Trekking Bend’s Fiery Past: 6 Volcanic Hiking Trails

Bend, Oregon, is home to some of the most fascinating geological terrain in the Pacific Northwest. Towering volcanoes, ancient calderas, and fresh lava flows are a testament to the region’s dramatic volcanic history, which continues to shape the landscape today.

If you’re visiting Bend and are looking for a hike, it’s only natural to explore the area’s volcanic features. Here are six must-visit hiking trails that were forged by the Cascade Range’s fiery eruptions.

1. Tumalo Falls

Tumalo Falls is one of the classic side trips in Bend. The picturesque waterfall drops 97 feet over a ledge of dense volcanic basalt. The top layer of soil in the area is formed mainly of ash and pumice deposited by the ancient eruptions of Mt. Mazana — the volcano that blew its top 7,700 years ago to become present-day Crater Lake in southern Oregon. 

The trailhead is just 14 miles west of Bend and is accessible to all hiking abilities. The hike can be as quick as a 0.4-mile out-and-back to the viewpoint atop the falls, or you can continue on the North Fork Trail to discover even more waterfalls upstream. For a longer hiker, the Tumalo Falls loop covers 7 miles and passes by six waterfalls.

The hike is equally beautiful in the winter months, offering snowy scenery and a stunning frozen waterfall.

• Length: <1-8 miles
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Restrooms: Yes, at trailhead
• Parking: $5 recreation pass required
• Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash on North Fork Trail; no dogs allowed in City of Bend Watershed (Swampy Lakes and Bridge Creek Trails)
• Hours: Accessible 24 hours; no overnight parking at day-use area

2. Lava River Cave

The volcanic history of the land around Bend is visible not only on the surface but also below it. Twelve miles south of town, you can pay a visit to Lava River Cave. This underground lava tube extends for more than a mile beneath Central Oregon.

When lava streams out of a volcano eruption, the outer edges begin to cool and harden. Eventually, as a deep channel forms, the lava can become completely covered with solid crust. Once the lava drains, a hollow chamber remains, such as Lava River Cave. 

This cave is the longest known lava tube in Oregon. A staircase provides easy access to the spacious interior, and walking to the end and back is a 2.2-mile round-trip journey through pitch darkness.

If you plan to hike the cave, you’ll need to book a reservation in advance. Also, be sure to bring or rent two light sources — just in case one fails — and bundle up, as the cave’s temperature remains a chilly 42 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

• Length: 2.2 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Restrooms: Yes, at trailhead
• Parking: $5 recreation pass required with reservation
• Dog friendliness: No dogs allowed
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; last entry is at 2 p.m.; the cave is currently closed for the 2024 season; it will reopen May 2, 2025

3. Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park, located northeast of Bend, is a classic example of the region’s tumultuous volcanic history. Around 29.5 million years ago, a massive eruption caused the land around the park to collapse into an underground molten lava chamber, forming the caldera in which the park is found today.

The eruption deposited an incredible 140 cubic miles of material, creating sediment layers as far as 75 miles from the caldera. Much of the ash and pumice consolidated into a rock called tuff, which is how the park’s towering spires were formed.

In more recent history, around 400,000 years ago, runny basaltic lava from Newberry Volcano to the south flowed over much of the tuff, leaving only the tall spires exposed above the flow. 

The result is a volcanic playground featuring steep climbs to peaks or gentle strolls around the Crooked River, which meanders through the park in two dramatic 180-degree turns. There’s a trail for everyone to hike at Smith Rock, whether it’s the challenging 6-mile loop trail on Misery Ridge, or the casual Rim Rock Trail, which provides amazing views without breaking a sweat.

• Length: <1-6 miles
• Difficulty: Easy to difficult
• Restrooms: Yes, at Welcome Center and Bivouac Area
• Parking: $5 per vehicle
• Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
• Hours: Dawn to dusk

4. Mt. Bachelor

Mt. Bachelor is Bend’s premiere ski destination in the winter, but exploring this dormant stratovolcano isn’t limited to the snowy months. The 9,065-foot peak also offers excellent hiking and sweeping 360-degree views from its summit. 

Mt. Bachelor is relatively new in the grand scheme of Bend’s volcanic past, formed between 18,000 and 15,000 years ago. Hikers can start from either Sunrise Lodge or West Village, with a 2,600-foot climb to the top over 6 miles round-trip.

Be mindful of designated hiking zones so you don’t accidentally stray onto a busy mountain bike trail.

• Length: 6 miles, 2,651 elevation gain
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Restrooms: Yes, at West Village and Pine Marten Lodge; hours subject to change
• Parking: Free at Sunrise Lodge or West Village; also can park along Century Drive
• Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
• Hours: No restrictions, but if you plan on using chair lifts, hours start from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. depending on the day

5. Lava Butte

Lava Butte and its corresponding lava flow were formed by a single eruption 7,000 years ago. Located south of Bend on I-97, Lava Butte is a textbook example of a cinder cone. A paved road makes a trip to the top accessible via a 3.8-mile hike that climbs nearly 600 feet.

At the top, you can see the fire lookout tower, take in views of the cinder cone’s lava flow that extends northeast to the Deschutes River, and, if you are up for it, complete a loop around the volcano’s rim.  

While you are at Lava Lands Visitor Center, you can also check out the Trail of the Molten Lands to explore the basalt flow that poured out of Lava Butte millennia ago.

• Length: 3.8 miles, 593 feet elevation gain
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Restrooms: Yes, at the visitor center
• Parking: $5 per vehicle
• Dog friendliness: Dogs allowed on leash
• Hours: Dawn to dusk

6. Big Obsidian Flow

Big Obsidian Flow is Oregon’s most recent lava flow, formed during an eruption of the Newberry Caldera 1,300 years ago. Visitors can access this unique geological feature via stairs and a short trail that winds through the field of pumice and shiny black obsidian. 

The flow was historically significant to local tribes who sourced the obsidian for making tools like arrowheads and blades. While visiting, feel free to admire the mesmerizing volcanic glass, but remember that it’s illegal to take any home. Be cautious when touching it, as obsidian is extremely sharp.

• Length: 1 mile
• Difficulty: Easy
• Restrooms: Yes, at the trailhead
• Parking: $5 per vehicle
• Dog friendliness: Advised not to bring dogs due to sharp, jagged rocks
• Hours: No restrictions

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This post was sponsored by Fjällräven.