Lava Run Off-Road Adventure: Polaris RZR Tour Through Central Oregon High Desert
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
No special fitness required to ride, but participants should be able to climb in/out of a side-by-side and tolerate bumps for two hours.
Overview
Kick up dust on a Polaris XP 1000 and race across Central Oregon’s lava fields and juniper ridges. The Lava Run is a two-hour, guide-led RZR tour that pairs raw speed with close-up lessons in volcanic geology and high-desert wildlife.
Lava Run Off-Road Adventure: Polaris RZR Tour Through Central Oregon High Desert
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The engine kicks, gravel spits up, and the scrubby juniper trees lean away as the Polaris XP 1000 RZR finds the line through the high desert. You feel the machine more than see it at first—the frame humming through your bones—then the landscape opens: black, fractured lava fields give way to sage flats and low ridgelines that frame a wide Oregon sky. This is the Lava Run, two hours of forward momentum and wide, wind-stung views where the land seems to have been sculpted by fire and patience.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Wear eye protection
Bring goggles or close-fitting sunglasses to protect against dust and wind; wind and kicked-up dirt are constant on open RZRs.
Check the meeting directions ahead of time
The trailhead is off HWY 97 onto McKay Butte Road (NF-9735); cell service is limited, so download the directions or screenshot them before you leave.
Layer for temperature swings
High desert days warm quickly but drop cold in the shade and late afternoon—bring a light insulated layer and a windbreaker.
Secure loose items
Strap down cameras and small gear; dust and bumps will throw unsecured items out of place or overboard.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Mule deer
- Coyote
History
The high desert here is shaped by volcanic activity from Newberry Volcano and older basalt flows; Indigenous Northern Paiute people used these lands seasonally before Euro-American ranching and logging moved in.
Conservation
Stay on designated routes to protect fragile cryptobiotic soils and desert plants; operators follow Forest Service rules to minimize erosion and cultural-site disturbance.
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Adventure Hotspots in Bend
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Wraparound goggles or sunglasses
Protects eyes from dust and driven grit during the ride.
summer specific
Closed-toe hiking shoes
Sturdy footwear helps when entering/exiting the RZR and walking short stretches on rough lava rock.
Hydration pack or 1L water bottle
High-desert sun and wind dehydrate quickly; bring water for the two-hour tour.
summer specific
Light wind shell or fleece
Wind and shifting shade can make temperatures drop; a thin insulating layer is handy.
spring specific