Getting Oriented
The monument sits 22 miles south of Bend and 13 miles east of US-97 at the La Pine exit. The auto tour starts on Forest Road 21 (Paulina-East Lake Road) and climbs through ponderosa pine and lodgepole forest to the caldera rim, then drops inside the caldera. Paulina Lake sits on the west, East Lake on the east, separated by a low ridge with the Big Obsidian Flow on the south. The Deschutes National Forest's Bend / Fort Rock Ranger District manages the monument.
Trail Overview
Seventeen miles round-trip on the paved main road, plus a 4-mile gravel spur to Paulina Peak. The pavement ends at the Cinder Hill Campground on East Lake's east shore. Paulina Peak Road is gravel, narrow, and limited to vehicles under 18 feet; trailers and large RVs are not allowed.
The road typically opens in May after snowmelt and closes by snow in November. The Ten Mile Sno-Park provides winter access by snowmobile or ski.
Points of Interest
- Paulina Falls. 80-foot twin waterfalls on Paulina Creek, just past the entrance station. Short paved overlook trail.
- Paulina Lake. 1,531-acre caldera lake with a Forest Service resort, three campgrounds, and a 7.5-mile shoreline trail.
- East Lake. 1,044-acre caldera lake with a smaller resort, two campgrounds, and warm springs along the southwest shore.
- Big Obsidian Flow. 1,300-year-old obsidian and pumice flow with a 0.7-mile interpretive loop. The youngest lava flow in Oregon.
- Paulina Peak (7,985 ft). Highest point on the rim, reached by a 4-mile gravel spur. Views span Mt. Hood north to Mt. Shasta south.
- Newberry Caldera. Five-mile-wide collapsed caldera; the rim provides a continuous panorama.
- Lava Butte and Lava River Cave. Northern monument units off US-97 about 11 miles south of Bend; not on the auto tour but part of the same monument.
Where to Camp
Forest Service campgrounds inside the caldera include Paulina Lake, Little Crater, Cinder Hill, East Lake, and Hot Springs. Most operate Memorial Day through late September with reservations through Recreation.gov. The Paulina Lake Lodge and East Lake Resort offer cabins and dining. Dispersed camping is not permitted inside the monument boundary.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Northwest Forest Pass or a Newberry day-use pass is required. Buy at the entrance station or in Bend.
- Paulina Peak Road is unpaved and limited to vehicles under 18 feet. Trailers and large RVs prohibited.
- The road closes by snow most years November through April or May. Confirm with the Bend / Fort Rock Ranger District before driving in shoulder season.
- The Big Obsidian Flow trail is exposed; bring water and sun protection in summer.
- Combine with the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway for a Bend-area weekend.
