Lassen Volcanic National Park is one America’s gems waiting to be explored. Are you in search of a breathtaking outdoor adventure? Have you always wanted to explore the natural beauty and wildlife of California up close and personal? Look no further than Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Congress established Lassen Volcanic National Park in 1916 as the fifteenth national park in the United States. Located within the Cascade Mountain Range, in northeastern California on the Sierra Nevada Plateau, this national park offers something for every hiker, camper or nature enthusiast. Covering an area over 300 square miles with vast meadows, jagged mountain peaks sparsely covered by coniferous forests, steaming odorous hot springs sprinkled along snow-crusted lava formations – all barely untouched by commercialization – there is plenty to marvel at and admire here!
We toured the Lassen Volcanic National Park on a beautiful sunny day. Shortly after entering the park through the southwest entrance, we stopped at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center which also houses the Lassen Cafe & Gift Store. We watched a short film about the park and then drove up to our first stop at the Sulphur Works.
The Sulphur Works is an interesting place to see with steam vents bubbling up though the mud. We , we walked along the concrete path at sulfur works to get closer, but the smell of rotten eggs was almost overwhelming.
We arrived at Manzanita Lake near the western entrance to the park, It is a wonderful area for a picnic lunch or a walk around the lake. There were several kayakers on the lake along with hundreds of waterfowl that weren’t shy about coming up the shoreline to our picnic table looking for food. The drive through the park made for a great day trip adventure.
The amazing Lassen Volcanic National Park
Nestled among four idyllic counties, this park houses some of the most jaw-dropping sights in California! The western side features ancient lava pinnacles that reach high into the sky, coupled with steaming sulfur vents and craters. Meanwhile, to the east lies a vast mile-high plateau boasting small cinder cones amidst pine groves dotted by tranquil lakes – truly an otherworldly sight. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking views or just want your spirit to soar amongst nature’s beauty; be sure not miss out on what this amazing park has to offer!
Warner Valley, sitting at the south end of Lassen Plateau, offers stunning hot spring sites like Boiling Springs Lake and Devils Kitchen. This picturesque valley also brims with wildflowers in its sprawling meadows during spring. And keeping a watchful eye over everything is 10,457 food-high Lassen Peak – an ancient plug dome volcano made from dacite rocks!
It’s believed to have been born out of Mt Tehama – once a thousand feet higher than its present peak and 18–24 km wide across its base! Despite having spat forth much magma & ash into our atmosphere through eruptions centuries ago, it still remains as one of Earth’s most impressive non-extinct volcanoes today.
Sulphur Works is a geothermal area in between Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain. It marks an area near the center of Tehama’s now-gone cone. Other geothermal areas in the caldera are Little Hot Springs Valley, Diamond Point (an old lava conduit), and Bumpass Hell.
There are four shield volcanoes in the park. Mount Harkness (southwest corner of the park), Red Mountain (at south-central boundary), Prospect Peak (in northeast corner), and Raker Peak (north of Lassen Peak). All of these volcanoes are 7,000–8,400 feet above sea level and each is topped by a cinder cone volcano.
Getting to Lassen Volcanic National Park
The park is accessible via State Routes 89 and 44. SR 89 passes north–south through the park, beginning at SR 36 to the south and ending at SR 44 to the north. SR 89 passes immediately adjacent to the base of Lassen Peak. There are five vehicle entrances to the park: the north and south entrances on SR 89; and unpaved roads entering at Drakesbad and Juniper Lake in the south, and at Butte Lake in the northeast. The park can also be accessed by trails leading in from the Caribou Wilderness to the east, as well as the Pacific Crest Trail, and two smaller trails leading in from Willow Lake and Little Willow Lake to the south.
The segment of SR 89 through the park is typically closed during the winter due to very heavy snowfall and snowpack.
Visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park
Auto Tour of Lassen Volcanic National Park
The 30-mile Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway connects the northwest and southwest entrances of the park. Plan for an hour drive-time without stops. Travel the highway in either direction and enjoy numerous roadside highlights.
- Sulphur Works – Follow a sidewalk to the park’s most accessible hydrothermal area.
- Brokeoff Volcano Vista – Can you spot the rim of the former Brokeoff Volcano in the remnant peaks that surround you? The parking area also serves as the Bumpass Hell Trailhead and is often full.
- Lassen Peak Parking Area and Viewpoint – Experience the majesty of Lassen Peak from the highest point on the park road at 8,512 feet.
- Kings Creek Meadow Scenic Pull-out – Get your camera ready for this popular stop where Kings Creek meanders through an expansive meadow at the foot of Lassen Peak.
- North Summit Lake Picnic Area and Loop Trail – Enjoy a picnic, walk, or swim along the north and west shores of Summit Lake. Parking is available in pullouts outside the North Summit Lake Campground entrance.
- Hat Creek – Don’t miss this area’s fantastic fall colors. Use the crosswalk to access hidden Hat Creek meadow. Can you tell what animal used to live here?
- Devastated Area – Discover the story of devastation and forest recovery following Lassen Peak’s 1915 eruption on this short, self-guided walk.
- Hot Rock – Snap a photo with this several-ton rock that photographer B.F. Loomis reported was too hot to touch after it was ejected from the crater of Lassen Peak in 1915.
- Sunflower Flat, Nobles Emigrant Trail – Step foot on a spur of the California National Historic Trail.
- Chaos Crags and Jumbles Scenic Pull-out – Imagine a rock slide racing nearly 100 miles an hour down the slopes of this group of dome volcanoes.
Lassen Volcanic National Park Information
Lassen National Park provides a free park newspaper and Lassen Park Visitor Guide that lists area accommodations, and seasonal activities. The newspaper and guide is free and available at park information sites or at the website above. You can buy maps and publications at the various park information sites or from the nonprofit Lassen Association. Park fees are charged at the Park Entrance.
Campgrounds
The park includes eight campgrounds which are all above 5,650 feet elevation. Reservations can be made and are required for group campsites. Camping at the roadside or in picnic areas and parking lots is prohibited except at the Southwest Walk-in Campground. There are some simple rules to remember when camping at Lassen National Park: Bears are present in the park, so be sure to store food properly. Do not feed wild animals. Build fires only in campground fire grates and do not leave any fire unattended.
Hiking
There are over 150 miles of park trails including 17 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. The self-guided trails can introduce you to hiking.
Backcountry Use
Backcountry permits are required for any overnight backcountry stay, but they are free. They are only issued for one trip at a time. There are some backcountry rules that must be followed:
- You must use self-contained stoves; wood fires are prohibited
- Pack out all trash
- Be avalanche-aware in winter
- Always get weather and avalanche information before you enter park backcountry. Use may not be advised because of avalanche conditions.
Fishing and Boating
Fishing in Lassen National Park requires a California fishing license and anglers must know the park regulations and limits. Only non-power watercraft may be used on park lakes. Power Boats of any kind are prohibited. Boat rentals are offered at the Manzanita Lake Camper Store during the summer months.
places to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center
The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, located just beyond the southwest entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park, offers visitors a chance to discover the geology and culture of the area through interactive exhibits. There is a small theater that shows an interesting 20 minute park film, The Story Behind the Landscape, which provides an introduction to the origins of the park, spurred by the 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak. It’s a fascinating film with some amazing footage about the park. There is a large relief map of the park and Visitor Center staff are available to answer questions and provide information.
Lassen Cafe & Gift features a variety of delicious and healthy items including soups, salads, fresh fruits, hot or cold sandwiches, as well as a variety of beverages (including espresso drinks) and soft-serve ice cream.
The gift store features a large collection of books, maps, posters, educational items, and gifts for sale.
