Lassen Volcanic National Park

California

Fast Facts

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Tips & Recommendations

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Must-Do Hikes

Bumpass Hell (3.0 miles, 439 feet elev. gain): Move over, Yellowstone! This short, exciting trail showcases a large collection of Lassen Volcanic’s geothermal features, including hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots. Prepare your nose for the smell of sulfur as you take in the colorful landscapes on this trail.
Lassen Peak (4.9 miles, 1,971 feet elev. gain): The climb to the top of Lassen Volcanic National Park’s namesake mountain is a remarkable experience. Lassen Peak towers over the surrounding landscapes, so its summit offers a sweeping and seemingly-endless view of northern California. On a clear day, you can spot Mount Shasta to the north, along with dozens of stunning volcanic features that define the national park. Though a challenging hike, this is probably the easiest climb up a major Cascade volcano.
🥾 Kings Creek Falls (2.8 miles, 485 feet elev. gain):
🥾 Manzanita Lake (1.9 miles, 52 feet elev. gain):
🥾 Cinder Cone (4.7 miles, 1,095 feet elev. gain):

Must-Do Activities

Sulphur Works:
Jump in a Lake:
Drive the Scenic Highway:
Stargazing:
Camping:

Nearby Activities

Burney Falls
Mount Shasta
Castle Crags State Park
Lake Tahoe

General Tips

When to Visit: June through September are the prime months to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park. These are the summer months, when temperatures are warmest, the sky is clear, and most of the wintertime snow has melted off. This is the best time of year for hiking, camping, and swimming.
How Long to Visit: Though you can see the highlights of Lassen Volcanic in 1 jam-packed day, I recommend 2-3 days to fully explore and appreciate the park’s offerings.
How to Get There: Lassen Volcanic is nestled in a remote part of northern California, far away from most major cities. The closest sizable airport is in Reno, NV, about 3 hours away from the park. You’ll absolutely need a car to reach and explore Lassen.
Where to Stay: Despite its isolation and relatively small size, Lassen Volcanic hosts an abundance of developed campgrounds and even camping cabins at Manzanita Lake. Along the park’s highway, camping options include Summit Lake South, Summit Lake North, and Manzanita Lake campgrounds, along with the first-come, first-serve Southwest Campground. In the southern part of the park, Warner Valley offers reservable campsites. In the northeastern corner – near Cinder Cone – Butte Lake hosts yet another campground. If you’re looking for more comfortable lodging, look to the nearby towns of Chester or Old Station.
What to Bring: Bring sturdy hiking boots to navigate Lassen Volcanic’s terrain. If you plan to summit Lassen Peak, bring trekking poles. Water containers, a hiking pack, and plenty of snacks will go a long way in helping you enjoy the trails. Sun protection is a must, too – due to the relatively high altitude of the park, the UV can be unrelenting.

Do’s & Don’ts

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Gallery

Lassen Volcanic National Park features dramatic volcanic landscapes around every corner, peppered with pine forests, lakes, and rivers and sporting an incredibly dark night sky.

Lassen Volcanic Review

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Natural Beauty

Lassen Volcanic is breathtaking. Its vibrant volcanic landscape blended with its gorgeous pine forests & pristine lakes create a diverse color palette that packs a punch far bigger than you might expect for a park of such little recognition. The only drawback to the park’s beauty comes from the scorched forests left behind by the 2021 Dixie Fire, which ravaged large swaths of the park.

Things to Do

The park hosts an impressive variety and quantity of activity for its relatively meager size. Lassen Volcanic hosts a handful of hikes that you’d be remiss to skip, including the climb to the summit of Lassen Peak: one of the major Cascade volcanoes. When you add the activities provided by the park’s collection of lakes and its dark night sky, it’s easy to get lost in the park for 2-3 days.

Accessibility

The remoteness of Lassen is – in my opinion – one of the park’s strengths. But, this makes it inevitably challenging to access, since you’ll have to drive at least 3 hours from the nearest major airport to reach it. Generally, there’s not much in the park to do for those with mobility challenges, but its central scenic drive offers plenty of easy-to-reach viewpoints and interpretive exhibits.

Wildlife

The park hosts an admirable collection of local wildlife. While you’re there, you’ll likely spot deer, ground squirrels, a wide variety of birds, and – if you’re lucky – a black bear. Though most of the wildlife in the park is common throughout surrounding states, it’s a treat to see the critters in such a pristine wilderness.

Escapism

Lassen Volcanic flies under most people’s radar, which means that the park is rarely crowded. Due to its remoteness, lack of cell service, dark night sky, and thin crowds, it’s a park that will make you feel as if you’re far away from anyone – or anything – that can bring you down.

Personal Experience

I loved the 3 days I spent at Lassen Volcanic with my friend Benjamin. Every trail, vista, volcanic feature, and activity that we indulged in made it a memorable visit. It’s an underrated park that punches far above its weight.

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