Newberry Volcano

Big Obsidian Flow Trail, Newberry National Volcanic Monument Most lava walks are on dark basalt. This one climbs onto a flow of black volcanic glass and pale pumice, glinting underfoot, inside the Newberry caldera in central Oregon. At about 1,300 years old it is the youngest lava flow in the state, and the interpretive trail is only a mile, which makes it an easy add-on to a day exploring the caldera. It is a summer-to-fall outing, open from June until late fall, and day use only. Obsidian edges are genuinely sharp, so closed shoes beat sandals, and leave every piece of glass where it lies.