Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in northeastern California, in the southern Cascade Range. Spanning over 100,000 acres, it is renowned for its diverse volcanic landscapes, geothermal features, and stunning mountain scenery.

The park holds historical significance as it is named after Peter Lassen, a Danish blacksmith and adventurer who played a key role in the exploration and settlement of California during the mid-19th century. Lassen was one of the first non-native individuals to explore the area, and he discovered Lassen Peak, the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range.

This national park boasts numerous attractions and activities for visitors. Lassen Peak, which reaches an elevation of 10,457 feet, offers hiking opportunities, granting panoramic views of the surrounding landscape from its summit. The park's main road, called the Lassen Volcanic Highway, provides access to various attractions, such as the Devastated Area, formed by the Lassen Peak eruption in 1915, and the Bumpass Hell, a hydrothermal area showcasing mud pots, hot springs, and boiling pools.

Additionally, visitors can explore the park's pristine wilderness by embarking on hiking trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail, which traverses the park. The park offers camping opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, with several campgrounds available.

Nearby attractions include the Hat Creek Radio Observatory, a world-class research facility, and the Subway Cave, a unique lava tube formed by ancient volcanic activity. Visitors can also explore the town of Redding, located about an hour's drive away, which features various dining, shopping, and recreational options.

Lassen Volcanic National Park stands as a testament to the raw beauty and geological wonders of California's volcanic past, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in its fascinating history and breathtaking natural landscapes.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is nestled in the northeastern corner of California, showcasing the stunning volcanic landscapes of the Cascade Range. Situated within Shasta, Lassen, Tehama, and Plumas counties, the park is a true geological and geographical marvel. Encompassing an area of nearly 166 square miles, it boasts a diverse range of terrains, including soaring volcanic peaks, bubbling mud pots, and crystal-clear alpine lakes. This picturesque park is renowned for its unique location, where the mighty Sierra Nevada, the Great Basin, and the Cascade Range converge, creating a captivating blend of ecosystems and breathtaking natural beauty.

Address & Contact

38050 Highway 36 East
Park Headquarters
Mineral, CA 96063
Driving Directions
Phone: 530 595 6100
Web: Link

Weather & Seasonality

The best time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park would be during the months of April, May, and June. During this time, the average maximum temperatures range from 58 to 78°F, providing pleasant weather for outdoor activities. Additionally, the average monthly precipitation is relatively low, ranging from 0.7 to 2.5 inches, ensuring less rainfall. These months also see a gradual increase in visitor numbers, avoiding the large crowds of July and August. So, for enjoyable weather and moderate visitor numbers, April, May, and June are the ideal months to explore Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Activities

Some of the activities you can do in Lassen Volcanic National Park are: Astronomy Stargazing Food Picnicking Guided Tours Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs Biking Road Biking Camping Backcountry Camping Car or Front Country Camping Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use) Hiking Front-Country Hiking Boating Fishing Backcountry Hiking Paddling Canoeing Kayaking Skiing Cross-Country Skiing Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Horse Trekking Horseback Riding Living History Snow Play Snowshoeing Swimming Self-Guided Tours - Auto Group Camping RV Camping Freshwater Fishing Fly Fishing Dining Stand Up Paddleboarding Freshwater Swimming Compass and GPS Geocaching

Topics

Learn about these topics at Lassen Volcanic National Park: Animals Birds Geology Groundwater Freshwater Springs Night Sky Arts Native American Heritage Westward Expansion Cats (wild) Fish Fire Rock Landscapes and Features Trails Unique Species Wilderness Explorers and Expeditions Watersheds Science, Technology and Innovation Women's History Climate Change Forests and Woodlands Grasslands Meadows Lakes Mountains Natural Sounds Astronomy Scenic Views Waterfalls Wars and Conflicts Coniferous Forests Geothermal Hot Springs Rare Volcanoes Colonial/European Contact Conflicts

Visitor Centers

Loomis Museum

The historic museum is located one mile from the northwest entrance of the park near Manzanita Lake. From the museum you can pick up the trail around Manzanita Lake or cross the highway to access the self-guided, interpretive Lily Pond Nature Trail. Lassen Association store is across the plaza from the Museum.

Passport Stamp locations

The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Loomis Museum.

Campsites within or near Lassen Volcanic National Park

Butte Lake Campground

Butte Lake Campground is located in the NE corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The campground is a 45-minute drive from the Northwest Entrance and Manzanita Lake Area and is accessed via the 6-mile-long Butte Lake Road south of highway 44. This remote campground offers few amenities, but numerous recreation opportunities. Enjoy a hike up Cinder Cone or a paddle along Butte Lake's lava rock shores. Reservations are required.
Fees (US$): 22.00 (Campsite), 15.00 (Campsite (water off)), 62.00 (Group Campsite), 35.00 (Group (water off)), 37.00 (Stock corral)
Total Campsites: 101
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Juniper Lake Campground

Juniper Lake Campground will remain closed in 2024 for 2021 Dixie Fire recovery. The Juniper Lake Campground is located on the east shore of Juniper Lake via a 13-mile paved/gravel road. All single campsites are first-come, first-served only. Reservations are required for the two group sites and one stock corral. Drinking water is not available.
Fees (US$): 12.00 (Campsite), 32.00 (Group Campsite), 30.00 (Stock Corral)
Total Campsites: 18
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Water

Lost Creek Group Campground

Lost Creek Group Campground contains only group campsites. All sites are reservation-only. The campground is located five miles south of Manzanita Lake on the park highway. The campground offers easy access to Manzanita Lake, Devastated, and Summit Lake Areas.
Fees (US$): 62.00 (Group campsite)
Total Campsites: 8
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Manzanita Lake Campground

Manzanita Lake Campground is located one mile east of the Manzanita Lake Entrance and is the largest campground in the park. This popular campground is ideal for families, RVs, and trailers. Located adjacent to Manzanita Lake, campers can enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, and hiking. This campground is open the longest except for the year-round Southwest Walk-in Campground. The campground includes rustic camping cabins and group campsites, both of which are available by reservation only.
Fees (US$): 26.00 (Campsite), 15.00 (Campsite (water off)), 72.00 (Group campsite), 76.00 (One-room camping cabin), 101.00 (Two-room camping cabin), 95.00 (Bunkhouse camping cabin)
Total Campsites: 179
Toilets: Flush Toilets - seasonal
Showers: Hot - Seasonal
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Southwest Walk-In Campground

The Southwest Walk-in Campground is located on the east side of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. A short walk along a paved walkway provides easy access to each site. When snow is on the ground (approximately Nov-May), the location of the Southwest Campground changes to an over-the-snow area south of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. Winter camping registration is located at the fee booth located south of the parking area.
Fees (US$): 16.00 (Campsite), 10.00 (Campsite (water off)), 16.00 (Camping in vehicle), 10.00 (Camping in vehicle (no water))
Total Campsites: 21
Toilets: Flush Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round

Summit Lake North Campground

Summit Lake North Campground is located on the north side of Summit Lake at about the middle point of the 30-mile park highway. The campground includes loop A and B. Additional campsites are located in three loops on the south side of the lake in Summit Lake South Campground. A picnic area is located on the shore and features a swimming area, picnic tables, and day use parking.
Fees (US$): 24.00 (Campsite), 37.00 (Horse corral)
Total Campsites: 46
Toilets: Flush Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Summit Lake South Campground

Summit Lake South Campground is located on the south side of Summit Lake at about the middle point of the 30-mile park highway. The campground contains loops C, D, and E (tents only). Additional campsites are located in two loops on the north side of the lake in Summit Lake North Campground.
Fees (US$): 22.00 (Campsite), 15.00 (Campsite (water off))
Total Campsites: 49
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Warner Valley Campground

The campground is located one mile north of Warner Valley Ranger Station via a gravel road and 17 miles north of Chester. Not recommended for trailers. Numerous trailheads are located nearby.
Fees (US$): 21.00 (Campsite)
Total Campsites: 17
Toilets: Vault Toilets - seasonal
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - seasonal

Backcountry Camping in Lassen's Wilderness

Overnight trips are allowed in the park’s backcountry year-round. There are no designated or official campsites, and no amenities like tent pads or picnic tables. There are areas closed to camping (see regulations for details). A wilderness permit is required for all overnight stays in the park outside of established campgrounds. Permits may only be obtained prior to your visit online at recreation.gov. In winter, backcountry camping is allowed on /near the main park road when it is closed due to snow.
Fees (US$): 6.00 (Wilderness Permit Administrative Fee), 5.00 (Wilderness Permit Per-Trip, Per-Person Fee)
Toilets: No Toilets
Showers: None
Potable Water: Water

Southwest Parking Area Self-Contained Camping

Overnight stays in self-contained vehicles are allowed in the part of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking lot, often called the Southwest Parking Area. This area is open year-round, even when the Southwest Walk-in campground or the visitor center is closed. Tents are not allowed in this parking area. There is a per-night, per-spot camping fee to stay overnight.
Fees (US$): 10.00 (Self-Contained Overnight Stay Fee)
Total Campsites: 20
Toilets: Flush Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round

Southwest Campground - Summer/Fall

The Southwest Walk-in Campground is located on the east side of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. A short walk along a paved walkway provides easy access to each site. This campground also includes 5 parking lot sites. Regulations and the walk-in camping area change when snow is on the ground, approximately November to May.
Fees (US$): 16.00 (Walk-in Tent Site), 10.00 (Self-Contained Vehicle Site)
Total Campsites: 25
Toilets: Flush Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round

Southwest Campground - Winter/Spring

The Southwest Walk-in Campground is located on the east side of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. When snow is present, approximately November to May, overnight stays are allowed in self-contained vehicles in the parking lot and in tents in the over-snow camping area. Regulations and the walk-in camping area change when the snow melts, approximately June to October.
Fees (US$): 10.00 (Self-Contained Vehicle Site), 16.00 (Walk-In Over-snow Tent Site)
Total Campsites: 25
Toilets: Flush Toilets - year round
Showers: None
Potable Water: Yes - year round

Hotels within or near Lassen Volcanic National Park

Shasta Pines Motel & Suites

With a stay at Shasta Pines Motel & Suites in Burney, you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Cascade Range and McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Featured amenities include express check-out and luggage storage. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 37386 Main St, Burney, California 96013
Web: Link

Highlands Ranch Resort

Located in Mill Creek, Highlands Ranch Resort is in a national park, within a 15-minute drive of Cascade Range and Lassen Volcanic National Park. The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Planning an event in Mill Creek? This bed & breakfast has 650 square feet (60 square meters) of space consisting of conference space and a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 41515 Hwy 36E, Mill Creek, California 96061
Web: Link