recreation in la pine

Newberry national volcanic monument

In November of 1990, Newberry National Volcanic Monument was created within the boundaries of Deschutes National Forest. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, this monument provides a unique opportunity to view the Lava Lands of Central Oregon.

Newberry National Volcanic National Monument includes 50,000+ acres of lakes, lava flows, and spectacular geologic features in central Oregon. The highest point within the Monument is the summit Paulina Peak (7,985 ft.), showcasing views of the Oregon Cascades and across the High Desert. The summit area of Newberry Volcano holds two sparkling alpine lakes full of trout and salmon.

It is hard to fathom as you drive through the summit area that you are within a 17 square mile caldera at the summit of a 500 square mile volcano, a volcano that remains very active to this day. Newberry is both seismically and geothermally active. Geologists believe the caldera sits over a shallow magma body only 2 to 5 kilometers deep. Visitors see numerous cinder cones (over 400 throughout the area), miles of basalt flows, as well as rhyolite flows of obsidian.

Over 100 miles of hiking trails explore the monument. Most trails are open late spring through fall for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking (with some restrictions). Cross-country skiers and snowmobilers use the trail in the winter months. Walk around Paulina Lake (7 miles), hike to the top of Little Crater with views of both lakes (2 miles), experience a hike through the obsidian flow (1 mile) or be more adventurous and hike around the entire crater rim (21 miles). Shorter trails take visitors to various points of interest in the monument including interpretive trails in Lava Lands, the Peter Skene Ogden Trail (8.6 miles) which parallels Paulina Creek, as it descends down from Paulina Lake, a one mile interpretive trail through Lava Cast Forest, and Paulina Falls Trail located just below the entrance to the crater.

The over 50,000 acre Newberry National Volcanic Monument includes lava flows, hiking trails, lakes and a wide range of volcanic deposits and features. Paulina and East Lakes both have boat landings and great fishing for rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and brown trout.

There are campground facilities at both lakes. All developed sites include a fireplaces, toilets, picnic tables, drinking water and access to boat ramps. Each lake also has a full service resort, including showers, cabins, supplies and fishing assistance.

The 1.6 million acre Deschutes National Forest, just a few miles from La Pine, includes Newberry National Volcanic Monument, the Lava Butte Geological Area and the Lava Cast Forest, Mt. Jefferson, Three Sisters, Diamond Peak and Mt Washington wilderness areas, Mt. Bachelor, and the Cascade Lakes region. Recreation activities include rafting, hiking, backpacking, skiing, spelunking, fishing, camping and picnicking. There are more than 158 lakes and reservoirs, over 100 campgrounds and over 240 miles of streams in the national forest. An 89 mile paved driving tour takes you past spectacular views of many mountain lakes and streams, as well as a view of the Three Sisters peaks.

www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/newberrynvm/

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la pine state park

La Pine State Park, located next to the Deschutes River, is the ideal spot for swimming, boating, picnicking, and hiking. Fly casting for brown and rainbow trout in the Deschutes River is also a favorite pasttime. The campground is the perfect home base for visiting attractions in the area, including the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. The park has 50 electrical sites and 95 trailer spaces. Hot showers and flush toilets are available to all campers in the utility building. Year round camping on an individual basis is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be made for individual or group sites.

If you want to immerse yourself in a sub-alpine pine forest where the air has that high-Cascades tang; to stay in a clean, quiet campground next to a twisting, cold river brimming with trout (and a nearby legendary fly fishing spot) and surrounded by miles of waiting-to-be-explored wilderness; to sit smack in the middle of dozens of high-mountain lakes (in winter, near some of the best ski-spots in the land); to see eagles or red-tailed hawks grabbing breakfast right in front of you; or, to just sit in a campsite pondering what you might do tomorrow ...then La Pine State Park demands a visit.

The park is also home to Oregon's largest ponderosa pine. Nicknamed "Big Red," the tree is 191' tall, with a circumference of 326 iches, and may be in excess of 500 years old. It is also recognized as an Oregon Heritage Tree.

www.oregonstateparks.org/park_41.php

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Quail run Golf Course

Quail Run Golf Course is the best 18-hole public golf course in Central Oregon and is a member of Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. With 4 sets of tees ranging from 5200 yards to over 6800 yards for 18 holes, white sand traps, ponds, and tree lined fairways, Quail Run provides a challenge for all levels of golfers.

Just north of La Pine, it is the second toughest rated golf course in Central Oregon.

Quail Run's full service golf shop, great practice facility and attractive snack bar provides a friendly atmosphere for all types of golf outings. With some of the lowest green fees in the area it is easily Central Oregon's best buy.

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The La Pine Rodeo

The La Pine Rodeo has been in existence for over 30 years as a Jackpot Rodeo normally happening over the 4th of July. However, in 2001 a group of volunteers began planning a bigger event by getting professional sanctioning bodies to accept La Pine in their calendar for the year. For the last five years La Pine has had professional sanctioned rodeos. Each year the rodeo has grown in attendance, prize money, the number of contestants and popularity in Oregon. We are proud to say that La Pine has truly become, "The Greatest Little Rodeo in Oregon"!

www.lapinerodeo.com

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La Pine Frontier Days

An Annual 4th of July Celebration, Frontier Days has been a tradition of the La Pine community. This event is a result of the tremendous and generous efforts of a large number of volunteers and businesses in the greater La Pine area.

It is La Pine's largest event and celebrates our heritage and unique character. It represents the coming together of the community in a celebration of all the things that we as Americans stand for.

We hope you and your families will join us as we re-dedicate ourselves to the principles that make us all proud to be neighbors, members of greater La Pine and Americans.

www.lapinefrontierdays.org

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La Pine Visitor Center

For visitor information, stop by the Chamber of Commerce between the hours of 10am and 2pm. We are located in the historic La Pine Highway Center Building at 51425 Suite A Hwy 97. Our mailing address is PO Box 616, La Pine, OR 97739. Call us at 541-536-9771, fax us at 541-536-8410 or email info@lapine.org

Fascinating geology, excellent fishing, hiking and camping, panoramic scenic views and more are waiting for you at La Pine.

Go to the Central Oregon Visitors Association website for more information about other Central Oregon locations. Central Oregon Visitors Association