Deschutes National Forest covers about 1.6 million acres of the east side of the Oregon Cascades, and nearly every part of it is reached from Bend by one of five roads. Head west on the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway and you climb past Mt. Bachelor to a string of alpine lakes. Head south on US-97 and you reach lava fields, a mile-long lava tube and a volcanic caldera with two lakes in it. Head northwest and you reach Sisters and a river that rises full size out of a hillside.
This guide goes road by road, with rough mileage from Bend, then covers 2026 permits, road seasons, fire rules and bus access. For a group trip to the Deschutes National Forest, the road you choose sets your season, your parking and the size of bus you can bring.
The Five Roads Out of Bend at a Glance
Treat Bend as your hub and plan one road per day. Most well-known sights sit within 40 miles of downtown.
| Road from Bend | Main stops | Typical open season | Full-size coach fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway (Hwy 46), west | Mt. Bachelor, Todd, Sparks, Devils, Elk and Lava Lakes | To Mt. Bachelor all year; past it about late May to mid-November | Good on the highway; side roads vary |
| Skyliners Road, west | Tumalo Creek, Tumalo Falls | Last stretch closed in winter | Minibus better; small, busy lot |
| US-97, south | Lava Lands, Lava River Cave, Newberry Caldera | Visitor sites mid-May to fall; caldera road closed in winter | Good to Lava Lands and the caldera lakes; no buses on Paulina Peak road |
| US-20, northwest | Sisters, Head of the Metolius, Camp Sherman | Year-round on main roads | Good to Sisters; minibus easier at Camp Sherman |
| US-97 or Hwy 46, far south | Wickiup Reservoir, Crescent Lake, Odell Lake | Summer and early fall for lakes | Good on highways; check campground loops |
Road 1: Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway (Hwy 46)
The byway leaves Bend as Century Drive and climbs west as a paved two-lane highway. It is the forest’s busiest recreation corridor. Mileages below are approximate from downtown Bend.
One rule shapes this corridor in 2026: a Deschutes National Forest order that took effect April 1, 2026 bans campfires and camping in the Cascade Lakes Highway Scenic Views Corridor. Plan on day use along the road itself and sleep in developed campgrounds or back in Bend.
Mt. Bachelor (about 22 miles)
Mt. Bachelor is a roughly 9,000-foot peak that gets over 400 inches of snow a year. It is central Oregon’s main ski area, and in summer the resort typically runs scenic lift rides and mountain biking.
In winter the plowed road ends here: the county gates Hwy 46 at Dutchman Flat, just past the ski area. The large paved base lots make this the easiest bus stop on the byway.
Todd Lake (about 24 miles)
Todd Lake sits up a short spur road north of the highway. A brief walk reaches the shore, and a flat loop of about 1.7 miles circles the lake under Broken Top, with wildflower meadows in July.
The Todd trailhead is on the Central Cascades day-use permit list for hikes into the wilderness. Past the lake, Forest Service Road 370 runs to the Broken Top and Crater Ditch trailheads. The Forest Service calls it very rough and recommends high-clearance vehicles only, so no bus belongs on it.
Sparks Lake (about 26 miles)
Sparks Lake is a shallow lake set among lava flows with South Sister and Broken Top behind it. It is a favorite for paddling and for photography, especially in early morning when the water is still. The short Ray Atkeson Memorial Trail loop is easy for mixed-ability groups.
The access road is gravel and the boat launch lot fills on summer weekends, so a van or minibus suits this stop better than a full-size coach.
Devils Lake and the South Sister Trailhead (about 28 miles)
Devils Lake is a small, clear green lake beside the highway and the start of the South Sister climber trail. South Sister, about 10,358 feet, is the forest’s high point, and the climb is a long, strenuous day.
The Devils Lake/Wickiup trailhead is on the 2026 Central Cascades day-use permit list. Every hiker past the wilderness boundary from June 15 to October 15 needs an advance permit, and groups are capped at 12.
Green Lakes Trailhead (about 27 miles)
Between Sparks and Devils Lake, the Green Lakes/Soda Creek trailhead starts one of Oregon’s most popular hikes. The trail climbs along Fall Creek past waterfalls to three lakes between South Sister and Broken Top.
Green Lakes is a limited day-use trailhead, and permits often sell out at the 7 a.m. release on busy weekends. If your group cannot get Green Lakes permits, Todd Lake and Sparks Lake give you the same mountain views on short, permit-free walks near the road.
Elk Lake (about 33 miles)
Elk Lake is the byway’s resort lake, with a lodge, a marina and campgrounds. It has more services than any other stop past Mt. Bachelor, which makes it the natural group lunch stop.
Hosmer and Lava Lakes (about 36 to 38 miles)
Hosmer Lake is a quiet paddling and fly-fishing lake. Campfires are prohibited outside designated sites at Hosmer Lake and Mallard Marsh under the 2026 forest order. Farther south, Little Lava Lake is the source of the Deschutes River, and Lava Lake has a lodge, a campground and a boat launch.
The byway then runs south past Cultus Lake, Crane Prairie and Wickiup Reservoir and loops back to US-97, a full day by bus with stops.
Road 2: Skyliners Road and Tumalo Creek
Skyliners Road leaves the west side of Bend and follows Tumalo Creek into the forest. The destination is Tumalo Falls, which drops about 97 feet over a basalt ledge, roughly 14 miles from downtown. The main overlook is a few steps from the parking area, and a trail climbs along the creek to more falls above it.
The final stretch is Forest Service Road 4603, which is closed to cars in winter and usually reopens in late spring. A Northwest Forest Pass or day pass is required. The lot is small and fills by mid-morning in summer, so arrive early or late in the day. Our full guide to visiting Tumalo Falls covers the trails above the main drop in more detail.
Under 2026 rules, campfires are banned in the Tumalo Creek area, and the Bend Municipal Watershed upstream bans camping and all fires, stoves included.
Road 3: US-97 South to Newberry National Volcanic Monument
South of Bend, US-97 runs through the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, about 54,000 acres of lava, cinder cones and caldera managed by the Forest Service.
Lava Lands Visitor Center and Lava Butte
Lava Lands Visitor Center sits beside US-97 at the foot of Lava Butte, a cinder cone with a fire lookout on top. In 2026 the center was open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 15 to September 15, then on shorter hours through October 11. The Trail of the Molten Land crosses the lava beside the building.
In summer you reach the top of Lava Butte by shuttle from the visitor center. The 2026 shuttle ran daily June 13 to September 7, about every 20 minutes at peak times, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parking is $5 per vehicle per day or a valid recreation pass. Commercial vehicles pay a separate daily rate, covered in the bus section below. School and education groups can book tours ahead through the nonprofit Discover Your Northwest.
Lava River Cave
Lava River Cave is a lava tube about a mile long, reached from Exit 151 (Cottonwood Road) off US-97. The self-guided walk is about 2.2 miles round trip and takes about 1.5 hours. It holds about 42°F, the floor is uneven, and the interior is not wheelchair accessible.
The cave runs on timed tickets from Recreation.gov. One ticket covers one vehicle, not each person, and you still need a $5 day pass or recreation pass on top. Tickets release at 7 a.m. Pacific in two batches, about half a week ahead and half a day ahead. Lights rent for $7, and a phone light is not enough.
Timing matters here. The 2026 season ran May 15 to September 15, Friday through Monday only, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with last entry at 2 p.m. The cave is closed now and reopens next spring, per the Forest Service site page. To protect bats from white-nose syndrome, do not wear clothing or gear that has been in another cave.
Paulina Lake Road: Paulina Falls, Paulina Lake and East Lake
About 23.5 miles south of Bend, turn east on County Road 21, the Paulina Lake Road. It climbs about 13 miles into Newberry Caldera, a basin inside a huge volcano that holds two deep lakes. Near the caldera rim, a short trail leads to Paulina Falls, a double waterfall where Paulina Creek drops over a cliff.
Paulina Lake has a lodge and campgrounds, and East Lake is known for trout fishing. Newberry Group Campground on Paulina Lake’s south shore takes up to 35 people at Site A ($97 a night) and up to 50 people at Sites B and C ($128 a night each), with a 2026 season of June 12 to September 27. Inside the caldera, camping is limited to developed campgrounds and resorts.
Big Obsidian Flow and Paulina Peak
The Big Obsidian Flow is the result of Newberry’s most recent eruption, about 1,300 years ago. A one-mile interpretive trail climbs metal stairs onto a field of black volcanic glass. It is day use only, open from about June through late fall, and costs $5 per vehicle or a Northwest Forest Pass. Wear closed shoes.
Paulina Peak (7,984 feet) is the caldera’s high point. The final 4.1 miles on Forest Road 2100-500 are steep, rough and narrow. The Forest Service limits that road to vehicles under 23 feet, which rules out every full-size coach and most minibuses. The peak road is usually snowbound until early July, and it is already closed for 2026.
Road 4: US-20 to Sisters and the Metolius River
US-20 runs northwest about 22 miles to Sisters, a small Western-themed town with good lunch stops. West of town, Forest Road 14 leads north to the Metolius River.
The Head of the Metolius is where the river comes out of the ground fully formed, flowing from springs at the base of Black Butte. A short path reaches the viewpoint. Downstream, tiny Camp Sherman has a store, cabins and riverside campgrounds along the West Metolius River Trail.
This corridor is the best year-round choice, because the main roads stay open in winter. Roads near Camp Sherman are narrow, and the riverside lots are sized for cars. A minibus usually works better here than a 56-seat coach. Mt. Jefferson Wilderness trailheads to the north have had closures from the Lionshead Fire, so check before you plan a hike there.
Road 5: South to Wickiup, Crescent and Odell
The southern Deschutes National Forest is lake country with fewer crowds. Wickiup Reservoir on the upper Deschutes River is about an hour from Bend via Hwy 46 or US-97. Its water level drops a lot by late summer as irrigation draws it down.
Crescent Lake and Odell Lake sit near Willamette Pass off OR-58, roughly 1.5 hours from Bend. Both are big, deep, cold lakes with resorts, marinas, campgrounds and trails toward Diamond Peak Wilderness. Diamond Peak uses free self-issued permits rather than the Central Cascades system. If you want a wider list of lakes to pair with this trip, see our roundup of the best lakes in Oregon.
Deschutes National Forest Permits and Passes for 2026
Three kinds of paperwork apply in the Deschutes National Forest: parking passes, Lava River Cave tickets and wilderness permits. One trip can need all three.
| Pass or permit | Cost (2026) | Where it applies | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Forest day pass (Oregon and Washington) | $5 per vehicle per day | Fee trailheads and day-use sites, including Newberry sites | Recreation.gov digital pass or local vendors |
| Northwest Forest Pass, annual | $30 | Fee sites on national forests in Oregon and Washington | Recreation.gov, ranger offices, vendors |
| Interagency (America the Beautiful) annual pass | Listed at $80 or $250 | Federal fee sites, including Newberry and forest trailheads | Recreation.gov, federal sites |
| Lava River Cave timed ticket | Ticket free; Recreation.gov transaction fee, plus day pass | Lava River Cave parking, one per vehicle | Recreation.gov, 7 a.m. releases |
| Central Cascades day-use permit | $1 per person | 19 limited trailheads, June 15 to October 15 | Recreation.gov only, 10 days and 2 days ahead |
| Central Cascades overnight permit | $6 per group (up to 12) | All overnight trips in Three Sisters, Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson | Recreation.gov; first batch released April 7, 2026 |
| Self-issued wilderness permit | Free | The other 60 wilderness trailheads, plus Diamond Peak | At the trailhead |
How the Central Cascades Wilderness Permits Work
The Central Cascades Wilderness Permit system covers the Three Sisters, Mt. Washington and Mt. Jefferson wildernesses, and the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests manage it together. It runs from June 15 to October 15. All 79 trailheads need a permit for overnight trips, while 19 of them also limit day use. On the Bend side, the limited day-use list includes Green Lakes/Soda Creek, Todd, Broken Top, Devils Lake/Wickiup (South Sister), Sisters Mirror, Tam McArthur Rim and Lava Camp.
Day-use permits cost $1 per person and come out at 7 a.m. Pacific: about 40% ten days before the date and the rest two days before. One reservation can hold up to 12 permits, the named holder must stay with the group, and permits cannot be sold at trailheads or ranger offices. Fines for hiking without one start at $200. For 2026, two Mt. Washington access points, Dry Creek and Hortense, were removed from the system.
Group tip: the wilderness group cap is 12 people. A busload of 40 hikers needs at least four separate parties on different trails or different days, each with its own permit holder. Plan that split before you book the bus.
In winter, sno-parks along Hwy 46 and Paulina Lake Road need an Oregon Sno-Park permit instead.
When the Roads and Sites Open
Snow decides your season more than the calendar does. The high roads get five to ten feet of snow, so the county closes them rather than plow all winter. Deschutes County closed both high roads on November 18, 2025 and had them open again by May 7, 2026. Its stated goal each year is to reopen before Memorial Day.
| Road or site | Usual open period | Winter status | 2026 notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hwy 46, Bend to Mt. Bachelor | Year-round | Plowed for ski traffic | Carry chains in winter |
| Hwy 46 past Mt. Bachelor | Late May to mid-November | Gated at Dutchman Flat | Fully open by May 7, 2026 |
| Paulina Lake Road (CR 21) | Late May to mid-November | Gated at 10-Mile Sno-Park | Fully open by May 7, 2026 |
| Paulina Peak road | About early July to late October | Closed | Already closed for the season |
| Forest Road 370 (Todd Lake to Broken Top) | Mid to late summer | Closed | Opens only when snow and washouts allow |
| Lava River Cave | Mid-May to mid-September | Closed September 15 to April 30 | May 15 to Sept 15, Friday to Monday |
| Lava Lands Visitor Center | Mid-May to early October | Closed (lot open, snow permitting) | Last 2026 day was October 11 |
| Big Obsidian Flow | About June to late fall | Unreachable once CR 21 closes | Day use only |
| Skylight Cave | May 1 to September 14 | Closed September 15 to April 30 | Winter closure under 2026 cave order |
Because it is late October, expect the county to announce the 2026 winter closure of Hwy 46 and Paulina Lake Road within the next few weeks. Check the Deschutes County Road Department closure page or call (541) 388-6581 before any late-season trip.
Wildfire, Smoke and Fire Rules in 2026
Level 1 public use restrictions began on May 18, 2026, about two weeks ahead of the usual mid-June to July start. They banned open fires outside designated campground fire pits, off-road driving and smoking. On July 25, 2026, central Oregon public lands moved to Stage 2, with fire danger rated extreme. Stage 2 banned open fires even in developed campgrounds and wilderness, and banned chainsaw use.
By September 25, 2026, the Forest Service listed no public use restrictions in effect. Two year-round rules still apply. Fireworks and exploding targets are always banned on national forest land, and the 2026 camping and campfire order bans campfires in specific places such as the Cascade Lakes Highway Scenic Views Corridor and Tumalo Creek. Check the public use fire restrictions page before every trip, because levels can change within days.
Smoke is the other variable. In a heavy fire year, late July through September can bring days of poor air. If your group includes kids, older travelers or anyone with asthma, keep a backup indoor day.
Taking a Group to Deschutes National Forest by Charter Bus
The pattern is simple: highways suit full-size coaches, but many destination lots are small, gravel or both.
Which Stops Handle a Full-Size Coach
- Mt. Bachelor: large paved base lots and a plowed road all year. A good half-day turnaround.
- Hwy 46 past Mt. Bachelor: a paved two-lane highway that a motorcoach can drive in season. Lake lots fill early, so plan quick drop-offs.
- Elk Lake: the practical lunch stop past Mt. Bachelor; confirm turnaround space first.
- Lava Lands Visitor Center: right off US-97 and built for visitors, with a shuttle to Lava Butte so your bus never climbs the cone.
- Paulina Lake and Big Obsidian Flow: reachable on paved County Road 21. Newberry Group Campground allows up to 12 vehicles at its larger sites.
- No buses: Paulina Peak (under 23 feet only), Forest Road 370 to Broken Top (high clearance only) and the Tumalo Falls lot at busy times.
Commercial Vehicle Fees and Group Permits
At concessionaire-run Newberry sites, including the Lava Lands Visitor Center, Lava River Cave and Big Obsidian Flow, commercial vehicles pay a daily fee instead of the $5 car rate. In 2026 that was $25 for 15 or fewer passengers, $50 for 25 passengers and $100 for more than 25. Confirm whether one payment covers several sites.
If you hire a guide or outfitter to lead hikes or paddles, that company needs its own Forest Service special use permit, so ask to see it. The 12-person wilderness limit applies however you arrive.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
For a large group sticking to Mt. Bachelor, Lava Lands and Paulina Lake, a 55-passenger charter bus keeps everyone together with room for daypacks and coolers. For the Sparks Lake, Tumalo Falls or Camp Sherman days, a minibus handles small lots and tight turns far better. A Sprinter van is ideal for a wilderness party of 12 or fewer. If you are unsure, our guide on what size charter bus you need walks through head counts and gear.
Paddleboards, ski bags and camping gear fill bays fast, so check charter bus luggage capacity before you finalize the vehicle. Groups flying into Redmond Municipal Airport, about 16 miles north of Bend, can add an airport charter bus transfer to the start and end of the trip.
When you have your dates and stops, request a charter bus quote online and include the roads you plan to drive. That lets the operator confirm the right vehicle size for each day. Our Oregon charter bus service page covers pickups across the state.
Sample Group Day Plans from Bend
- Volcano day (US-97): Lava Lands Visitor Center and the Lava Butte shuttle in the morning, Lava River Cave with a timed ticket at midday (May to September, Friday to Monday), then Paulina Falls and Big Obsidian Flow in the afternoon.
- Lakes day (Hwy 46): Mt. Bachelor chairlift or a short walk, quick stops at Todd and Sparks Lakes, lunch at Elk Lake, and a return through Wickiup and La Pine for a full loop.
- River day (US-20): Lunch in Sisters, the Head of the Metolius walk, and an afternoon on the West Metolius River Trail near Camp Sherman. This one works in any season.
For timing, our tips on how early to arrive for a charter bus trip help with those 7 a.m. trailhead starts. Our breakdown of the cost to rent a charter bus for a day helps you budget a three-road weekend. First-time organizers can start with how to rent a charter bus.
More Central Oregon Trips to Pair With This One
For overnight options across the state, read our guide to camping in Oregon. For quieter places off the main routes, see our hidden gems in Oregon list. Our overview of national parks in Oregon covers the federal sites beyond the forest. Crater Lake National Park is about two hours south of Bend on US-97 and makes a natural next day.
Deschutes National Forest FAQ
Do you need a pass to visit Deschutes National Forest?
You need a pass at fee sites, not to drive through the forest. Many trailheads and day-use areas require a $5 National Forest day pass, a $30 annual Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass. Newberry sites such as Lava Lands and Big Obsidian Flow charge $5 per vehicle or accept those passes.
Do I need a permit to hike Green Lakes or South Sister?
Yes, from June 15 to October 15. Green Lakes/Soda Creek and Devils Lake/Wickiup (South Sister) are limited day-use trailheads in the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit system. Day permits cost $1 per person on Recreation.gov and release at 7 a.m. Pacific, about 40% ten days ahead and the rest two days ahead.
When does the Cascade Lakes Highway close for winter?
Deschutes County usually closes Hwy 46 past Mt. Bachelor in mid-November. The 2025 closure was November 18. The road to Mt. Bachelor stays plowed all winter, and the county aims to reopen the full byway before Memorial Day. In 2026 it was fully open by May 7.
Do you need a reservation for Lava River Cave?
Yes. Lava River Cave uses timed tickets on Recreation.gov, one per vehicle, plus a $5 day pass or recreation pass. The 2026 season ran May 15 to September 15, Friday through Monday. The cave is closed September 15 to April 30 to protect bats.
Can a charter bus drive the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway?
Yes, the byway is a paved two-lane highway that a full-size coach can drive when it is open. Mt. Bachelor and Elk Lake are the best places to park a large bus. Side roads such as Forest Road 370 to Broken Top are not suitable for buses, and small lake lots work better with a minibus.
Are campfires allowed in Deschutes National Forest?
It depends on the date and place. In 2026, restrictions began May 18 and reached Stage 2 on July 25, but none were in effect by September 25. A 2026 forest order also bans campfires year-round in areas such as the Cascade Lakes Highway Scenic Views Corridor and Tumalo Creek.
How far is Newberry Caldera from Bend?
Paulina Lake in Newberry Caldera is about 37 miles from Bend: roughly 23.5 miles south on US-97, then about 13 miles east on Paulina Lake Road (County Road 21). Plan on about 45 minutes to an hour each way.
Ready to map out your roads and your group size? Contact the BusXoXo team or call (308) 304-6668, and we can line up a coach for the highway days and a smaller vehicle for the trailhead days in the Deschutes National Forest.