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Fort Rock State Natural Area, Near Bend, OR

Photo: MARELBU, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

Fort Rock State Natural Area

A huge ring of cliff-like volcanic rock rising from Oregon's high desert, designated a National Natural Landmark.

Near Bend, OR

About Fort Rock State Natural Area

Fort Rock State Natural Area protects a large, nearly circular tuff ring that stands up sharply from the flat high desert of central Oregon. Its tall, jagged walls give the formation its name, and a walk around its base shows how much larger it is than it first appears. The ring formed in what was once a shallow sea, and visitors can picture early people who traveled by canoe to what was then an island. Sandals found in a nearby cave are reported to be among the oldest ever discovered. Cave tours run only as guided trips. The area also allows evening stargazing in a designated day-use zone when visitors display a permit, and drones are banned year round to protect nesting eagles and falcons.

  • #national natural landmark
  • #tuff ring
  • #high desert
  • #hiking
  • #stargazing

What's around here?

The closest stops to Fort Rock State Natural Area, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums

    Fort Rock Valley Historical Homestead Museum

    Under $25

    An open-air village of relocated homestead-era buildings in central Oregon, run by a local historical society.

    1.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Newberry National Volcanic Monument

    Under $25

    Explore lava flows, a cinder cone, a lava tube cave and two caldera lakes on a volcano south of Bend.

    40 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    High Desert Museum

    Under $25

    An indoor-outdoor museum near Bend featuring High Desert wildlife, Native American culture and pioneer history exhibits.

    43 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Puzzle Effect Bend

    $25–$50

    An escape room venue in Bend offering themed puzzle rooms like a haunted ship, an underground city and a rescue mystery.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    47 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Drake Park and Mirror Pond

    Check prices

    Long-standing downtown riverside park in Bend with open lawn, river access, and an outdoor stage.

    49 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Mt. Bachelor

    $50+

    Ski and snowboard a Cascade volcano in winter, then ride lifts for mountain biking, scenic views and a zip line in summer.

    53 mi awayMore like this

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