Visited Wednesday 7/22/20 for a sunrise did the lava self guided flow tour (1.02 miles w/148ft elevation gain). When I arrived at 4:19am there were 6 other cars in the first and second lots. One handicap spot in the first lot. The trails are handicap accessible and great for children at the observatory check information on other trails in the area. The second lot has 3 handicap accessible porta-potties, 2 Vaulted toilets and 2 trash cans (please remember leave no trace, pack it in, pack it out and leave places better than you found them.). Parking enough for 30+ cars. Lots of informational plaques and the guided tour has informative kiosks and was very neat to walk through. Not many people there early in the am. I think I saw less than 15 people come and go in the time that I was there. Road is paved the whole way there (I came in from Sister's area). It can get very hot here and the only shade is in the observatory or your vehicle. Several options for hiking in the area.

Take the time and drive up to this absolutely unique site. It sits atop the McKenzie Pass in the middle of a lava field. Views are spectacular of the surrounding peaks. It took us 90 minutes with a few stops to drive up and about 45 to head back down to McKenzie.

Wanna see a lava tower with views of the surrounding mountains? Want to peruse the summit of McKenzie Pass? Look no further! This is such a unique historical and geological site. Absolutely worth a stop on your way to more great trails. Note: it seems to be regularly raining here, even though it’s summer, so bring a rain jacket! The clouds add to the cool, mysterious feeling at the lookout.

Fantastic Place for a Side Trip, Drive out of a Forest and into a Whole Different Landscape. Has a few Trails, and the Observatory you can walk a trail to the entrance and there are cutouts in the rock that you can view different mountain peaks, then you can walk up to the top and view a brass plate that points out the mountain peaks. Its worth a stop, very interesting, Plus its Dog Friendly

Awesome place to pull off and admire the views at the top of Mckenzie pass. The road is only open in the summer and it's always a treat to stop here. Lots of parking and lots of tourists, but worth the drive to get here.

The place is amazing! looks like you're on another planet with all the lava surrounding you until you look up see the snow cap sisters mountains! A must see if you live in Oregon! Only NO RVs! The Road is very narrow and steep with no shoulders, No passing lanes only occasional turnouts, Very sharp switch backs turns. Road and Observatory closed during the winter months.

Easy trail with paved walking path, just be careful where you step, there are drops with no guard rails in some spots. The observatory itself provides excellent 360° views of the area.

Great views on a sunny day! On top of lava beds and Santiam pass. Drive up is beautiful through the forest, trees, and fresh air!

Good observatory with an awesome view of the mountains and surrounding areas! Feels like a different planet

I bet it’s better when the sky isn’t so hazy but it was best to check out, and read the history. I didn’t walk around the whole thing, but enjoyed what I did. Easy stairs to the top. Check for road closures, 242 was closed just past there. Very windy road, several deer crossing in front of me.

honestly doesn’t add too much time to overall travel time between the valley and central oregon. always worth a stop when the hwy is open in the warm seasons. a wonderful place to bring visitors from out of state.

Some pretty amazing views. If your thinking about visiting don't wait do it now! If you wait it may never happen. LIVE IN THE MOMENT

Beautiful drive, great little walking path. If you have trouble walking, be sure to park by the toilet (west side) as the south/east parking has very uneven steps up to the lookout. Walking path past the lookout to the east is great with no steps.

Are you sure this isn't the ruins of the tower of Barad-Dur, after Sauron's defeat? Because this place feels more like Mordor than Oregon, with its vast volcanic wastes stretching out to the horizon like the plains of Gorgoroth: it's the sort of place one comes to destroy a Ring of Power. But I digress: the Dee Wright Observatory is a obsidian obelisk of striking proportion and presence, less than a half hour's drive west out of Sisters along the McKenzie Pass Scenic Byway, the first of many picture-worthy stops along an incredible stretch of road through the Cascade Mountains. Boasting panoramic views of the peaks of all three Sisters, two presidents (Washington and Jefferson) and, on a clear day, Mount Hood far in the distance, all beyond the seemingly endless ebony hellscape of porous black rock that surrounds you for miles in every direction. Don't attempt to play the "Floor is Lava" game here; you lose immediately. If you find yourself in the area, it's absolutely worth checking out; I can't imagine anyone driving by being able to ignore such a captivating landmark without pausing to explore, even for a few minutes. No amount of words will describe this place. Like the Matrix, is has to be seen for itself. I've never encountered anything like it, anywhere. Informational panels are posted throughout, discussing the history and geology of the region. No admission or day use fees; limited parking; restrooms available nearby.

"Breathtaking" is a great adjective for this stop; with beautiful 360 degree views from the top of the observatory. There is a wonderful .5 mile trail with easy to understand reader boards of how the lava flows shaped this area. If you are a lover of geology or just someone who appreciates the power of Earth, this is a must stop!

Well worth the drive from Sisters, just 15 miles west on US-242. I spent a couple of days exploring Newberry Nat'l Volcanic Monument and this place resembles the lava field near the Lava Lands Visitor Center off US-97 but is unique in its own right. Being surrounded by all the mountains and buttes gives it a special feel. Exploring the observatory is mandatory. Inside, there are windows and portholes aimed at particular mountains and on top is a brass disc with arrows and distance to the various mountains and buttes. The paved trail has great informational signs about the area and formations, much like the Trail of the Molten Land. There are 27 parking spaces, including 3 that are handicap accessible, between two parking lots. There is also two vault toilets. As a bonus the McKenzie Hwy (US-242) is a beautiful scenic road and connects to US-126 about a mile-and-a-half west of Belknap Springs.

Just into the Willamette national forest, there's an old (CCC?) stone observatory. It's an easy ascent, but not ADA accessible. There's one room with little windows that allow you to see different mountains through each one. The top level gives you a panoramic view of the old lava beds (think the surface of Mars) and the different mountains around you. Fun, informative little trails around the lava beds. Keep your eyes peeled for the old wagon train trail, it's mind-blowing to think about.

Very cool!!! Miles of lava fields. The observatory was built right in it, and of the lava rock! You can go up to the roof where you're surrounded with the different mountains! Including the only oregon mountain that retains snow year round. (For now anyway). Inside the small observatory are windows, big and small... The small ones specifically show you individual mountains and their names. It's desolate. We were by ourselves for a little while but by the time we left, about 5 other cars had come up. There are vault bathrooms and enough parking. It's really incredible to just take in the sights. Take note of the way the lava flowed around 2 patches of land. Crazy cool!

Amazing stone lookout with great views of all the mountain peaks in the area.

Definitely a “must see” if you’re in the area. Remarkable site with fantastic views.

We drove McKenzie Bypass on a drizzly, windy, cold day. Not the time to go and enjoy the trails with historical markers and the vast lava flows from the observatory. The area was still amazing. Who would of thought to see this in the middle of Oregon. More like Hawaiian lava flows . We will definitely be back on a nicer day.

Very cool observatory. The drive was beautiful and we found plenty of other places to visit along the way. Worth the drive! You’ll be driving through old lava flows - it kinda feels like another planet.

AMAZING!! Gorgeous drive... Fabulous informational placards... Loved the observatory wherein they identify all the mountains in the area. And a well maintained trail.

Absolutely stunning views everywhere you turn. The observatory is fun to explore & walking the lava trail below it & being able to put you hands on the geologic history of this place is truly an amazing experience.

The views are incredible. Some amazing history. The lava is just crazy cool. The road to get there is also amazing.

Stunning views in all directions. Bring extra water and sun screen if you plan to hangout. You can catch up with PCT thru hikers and share some trail magic as well.

Very cool! Didn't even mean to find this place. Was in line I'm sister's with traffic and saw scenic route. Did not disappoint!

Wonderful of mountains. My first time serving sisters from this angle so accustomed to seeing them from the other side. I loved the margins naming each of the mountains. The immense lava field adjacent to the observatory was great to see. Reminded me of lavaland but bigger.

Amazing beautiful scenic drive right by sisters. Check the weather first it changes quickly but downright the most amazing views I've ever seen. 8 mile hike available. Bring water and good shoes.

Just a great place to discover. An amazing Lava field. Inside is a wonder of sights. Don't miss this if you are near Sisters. Well worth the drive. The pictures tell a lot.

Definitely a place to take the whole family. The drive up there in itself was really fun and once getting up there the sites can definitely take your breath way. Very beautiful and peaceful. My kids also enjoyed that they could feed the little chipmunks that practically come and take food out your hands. Tip for anyone that wants to visit this beautiful place make sure you bring a jacket because it is chilly on top the mountains.