Lava Butte

SunsetLava FieldsMt Batchelor from Lava ButteFire Lookout on top of Lava ButteChipmunk enjoying the view

We drove up to Lava Butte today which is north of La Pine and south of Bend. Lava Butte rises 500 feet above the visitor center. This cinder cone erupted 7,000 years ago and covered over nine square miles with lava. The butte offers a panoramic view of central Oregon, including a spectacular view of the Cascade Range.

Due to limited parking at the summit, there is "Controlled Access" on high use days. Each day is divided into 15 different 30-minute time slots. There are 14 tickets issued for each half hour time slot. Visitors can choose the next available slot or pick one later in the day. When their half hour time slot begins they can take their vehicle up. The chipmunks are numerous, fearless and friendly even though we didn't feed them. No thunderstorms tonight. It is sunny and 75.