About Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area
Diamond Craters, an Outstanding Natural Area of 17,000 acres (23 square miles), has some of the most diverse basaltic volcanic features in the nation clustered within a small, accessible area. The area displays an entire range of eruptions possible in basaltic volcanism. It was formed sometime in the past 25,000 years and now resembles a thin, rocky pancake with a few bumps. Features identifiable at the Outstanding Natural Area include craters and vents, cinder cones, spatter cones, lava tubes, driblet spires, a graben, and a water-filled maar.Know Before You GoIt took thousands of years of volcanic activity to form Diamond Craters, but only a few seconds can damage its features. Help BLM protect this area. Please do not destroy or collect plants, animals or rocks.There are no restroom facilities or other amenities. Bring your own water and shelter and follow Leave No Trace principles: pack it in, pack it out.Keep your vehicle on hard-packed road surfaces and obvious parking areas.Point of InterestLocated in southeast Oregon's high desert country, Diamond Craters is really unlike any other place in North America.
How to Get There
From Burns, take State Highway 78 southeast for approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 46 miles to the Diamond Junction. Turn left at the junction and travel approximately 6 miles to the junction of Lava Bed Road and Happy Valley Road. Turn left onto Lava Bed Road to access Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area
Heading to Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area?
No central reservation system listed for Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1829) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area?
From Burns, take State Highway 78 southeast for approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 46 miles to the Diamond Junction. Turn left at the junction and travel approximately 6 miles to the junction of Lava Bed Road and Happy Valley Road. Turn left onto Lava Bed Road to access Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area.
How do I contact Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Area?
You can reach the park at phone: 541-573-4400 or email: BLM_OR_BU_Mail@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
