Deschutes National Forest · Oregon

Obsidian Flow

0.5 mi of trail, end to end · native material surface · trail No. 3958.1 · trail class 5 · typical grade trail_grade · tread 18-24 inches wide · hiking · seasonal: hiking 06/01-10/31

Trailhead Big Obsidian Flow Trailhead and Interpretive Site Drive there

Big Obsidian Flow Trailhead and Interpretive Site the Forest Service's write-up

<strong>Day Use</strong>:&nbsp;$5/vehicle/day or valid recreation pass<br /> <br /> <strong>Tour Bus Fee</strong>:&nbsp;<br /> - 15 people&nbsp;or less = $25<br /> -&nbsp;25&nbsp;people = $50<br /> - 25 people or more&nbsp;= $100<br /> <br /> <strong>School/Education Groups</strong>:&nbsp;Please book your tour in advance with our forest partner,&nbsp;<a href="http://discoveryourforest.org/schedule-a-tour/">Discover Your Forest</a> · season June to Late Fall

At a mere 1300 years old, the Big Obsidian Flow is the youngest lava flow in Oregon. A one-mile interpretive trail climbs up and onto this impressive lava flow of obsidian (black glass) and pumice, which is located within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument . The Newberry Crater Trail also passes through this site, which connects to the Lost Lake Trail .

This is also the location of the Big Obsidian Flow Ampitheater where ranger talks are featured throughout the summer. A current schedule of these lectures can be found at the Paulina Visitor Center .

The site also features several picnic tables and a toilet.

Recreation Fee Site: Parking at this site requires a recreation pass. Passes are NOT available at this site, but can be purchased from Forest Service offices or vendors. Please check here for more information about recreation passes and where they can be purchased.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Chief Paulina Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up

<strong>Recreation Fee Area</strong>: $5/vehicle/day &nbsp;&ndash; On-site payment&nbsp;<strong>not&nbsp;</strong>available

This is a small day use area for equestrian use accessing the Newberry Crater trail, which is at the base of the Big Obsidian Flow and connects to the larger caldera trail network.

See also: Chief Paulina Horse Camp

Recreation Fee Site: Parking at this site requires a recreation pass. Passes are NOT available at this site, but can be purchased from Forest Service offices or vendors. Please check here for more information about recreation passes and where they can be purchased.

This trailhead on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in Deschutes National Forest

Other trails from the Big Obsidian Flow Trailhead and Interpretive Site

All 432 trails in Deschutes National ForestFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.