Sunriver provides convenient access to the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. Starting in Sunriver and ending in Bend, the scenic drive offers beautiful scenery along the way as it circles Mt. Bachelor. There are several lakes along the way where hikers can stop and enjoy a picnic lunch or take a walk around the lake. Serious hikers can leave their cars at trailheads along the highway and enjoy a more rugged back country experience in the nearby Three Sisters Wilderness Area (see the "Cascade Lakes  Recreation Area" map in our Maps tab).  

    If you are hiking in the Wilderness, you will need to fill out a free Wilderness permit before entry and remember group sizes are limited to 12 people. The Cascades Lakes highway (or Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway) is closed during the winter and usually does not open until Memorial Day weekend.

    The Newberry National Volcanic Monument in the Deschutes National Forest is a unique area and contains some of the greatest diversity of geologic features in the world.  Visitors from Sunriver can walk the 5.5 mile Sun-Lava paved path. Visitors can enjoy interpretive talks at Lava Lands before a short hike up Lava Butte. The Monument offers over 60 trails ready to be explored from short interpretive walks to the 21-mile Crater Rim trail and provides an amazing way to spend the day and experience one of Central Oregon’s volcanoes.

Exploring Underground

If you and your family want a unique experience, or just a place to cool off on a hot summer day, be sure to set aside an afternoon to explore the Lava River Cave near Sunriver.

An ancient lava tunnel about a mile long and up to 50 feet wide, the Lava River Cave has three ecosystems: the warm, dry climate just outside the entrance, the warm, moist micro-climate at the entrance, and the cool, moist, dark environment inside the cave itself.

The cave temperature is a constant 42 degrees and is open seasonally, so check with the Lava Lands Visitors Center to find out the latest schedule. Visitors may take self-guided tours, and lantern rentals are available for $5 until 4 pm.

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

541-593-2421