Newberry Group Camp Site

Summary

Newberry Group Campground offers visitors a unique geological glimpse into the area's one-of-a-kind landscape and volcanic activity with opportunities for bird watching, boating, bicycling, sightseeing and hiking. Visitors can explore the nearby Lava Lands Visitor Center, Lava River Cave, and Deschutes National Forest for an unforgettable outdoor experience.

Overview

Boasting some of central Oregon's most spectacular scenery, Newberry Group Campground is the only exclusive group site area within the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.

Located along the south shore of Paulina Lake in Deschutes National Forest, this site offers a unique geological glimpse into the area's one-of-a-kind landscape and volcanic activity.

For more information about the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recarea/?recid=66159 

Recreation

The unique location of Newberry Group Campground offers outdoor enthusiasts fantastic opportunities for bird watching, boating, bicycling, sightseeing and hiking throughout the year. The Paulina Lakeshore loop trail passes thru this campground and offers a 7 mile stroll around Paulina Lake. Bird watchers may catch a glimpse of bald eagles and osprey nesting nearby. Common loon, Grebe, Tundra swan, Eurasian wigeon, American wigeon, Ring-necked duck, Goldeneye, and Hooded Merganser are lured to Paulina Lake as well. Visitors can drive or hike to the summit of nearby Paulina Peak to watch soaring raptors such as golden eagle, turkey vulture, prairie falcon and red-tailed hawk.

Facilities

Three separate group sites offer visitors opportunities for both lakeside and forest camping. Picnic areas, shoreline trails, and stunning views of the lake give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. The parking area and roads throughout the campground are paved.

Natural Features

Paulina Lake is located within the collapsed caldera of Newberry Volcano. Nearly five miles in diameter, this caldera encircles the basins of Paulina Lake, and its twin, East Lake. Covering an area of 1,531 acres, Paulina Lake, the larger and deeper of the two, plunges to depths of 250 feet.

Neither lake receives water from an inlet stream, but instead, are fed solely by rain, snowmelt, and hot springs. Paulina Creek drains the lake and has chiseled a narrow gorge through the caldera's west wall creating a remarkable twin waterfall.

Thermal vents and hot springs along the lake's northeast edge help create a highly productive ecosystem.

Wetlands, diverse forests, and rocky slopes near the campground provide a necessary habitat for shorebirds, racoon, deer, bats, and the occasional black bear.

In September, the outlet of Paulina Lake may become choked with kokanee salmon swimming to spawn in Paulina Creek.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors can explore wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and approximately 1,600 miles of trails throughout Deschutes National Forest and the adjacent Ochoco National Forest.

Lava Lands Visitor Center in nearby Bend, Oregon, offers visitors the opportunity to learn about the diverse landscape and history of the area through interpretive programs.

Visitors can explore the Lava River Cave, also located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. At a length of 5,211 ft. (1,588 m), the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon.

Charges & Cancellations

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.