5 miles of hiking • 750' elevation gain •
I've always avoided this place because of all the RVs and tourists at the visitor center. It's closed for the winter, but you can park here and walk around the interpretive trail and hike up to the butte. I had it all to myself today, really enjoyed the walk over the lava bed and the visit to the breach where the lava blew out the side of the volcano. WOW it is a stunning spot with a cool red cindered crater that you can walk around, and really nice LO tower that is staffed in the summer, I never knew! I definitely recommend stopping here in the off-season.
