Ultimate Guide to Lassen Volcanic National Park

Uncover the mesmerizing geothermal wonders, breathtaking lakes, and dramatic volcanic landscapes as you embark on this comprehensive hiking adventure through Lassen Volcanic National Park! Whether you’re gearing up for the adventure or simply daydreaming about your next trip, this in-depth guide has all the information you need. Covering everything from entrance fees and accommodation options to dining suggestions and crucial safety advice, you’ll have all the tools to plan an unforgettable visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park. We’ve even put together a detailed 3-day itinerary to ensure you get the most out of your time in this awe-inspiring park!

Entrance Fee:

$30/vehicle (Apr 15- Nov 30)

$10/vehicle (Dec 1- Apr 15)

*This park does NOT accept cash*

An alternate option, especially if you plan on visiting California’s other National Parks, is an America the Beautiful Pass. It covers the entrance fees for over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including all National Parks. If you have a 4^th grader in your crew, check out Every Kid Outdoors to get a free National Park Pass instead!

Lodging:

The park has seven campgrounds- Butte Lake, Juniper Lake (closed for 2024), Manzanita Lake, Summit Lake, Southwest Campground, and Warner Valley (closed for 2024)- all of which are open seasonally. Opening and closing dates vary based on snowfall. Reservations can be made online at Recreation.gov. The Southwest parking area does allow self-contained vehicles to stay overnight, year-round.

Backcountry camping is allowed within the park. A wilderness permit, which can be purchased at Recreation.gov, is required.

Manzanita Lake Camping Cabins are also open seasonally. Reservations for any of the 20 rustic cabins can be made here: Cabin Reservations.

Drakesbad Guest Ranch is the only hotel-style lodging option within the park, but it is currently closed for repairs due to the 2021 Dixie Fire.

For additional lodging and camping options outside the park, consider the cities of Chester, Shingletown, or Redding.

Dining:

There are two food options inside the park. The first is the Lassen Café, located inside the Kohm Ya-mah-nee Visitor Center near the southwest entrance. The second is the Manzanita Lake Camper Store, situated on the southern shores of Manzanita Lake near the northwest entrance. Both options are open seasonally, usually May through October.

Check out Shingletown (north) or Chester (south) for additional options outside the park. Options are limited in either location. Franks at Highland Ranch, just outside the south entrance, is fast, has outdoor seating, and is kid-friendly.

Must Know Before You Go:

Bears and many other incredible wildlife call this area home. Always carry bear spray with you and know how to use it safely. Please review bear safety here before heading out- Bear Safety.
Many of the trails below are in open burn areas. Stay on marked trails, look for falling branches, and be aware of loose or falling rocks. Falling trees/branches and erosion are significantly worse in the wind and rain. Please review additional burned area safety before heading out- Burned Area Safety.
Bring sun protection. Many of the trails have very little shade due to the large number of burned areas from the 2021 Dixie Fire.
Much of the park is located at over 7,000 ft of elevation. Please hike with plenty of water and salty snacks and watch for signs of altitude sickness.
Many trails wind through hydrothermal areas. Please stay on the marked trail and exercise caution, especially if you have children in your crew leading the way😊.
There is little to no cell service throughout the park.
As always, please follow the Leave No Trace principles.

3 Day Itinerary

Day 1

*Today will feel a little out of order if you enter through the north entrance. However, I felt like specific trails are better at certain times of the day, so that is why it is arranged this way😊

Kings Creek Falls-

Distance: 2.8 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: One-way loop

Trail Route: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 500+ ft

Trail Access: Park on either side of the street at the Kings Creek Falls Trailhead via Lassen Peak Hwy (CA-89).

Kings Creek Falls is one of the more popular trails, with the least amount of parking and very little shade on hot days. For that reason, make this your first stop of the morning. We have seen a bear on this trail every time we have hiked it. Please hike with bear spray and review additional bear safety before heading out. This entire trail is through an open burned area. You will want to bring sun protection and water, and review burned area safety before heading out. Even though this is not a long trail, many people could not complete it the last time we hiked it. Most people had no water with them on a day when temps were in the 90s.

This trail is a one-way loop. When you get to the first trail junction, head left to start the loop. When you get to the second trail junction, head left again. Take that portion of the trail all the way to the observation deck of Kings Creek Falls. You will pass another rather large waterfall on the way to the observation deck, and many people stop there, thinking it is the main waterfall. Keep going. I promise the main falls are MUCH larger and just a little further😊.

After checking out the main falls, head back toward the last trail junction. This time, continue straight. It is the more difficult route back, but I promise the steep climb will be worth it. There will be one waterfall after the next as you make the steep climb back to the trailhead. The meadow right before the trailhead is where bears like to frequent. Make sure to get one last look before heading out!

Terrace, Shadow, Cliff Lakes Trail-

Distance: 3.5 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Trail Route: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 700+ ft

Trail Access: The small pull-off is via Lassen Peak Hwy (CA-89). Coming from the north, if you’ve reached the Lassen Peak Lot, you’ve gone too far. Coming from the south, it is just past the Lassen Peak Lot.

Depending on how much hiking you want today, you can easily shorten this hike by going to one or two of the lakes instead of all three. We were on a high from seeing a bear on our last hike, so we went for all three, and they are definitely worth the trek😊

The parking for this trail is very easy to miss. It is just a quick pull-off on a very winding portion of 89. The trail will start on the north side of the highway. At the first trail junction, veer right to continue to Terrace Lake. Terrace Lake is the smallest of the three. Shortly after Terrace Lake (just another 0.2 mi.) is Shadow Lake- the most impressive and most extensive of the three lakes. If you want to shorten your hike, I recommend making Shadow Lake your turnaround point. If you plan to continue to Cliff Lake, there will be one trail junction between Shadow and Cliff Lake. At the trail junction, veer right to continue the last 0.2 miles to Cliff Lake before turning around and heading back to your car.

The hike is downhill most of the way to all three lakes so the return hike will be a little more challenging.

Summit Lake-

After Terrace, Shadow, and Cliff Lakes, head back north on Lassen Highway to Summit Lake. Summit Lake is beautiful and a perfect place to eat lunch or swim if the weather is nice. You can park near the shoreline, and there are picnic tables right next to the lake.

Devastated Area Interpretive Trail-

Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Loop

Trail Route: Easy

Elevation Gain: <20+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the Devastated Area Lot via Lassen Peak Hwy (CA-89)

The trail is short but provides so much information about the area and the 1914 eruption. It was fascinating to see the lava rocks from that eruption scattered along the trail, and it is a must-stop if you are interested in learning a little about Lassen’s history.

Manzanita Lake Trail-

Distance: 2.0 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Loop

Trail Route: Easy

Elevation Gain: 50+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the lot next to the Loomis Museum via Lassen Peak Hwy (CA-89)

The last stop of the day is Manzanita Lake. It was the first thing you drove past on your way in, but it is just stunning at sunset, which is why I would save it for last. If you need extra time before sunset, walk across the street to Reflection Lake before heading out on the Manzanita Lake Trail. The reflection of the trees on the water is indeed spectacular.

This trail is an easy loop that can be hiked in either direction. To get the most incredible sunset views, you will want to be on the northwest side of the lake at sunset😊

Day 2

Lake Helen-

As you begin your day, make your first stop at the breathtaking Lake Helen, nestled at the foot of Lassen Peak. While the parking lot is decently sized, it’s often blanketed in snow for most of the year, so you will likely need to park on the shoulder. No hiking is required to witness the beauty of this large, glistening lake; it’s located right along Lassen Peak Highway.

Bumpass Hell Trail-

Distance: 3.0 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Trail Route: Easy

Elevation Gain: 400+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the Bumpass Hell Parking Lot via Lassen Peak Hwy (CA-89)

Just past Lake Helen is the parking area for the Bumpass Hell Trail. This trail is one of the coolest areas of the park as you walk through Lassen’s largest hydrothermal area. If you’ve visited Yellowstone before, this area reminded me so much of the Norris Geyser Basin! Please stay on the trail and use caution with little ones running ahead. Also, if you are sensitive to smells, this trail is a smelly one!

*This popular trail is the last to open and the first to close, so it is not accessible for most of the year. We visited in mid-July and still had to do a little trekking through the snow. If the trail is inaccessible during your visit, it is still worth stopping at the trailhead. The overlook is beautiful, especially at sunset.*

Emerald Lake-

Just past the Bumpass Hell Parking lot is a small pull-off for Emerald Lake. This gorgeous green lake has incredible reflections in its incredibly clear waters. There is a brief shoreline to explore before moving on to the next sight along Lassen Peak Highway.

Sulphur Works-

The next roadside stop is just a few minutes past Emerald Lake. Like the Bumpass Hell Trail, this part of the park is a hydrothermal area, and with that comes pungent smells, vibrant rocks, and bubbling mud. Be sure to check out the paved path and overlooks on both sides of Lassen Peak Highway before moving on😊

If the Bumpass Hell Trail is closed during your visit, consider hiking the Ridge Lakes Trail off the Sulphur Works parking lot instead. The Ridge Lakes Trail is 2 miles roundtrip and has a 1000 ft of elevation gain.

Mill Creek Falls Trail-

Distance: 3.5 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Trail Route: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 700+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the Kohm Ya-mah-nee Visitor Center Parking Lot via Lassen Peak Hwy (CA-89)

The final segment of our day’s adventure commences at the parking lot of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. The trail is clearly marked and winds its way through numerous stunning wildflower fields with 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks. Because much of the trail traverses a burned area with minimal shade, I highly recommend hiking this trail in the cooler evening hours. If you choose to hike in the evening, in addition to escaping the heat, you’ll likely only have to share the trail with local wildlife instead of the crowds!

Day 3

Boiling Springs Lake/Devil’s Kitchen Trail-

Distance: 2.5 mi./+4 mi. roundtrip

Trail Route: Out-and-back

Trail Route: Moderate

Elevation Gain: +300/+500 ft

Trail Access: Park in the lot just past the campground via Chester-Warner Valley Road.

The most challenging part of this trail is the drive to the trailhead. The drive is a slow 16 miles, and the last three miles of the road are unpaved. We saw no one in this area other than a few PCT hikers, and we were there most of the day.

You will begin this trail by walking along the creek. When you come to the first trail junction, head left to hike up to Boiling Springs Lake. Shortly after the first trail junction, there will be a second split. Veer left again at that split. Once you are at the lake, it is tempting to turn around, but I promise the view from the other side is even more beautiful, with Lassen Peak in the background. Plus, you can really see and hear the lake bubbling on the other side! For your safety, stay between the rocks marking the trail as you complete the loop around the lake.

If you want to explore this area further, return to the first trail junction. From there, turn left and follow the signs for the Devil’s Kitchen. There will be three trail junctions after your initial left off of the Boiling Springs Trail. Continue straight/veer right at all of them. The trail will end in a small but scenic loop before you must return the same route you came.

Both trails run through an open burned area, so please use caution. The portion of the trail near the creek can also get quite muddy. We were slipping and sliding a little bit in those areas!

Juniper Lake-

Next, head to Juniper Lake, the largest lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Just like the Warner Valley Area, the last 6 miles of the road to Juniper Lake are unpaved, so expect an uneven car ride in.

There are plenty of trails in this area, but we just checked out the beautiful beach area. It had stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.