Oregon.

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Paulina Peak View

Here you will have spectacular views up to the summit of Paulina Peak and over the lava flow. You will also have views down towards Paulina Lake as well. From here you can take the other way down for a loop with different views or head back the same way you came up.