15 Top Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
A true land of ice and fire, Lassen Volcanic National Park is shaped by ages of snowfall and -melt, glacier carvings and volcanic eruptions. Although the giant glaciers are long gone, this is still a place with long and extremely snowy winters. And while snow covers the landscape above, a fire continues to vigorously burn far below.
One of America’s most underrated national parks, Lassen Volcanic is one of only a few places on Earth where all four types of volcanoes are present: plug dome, cinder cone, composite and shield. What’s even more amazing is that you can hike to the top of all four types! A feature that’s essentially unique in the world.
What to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park: Must-See Attractions for Your First Visit
Lassen Volcanic National Park also encompasses pristine lakes such as Manzanita, Summit and Helen, as well as numerous hydrothermal areas. Bumpass Hell is the most well-known of the latter, but you definitely shouldn’t miss Sulphur Works either.
Add a scenic park road, some spectacular waterfalls, a breathtaking night sky and lots of wildlife to that mix, and you’ve got a park that’s worth spending a week in—which is exactly what we did.
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15 Best Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Below, you’ll find the best activities and attractions in Lassen Volcanic National Park, including our favorite hikes and picnic spots. We also share some wildlife safety tips for hiking an recreating in the park. A handy FAQ section provides some practical information about visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Note: The following best things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park are all along the scenic Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway. Lined with highlights, this is the park’s most popular and accessible area.
We had planned to explore the Butte Lake area as well (especially Cinder Cone and Prospect Peak), but had to cancel those plans due to the 2020 Northern California wildfires. You will notice wildfire smoke in some of the Lassen Volcanic photos below. No doubt we’ll be back at some point in the future, though, so I will definitely expand this blog post later on with even more fun things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
What to Do Along the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway (West & Central)
The 30-mile Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway meanders through the park’s western and central parts. Running between Manzanita Lake in the northwest and the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center in the southwest, this scenic national park road passes by many of the top Lassen Volcanic attractions.
Such famous places as Bumpass Hell, Kings Creek and, especially, Lassen Peak are all on this highway, which is the only paved road in the national park. As Lassen Volcanic’s most accessible part, this is where most visitors spend their time. Two developed campgrounds offer strategic places to stay, too.
The following things to do along the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway are listed from north to south.
1. Watch the Lassen Volcanic National Park Film at the Loomis Museum
The historic Loomis Museum is right next to beautiful Manzanita Lake. Wheelchair accessible, this museum has several exhibits, including photos of Lassen Peak’s most recent eruption taken by Benjamin Franklin Loomis, and shows the classic introductory park film. I always recommend starting your park visit by watching this informative film.
Note: As long as COVID-19 prevents the museum from allowing visitors, the 20-minute Lassen Volcanic National Park film is temporarily available online. You can watch it here.
Additionally, there’s also a Lassen Association store in the building. All profits go directly toward management of the park, so consider buying a souvenir, t-shirt or book.
2. Walk Around Manzanita Lake
From the Loomis Museum, you can access the Manzanita Lake Trail, which loops all the way around this stunning lake. On clear days, you can enjoy spectacular views of Lassen Peak and Chaos Crags. This easy 1.5-mile trail is ideal for families and visitors who aren’t able to do more strenuous hikes.
As it meanders along the Manzanita Lake shore, you can see lots of birds along the trail, such as ducks, geese and woodpeckers. Mammals that are sometimes spotted include deer, muskrats, beavers and river otters.
3. Witness the Aftermath of Lassen’s Eruption at the Devastated Area
The wheelchair-accessible Devastated Area Interpretive Trail showcases the effects of Lassen Peak’s 1915 eruption. As you walk along this 0.5-mile paved loop trail, you can see both the devastation and the recovery of the forest. Thousands of gray and pink lava rocks are scattered throughout the area.
Several interpretive panels talk about what happened here more than 100 years ago and offer information about the different types of rocks. It’s a nice little spot to learn more about the destructive power of the park’s centerpiece volcano.
4. Set up Camp at One of the Summit Lake Campgrounds
About halfway down the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway, Summit Lake is a gorgeous lake that offers a lot of typical Lassen Volcanic activities, from hiking and boating to stargazing.
There are two campgrounds on either side of the lake: the Summit Lake North and Summit Lake South Campgrounds.
Both campgrounds are pretty similar, with the main difference that the North Campground has flush toilets, while the South Campground has vault toilets. Drinking water is available in summer. Campsites have bear lockers, a picnic table and a fire pit.
Both campgrounds offer easy access to the lake; swimming and kayaking are allowed.
We camped on the C loop at the Summit Lake South Campground, which is that campground’s nearest loop to the lake. I recommend getting site C8, C9, C10 or C11 if you want to be closest to the lakeshore.
(If you’d like to take a daytime snooze by the lake, you can also hang a hammock between trees all along the shore.)
5. Go for a Sunrise Stroll Around Summit Lake
When camping at one of the Summit Lake Campgrounds, a sunrise walk around Summit Lake is a must-do activity. Get up at dawn and enjoy the perfect reflection of both Reading Peak and Lassen Peak in the lake’s crystal-clear water.
The easy and flat Summit Lake Loop Trail is about a mile long and starts at either campground. It’s the best way to start your day in Lassen Volcanic National Park!
Additionally, Summit Lake is also the starting point for several hikes east into the Lassen Volcanic Wilderness. Day hikes and backpacking trips to Echo Lake, Twin Lakes and/or Cluster Lakes are quite popular.
6. Take Your Kayak Out on Summit Lake
Along with Manzanita Lake, Summit Lake is the only lake along the highway where boating is allowed. It may be a small lake, but it’s a great spot for a couple of hours of casual paddling.
Ever since we got our inflatable Intex Explorer K2 kayak, we’ve become avid kayakers. It’s one of our best outdoor recreation purchases ever.
7. Hike through Spectacular Scenery at Kings Creek Falls
Without question one of the best hikes and top attractions in Lassen Volcanic National Park, Kings Creek Falls is a beautiful 30-foot waterfall in a spectacular canyon. This circuit hike is 3 miles long, starting from a parking lot on the Lassen Volcanic Highway.
The first half mile takes you along scenic Lower Kings Creek Meadows, after which the trail descends gradually toward Kings Creek Falls. There are a couple of viewing platforms at the top, but it’s also possible to scramble down to the base of the waterfall for up-close views.
As amazing as the waterfall itself is, we were blown away by the route back up. On this Cascades Foot Trail section, you ascend through a stunning canyon on a gravel path and stone staircases.
Kings Creek tumbles and cascades down the canyon, while huge rock walls rise on both sides. Depending on the time of year, this area may feature colorful wildflowers. Typical wildlife you can encounter includes mule deer and Clark’s nutcrackers.
8. Snap a Photo at Gorgeous Kings Creek Meadows
Just down the highway from the Kings Creek Falls trailhead, the Kings Creek Meadow Scenic Pullout offers a wide-open view of an expansive meadow. Kings Creek meanders its way peacefully through the meadow, while Lassen Peak towers majestically in the background.
This is a super-easy place to visit on the Lassen Volcanic Highway, but it’s so surprisingly scenic that it literally made my jaw drop when I first saw it. Cliché, I know, but it’s actually true. This is an incredibly picturesque spot.
9. Hike to Bumpass Hell via Cold Boiling Lake
The park’s largest and best-known hydrothermal area, Bumpass Hell is one of the top places to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park. A colorful area of bubbling mudpots and boiling pools, hissing steam vents and fumaroles, it’s an amazing sight.
You can get to Bumpass Hell on the 3-mile Bumpass Hell Trail, which starts at the large and well-marked Bumpass Hell parking lot. However, I would recommend hiking to Bumpass Hell via Cold Boiling Lake.
While this hike is a bit longer (5.2 miles roundtrip) and more strenuous, it does bring you to another hydrothermal area. Cold Boiling Lake, as its name suggests, is a cool and bubbling mountain lake.
The trailhead is at the Kings Creek Picnic Area. It’s only 0.8 easy miles from the trailhead to Cold Boiling Lake, and another 1.8 steeper miles up to Bumpass Hell.
Once at Bumpass Hell, a beautiful overlook offers a great view of the rising steam and colorful rock formations. A boardwalk takes you across this stunning area. Retrace your steps to the Kings Creek Parking Area.
10. Climb Lassen Peak, the Park’s Centerpiece Volcano
Just after crossing the highest point on the Lassen Volcanic Highway (8,512 feet), you’ll find yourself at the base of the national park’s namesake volcano.
A plug dome volcano, Lassen Peak is an active volcano that erupted as recently as 1915. The surrounding landscape is rocky and barren, with some pockets of trees and shrubs trying to make a living in this rugged high-elevation location.
Lassen Peak is the southernmost of the numerous Cascades volcanoes—other famous ones are nearby Mount Shasta, Oregon’s Mt. Hood and Washington’s Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. It’s basically the only volcano that can relatively easily be summitted by most visitors.
Between the 8,500-foot-high trailhead and the 10,457-foot-high summit lie 2.5 miles of steep trail and switchbacks. On the way up, you can enjoy increasingly amazing views of the wild mountains below.
The best view, however, awaits at the summit. There, a 360-degree panorama takes in the entire park and beyond, including other Lassen Volcanic attractions like the Devastated Area, Lake Helen and Brokeoff Mountain.
If it’s not too windy, you might notice a rotten-egg smell at the top, indicating that Lassen Peak is still very much an active volcano (although dormant). Wind is something you should prepare for, though. The Lassen Peak Trail is exposed the entire way. Make sure to (re)apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses and bring a warm jacket.
The Lassen Peak hike is arguably the most iconic hike you can do in Lassen Volcanic National Park. It’s definitely one of the park’s most popular hikes. Count on about 4 hours to complete this 5-mile return trip to the highest peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
11. Picnic at Lake Helen
After climbing Lassen Peak, chances are your legs are a bit fatigued. Luckily, there’s a fantastic picnic spot a minute down the road. Lake Helen is a beautiful circular lake just below mighty Lassen Peak.
There’s a picnic area just off the highway, while on hot summer days, a refreshing dip in the lake’s cool water is an absolute delight. It’s the perfect spot to take a break while driving the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway. Relax after your morning hike, refuel for your late-afternoon hike!
12. See Steam Vents and Boiling Mudpots at Sulphur Works
Lassen Volcanic’s most easily accessible hydrothermal area, Sulphur Works is in the southwestern corner of the park, about a mile north of the Southwest Entrance. From the roadside parking lot, a wheelchair-accessible sidewalk runs to this wonderful area of steam vents and boiling mudpots.
13. Trek to the Top of Brokeoff Mountain
One of our favorite strenuous day hikes in America’s national parks, the hike to the summit of Brokeoff Mountain is long, challenging, varied and spectacular. If you’re looking for a day hike that offers solitude, a sense of adventure and remoteness, and wild mountain scenery, this is the best hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
The trailhead is a quarter-mile south of the Southwest Entrance, across the road from a small roadside parking lot. Note that, although it’s outside of the park’s entrance, you’re still technically within the park’s boundaries and still have to pay the entry fee (or display your America the Beautiful Pass).
It’s a 3.7-mile trek to the top of Brokeoff Mountain, with an elevation change of 2,600 feet. The total roundtrip distance is 7.4 miles. On the way, you’ll hike through wonderful woodland scenery, across gorgeous meadows, underneath steep slopes and, finally, on an exposed section above the timberline.
The top of Brokeoff Mountain, part of a composite volcano, offers sensational views of Lassen Peak and the rest of the national park to the northeast.
Various birds and deer are common sights on the trail, while black bears are occasionally seen as well. So, be aware, know what to do when you see a black bear and carry bear spray.
If you’re up for a long and challenging yet super-rewarding day hike, I couldn’t recommend the Brokeoff Mountain Trail more.
14. Sip a Well-Earned Local Craft Beer at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center
After your trek to Brokeoff Mountain, head over to the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center for a well-earned beer at the Lassen Café and Gift Shop. Grab a freshly tapped local craft beer and rest your wary legs on the outside patio.
Explore the visitor center for more information about this amazing park—WiFi is usually available here, too, even though it can be slow.
15. Enjoy Lassen’s Breathtaking Night Sky
Along with Lassen’s obvious and very visible attractions like hydrothermal areas, volcanoes and lakes, there’s also a more overlooked part to the park.
This remote park is far removed from any light pollution, which, combined with its high elevation, makes it one of the best parks for stargazing in America. It’s a sanctuary of natural darkness, a place where campers can experience the glory of the Milky Way first-hand.
There is no “best” place to enjoy the night sky in Lassen Volcanic—anywhere you can see the sky is good. However, since most campgrounds are in a forested area, you may have to leave your campsite for the grandest views.
The widest night sky views are found at the park’s largest lakes, roadside pullouts or trailhead parking lots. Suggested places to see the Milky Way at Lassen Volcanic are the following:
- Lakes: Manzanita Lake, Summit Lake and Lake Helen
- Pullouts: Chaos Jumbles and Kings Creek Meadows
- Trailheads: Devastated Area, Lassen Peak and Bumpass Hell.
Things to Do Elsewhere in Lassen Volcanic National Park
What to Do at Butte Lake (Northeast)
- Explore the magnificent Cinder Cone volcano
- Hike to the top of Prospect Peak
- See the Painted Dunes and the Fantastic Lava Beds
- Kayak on Butte Lake
What to Do in Warner Valley (South)
- Stay at the historic Drakesbad Guest Ranch
- Hike to geothermal areas like Terminal Geyser, Boiling Springs and Devils Kitchen
What to Do at Juniper Lake (Southeast)
- Kayak and swim in Juniper Lake, Lassen Volcanic’s largest lake
- Trek to the active fire lookout at the summit of Mount Harkness
Wildlife Safety in Lassen Volcanic
Lassen Volcanic National Park is remote wilderness park in Northern California, a haven for wildlife. Its diverse habitats offer a home to a wide variety of animals, from mule deer, American pikas and woodpeckers to garter snakes, Sierra Nevada red foxes and black bears.
Hiking and recreating in Lassen Volcanic is generally pretty safe, although you should be aware of the presence of potentially dangerous animals.
Black bears are the most common large predator in the park and are seen occasionally along trails and in wilderness areas. Mountain lions are present, too, but are rarely seen. Check out the following black bear and mountain lion safety guides for more information.
Lassen Volcanic National Park Map
Visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park FAQs
Where Is Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Lassen Volcanic National Park is in northeastern California, set at the crossroads of three major biological provinces. The Cascade Range (north), the Sierra Nevada Mountains (south) and the Great Basin Desert (east) all meet at this diverse national park.
The nearest city to Lassen Volcanic National Park is Redding, which is about an hour to the west. Other major cities in the region are Sacramento and Reno, Nevada.
- Redding to Lassen Volcanic: 1 hour / 50 miles
- Reno to Lassen Volcanic: 2 hours 45 minutes / 150 miles
- Sacramento to Lassen Volcanic: 3 hours / 180 miles
- San Francisco to Lassen Volcanic: 4 hours / 240 miles
Is There Cell Phone Service in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Cell phone service in the national park is extremely limited. Both Verizon and AT&T have limited or no coverage here. The best spots to get service are the park’s higher elevations.
We had pretty good service at the summits of Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain. Additionally, we got one or two bars on the highway between the Loomis Museum and Chaos Crags, at the Lassen Peak parking lot and near Lake Helen.
Can I Take a Shower in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Yes! You can wash off the trail dust at Manzanita Lake Camper Store, which has public coin-operated showers and laundry facilities. This is the only place in the park that has showers. When we visited, it was $1.75 (in quarters) for 3 minutes.
Additionally, this is also the only the place in the park where you can buy camping supplies and groceries (limited offerings, though) and get gas.
Where Are the Hydrothermal Areas in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
There are eight different hydrothermal areas in the park, six of which are accessible. I talked about three of them—the most accessible ones—above.
- Accessible from the Lassen Volcanic Highway: Cold Boiling Lake, Bumpass Hell and Sulphur Works
- Accessible from Warner Valley: Devils Kitchen, Boiling Springs Lake and Terminal Geyser
- Inaccessible (but sometimes visible from the Lassen Volcanic Highway): Little Hot Springs Valley and below Pilot Pinnacle
Is the Park Open in Winter?
Yes, you can visit Lassen Volcanic National Park year-round. However, due to heavy snowfall, the park highway is closed in winter.
The only places that are accessible by vehicle in winter are the Manzanita Lake Area and the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. From these areas, over-the-snow activities in Lassen Volcanic are basically endless. This is, after all, one of the best national parks for winter fun. Snowshoe and cross-country skiing trails are open to visitors in both areas.
What Are the Towns Near Lassen National Park?
This is a very remote park, which explains why it’s so much less popular than other national parks in the West. A number of small towns and settlements are scattered around the park, but they’re at least a half hour’s drive from any park entrance.
Towns that have services like gas and food are Shingletown (west), Old Station (north), Susanville (west) and Chester (southeast).
Are Pets Allowed in the Park?
Yes, pets are welcome in Lassen Volcanic National Park at designated campsites and anywhere you can go by car. They must be on a leash at all times. Pets aren’t allowed inside buildings or on any trails.
If you’d like to go hiking on trails with your pet, you can do that in the surrounding Lassen National Forest.
What Is There to See Elsewhere in the Region?
Lassen Volcanic is part of the Circle of Discovery, a driving route to seven National Park Service sites in southern Oregon and northern California. This amazing road trip also includes major Pacific Northwest national parks like Redwood National Park and Crater Lake National Park.
Another amazing drive is the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. Connecting Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic National Parks, this 500-mile route takes motorists to the remarkable geological and volcanic formations in the southern Cascade Range.
