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 Go

• It 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 Interest

Located in southeast Oregon's high desert country, Diamond Craters is really unlike any other place in North America.