Live Your Best Lives
Mount Lassen Reviews
4.7
1 of 25 Best Attractions in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Reviews
Fabulous views, excellent trails. Each part of the park offers unique volcanic experiences. The highway through the park offers panoramic views at every turn. Jeffrey pines are amazing. Be sure to have food/munchies as there are no services available in the park.
Awesome volcanic park with 4 types of volcanoes! The drive from major highways makes this park uncrowded. Wonderful camping. Beautiful hike to Kings Creek Falls. Wonderful Cinder Cone hike with breath taking views.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, probably one of the most interesting of our national parks, has been in our backyard practically the last forty years. I've visited the park numerous times during that time and still have not explored all of it.
The recent improvements to the peak trail have made it a much more enjoyable experience for all.
Also new, the audio tour that you can download at the visitor's center and listen to during your drive, adds a new dimension to your visit.
I know we'll be back many times!
Unfortunately there was still 10-12' of snow in the higher elevations of the park so the road was closed part way up. We were able to still do some hiking and get amazing views of the mountain.
Many people don't realize the diversity of resources contained in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The fumaroles (steam and volcanic gas vents), the steaming ground, mud pots, boiling lakes, hot creeks are all fascinating and provide a real opportunity to learn about geology and volcanology. Great hiking trails. Easy backpack routes. Great camping opportunities. Fascinating night sky. Kayak at Manzanita Lake. Vistas. Wildlife. And a myriad of other exciting things to do and experience all are present in this amazing national park.
You need to visit this stunning National Park. There is so much to see. There are geothermal mud pots, beautiful blue lakes and stunning mountain top views.
When you go through the gate you can go to the gift shop and preview some of the historical facts about Mount Lassen. It is a wonderful and educational experience. I drove from one side Highway 36 entrance all the way through and came out and took Highway 299 to I-5 toward Redding. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It is a beautiful place to visit. The Volcano is still releasing sulfur and steaming. The lakes, ponds, streams, mountains and streams are noteworthy! The drive is exciting because of the narrow roads and steep hills. You just have to see it for yourself! Do it!
We were here nine years ago, and could only make it about five miles before we came to a Road Closed sign. The snow was extremely deep and impassable, but it made for some magnificent scenery. When we returned this summer, the park roads were passable, though I think the Bumpass Trail was closed due to snow. Along the main road are awesome views of ice lakes with such a deep blue, it’ll take your breath away and fantastic mountain vistas. If you love the National Parks like we do, put this on your list. It doesn’t draw the crowds like its more popular cousin 300 miles to the south known as Yosemite. Just be sure to call ahead and make sure the roads and trails are open!
We were so glad we went. It was about 45 minutes east of Red Bluff on Rt. 36. One of the coolest sights is the boulder strewn fields along the way from the 1915 springtime eruption with subsequent snow melt & mud flow. The movie at the visitors center & the Rangers were great! We were bummed that the road is still closed to cars but we could walk as far as we wanted withput fear of traffic. Since it's @ 7,000 + feet the kids got to play in snow while it was 103 in Red Bluff! I would love to return to do the entire 22 mile drive.
Due to snow covered roads we were unable to drive thru the park to south side. We made best if it and hike around the lake behind visitor center. It was beautiful walk. The people in visitor center were very helpful with all my questions-they enjoy their job.
Not only is this place a great camping spot it also has this wonderful mountain you can climb in a few hours. It isn't the easiest but when you get to the top you can see forever. Word of advise however, don't climb if there are storm clouds.
This place was basically the Mount St. Helen of 100 years ago. So, it's interesting to see the devastation and regrowth.
The drive is harrowing. The mountain is about 10,000 feet and you are up there (when driving) with no shoulders or guard rails. If we had come from the south, I would have made my husband turn around. No way I would have done it on the outer rim.
This place also has thermal features similar to Yellowstone but on a smaller scale. There is one hike where you can go out to see mud pots etc., but it was just a bit too scary for me but many people were doing it. There is a large parking area where this hike starts so it is pretty obvious and it is also on the park map.
For those less adventuresome, there are vents and mud pots further down the main road that you don't need to hike to. There is also a waterfall that is on the yellow sulphuric rock which is quite pretty.
If we had had time, I would have liked to have walked along the Hat Creek with it on the nothern approach to the park.
I got up early in the morning to climb Lassen Peak before the crowds and before late morning thunderstorms moved in. The hike to the top is a great hike on a steady grade. The trail is well maintained, wide, and has very few steps, just a long zig-zag trail. I took it slow and steady and summited in 1.75 hours. Even though the forest fire smoke covered most of the far views, it was still beautiful at the top. To my great surprise, and pleasure, there is a significant crater at top. I explored the crater for at least 45 minutes scrambling on the trails among the huge basalt boulders and few remaining snow drifts. It was very windy on the summit of the peak, but there was no wind at all in the crater. When you go, plan to spend some extra time to explore the crater. I really enjoyed it. Score 5.
Have never climbed the peak, but the park is nice. The visitor's center is very informative. The drive through the park is beautiful, great views. There are several stops with informative information about the volcanic eruptions that have happened. Some nice short hikes, lots of camping areas, quiet little lakes, boiling mud pots....something for everyone. It's a great day out, or a nice place to camp and hike around. I live 22 miles away. The camp store at Manzanita has yummy ice cream, just the thing on a hot day.
We saw so many interesting aspects of nature at work in this park. In the visitor center, we learned what "wolf lichen" was from one of their daily displays. Some of the highlights included the Sulfur Works, where we could get quite close to the "plopping mudpots". We took the Lake Helen Turnoff and saw some great views of Lassen Peak. We did the short hike to the Devastated Area, to see the results of the last eruption, including lava rocks. We also went to Chaos Jumbles, where avalanches left rocky evidence of their path behind. We even had a picnic in a snowy area, and it was only the middle of September! We didn't see wildlife, but gorgeous, and interesting scenery.
We headed up a week ago on 9th July and found the trail to be 95% snow free. The trail is in excellent condition, and can be done in about 2h to the summit. Views are excellent.
Lassen Peak takes about 4-5 hours roundtrip, including spending 30 minutes to take it in at the top. Going up takes 3 hours, going down takes 1 hour. Bring a hoodie or windbreaker. You'll need it at the top. Stay on the trail. There may be patches of snow on the trail. Bring lots of food and water.
You will have views of the surrounding peaks, the sapphire blue Lake Helen, and your car at the parking lot. There are several trees on the way up which you can use for shade.
While the view is amazing, I can't say Mount Lassen is unique from other 10K-foot views. Every view from 10K feet is amazing. You will mostly have the same view all the way up (with a view of Mount Shasta at the top). It is mostly bare. However, the history makes it a lot better. The mountain was created from oozing lava building up upon itself. You will come across the youngest rocks in California. The barren slopes created from its last eruption.
Magnificent sites to be seen throughout the Park. Really enjoyed the museum (and the offered film presentation), Manzanita Lake, Devastated Area, Summit Lake and Bumpass Hell area. Very clean and well maintained park, trails, facilities. Great history; plan on at least one full day there.
Granted, not everyone has the option to travel when kids are back in school (September/October), but we have found this to be the perfect time to visit most National Parks, Lassen included.
There is minimal traffic, so you can spend more time enjoying the sights while driving rather than worrying about cars and motorhomes. There are plenty of pull offs for photo opportunities too. When we visited there were 4 of the 6 campgrounds open, but there were plenty of open sites.
Be sure to watch the 20 minutes movie at the Visitors Center which provides an overview of the park, including the 4 types of volcanoes that "made" the park the way we see it now. (Certainly explains the terrain well.)
One side of the park has a large burnt out section in the forest (from fires not volcanoes!), while the other side has miles of boulders strewn all over. Quite interesting.
There are numerous trails (be sure to wear good shoes), although we didn't take advantage of them this time. We went up a couple of days after a recent storm (much needed), and the sky was crystal blue....with snow on the ground! Stunning.....
This was our favorite hike out of many in our national parks . Short but steep (about 2 miles up ) the 360 view is once in a lifetime . In the distance is snow covered mount Shasta, lakes , volcanic rocks and other peaks . At the top is a rock scramble to the highest point !
Even though we went in late Sept., the colors hadn't really started to change yet, but there are plenty of colorful lakes, such as Emerald Lake ( truly green) and 1/2 mile further up the road was the bluest lake I have ever seen. We spent 3 hrs traveling in the park and it wasn't crowed at all. People are missing something spectacular. Mother Nature is a wonder!
This park is an easy 1 hr. drive East from Redding, CA and a nice introduction to the historic and current volcanic activity of this part of the United States. Ideal for hikers and climbers, but, good for motorists and those who prefer short walks, as well. It offers volcanic cones, bubbling mud pots, snow banks in Summer and easy access to local flora and fauna. All this with no crowds. Enjoy!
One of my favorite places to hike is Lassen Volcanic National Park. There are many delightful options for day hiking for any level hiker, from leisurely walks to more rigorous climbing. Anywhere and any level of hike, you will find yourself surrounded by the wonderful restorative beauty of nature. Yesterday I hiked to Echo Lake for the first time. It is a 3.4mile ( round trip) trek. My friend's app let us know it was 12,000 plus steps and 53 stories ( going from roughly about 7000 to 7,500 ft elevation. ) The weather was perfect. Recommend starting early in the morning as it does get hotter in the afternoon. Bring water to stay well hydrated. The only thing I will do differently next time is pack a light lunch and spend more time at the lake for a break to enjoy lunch. We spend a good bit of time at Lake Almanor through the summer. It is only about half hour to Mt Lassen from there , so I'm looking forward to more hiking this summer , making it to the summit again and discovering more new trails. You will not be disappointed! Check out the website for special activities . This is the 100th anniversary of the park so there are special events
This is a moderately strenuous hike with very little shade along the way, so recommend to do this early in the day during hot summer months. There were a lot of tourists out but it did not feel overcrowded. The views are pretty nice. It took us 3 hours to ascent, 1 hour to get back down the mountain. The trail is mostly small rocks and pebbles but there was very little sliding despite the unsteady surface. There are opportunities to explore rock formations at the top of you walk past the snow field and away from the crowds. Better view from there, too.
Overall, a very fun hike!
A magical 5 mile round trip hike with 2,000' elevation gain to the summit of nearly 10,500'. We completed it in a little over 4 hours on 7/31/19. Near perfect conditions, cool breeze, minimal snow crossings, not too crowded and thousands of California Tortoiseshell butterflies swirling around the mountaintop for the last mile or so of the trail. It pays to plan a trip around conditions to account for snow, high temperatures and forest fires. Not an easy hike as it is rated difficult in many hiking guides, but we did meet two 80 year olds with pacemakers making the climb although both were experienced hikers. Make sure you hydrate and bring enough fluids.
We had planned to visit and stay here on our trip and was disappointed only by the fact that we had not factored in a longer stay! Wow, what a place, total serenity, we just loved it, everything about it. We were travelling in an RV so stayed on the Visitor center car park which was fine, there are toilets available within the visitor center, which were very clean but we didn't need them. The sun was very hot here and you are quite elevated but we were used to that by the time we arrived, On our second day here we hiked up Lassen Peak, snow at the bottom and we crossed a couple of patches of snow on the way up but the rest of the track was just rock, lots of switch backs and an amazing summit. The views from the top were really wonderful and well worth going up for. Some hikers were skiing off as lots of deep snow still to come down on! Really enjoyed having a brew in the car park before heading back down to the visitors center and settling in for the night. The camp site there is really neat, the pitches are all placed on a ridge on the side of the hill, all with their own fire pit and picnic table, really well set out and well used whist we were there.
Hiking to the summit of Mount Lassen (Lassen Peak) is a challenge but it is very rewarding as we had wonderful views along every step of the trail. Plus when we made the hike we were treated to dazzling displays of wildflowers and a few animal sightings along the trail. We completed several hikes during our trip that also included Redwood and Crater Lake National Parks, but the hike to the top of Mount Lassen was near the top of the list.
We made the hike in early August (the 10th). “We” is my wife, her sister and me. We are all in our early 50s and in good shape. Hiking is our main activity when traveling as we spend a lot of time in the National Parks. We had a lovely day for this hike, but cloud cover rolled in as the day progressed. The weather is something to be aware of when making this hike as you do NOT want to be on this exposed mountain side in the event of a storm. But for us the clouds provided no threat, rather they just added to the beauty of the vistas.
The trailhead parking is about a 30 minute drive from the Manzanita Lake entrance of the park and is situated right off the main park road. We arrived in the parking lot about 8:45 and found the lot to only be about a quarter full. There are outhouses nearby and it is a good idea to visit the little houses before we started the climb as there is absolutely no place to take a break along the trail.
The trailhead is at about 8400 feet above sea level. The trail climbs right at 2000 feet over about 2.5 miles to the top of Mount Lassen, which measures in at 10,463 feet. It is uphill all the way along long grades and switchbacks. Due to the altitude and the elevation change, we spent yesterday on flatter trails (Bumpass Hell then Cold Boiling Lake) to get acclimated. We figured we would be setting a slow pace with many breaks as our Ohio lungs would not be used to these conditions.
The trail starts with an uphill grade and never really lets up all the way to the top. There is a scar from an old social trail that extends from the official trail and goes straight up the side of the mountain. The scar was created by hikers who felt that the trail was not for them and decided to make their own route up the slope. Years of this disregard by these thoughtless folks had created the scar which will take decades to heal, provided that future hikers stick to the maintained trail. There is a sign at the turn in the trail where the social trails begins and shows a Photoshopped image of the mountain side sans scar. The message on the sign also indicated that “future of this trail is in our hands” as the Park Service will close the trail to all but guided hikes to ensure there will be no further damage. That would be a shame, but if that is what is necessary to protect the fragile landscape then so be it. The message also encouraged visitors to politely ask hikers who were off the trail to return to it and to report any flagrant abuse of the trails. In addition to the informational sign there was an “Area Closed” sign and a low wall built between the official and social trail, so someone would have to blatantly ignore a set of warnings to take that trail, but there are plenty of folks out there who think the rules don’t apply to them. But the good news was that we saw no one attempting this steep climb today.
Once through the initial switchbacks, we got a short break as the trail climbed gently through a couple meadows and some sparse trees. Then the serious uphill hike started as we worked steadily upward through a seemingly never ending series of switchbacks. But as we climbed we were rewarded with wonderful views of big vistas as well as interesting scenes right along the trail plus more nuggets of information from the signs scattered along the trail.
The trail was steep but an easy one to walk, well, most of the way, as there were no roots to trip over and for most of the way the trail surface was pretty well packed. There were only a couple places where stairs had been build, I bet there were less than 100 stair steps the whole way. So this was a strenuous hike but an easy trail, if you know what I mean. This was also a very friendly trail. I think trails should have a friendliness rating and this one would get high marks. Folks were chugging along at whatever pace they could manage but there was a lot of friendly banter and encouraging words along the trail. Maybe part of it was knowing we were all working toward the same goal, I don't know, but it just made for a more pleasant day. Perhaps a quick stop to chat with our fellow hikers just gave us all an excuse for a breather.
Speaking of opportunities to pause, the Park Service gave us plenty. When not pausing to look at the vistas or watch the varmints, there were also several signs, mostly at the switchback turns. They described the mountain, the volcanic activity of the area, and the critters. They also had the distance to the top so we could track our progress up Mount Lassen. The only problem with this was that the numbers indicating the distance remaining just did not seem to get smaller fast enough!
We took 2:24 to get to the “top” of the mountain. The point where the trail dumps out is almost at the top and has a few more interpretive signs and affords wonderful views. But it is not the high point. To reach the official summit, there is a snow field to traverse and a final scramble to the peak. DW and SIL opted out of this last little climb but I had to give it a go. This final stretch was short but steep and rocky. The route was just a goat trail, really. But I made it easily. There were a dozen or so other intrepid folks up here as well. I found a nice place to take a seat so that I could enjoy the view while having a snack.
Including my scramble up to the peak, we were at the top of the mountain for about 40 minutes or so before we started the return hike. The trip down was easy and allowed us to continue to enjoy the views in all directions. The number of hikers coming up the trail had dramatically increased since this morning. The clouds had also increased as well, and they had a darker look to them. It did not look like a storm was really brewing but still I was glad to be heading down instead of up under that sky.
We made pretty good time back down the trail arriving back at the parking lot at 1:30. Great hike! Tough, yes, but well worth the effort to see those views and just to be able to say you were at the top of a volcano. The hike took us just under 4:30 covering 4.9 miles, about 2:15 to get to the top and 1:20 for the return trip. We were huffing and puffing going up, but the return trip was easy. But we were quite tired by the time we returned to the trailhead. Our next stop was at the Manzanita Lake camp store for some well-deserved ice cream.
This park seemed to take quite a while to drive to from the Bay area but we were determined to get there to discover this volcanic site. We were not dsiappointed. First stop was the Visitors Center to get our bearings and pick up some literature, learn a bit about the area by viewing a brief movie, and using the restroom before our slow drive through the park. It is truly a beautiful and awasome experience. There are a number of pull-outs to stop and take beautiful pictures. Note that the first stop has a walk trhat takes you past the mud pots and other geologic wonders. Pictures just don't capture all of the beautiful aspects of this park, but they will serve as a wonderful memory to us for all time. Not that many of our L.A. friends even know of this park, and we've been sharing our insights with them and encourage them to go and see for themselves.
The scenic drive over the mountain ridge is one of the best in the USA. Terrific views in all directions and lots of places to stop and take a walk. Take lots of photos and enjoy. This whole area is worth a week of exploring but just a day drive is also well worth it.
The hike up Lassen Peak goes from 8500 ft elevation at the parking lot to 10,425 ft elevation at the top. The trail zigs and zags with some loose shale, some slippery snow and some mud in places. The views are extraordinary all along. However , just know that at these elevations you are getting about 70% less oxygen per breath than down in The Valley - this is indeed Rare Air. So your heart will beat faster, your legs will get tired quicker, and you will need more frequent rests. On the way up plan for extra time. Snow is up there even in August, and we even had rain showers with 45 degrees in August while down in Redding it was sunny and 100 degrees.
This park offers a lot of great scenery, a picture taking paradise. There are trails, many above my hiking pay grade, but I managed to get a few in like the Cold Boiling Springs. There are a lot of lakes to see, and Mt. Lassen is inspiring as well. Great park to visit.
Interesting history and beautiful scenery. Stayed in Chester, which is a little too far, but accommodations are limited in the area, especially after Labor Day.
I have a very strong sulfur allergy so me going to a volcano isn't always fun. We did a drive through of the park from the north to south end. There was still a lot of things to see from the road. The visitor center on the north end is very small with only a few things to buy. I wasn't able to go to the bigger one on the south end because it is WAY to close to the sulfur works.
Parking for some of the hikes can be difficult. It's only on road parking for King Creek Falls so it can be hard to find an area to park.
There was still snow there when we went. At the parking for the trail up to the peak there was lots of snow left. it had turned to more of an ice but still awesome for July.
Lassen is a national treasure, to be sure. It's the jewel of Northern California, affording expansive meadows, pristine lakes and stream and fabulous hiking trails. We stayed at the legendary Draksbad Guest Ranch and loved every minute! We hiked, road horseback, explored the Visitor's Center and shot photos to our hearts delight. What a phenomenal, well-managed gem of America. Thank you, NPS. Lassen, we love you!
We arrived at the Lassen Volcanic National Park about 8:55, needing to wait five minutes for the Visitor Center to open. A 20 minute video, that was very good, tuned us in to what we were going to see—four different types of volcanoes, in the only place in the world where they are all within the boundaries of a national park. Cinder Cones, plug domes like Mt Lassen, ones, worn down ones, known as erosional, and shield volcanoes. (John forgets the scientific names). Mt. Lassen last blew its top exactly 100 years ago so you can see lava flows everywhere, cooled off, mostly. But in some places there are still crusts with hot water flowing beneath them gurgling to the surface, so you are not allowed to hike near them. Lassen is a magnificent park and had very few visitors.
Detoured off I5 to drive through the National Park. It was well worth it and would ask anyone with an afternoon to spare to do it as well. Started off at the North side overlooking the lake on a June day with temperatures around 90. We drove through the park stopping at all of the viewing area, and temperatures dropped to just over 60 when we reached the top and found an area full of snow! Something that someone from England doesn’t normally see at this time of the year. This National Park is a real gem.
One of the most interesting and spectacular National Parks in Northern California. Great scenery and views definitely not to be missed
It is totally out of the world. I was skeptical to go alone there and after having hardtime finding a group tour, I somehow found a 3 day tour. It is an amazing place to visit and I would highly recommend it as a family destination. However, hiking is not recommended if you are out of shape.
Great national park, lots of interesting and informative posters and boards up. Fascinating area altogether, if a little terrifying on the roads up! Also got to look at the sun through a special telescope which the kids loved.
As with all the national parks we visited, really well maintained and managed.
The snow covering the Volcano was beautiful. Although we could not get any closer due to snow road closure. Most of roads closed until late July according to Ranger.
Love Lassen because it’s off the beaten path and not crowded. Beautiful hikes and scenery without being ruined by cars and traffic.
While on a 24 day motorcycle camping trip with two friends, Lassen was one of our National Park destinations. We came in from the South planning to continue on North on Hwy 89 but it was still closed due to snow. The nice park staff member at the entrance suggested that we still ride up to the visitor parking near the summit and we were so glad we did. The views were beautiful and the terrain very interesting making Lassen one of the highlights of our trip.
Mount Lassen was very impressive. We saw the debris left over from its previous eruption. Our drive took us past many interesting sites but this one had to be one of the most memorable.
We had never really heard of Lassen National Volcanic Park until we were driving north along the California Sierras and there is was. While the park staff at the fancy new information centre at the south end (not the NPS best) were the most unhelpful that we have found, the park in itself made up for it. We were directed to Warner Valley as some of the more popular hiking trails were closed - a bit of a detour but a wonderful one as it was not as crowded, had good trails (right on the PCT) a beautiful valley and the Drakesbad Guest Ranch is a fascinating historical spot (wonderful hot springs too). We did check out all the sites and some of the trail along the main tourist route S to N and camped at Summit Lake. Though it was July - there was a LOT of snow still around along the road which kept the temps cool, especially at night. This campground has small sites close together, many uneven for vehicles but is right on the lake and quite a beautiful spot. The park offers an amazing array of geology - of the ancient and recent (1914) volcanic kind. Good museum/info centre at the north entrance with helpful staff. A great National Park to spend some time in.
Center of Park
This monumental plugin volcano gives the park its relevance its trek and its story
Amazing
We are campers and hikers. The varied camping and hiking sites offer most anyone an opportunity to experience a special National Park. We live fairly close and go there several times a year, from an afternoon picnic to a longer camping trip. Trails vary from very east to difficult. And the experience is diverse. Even the services are fine. The Manzanita Lake Store is small but full of tourist items and good snacks and beverages. The two visitor centers are interesting. Staff at every location is very very helpful. We have taken a variety of people of different ages and always enjoy it.
We started the hike in the morning at 9.30 and were back at 12.30! It was beautiful and very cold! The hike itself was though. Walking to the top litterly takes your breath. But the view halfway is beautiful. When we reached the top, the haze (of the fires) was strong. So unfortunately we didn't see much, but is was epic. The silence, the wind, the little squirrels and the signs were really perfect. The walk down is super easy, I kind of felt bad for the people who were still on their way to the top. (We were almost running to our car...) but it's worth every breath!
When my daughter wanted to take us to Lassen Park I wasn't sure what to expect. Had driven by but never through. It's definitely worth your trouble. Such a beautiful park. Roads were in excellent condition and traffic was minimal for a Sunday in late June. The road took us almost to the peak of Lassen where we were pleased to find some snow to play in and several hikers were making the trek all the way to the top. If you want to take the time there are many short hikes available. And you will find a taste of Yellowstone..since it is a volcanic park there are boiling mud pots and hot springs. We had been to Mt Shasta area the day before and the streams were rather crowded with tourists and campers. This was such a pleasant surprise to be able to stop at a stream and practically have it to yourself. There is a $20 entry fee but it's worth it if you have a day to spend.
We enjoy travelling and national parks are a highlight for us. We visited during the 4th of July holiday and the weather was pleasant. The scenery was breath taking and we are always fascinated by the history behind the places we visit. Definitely worth the trip and great for families!
We loved our recent visit to Lassen. The scenery is beautiful and it is not crowded. There are lots of short hikes that go to interesting sites and there is a lot to explore. Note there are several entrances and some do not connect by roads with each other.
Beautiful park with several campgrounds and great hiking trails. We stayed at Manzanita Lake only $12 for seniors, great views over the lake. Hot showers cost $1.50, good camp store and fuel available. Very interesting free museum with lots of great photos of the 1915 volcano eruption. Hiking trails are busy in summer but fabulous.
While not the most spectacular peak in California, it is still quite impressive, especially given that it erupted and blew off the top one hundred years ago. Take the drive, take some photos, and marvel at nature.
Magnificent and majestic looking! Amazing history of this volcano. We didn't have time to hike, but would love to go back for a closer look.
We had been to Reno many times and often combine it with a drive around Lake Tahoe. This time, for something different, we went to Lassen Volcanic National Park, about three hours away. The drive is beautiful and the park is spectacular, with boiling mudpots, fumaroles, and volcanic features of many kinds. Everyone should find the time to visit Lassen!
Mount Lassen is unique as a volcanic mountain and absolutely pretty on a clear day. Even in July, the place had lots of snow and the roads were closed after certain point. Many popular trails with the visitor center quite well equipped with loads of history on the park which is worth knowing. They also have a 20 min show on the park in the auditorium.
Before visiting we checked the website and answer phone message to find the park was closed following a winter storm on 31st October. Because we were in the area we decided to visit on 5th November, signs on the road leading to the park said it was closed as did signs at the entrance to the park. We went to the visitor centre where after asking a ranger how far we could go in the park he said it was open, when we pointed out that all the signs, the website and the answerphone still said the park was closed he said they had n't been updated! When we asked about some of the trails to areas of volcanic activity he said we could visit these but all the direction signs had been taken down. Despite this the scenary was beautiful enhanced by the snow
Be wary of the altitude and cold, but this is a doable summit with fantastic views. Though it is a 2000' climb (according to the trail guide), the gradient just requires stamina, not a super-strenuous effort.
Mount Lassen is the only active volcano in the state of California at present, and deserves much more attention than it gets. The scenery here is breathtaking, and the fumaroles and hotspots are fascinating. You get to see the intestines of the earth churning out their gasses, making ready for the next eruption. It's a really beautiful place, great for hiking and exploring. The roads are in good condition, and there are many places to stop and enjoy the volcanic activity. Plan to spend at least a day here!
Chill is in the air, but afternoons are sunny and warmer. Bring long pants and a jacket. I tend to run hot, but a long sleeved shirt felt really good. Mountain is covered with snow and is in its glory.
We drove, took tons of photos and ate under the pines. Trails well maintained but the higher you go, the slicker it gets. Wild life at its best.
My wife doesn't hike and we are well into our 60s so we took an auto tour beginning at the north entrance. I have a lifetime senior pass for National Parks that got us in at no charge. The scenery is beautiful and I would rate it as good as Yellowstone or Denali if it just had a bunch of big animals like bear, buffalo, and elk. It did impress me more than Yosemite which we visited a few days previous. Lassen is popular but you won't really have to fight the crowds like you do at some other parks. It seems to have all anyone would need for hiking and camping.
Lassen peak trail is a must, once. The trail is well groomed, views are spectacular. Once you reach the last 3 minutes of your hike, it becomes a race to the peak. Trail is often very crowded. Hike is not peaceful or secluded. My least favorite hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
We pulled off on the side of the road to take some pictures of Lake Helen with Lassen Peak in the back ground. It was a beautiful day and got some great photos. The trail to the top of Lassen Peak is visible even from across the lake. If you have binoculars or a good zoom lens you can see the climbers near the top. I imagine there is quite a view from up there. Great picture taking spot.
The entire park is fantastic and provide many opportunites to experience many aspects of mineral springs, wildlife (deer, bears) and great hikes - kings creek falls.
The key climb is definitely Lassen peak and is a great 3-4 turnaround pending your skills and fitness.
nothing too taxing...just a long climb to the top but allowing for some residual snow which gets a little messay its possible to do this all summer with either shorts/tshirts or a pretty full wear of hiking/climbing clothes.
With almost 2,000ft vertical climb you better be prepared to be able to enjoy it. Give yourself plenty of time if you aren't used to doing switchbacks to make it up a mountain. Took the slow ones in our group almost 2.5 hours to get up the mountain and about an hour to get down. Bring plenty of water, at least 3 bottles per person if you aren't using a camelback. Bring lunch or some good snacks for fuel. The view from the top is amazing even if it's smoky or cloudy.
Ranger told us this is becoming a very popular park. Get here before it becomes over crowded. October was a perfect time for us, very little people. This place is like a mini Yellow Stone. The volcanic mud, steam, & sulfur was amazing.
Despite the neighboring fires all across California, the lassen park was refreshingly clear of smoke. I live that it is not nearly as crowded as Yosemite. The dark sky festival was amazing, a must see. Lassen park has some of the darkest sky in the country, ideal for sky viewing. It gets cold at night, but camping is super fun. Campgrounds are well maintained. Overall, I LOVE Lassen National park. I’ve been here more than a dozen times in the past 4 years and will keep coming back. Also, one of the few active geothermal areas in california, it is the southernmost of the Cascade volcano complexes.
If there is wind or not, stop and enjoy the lake! If there is no wind with sun, you have to stop for a reflection photo. We had great weather and really got some nice photos. Beautiful views!
This park is an easy one day drive on the semicircular road between the north and south entrances. Stop at the north entrance information center which is a combination museum, gift shop and informative displays.
If you are a hiker (we're not) there are trails which must be very scenic.
The history of the volcanoes is amazing and that whole region of California is scattered with lava rock strewn from a 1914 eruption which completely obliterated an entire mountain! Where that disappeared volcano was there is now some geothermal features you can get close to safely.
Take your camera.
Day trip from Chico to visit Mt Lassen. Surprised to see road closed not far from Visitors Center. Wonderful multinational diverse crowd enjoying the warm weather and many feet of packed snow. Giant equipment tackling massive snow packing roads. Trekkers and skiers hiking up closed roads. Hiking trails closed too. Dozen lakes melting around edges with brilliant turquoise water shining through. Mud pots boiling away threateningly on the side of the road. Visitor center full of people enjoying interactive educational displays.
Have been waiting for my chance to go up there for years and years and finally made it! The view was great from the Lassen trail head and it got better from there! I am always amazed how it could be snow there when it is 85 degree out there :) The hike is a good exercise, especially due to the constant incline and and thin air and needless to say bring some sunscreen as there is no shade except for the very first section. The trail a bit narrow at certain sections so steady legs and no fear of heights are advisable. At the peak besides the great 360 view, you can marvel at vista of Mount Shasta and the hundreds of butterflies, which was a totally unexpected.
Great trip but hard to find Devil's Kitchen. Highway 36 not shown on map given and not one road sign
One of the least visited of the nation's National Parks. A smaller version of Yellowstone. Not nearly as crowded as Yosemite. The Park is volcanic, last eruption occurring 1914-1915. Lots of vents, mud pots, hot lakes and creeks, wildlife, hiking trails, visitor centres South (preferred) and North, a camper store at Manzanita Lake and the Loomis Museum which chronicles the last eruptions. $20 entry fee, a 35 MPH speed limit on the well paved and maintained road, scenery is stunning throughout. Visitor Center in the south shows a very informative film (20 min.) has a Gift Shop and a Restaurant. The northern Visitor Center does not. The total drive through the Park is about 45 miles. There are over 100 hiking trails in the Park, some of which are disabled friendly. Some trails are for horseback riding, stables are available. When you do get to the trailhead to ascend the mountain, you will be at 8500 feet altitude. There will be a 2000 foot rise as you hike the 2.5 mile hike to the top. It should go without saying that you should dress in layers, carry a waterproof, and wear sunscreen and sturdy shoes! Bring water with you in sufficient quantity. As great as the vistas are all over the Park, the 360-degree view from the Summit of Lassen are simply beyond description. Enjoy!
The most beautiful views at every turn of the road. Amazing series of volcanoes as well as stunning countryside.
We had heard that Lassen was similar to Yellowstone and one of the least visited National Parks in the USA. Late October was perfect in that there were very few visitors, the weather cooperated (although there was snow on the ground), scenery was beautiful, the mudpots were unique and there was plenty of viewing areas (essentially deserted). Highly recommend the video at the Visitor Center before your trip into the park. The drive on Hwy 89 is spectacular!
Lassen Volcanic National Park really opened my eyes to how beautiful this part of Northeastern California really is. Having 4 types of volcanoes makes this park unique. As you drive through the park, you'll find where the lava flowed and what it created.
We arrived in the parking lot for the Lassen Peak hike around 8am, and there were very few people--for this reason I highly recommend going early in the morning (in the summer).
The hike is strenuous, but the view from the summit is awesome. The hike up is mainly switchbacks and climbing uphill, but there are great views for pretty much the entire hike. I highly recommend this hike. Make sure you wear proper footwear!!! There is a lot of snow that we had to cross in the middle of July and it can be very slippery! On our way down, we saw a many people in average running shoes who were struggling on the slippery snow--not to mention the handful of people who were wearing Vans! Believe me, you will need good grip when there is a lot of snow on the trail.
Of the several hikes we did while visiting Lassen Volcanic NP, this was by far the best. The panoramic view from the summit was totally worth the hard, strenuous climb to the top.
This hike is awesome. It is not he easiest but far from the hardest. Up and down in under 2 hours. Highly recommend.
Went here because I had gone as a child and wanted to revisit. Scenery is beautiful even though the lakes are low. You can see a lot from the turnouts in the road, but a lot more can be seen if you like to hike. This would be a great place to go camping. At the entrance and the visitors center we were told to go to Bumpass Hell and that the trail was fairly level except for the end where there were a few steps down to the mudpots. That was mostly true except that the few steps were actually a few switchbacks. Go in the fall when the temperatures are perfect.
Visited on May 31st, and 2/3 of the park was still closed, due to snow. What we saw was great. Only about 9 miles of the road was open from the north entrance. The visitor's Center and Museum were closed on Tuesday at noon.
The Lassen Peak Trail has recently been rebuilt and is in excellent condition. A climb from approx. 8,500ft elevation at the trailhead to Lassen Peak at 10.457 ft over a trail length of about 2.5 miles took me (62 yro mobile marginally fit male) about 2.5 hrs to summit, taking plenty of rest stops to acclimate to the thinning air. The trail is a relatively consistent incline with a series of switchbacks. Great views along the way particularly as you near the peak. It was August when I was there and many many others were also making the climb but the trail provides plenty of room to accommodate all. I saw families, kids solo, older like me, fit and obviously unfit all making it to the top. Start early and take your time if need be. An unexpected delight were the thousands of butterflies near the peak. A nice area near the top (a false summit) perfect for lunch and to enjoy the view. The highlight of the Lassen National Park visit.
We stopped here on our way to Yosemite from the Redwoods...downfall was the biggest hike I wanted to do was closed because there was snow on it still...4th of July weekend. Beautiful sight an none the less. The lady at the entrance booth could have been nicer though. We we expressed our disappointment about the Bumpass trail being closed, she replied that we should have looked online. We did check online (even though we always didn't have service) but was hoping that from the last time they updated the web, it could have changed because they do state that they strive to get it done for the 4th weekend.
Mount Lassen is the focal point of this hidden-gem-of-a-national park. Not many people are up for the 5-mile trek to the top where you start at 8,500 ft elevation and end at 10,000 ft elevation. We brought our three teenagers who are experienced backpackers and it was a challenging hike for us. I don't recommend taking young children or the elderly all the way to the top. If you plan to hike to the peak, here are some tips that I wish we had known beforehand:
1. There's still snow in July!!! That means it's much colder on the mountain than in the rest of the park. Dress in layers, wear a jacket/windbreaker and bring a warm cap. Gloves help take the sting off from the high winds at the ridge near the top.
2. Wear proper hiking shoes. Don't attempt it in tennis shoes. Remember, there's a LOT of snow as you go up the mountain. In fact, the park recommends shoes with crampons to grip the snow. We also saw some people skiing down part of the mountain... in July!!!
3. If you don't have crampons, bring a good set of hiking poles. These saved us as we navigated through dirt, snow, ice and slush on all the trails at Lassen.
4. Bring snacks and water. The hike takes about 5 hours roundtrip and you gain an elevation of 2000 feet through steep ascents and endless switchbacks. Rest often.
5. Bring a camera for great photo ops. At times it seems you're above the clouds and the views are amazing! Take pictures along the way because there are often clouds at the top which can obscure the view.
6. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime hike to Lassen Peak!
I've lived 17 miles from this beautiful little spot on the earth for 40 years. It's magnificent! I've been all over the world, but keep coming back here regularly. Just recently, with my children and granddaughter. We combined it with Subway Caves. We didn't realize how cold it was, it snowed...so we enjoyed the winter fun with a little snowball fight. This park has everything for nature lovers. Easy to difficult hikes, lakes, camping, fishing, boating ( no motors), etc. the views are spectacular! The history is fun in the little Loomis museum just inside the park (closed in the winter, check online for dates). Lots of activities in the summer, but just as fun in the winter. Reflection lake is in the picture I shared.
This review is about the hike up Mount Lassen on July 22. I’m 41 and in decent shape.
So what’s important-
Firstly, the weather-it is much cooler and windier at the top. So ask the ranger, check your weather sources.
Do you need hiking boots? Yes, you do. Don’t attempt in sandals.
Bring a hat, windbreaker, wear sunscreen as a lot of the trail is exposed to the sun.
Carry at least 750-1000 ml of water, snacks etc.
What’s the best time? Probably early to late morning-it’s pleasant at the top noon to mid-afternoon temperature wise (60’s) and this will give you enough time to plan ascent/descent.
How tough is the trail? I would say strenuous. It’s 2.5 miles but a 2000 feet climb. I did it 2-2.5 hours up and 1-1.5 hours down with a few breaks.
Is the trail treacherous? No, not really. But it’s on rock and although it is well kept, there are still pieces of rock, boulders that drop off in the trail. Also, brief stretches of snow.
What should you watch out for-climbers that run downhill. I found people who were trying to jog down the most ridiculous. More than putting themselves at risk, they were putting others on the ascent in a tricky spot. Another place to be careful is at the transition of switchbacks-and there are many! Also, the true summit is a further 100 feet from the landing at the top and the trek to that is more difficult. Avoid to be safe, there are the same vistas to be had at the landing.
Should a person scared of heights do it? Probably not.
I saw numerous wildflowers, gorgeous white-bark pine and Clark’s nutcracker along with tortoiseshell butterflies. The view from the top is stupendous!
This is a really nice Natl. park if you have an annual or lifetime pass, but the entrance fee is $30. The trails are very informative about the volcanic eruption, and near the south entrance there are fumaroles similar to what you might see at Yellowstone. There were kids there that were enjoying themselves.
Along with my 2 friends, I did Mt Lassen hike 2 days back. There are huge icefields still present on the mountain in mid-July. However, the initial part of trail is fully covered in snow for which I would highly recommend crampons and hiking poles. There are few patches of snow that you would need to cross during the rest of the hike. But that's the challenge. It is doable, but took longer than what we usually take for such hikes. But the vistas are simply superb. It got better because of snow-clad mountains of the park.
Throughout the Lassen Volcanic National Park, the center point of many photos is going to be Mount Lassen. If you are into hiking, you can even summit the mountain in a trail near the summit. No matter what angle you look at it it has a unique type of beauty , even though the top of the mountain is bare. Before visiting check on weather conditions, our last trip here was mid July 2017 and the roads were still closed because of snow.
One of the best national parks due to fewer visitors. The park has roughly 150 miles of hiking trails and geothermal activity. The hike up Lassen Peak is moderate, while the view from the top offers breathtaking vistas including Mount Shasta to the NW.
Perfect hike. Round trip is 4.8 miles w mile markers along the way. Steep, steady climb which allows for a view of Broke-off valcano, the cinder cone, Mt Shasta, emerald Lake, etc. The switch backs gets smaller and steeper as you go up, with the last section a rock scramble to the top. Lots of good photo pops on top. Although less than five miles you have a great sense of accomplishment when you are done.
Been up to the park a few times in my life, they recently raised their entrance fee to $20...... Lots of trourists from other contries visiting in the summer time... there are lots of hot sulfur mud springs everywhere in the park... sulfur is defin in the air! Overall its a nice area to visit and take the kids.
Hiking up Mount Lassen is one of the things I would absolutely try to do during a visit to Lassen Park. I certainly not call it an easy hike but it is certainly a doable hike for most people. The challenges are that it is uphill the whole way up, the trail is almost entirely in the sun and finally you are hiking at high elevations so it is more difficult to breathe as you ascend the 2,000 feet.
With that being said how many opportunities do you have to reach the top of a mountain, and in this case one of the most recently active volcanoes in the United States? The trails are in pretty good condition and if you take your time and go at a pace you are comfortable with this is a very doable hike. The views from the top are fantastic.
Driving North from Carson City to Oregon we saw Mount Lassen and drove over to get a better view and some photos.
The upper portions of the park are still snowed in, so the roads are closed. The parts we saw were beautiful. The thermal features make it a great destination.
My husband and I hiked to the top on a gorgeous clear October morning. The altitude slowed me down, but the trail was in great shape and the views were well worth it at the top! Hiking poles came in handy,
Yes, Yosemite is world-famous and beautiful, but if you want to escape the crowds and enjoy nature as beautiful as in Yosemite, go to Lassen National Park. We have traveled all over Califonia and Lassen is one of the most interesting places. You can spend a year there and still find something new to explore.
This park is very underrated and the vistas give Glacier National Park a run for its money. We came as a family during Memorial Day weekend and we were able to find plenty of parking. The hiking trails are clean and well-maintained. There's also lots of snow to play with in some areas, which can be a novelty for kids!
Mount Lassen was made a national park in the early days of national park creation. At the time, the area was devastated by a tremendous volcanic explosion and it must've mesmerized visitors. Unfortunately, mother nature's healing hands cured the landscape and the trees really block the view of the mountain. The one area of interest and great for kids and adults is the Sulphur Works. It has hot mud, boiling mud pools and other hot gas vents. The rock colors are beautiful. Remember, its sulphur, so expect an unpleasant smell. If you are in the area, I STRONGLY recommend McArthur-Burney Falls State Park. It's only 45 minutes from Lassen. Teddy Roosevelt called the falls a wonder of the world!
The Lassen Peak trail is moderately steep and as of September 2014 is undergoing significant trail maintenance. The top half of the trail is closed so you can only hike the first 1.3 miles, which is about half way up. Beyond that the trail is closed and upon observation from the closure point it looks much steeper than the first part – in fact the part we could see was mostly stone steps.
As you hike up the part that is open, you may be sharing the trail with construction crews who are re-contouring some of the switchback corners with new stone work and adding platform areas where you can step off the trail for a breather without blocking the passage of others. They will be carting boulders up the trail in motorized carts that they walk behind. Whenever a hiker approaches they stop the cart and shut off the engine till you pass so it’s not a big deal other than the noise of the motors.
Anyway, the trail portion that is open is well worn and plenty wide enough for two way traffic without the need for someone to step aside. The trail is mostly sunny but there are a few spots that have a bit of shade in small patches. On the end of the section that is currently open for hiking there are some big rocks with flat tops for sitting and taking in the view for awhile. If you started your hike in the morning (say between 9:00 and 11:00), this is good place to eat that lunch you had the foresight to bring along with you. Of course it goes without saying that you also brought drinking water as you would on any such hike.
The open section of trail is for the most part on the western slope – something to consider on warm days. On the way up you get great views to the west where you can see Helen Lake, Lake, Mt. Diller, Pilot Pinnacle, Broke off mountain and off into the western distance. You will also have great views to the south where you’ll be able to see Lake Almanor and a series of ridges and valley’s off into the distance.
Unless it’s a cool day, start early to avoid mid day heat. Having said that, even if it’s warm at the parking lot trail head, it may be cool (or cold) higher up. When we hiked all the way to the top a few decades ago it was quite chilly on top – even though it was late August and quite warm at the parking lot. In fact our kids had a snowball fight up there.
The section of trail currently open for use ascends at a moderate angle pretty much continually (no ups and downs --- just up). I’m 66 years old (how the heck did that happen?), and a bit overweight (I know how that happened), and my wife is 63 and has an artificial knee. I’m a photographer so I make many stops on the way up and down to set up the tripod and take some shots. Given all of that, we did the entire round trip (including a picnic lunch at the end of the open section, in a bit over 3 hours.
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it is the southern most active volcano of the western USA. Elevation is over 10,000 feet.
If you are not a hiker, you can enjoy a fantastic drive. Mount Lassen is part of a National Park. $30- entrance fee to the park. The visitor center will provide maps and information regarding the park and suggest what would best meet your personal need/desire.
Don't overlook this park! Beauty around every corner despite heavy damage from Dixie fire in 2021. Trails are well marked and most are easy to moderate.
This is a national park I didn't know existed until two weeks before I went there. And it was SO worth the visit. The drive out on highway 89 was beautiful, and the park itself is breath taking. We almost had the place to ourselves, mid-week just before Labor Day. The park guide has "things to do in the park in four hours" and we did all of them, and a few more, in about a 6 hour visit to the park. Due to the fires last year, the tar-seal on the road was all brand new and beautiful to drive on. If you find yourself in this part of california, go to Lassen, you won't regret it!
A great national park to visit! Not crowded! Each hike is a different experience from beautiful wild flower filled meadows (paradise meadows) to boiling lakes ( boiling lake trail), to steep and rocky jumbles ( chaos crags) to leisurely strolls (manzanita lake), to fumaroles and mudpots (right along the main road), to the most amazing stream waterfall we’ve ever seen! (Kings creek). The hike markers on the trails are not exactly true and plan to hike a bit longer then they say but the trails are well marked. Bring TP and lunch as the visitor center is quite a drive from most of the trails. We stayed three days and saw something new every hike.
We went there during the Thanksgiving break. Ride itself was wonderful. Do not miss the 20 minute video at the visitor center. You will get to appreciate the place better. Have good clothing and boots to hike around nd protect you from the snow. We weren't fully prepared with that. A fiery beauty to behold there and on the way to Mount Shasta.
Great drive through the mountains. Good roads, well kept. Our day took us through sun, rain, hail, sleet, and snow. Fab! Be ready for anything at the beginning of August!
Had an amazing vacation here over the July 4th week, got in some hiking and kayaking. The employees were all very pleasant and helpful, always ready to answer my questions. Trailheads were not well marked and the snow in the south part of the park kept me from exploring many of the trails I had originally planned on.
We hiked up Mount Lassen on July 24. Even then, the trail still had substantial snow. The snow was mostly on the lower third of the trail. And, the trail was well marked across the snow. The views are tremendous from the moment the trail begins. This is only a 5 mile round trip hike but the summit is at 10,457 feet. Another huge bonus: Lassen Volcanic Park is not highly visited. There were definitely other visitors on the trail, but we had the summit all to ourselves. Pretty spectacular!!
Remote and beautiful in Northern California. Majestic Mt. Lassen, hot springs, lakes, pristine forest! Closed in Winter. Too much snow!
Lassen Volcanic NP is simply gorgeous! Travel back in time and see boiling pots filled with red rock and clay. Fumaroles carrying burst of burning hot steam through little holes in solid volcanic rock. If you can hike approximately 2 miles each way, definitely make it to "Devil's Kitchen" where this highly active volcanic terrain still exists. It looks like Mars!
Then there's the trees, crags and the mountain itself that are so majestic. The road across the park is convenient for the non-hiking type...with several scenic stops along the way...most with BATHROOMS! lol
We just rode through the park seeing the sight. We did not have time to hike any of the trails. We did stop and get out to look at the boiling mud pots.
Out of the way, but the drive alone is a quintessential summer road trip. Take your time, slow down and connect.
It's the middle of July & there is still left over snow in the parking lot and our kids had a blast sliding from it. The whole Lassen Volcanic National Park has beautiful scenery and not as crowded as we expect. It's worth the trip.
Unplanned road trip had my BF wanting to see Mount Lassen and SO GLAD we did. Besides the amazing drive up the mountain, the views from the top (and we had snow in late May) made it even more breathtaking.
Highly recommend!!
YEs, hiking is awesome for those who favor it, but while driving through Lassen Volcanic National Park, I was on my way to Sulphur Works to see the steam coming out of the ground due to underground lava...cause come on, that's radical! I knew next to nothing about this park. During the drive my elevation was getting higher and higher untill before I knew it I was at the summit! I had never seen snow on the top of a mountain before. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
The drives were incredible. Even though I was driving for over 2 hours, it breezed by because every stretch was more gorgeous than the next. If you are in the area, you have to drive through Lassen Volcanic National Park. There's so much to see and many hiking opportunities should you choose, but if you're not a hiker, you can just drive through all the part and pull over to enjoy the views where you'd like. Please go!
Even though most of the park was still closed for winter, more than worth the drive.
Simply spectacular.....
The significant other and I spent nearly 6 hours in the park on June 19th. The views are breath-taking. We took a couple of short hikes, 1.5 miles and 4 miles, and were rewarded with even more views. Lots of interpretive boards are provided. The nice thing about this park is the lack of noisy, pushy crowds. Take some some to relax and truly experience Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Since I last climbed to the top, the park has upgraded the trail, making is safer. if you go in the summer, and the parking lot at the base of the trail is really warm, make sure you take a small back pack with water, snacks and warm clothes. Remember, you are climbing up a thousand feet and the top can be cold and windy. It's also nice to sit, have a snack, watch the chimpmunks and look at the view, a 360 degree view! After making you way back down to the parking lot, if you still have the energy, make sure to take in a few of the other attractions the park has to offer, such as the boiling mud pots.
We camped at Manzanita Lake and drove thru the park, north to south, the next day. Did the Bumpass Hell Hike and some other short hikes. We are in our 60's but the hikes are well worth the effort. Only had one day, but will go back again to do the other hikes and see more of the volcanic terrain.
This is the second time I’ve been to Mt. Lassen. Wish I had more time for some hiking, but even a drive through is well worth the time.
A drive through this park is an adventure along a winding mountain road. The drive takes you through a variety of stunning landscapes that makes you feel transported to another planet at times. We will return to explore more and in particular to do the summit hike which we heard was amazing but cold, steep and windy.
Snow is still on this Mount and 4 days ago it looked like a shark. Would have been a picture for Shark Week. There is still enough snow to sled in and make snow balls in your tank top and shorts. Plenty of water and surrounding areas are green and healthy. It was the first time I ever saw a butterfly migration over areas of snow. The wildflowers in the meadows are spectacular. This was my first time in this area and I wonder why it took this world traveler so long to get there. I have lived in California all my life and camping in the nearby Hat Creek area was perfect. Hat Creek had 2-3 lb trout being caught by many folks last week. Amazing. Will do this trip again.
I live only 60 miles from The Lassen Peak trailhead, so for me it's a day trip. The park seems to have ample campgrounds and I noticed several cabins for rent in the area. But I went to hike Lassen Peak. The trail guide says it's 5miles round trip, but my Fitbit said 7. The elevation at peak is 10,437. The trail is uphill the entire hike. Lots of switch backs. The last half mile it turned into loose gravel and rock and very steep. Several places have stairs. The high altitude increased the difficulty level. With all that being said I saw people of all sizes and shapes and all ages from 5 to 80. They all had one thing in common. 'Make it to the top!' And it was worth it. The view was beautiful! I was wearing really good sneakers and they were fine but most were wearing hiking boots. I would recommend trekking poles, especially for coming down. Lots of loose gravel. There was still patches of snow you had to traverse. If you go early it's not so crowded but as I was coming down about noon it was getting busy. NO RESTROOM AT SUMMIT. Definitely bring a day pack for water bottle and windbreaker. It's very windy up top and chilly next to the snow pack. I was there late Aug.
$20 admission into park
18 miles to nearest town w grocery store.
Intermittent cell coverage on trail. But none at summit. I have ATT.
Use sun screen.
Even on the busiest weekend of the year - last weekend of June and prior to 4th of July holiday - you could get around with not crowds. This national park is huge and the trails are many for different levels. Lot's to do if you like to be outdoors site seeing, kayaking, hiking or even climb to the very top of the volcano (Mt. Lassen) for an awesome 360 degree view.
The signature highlight of Lassen Volcanic National Park (LVNP) is Lassen Peak, the plug dome volcano that last erupted 100 years ago and rises 2,000 vertical feet above the majority of the park. It also accumulates the most snow of anywhere in California, and I have been amazed to see pictures with so much snow so late into the summer. We visited Lassen Peak on Labor Day, so while there was some snow on the summit, the vast majority of the park was enjoying its brief respite from the frozen precipitation that blankets the park for much of the year. It also happened to be the most incredible blue-sky day which was made for hiking aside from the wind. We could not have had a better day.
I will say that while Lassen is one of the least visited parks in the NPS system, Labor Day was incredibly crowded. Still, the parking lot and the trail to Lassen Peak had plenty of room. If you want to avoid the crowds in LVNP, hike Lassen Peak as few look to tackle the 5 mile round trip, 2,000 foot elevation gain hike. It is a tester of your muscle and your perseverance but such an incredible hike and view from the top. On a clear day as we had, you can easily see Mount Shasta and across the Central Valley, both of which are 100 miles away.
While the view is great, the best thing is hiking on an active Cascade volcano that has erupted only 100 years ago. I have hiked Vesuvius, St. Helens and now Lassen, and there is something about hiking an active volcano that is both terrifying and exhilarating. The hike is mostly on bare volcanic rock and ash with little shade; however, the bottom 2/3s has many more trees than I expected. Nearly all of those are the southernmost extent of the White Bark Pine which is a relative of the Bristlecone and another smallish, gnarled tree that grows in habitats unsuitable for most plants. It was an unexpected treat to hike through such a forest high above the rest of the tree line. Also, near and at the top, there were still patches of snow, one large enough to ski as there was a gentleman attempting to ski at least one day every month of the year.
Once at the top you have a false summit where you can stop and get pictures, and this may be as far as you go. There is another rise of rocks that require some scramble but will take you to the highest part of the mountain. In addition, you can also hike across the snow to see and stand on the youngest rock in California, only 100 years old, forming in the last eruption. You will also have the most incredible view of LVNP itself with views to Cinder Cone and amazing pictures of Lake Helen. It was a hard and challenging hike, but it was so rewarding once you reach the top. It was the most incredible experience we had in LVNP. If you can, I highly recommend you hike to the summit.
Due to the remote location of the park; you will not find many folks there, particularly on the week days. There are several great small lakes perfect for kayaking and catch and release; all amidst the grand views of the mountains. Mount Lassen will retain snow almost all year; and is a great place for kids to play for a cool treat during the summer. The mud pits always impress with their multicolored volcanic mud bubbling up. Great hikes on several trails leading to hidden lakes; streams; meadows; and mountain view unsurpassed in the US. Plan on seeing deer and possibly a bear or cougar as this is a remote area with plenty of wildlife. The Mount Lassen hike is taxing; however, after the climb to 10,200 ft you are rewarded with a view of Northern California mountains and forests that cannot be beat. Take lunch and eat at the top of the volcano. My grandkids; age 8 and 10 made it to the top of Mount Lassen and the trek is easily accomplished with a little patients and plenty of rest stops for kids. Possibly one of the best kid friendly parks in California with swimming, kayaking, camping, hiking, and family fun. Outstanding RV and tent park with a great camp store; try the volcano ice cream, you won't be disappointed.
I went to mt lassen with my kids in the 90*s .went for a car ride last weekend and drove a round it ,,park is closed now .I am planning a trip this summer with my grand kids.I can still remember when my youngish son said to me ......mommy the mountain is farting .. great place to take kids .water Lillys in the ponds hot springs and good trails
The park is quite pretty but access is limited to a 10 mile stretch of a road after entering the park.The road was blocked because snow had not been cleared which limits travel in the park.Shortly after entry there is a nice lake with a trail around it which is worth walking.The walk is beautiful with also good mountain views.
At the Northeast corner is a place called Cinder cone accessed by a unpaved road.6 miles later is the Butte Lake campground from which a trail starts uphill to the base of Cinder cone a volcano with a caldera on top.The climb from the base to the top is pure hell because walking on lava gravel is very difficult and a lot of fitness is needed.In July it was hot plus one needs a lot of water.I only made it halfway but my daughter went to the top and found amazing views so well worth it All in all a very nice park to visit.
I've been going to Lassen since I was 8 years old. Our family moved to Northeastern California in 1969. The park is filled with history, which was probably more interesting before 1980. You see, at that time, it was the only volcano that had erupted in the lower 48. When Mt. St. Helens blew up in 1980, people have tended to forget Lassen. That's good if you want less crowding. Most people who visit California's National Parks head to Sequoia and Yosemite. They tend to not want to travel all the way up to Lassen. There are abundant trails, from short to quite long. There are bubbling sulphur works and mud. There is a trail to hike the summit of Mt Lassen. Kings Creek Meadows is beautiful, and the source of the North Fork of the Feather River.
Out of the way but worth the trip. Magnificent vistas and beauty. Lots of very interesting geologic history and volcanic information.
This is an extraordinary place to explore with many waterfalls a lot of hiking trails! There are ample camping sites as well as kayak and cabin rentals near Manzanita Lake. Great fun for the entire family,
I went for a day hike (Mount Lassen Peak) and it was a fantastic challenge. The route is easy to follow and there are tons of rocks to sit on for short water breaks. It became pretty steep at the top so prepare for a big workout. It wasn't an easy hike but considering I have weak lungs and Asthma, it was do-able and I had no issues breathing. Once you get to the top, you can hike a little higher up past the information stand. That is where you want to get a good picture. It is gorgeous up there!!! (See pic below). Some snow along the path and hot temperatures. If you're camping, you can purchase the permit in the front and they give you a map that helps a ton. There's an area called Devastated Area (forest?) and it's amazing seeing the damage from the last Lassen Eruption in the early 1900's. Scary seeing rows of burned trees but also beautiful. There are other hikes at this park as well. This is a must though, something to check off the bucketlist. Hike was over 5- 6 hours round trip (about 3 one way). Take tons of water and snacks.
I can't believe I haven't heard about this beautiful park until recently. Such a beautiful park and not as crowded as Yosemite or Sequoia Park. We've been visiting the park for two days while staying at Airbnb in Redding for a night. Luckily, we checked the wether and decided that staying in a tent wouldn't be a great idea.
We hiked Lassen Peak on our first day. Even though my friend and I are in a good shape, it wasn't super easy for us to get all the way up to the top. We were not in a hurry and made multiple stops on our way up. The view was definitely worth the effort! The peak was still covered in snow and we could also see mount Shasta far away. We stayed there for a little and went back down, which was fast and easy.
Take warm clothes with you, bring water, and apply plenty of sunscreen. Don't be scared that the hike is not easy, with many stops anyone can do it.
Four of us went to Lassen Volcano National Park for July 4th - 5th. It was fun! Since parts are high elevation we got to throw snowballs and walk in snow on July 4th. Not only were there thermal features (like a mini-Yellowstone), but geology of volcanics including all the various types of volcanoes are present in the park. Unfortunately some of the roads in the park are not connected, meaning you have to enter from different areas to get some places. Due to our time limits we didn't get a chance to see some of those. Also we didn't want to hike on the snow-covered areas, but there was plenty of information about conditions in each area so we knew what to expect. This is a worth a visit, although not as beautiful as the top rated National Parks.
July 2nd and still tons of snow in 75 degree temperatures. Beautiful national park that is off the beaten path. All roads and trails were not open due to heavy winter snowfalls. It was a holiday weekend and while Yosemite had a 3 hour wait to get in, there were plenty of parking spaces & areas to roam. Be prepared for elevation changes & snow and ice conditions. Every bend in the road is breathtaking.
We visited Mt Lassen and had an amazing experience with a hike around Manzanita Lake, great photography available and birdwatching at the lake and surrounding area.
It is a tiring but certainly very much worth hike. It is all the way up, the air is thin and the sun is hot - but once you get up there it is totally worth it. The view is stunning!
We only had a short time to explore the park as we drove through the park but it was an amazing view and well worth visiting.
Amazing history and stunning views. Don't miss the Sulfur Works (can drive there and get out and look). Bumpass Hell was a bit of a hike but well worth seeing and smelling. We also hiked Lake Manzanita and Reflection Lake. Drove all the way through from one end to the other. Visitor Center fantastic, be sure to watch the 29 min film. I bought some books as well on the history of Mount Lassen. We had lunch at the cafe which was overpriced but hope the money goes to the park. Wish I had brought my swimsuit to take a dip in one of the lakes. We went July 31 and there were pockets of snow left but all roads were clear. Really high altitude so it was not too hot but hiking was a bit more challenging.
All types of volcanos are represented in the park. You can see forests, lakes and hot springs all in close proximity. educational and beautiful. The hike up Mount Lassen is on a wide groomed trail on a very even grade. The views are spectacular!
This was my fourth climb of Mt. Lassen. While it gets a little harder with each passing year, putting one foot in front of the other, slow and steady, does finally get one to the peak. The view from the top is amazing! You feel on top of the world!
I am from Kansas and not much of a mountaineer, but I have been hiking for more than 10 years and have hiked a couple of Colorado fourteeners. This hike was spectacular and pleasant all the way up and all the way down. The trail is a wide gravel path with switchbacks so the gain is do-able. We had quite a bit of snow in July and were glad we had crampons and trekking poles, but we saw plenty of people with no gear on. The hike took about 6 hours for us flat-landers. Why not take your time and enjoy it? Even if you don't make it to the top, there is a spectacular overlook at the half-way point. My group was treated to thousands of butterflies playing in the wind - such a magical experience. I would do this hike every year if I lived nearby.
We visited Lassen Volcanic Park while staying with some relatives in Lake Almanor, CA. In fact, we were not aware of the park until they mentioned it to us.
The park is very interesting and beautiful. The setting is in the mountains with tall pines extending up to the tree line at 10,000+ ft. The surprise comes when your realize that these mountains are all volcanic, unlike the glacial mountains near Reno and Tahoe. The last eruption was 100 years ago.
The visitor center has a video (20 mins.) that discusses the history of the volcanoes in the area. There are about 20 different trails that you can choose from to hike of varying difficulty.
We chose the Bumpass Hell trail. The trail is 3 miles RT, moderate difficulty and ends at Bumpass Hell, a location with active sulfur pots and boiling mud holes. There is a wooden walkway into the pot area with warnings to stay on the walkway since the crust is thin. It is quite a site.
We will be going back on a future trip to hike up Lassen Volcano.
My children are ages 5 & 7. We hiked to the summit of Mount Lassen! It required breaks, but we managed to reach the top in 2.5 hours. This is one proud Mom! The view is spectacular and the feeling of accomplishment grand. The path is narrow at times - enough to fit 2 people. The top still had snow so we had a quick snowball fight. The temperature changes from hot due to activity to cold because the wind is cold. The wind is not on you all the time though. We had layers so easy enough to fix that. I would recommend a hat for the ears and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the dust.
Always cool to be hiking on snow in the summer! We headed up in the early morning to catch the sunrise on the trail. Easy to follow, the trail goes up and up .... and up! 2000 feet elevation gain, starting around 8500 feet, so although not difficult in distance or difficulty, it is a constant 5 mile (round trip) grind. The views make it worth while. If I could only do one hike, it would be Bumpass Hell, but if my wife were asked which hike she would say Lassen Peak.
This hike was great! It's strenuous and you may have to take your time if you aren't use to incline (I live on the east coast where it's completely flat). Bring wind protection. How many chances do you have to hike up a volcano? Awesome views!!! Smoke from nearby wildfires came in the morning we hiked up, but it made a cool fog-effect. We usually start our hikes early in the morning...by the time we were done the parking lot was filling up and tons of people were hiking up...in black clothing during a sunny day (many turned around before we left...probably because they weren't fit enough or weren't prepared to hike in the heat...I can never understand those who start strenuous hikes at the part of the day that starts getting hot). One of the cool features are the information plaques that are dispersed throughout the hike, which also has a countdown to how many miles til the top - they were nice because it gives you a good excuse to have a break :-)
We called the area Mount Lassen for the last 45 years, and learned it's actually Lassen Peak. Fantastic place to visit. Be sure to check ahead if you want to hike. There still is a lot of snow (July 2019)
The park is not as busy as some of the larger parks, which was a very nice plus. The scenery is wonderful. Road conditions were very good (albeit very winding road). Many beautiful sites that are easily accessible for parking. Both entrances (especially South entrance) has a wonderful stop which is the visitor's center. Beautiful building with lots of information available. Souveniers and limited foods also available. Enjoyed the hydrothermal areas (which I found extremely interesting). There is such a variety of trails for hikes from very short and easy to more lenthy and difficult. Over 100 miles of stock use trails where people may bring in their horses to ride. Also a riding stable is available. Lots of camping and picnic areas throughout the park. Very clean and pristine. Be sure to visit at least once and enjoy the experience.
Great park. Even though it was July, some trails still closed due to snow. Beautiful drive from north to south. Great place for couples and families.
Had a fab hike up to the summit of Lassen on a hot day in early September with snow around from the last season! Great views and actually quite a simple hike, but takes around 3-4 hours in total.
We took this park in during a drive-through visit. I have mobility issues, so I can't easily walk trails, but at this park it made no difference! Don't miss the visitor's center for a wonderful, informative presentation and a small museum. The written information given at the entrance was great. I really learned a lot about volcanoes and began to be able to pick out landmarks and understand them as we drove along. Highly recommend this park.
This is a relatively short hike (about 5 miles round trip), but the 2000' elevation gain makes for an awesome workout. The scenery is fantastic all the way to the top. Do not be fooled by the warm temps at the trailhead in summertime. It gets very windy and cold from about midway to the top. I started with shorts and one thin summer shirt. By the time I made it to the summit I had three layers on top in addition to a beanie and a hat! I strongly recommend this hike.
The first thing to know is that there are numerous climates and diverse regions that make up this park. Unlike so many other parks which have one set of expectations, Lassen has many: sulfer pots and the badlands, alpine peaks, mountain ranges, valleys, meadows and sub-desert conditions. Add to this natural wonder the fact that traffic into the park is nominal and you have nature without the crazy crowds. So many others have provided detail on what to see and points of interest, so I will day ditto. Lassen is a must see on any trip of the west.
Wonderful....bubbling mud, lava flows and wonderful lakes and waterfalls. Just stunning. A perfect day trip and adventure.
Leisure drive and accommodating stops to see amazing sites. We purchased a booklet (only $6.75) at the visitor center which added additional additional information about each stop. A fascinating area. Regretabley, We didn't allow ourselves enough time at the Loomis Museum end - but we now have another reason to go back!
Mount Lassen (10,457') is the centerpiece of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The peak is what remains of a lava dome volcano that erupted several times between 1914 and 1917. It is still considered to be an active volcano, and is closely monitored. The park protects the surrounding geothermal ecosystem and provides educational and recreational opportunities. A spectacular scenic drive (CA89) passes through the park and around the eastern flank of Mount Lassen. The two-lane highway is paved and about 30 miles long, with views of the peaks and alpine lakes along the way. Note that the road is typically closed in the winter (November-May) due to heavy snowfall. A NPS pass or entrance fee is required; $10-30 depending on the time of year and mode of transportation. There are two visitor centers at either end of the park with interesting exhibits and information to help plan your visit. Numerous hiking trails of various lengths and difficulties provide access to the mountain wilderness. We visited in August and the park was not crowded. The landscape was very green and there were many wildflowers blooming. We were traveling with a wheelchair so that limited our activities, but we enjoyed the Sulphur Works geothermal area and the easy trail through the Devastated Area which has interpretive signs about the 1915 eruption.
So close yet so far away...an amazing spring visit to this park yields unexpected views. The Ranger staff was extremely helpful and informative.
One warm sunny California morning in June, as we were driving from Reno to the California coast, we decided to pay a visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park. We enjoy visiting national parks, but had heard little to nothing about Mount Lassen. We arrived at the park entrance and to our dismay, the park was temporarily closed due to an overnight snowfall of close to 4 inches. Snowfall? We were shocked. We stopped by a rest area next to a lake and enjoyed some sandwiches we had packed. A park ranger said the park would likely open around 1030 AM or so, after they finished clearing the roads. We were at the gate before 11, not realizing how much the memories from the rest of this day would stay with us. The fresh snow, the breathtaking scenery, deer walking cautiously beside our car near a cliff, standing beside 30 ft. hight piles of snow from the snow plows, where we parked at the visitor's center, following some animal trails into dry snowless areas amoungst the pine trees, the afternoon snowball battle as temps got near 60, serene mountain lakes, chipmunks taking cherries from our hands along a ridge, fantastic pictures right from our car window... I could go on, but I'm sure you'll find many adventures of your own, if you decide to make the trek. We relaxed beside another lake on the other side of the park that late afternoon, treasuring a day - well spent!
It is about 1 hour drive from Redding to visit Mount Lassen but it is such a beautiful landscape. The drive brings nearly at 2500 m and you can enjoy magnificent views of the volcano, the forests while it is is possible to trace the 1918 eruption.
It is absolutely recommended!!
I like to challenge myself with at last one hike listed as strenuous in every park we visit, but I knew going in that I have a fear of heights. The hike was indeed challenging (69 and both knees replaced) but I found it steady going - until I got to the last quarter mile. At that point the trail has no side wall, you are high enough to feel the wind, and there was show on a few spots to make the footing somewhat tricky. Admittedly I gave up at that point. So be warned and no thyself. I did take pictures and thoroughly enjoyed the exercise up to that point and back, but that last piece and my limits about heights defeated me. Hopefully friendly advice.
The views are great, but no real interpretive center other than the visitor centers. Everything requires long hikes. Wasn’t all that impressed.
Lassen is a beautiful and quiet National Park. Climbing Lassen Peak gives you the best panoramas of the park.
We started the steady climb at daybreak to avoid the heat (and people). It took just under 2 hours to get to the top. With only 3 people ahead of us, we felt like we had the volcano to ourselves. As the heart and lungs pumped, the views became more and more breathtaking. Lingering at the top, we took it all in before the descent, which took less than an hour.
It was very windy on one side of the volcano and sunny and sheltered on the other. So, take layers, wind/waterproof jacket and warm hat - you will need it.
Went to Mount Lassen today. We took the 4.5 mile hike to the falls. It was a moderate hike, but the view at the end along with the scenic beauty on the hike is one we will cherish. My wife wasn't going to finish the hike, but she encountered an angelic 21-year old German girl, Victoria who assisted her to the falls. We saw 4 deer, many different colored butterflys, chipmunks, and many beautiful wildflowers. Be sure bring lots of water for this hike.
We spent the day driving on the auto tour. It is a paved road, lots of stops for scenic views, and don't miss the video and museum at the visitor's center. There were a couple of the trails we were able to walk. As we had one handicapped person in our party, there wasn't a lot he could do as far as the trails go. We were here in August and the temperature was hot. Many times we have driven past the route to Mt. Lassen. This time we made a point of visiting the park and have no regrets. We found it very interesting.
Lassen park has many picturesque opportunities and makes for a wonderful motorcycle ride which can and should be a full day trip.
SMALL COPY OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, BUT THE HIKING TO THE VOLCANO IS AWESOME!!!
If you haven't been to Yellow Stone National Park at Wyoming, due to the long drive, then you have to consider the Lassen National Park here in Northern California.
the sight is Awesome!
We only spent about a half day in the park on our way back down from OR, but we're so glad we did! We were there on a Monday and there were very few other people there. In the 70's, so good temp for some hikes! We stopped in Redding for some sandwiches so we could picnic along one of the lakes up there - just perfect. There is only one cafe inside the park on the south end, so bringing a lunch in is a good idea. We drove the main loop and did the Bumpass hike to the mud pots,etc. Well worth the hike. The sign says allow 2 hours, but took us 25 minutes in and 30 back up with addl time to take pics Etc. You could probably also do the Kings Falls hike in a half day. You would not have time to hike to Lassen Peak. Even if you just have time to drive thru the park, it's worth it
Beautiful and peaceful place. Still had over 10' of snow at the pass when we were there in June. Mostly quiet and not crowded, something hard to find in California. The color of the water over the ice on the lakes was amazingly blue and beautiful. Unfortunately there was too much snow to make it all the way up the mountain - it will be for another time. It would be a GREAT ride downhill on a bicycle, another thing to consider doing next time we are here. Worth the drive, worth your time.
In 1914 when Mount Lassen began erupting, local business man and amateur photographer, B.F. Loomis grabbed his gear and recorded the volcano’s major eruptions during 1914 and 1915 as well as the devastation afterwards. Being the first major volcanic eruption in the contiguous United States and the first volcanic eruption anywhere to be captured in both photographs and motion pictures, the Mount Lassen captured the fascination of the American public and Mr. Loomis championed the formation of a national park which became reality on August 9, 1916.
Today, Mount Lassen rises to the height of 10,462 feet (3,189m) and dominates the beautiful national park consisting of alpine lakes, evergreen forests and hydrothermal features that, despite its beauty and diversity, is one of the least visited. However, the park’s low rate of visitation does make it particularly special for those that do venture here as one can have most of Lassen’s many wonderful, unspoiled trails virtually to themselves, including the strenuous 5.0 mile (8.1k) roundtrip hike to the top of Mount Lassen. While the trail to the top has been closed much of the last few years for rehabilitation, the work is now complete and the trail is open. If hiking is not for you, the park offers a scenic drive that arcs around Mount Lassen with many pullouts to enjoy the features of the park and is just the right length for a wonderful day visit.
Lassen National park is a great place to visit. There is so much to do from short hikes to long hikes. Views of mount Lassen, lava beds, steams and a great visitor centre. We were there the 1st week of October and it was -2 at 9am so be prepared. The weather can change quickly but that all adds to the fun and beauty of a lovely stunning national park thats well worth a days visit.
We didn't climb all the way as we were a little rushed because snow was coming and the roads were going to be shut at 3:00pm. That's OK. It was COLD! Mid October, but it was great, because we pretty much had the place to ourselves! HUGE parking lot the the bas of the trail to Lassen peak.
We travelled to NoCal and one of the reasons was to see the LVNP. We were charged $25 (full price) and could only travel 10 miles inside the park from the NW side. The only thing you see in the the north end is "Hot" Rock (it was "Hot" 100 years ago) - this was a totally rip off - if the south end of the park (where all the seismic/volcanic activity must be) has not been opened "DO NOT GO" - there is nothing to see.
I've been to many national parks, but this park is so stunning. Thanks to El Niño, there was so much water and even snow in the higher elevations. Because of it's landscape, there is no driving loop. We entered from the north and ended in the south. There is very limited mobile phone signal. Some people were lucky at Kings Creek because they had Verizon. AT&T was available south of Manzanita Lake. It's great if you want the kids to not use their electronics.
4WD is not necessary but recommended. And do not think that flip flops or sandals is appropriate anywhere. Make sure you being lots of bug repellant. Since there is a lot of water, you will find bugs.
There are restrooms at campgrounds, but they are very basic and more like port-o-potties. Civilized bathrooms are found at both entrances.
The weather was perfect at a high of 75. Certain areas were crowded, like Kings Creek and Sulphur Works. If you're not looking to hike, this park can be done in one day. If you're hiking, plan on a few days or one hike. Be aware the Kings Creek Falls trail is under construction, directing people to an alternate route. If you are not used to hiking or not willing to do a long hike, avoid the hike. The hike normally takes 1 hour, but we ended up hiking it for 2.5 hours.
I would return, even with the $20 entrance fee.
My first stop on my first to the park was the visitor center restroom that looked like ****. Best sites if you are just touring the road are the Sulphur Works and views of Mt. Lassen. The bubbling sulphur pit was the best one I have ever seen, topping Yellowstone in my opinion--but that is just one spot in the park versus other more famous parks that have lots of awe-inspiring places.
My wife and I were roaming without an itinerary from Lake Tahoe to Portland and might have missed this relatively unknown park if not for comments by a waiter at breakfast one morning before we left Lake Tahoe. We are very, very fortunate he spoke up - it is a wonderful park, unique in that it is the only “volcanic” National Park. There are two visitor centers, ours had an informative twenty-minute film that did an excellent job explaining the volcanic activity that shaped the park. The most interesting area in this huge area was the “area of desolation” - a place in the park you can see the destruction caused by the volcano that includes spectacular views of Mt. Lassen as well as a nice half mile walk that is curated with audio stations along the way. The place we really wanted to see - Bumpus Hell - was inaccessible due to snowpack in August! We did get a glimpse of a small, bubbling mud cauldron as we drove the park and stopped at one of the many places with signage and explanations.
Every National park has something it claims to be unique - and technically might be - but Lassen really is unique in how one can learn and see the impact of relatively recent volcanic activity. Check it out.
Very scenic park . the view is magnificent . very good park for hikers that like to walk into the mountains and enjoy the places
We visited Lassen in July and the whole experience was surreal. You go from 90 degree weather to snow covered and iced over lakes within minutes. Had to park at Bumpass Hell Parking lot about a mile south because snow clearing was still in progress. Looped around Lake Helen as suggested by the ranger and did some back country hiking. The first 2.5 miles was all snow, the last mile was above the treeline and the trail had been cleared. Had a nice lunch at the summit before starting back down. The blast crater at the summit from the 1915 eruption is visible but was filled with snow. There is literally no shade the last 1.5 miles so bring your hats!
They are not lying about that 2000 some foot rise in 2.5 miles! It's pretty good long hike, I believe that the sign at the bottom said 4 or 5 hours on average but I was able to do the whole thing in about 3.
My husband and I visited Lassen Park in Sep. The temperature in the morning was chilly but it made it easier to hike in elevation. We did shorter hikes on one day( like Lake Manzanita, Bumpass Hell, and ridges lake). All were unique and interesting. The second day we did Lassen Peak and that was cool to get to the top. Lassen Peak is all in the sun so would recommend doing it early in am and when it's not too hot.
While hiking options are limited at the southwest park entrance in late May, so are the crowds. Beautiful hike up the park road, closed to traffic but open to hikers and bikers. We were lucky to secure a snow-free tent camp site too.
This is one of the most beautiful places I've been. It was so peaceful almost surreal. I was unaware of the 20$-7day day pass usage fee , but it was so worth it . I wish I would have had more than a day . My only complaint was it was all so beautiful and it had limited pull off places for those who love to take pictures . Also I had no phone service thru the whole park which meant no gps,Internet etc ., so look everything up you need to prior to going.
Drove thru at a leisurely pace with many stops along the way. The mud pots are at a pull-off right by the highway so easy to see. Didn't go for any extended hikes but the stroll thru the rocks was on a fairly level, smooth, wide pathway.
We took a drive north on a weekend trip, specifically to visit this park. Totally worth it! Absolutely fell in love with this park. We entered through the south entrance and didn't make it up the road all the way to the north entrance on either day that we visited, but that just gives us another reason to go back. The first day, we arrived around noon and were rewarded with mild weather and clear skies. We did the Bumpass Hell trail, which was challenging, but do-able for two horribly out of shape thirty somethings. The end of the trail was the reward, which was the field of fumaroles that you get to walk through on an elevated boardwalk. The second day, it was foggy and raining lightly when we got there around 10am. We hiked the short trail to the cold boiling lake, which unfortunately was not bubbling, only a little pond off to the side was, but it was still a beautiful sight regardless. It was an easy, short, 1mile roundtrip hike that was made even more lovely due to the light rain. It felt like we were the only people for miles.
The park is filled with little wonders. The fumaroles, the mud pots, the lakes, mountains, and hiking trails. We really loved this park and can't wait for a chance to return!
I visited this park with my family and we had a wonderful time. We started at the visitor center which offers a short film on the volcanic eruption and has some displays. We then drove through the park and stopped at all the marked areas. We were there in late July and unfortunately Bumpass Hell was still closed because of snow. But the rest was open. My children have studied earth science in school and this brought everything in their books to life. Carry water and jackets as it will be cool even though nearby Red Bluff and Redding will be baking in summer heat. Wear solid shoes as there are a lot of sharp rocks. Note: This park is often closed because of snow. Call ahead if in doubt, but usually the summer months are ok starting in early July.
You are able to see much of this volcanic area from the car, if walking isn't an option. The history of Lassen is well described and illustrated at the visitor centers. The force of nature is easier to understand as you observe the rocks, flow areas, formations. The ride climbs to almost 8,000 feet, the second highest in the Cascade region, if I remember correctly, and affords spectacular vistas in all directions.
What a beautiful park and its surprising it is not more well known. The high country has a healthy green forest with great views of the mountains all created by various volcanic events. The drive travels through a number of habitats. Certainly it is a curvy mountain road in portions but well paved.
DO NOT miss the hike to Bumpass Hell. Nothing like it sounds. About 3 miles with some up and down hiking and you will be treated to a smaller version of Yellowstone. The park notes it has all Yellowstone's geothermal features except geysers.
This mountain dominates the landscape in Lassen Volcanic National Park. It is stunning to view & there are hikes of varying lengths you can do on it.
Went here as a local alternative to Yellowstone. Not disappointed.
First off, it is far less tourist infested than either Yellowstone or Yosemite but is similarly spectacular.
We were there in late july and there was still lots of snow on the ground - so much that the trail to Bumpass Hell was still closed.
I guess you can do this as a day trip, but the best way is to camp there. Not a lot of sites, but several (most?) are first-come, first served so forget showing up late on a weekend. We arrived in the early evening on a Saturday and had to backtrack to Red Bluff to get a room for the night. The next morning however, we had our pick of sites near the lake.
One thing though if you camp. Bring all the food and ice you need for your stay. While there is a camp store near the north entrance and one about 8 miles from the south in Mineral, the selections are limited and basic. Soda by the can rather than six-pack for example.
Other than that, take your pick of hikes based on your physical condition, time and equipment. We did King Creek to the waterfall (pretty easy) and Ridge Lake (ball buster - 1000' vertical in 1.1 miles) as well as a hike to some steam vents on the southeast side of the park (requires going out east to Chester). We were told that Lassen peak would still require crampons and an ice axe - in late June.
Beauty, can be sometimes only seen LIVE & in-person!
The mainland Volcano of Mt. Lesson is true cousin to Pele the Volcano godess. Many incredible short, Mid and long hikes to explore and enjoy. Each lake as beautiful of any in the world. Aloha
We visited here in July and had a very good time. The hike is smooth and easy and the views are incredible. Many different animals to see about. The area is calm and peaceful with wonderful photo opportunities..
When visiting Shasta County make sure in take a trip up to lassen volcanic Park. Its a great drive up there and in easy drive around the mountain. You shouldn't have to worry about any altitude problems and certainly should enjoy the clean crisp air. There are wonderful hiking trails 4 everyone even though they may have a little challenge walking. When you check in to the park you'll receive a map of all the trails. Make sure you stop at the visitor center and read about the volcano and see the pictures of the eruption. Remember to look on your drive up that all the volcanic rocks that are so far from the mountain but were once part of the mountain. Bumpass Hell is a very popular spot to walk around and look at all the volcanic activity bubbling up in the form of steam pots. It is closed at this time but will reopen later in July or early August after all the ice has melted from the walkways. This is a "don't-miss" walk and anyone can do it. Once again don't miss going to the park!
Climbed Mount Lassen Peak Trail (along with several hundred, literally, 4,5,6-th graders from Rhonart Park, Sonoma, and other schools). 2000 foot elevation in 2.5 miles. Slope is actually pretty constant from the very beginning. The newly re-constructed trail is wonderful. It is a serious hike, but no climbing is involved. Also hiked into Bumpass Hell from the back - Kings Creek and Cold Boiling Lake. The main trail was supposed to open two days later. Visitor Centers have a lot of good information.
We wanted a snowshoe adventure in a beautiful setting and we were not disappointed. We went on the 2 hr ranger-led snowshoe tour to get the lay of the land. The tour is limited to 20 and allows for personal attention by the guides. History and geographical information are provided - adds to the fun of the tour. Great workout and excellent way to spend an afternoon. There are no groomed trails so you are free to venture out on your own as well.
After driving to almost 8K elevation, this hike is not that bad as it gains around 2000 ft elevation in 2.5 miles (one way). The trail was recently re-finished and it provides plenty of switchbacks to make the climb less strenuous. Bring tons of water and sun screen if doing this in the summer months!
Given that the eruption occurred over 100 years ago, this majestic mountain remains to welcome lucky visitors. I visited first at age 10 and the return didn't disappoint. The colors are stunning, green grass, white snow, red pine needle paths! There is something at this national park for all ages. The visitor centers are excellent, there are suggested search games for kids, everything is well groomed in the park, and there are choices of small hikes and huge hikes. No regrets in re-visiting!!
Honestly, I know Mount Lassen has a lot to offer. It is beautiful. I remember going as a teen and hiking the mountain, visiting the devastated area, etc. For some reason, though, on this trip it felt like we were only able to drive to a couple of spots before we had to stop and there wasn't a lot to do. Getting help wasn't easy, either. I was disappointed in how little info was available to help me find my way around.
There is plenty to see and do without feeling overly crowded. The fall has great weather and the park feels more rustic and natural than busier parks.
Mount Lassen erupted in 1915. And you can hike to the summit and stand in the crater. Read up on the history of this place before you visit, and it will make your visit a lot more memorable. Lassen National Park is one of America's most beautiful national parks, but it is not that frequently visited. Come here, hike the Lassen Peak trail, take pictures, and you will remember it for life.
We went up Lassen in early August on a sunny cloudless day. Even with an early start, we knew it was going to be quite warm. There was little shade on the trail. The views were terrific all along the trail as we switchbacked up the mountain. Halfway up, we were greeted with a deluge of orange-&-black tortoiseshell butterflies streaming down the mountainside. At the peak was a vast snowfield. The elevation gain is 2000 feet with a trail length of about 2.5 miles (5 miles round trip), so it is not a very difficult climb. Nevertheless, if you have joint or stamina issues, this may not be the hike for you. All in all, we loved the hike.
Every year we take a National Parks trip and in 2014 it was the loop in northern California and southern Oregon’s turn. My son and I had always wanted to take the trail to the top of Mount Lassen but, unfortunately, the trail was closed for the final year of the multi-year trail rehabilitation project. Nevertheless there were plenty of other trails to enjoy in Lassen Volcanic, many with the peak of Mount Lassen in view. Now that the restoration is compete, perhaps someday we will have the opportunity to return and reach the summit.
Good place to visit and see the bumpass and sulphur works which are must watch
Plan in summer so that you can enjoy seeing the sulphur works
So much to do but we had so little time! Even if you just enter the park and drive through the entire route up and back down the mountain is an amazing experience. By the time we got to the top , it had dropped to 37 degrees and was snowing! You will see streams, lakes, the devastated area, ice, snow, valleys, and the sulfur works all from the drive. I bet they have amazing trails that we didn’t explore but would love to come back!
I tell you what, WOW! This park is beautiful! We came in through CA-44 to CA-89 near Manzanita Lake. There are multiple little lakes that peak through the trees. This side of the mountain had some snow. We drove to the Desolation point and got a different, snowy view of the mountain. Absolutely beautiful. The remainder of CA-89 was closed so we didn't see anything else. We will return to the other side of the park via CA-36 to see the active side of the park.
The hiking ascent to Lassen Peak starts straight from the large carpark and continues at a steady pace for most of the 2.5 miles to the top. It's unsheltered from the sun and wind and is all at altitude but as long as these aren't an issue, the path to the summit plateau is achievable by anyone. Veterans and children both made it up in between 1 and 3 hours. The last small ascent to the peak is trickier and was across snow and then a scramble to the small rocky peak so requires a little skill and experience but is really unnecessary for fantastic views (weather depending) in almost all directions. It was one of the highlights of our holiday.
The history of this volcanic region is captivating. Flowers, rocks, sulphur, lakes, and hiking to wildness areas makes this place unique. And, not as crowded as other national Parks.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
On September 10, 2020 our two friends, my wife and I visited Lassen Volcanic Park by driving from Antlers cabins on Lake Shasta. Originally, we were planning to spend the day at the lake, but lake was closed for all water activities due to the fires in some areas far away from the lake.
We changed our plans and planned to visit Subway Caves locates about 65 miles from our cabins and to follow up with the rest of the day at Lassen Volcanic Park about half an hour away. Upon arrival at the entrance to the Subway Caves we were stopped by the Ranger and informed that caves area is closed. Unfortunately, it was not noticed on the park service site.
Decided to try our luck at Lassen Volcanic Park. For some reason the National Park was open.
There is about 30 mile of CA-89 running through the park. Many areas to visit, but when you planning to spend about half day to a day in the Park, I would suggest to spend most of the time at the Sulphur Works (Southwest entrance) and Bumpass Hell - just a short drive toward NW entrance on CA-89.
The observation walk to the hydrothermal area is 1.4 mile one way. It is a moderate difficulty trail (by my estimate). Four of us age from low to very advanced seventeenths made it for about 45 min one way with short breaks, so judge yourself. I was sorry to see some youngsters walking in flip flops. Have good walking shoes to save yourselves from easily preventable injuries.
Good travels.
Pics: Sulphur Works, Lake Helen, Summit Lake, Hot Rock, Reflection Lake, Manzanita Lake, etc. One of the best NPs out of 35!! Giant volcanic rocks!
The park has a smooth curvy road (only 1 road through the whole park). You will see lots of evidence of huge volcanic rocks ending up 3-5 miles away from the eruption site at the peak of Mount Lassen. There are lots of trails to hike and for the really fit and adventurous, you can hike to the peak of Mount Lassen. It's a mere 2.5 miles with a 2000 feet elevation change and strong winds at the top. The visitor center has a very interesting film on the history of the volcano and cool pictures of the actual eruption in 1915.
I’d never heard of Lassen until I was researching our road trip, but so glad we came. We drove in at Lake Manganita and drive through the park - the expected one hour drive actually took the best part of the day. There’s so much to see and it’s very different from other parks because of its volcanic nature. Not to be missed
Only one day? Drive through the main road - Hwy 89 - of the park. Stop at the visitor center and pick up the auto tour guide. Take the Bumpass Hell hike. Picnic at King's Creek Picnic area. There is food available for purchase at the main visitor center and the Manzanita Lake store. More time? Enter the park from the SE corner through Warner Valley. (Food, lodging and services all available in Chester at the entrance to Warner Valley). It takes about an hour to get up the road. The last part is dirt. You can hike to Devil's Kitchen, Terminal Geyser and Boiling Spring Lake from the Warner Valley Trailhead where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses. (There is camping up the road also.) Consider a stay at Drakesbad Resort at the end of this road for a couple of days. You can also drive to Juniper Lake from this entrance. There is also the cinder cone area off of Hwy 44 at the north end of the Park. there is camping available in several locations. If I were camping I think I would choose the Manzanita Lake area as homebase. Parts of this park can be very hot in the summer, snowed in in early spring. Early fall or late summer would be a good time to visit.
Our first time to the park. How can you go wrong with nature! The fumerals were cool! Just being near and hiking the trails. Wear good walking shows and have a detailed map. We did try and find some trails on the southeast entrance, but the map was not good enoug and we ran out of road before we got to the trailhead! The best is to go in from the southwest entrance and make a stop at the Ranger Station/ Visitor Center and plan you days.
Bring hiking poles and a windbreaker. I made the 2K foot elevation hike with my hiking savvy ten year old on 7/19/16. There were several areas with snow and hiking poles are essential when the snow turns to slippery-slush-over-ice in the afternoon. The wind was brutally cold, with sustained 30+ MPH winds throughout the hike and stronger gusts near the top.
Hint: To find the brass USGS marker you must scramble through loose rocks about the size of bowling balls or larger. This is extremely dangerous for children who often put their hands on the rocks and heads down when climbing over bigger rocks. It may not seem that serious, but one loose 5 lb rock rolling down from someone higher up will break your ankle or leg. Be smart and watch above you in the scramble.
Don't give up - if I can make it, you can make it!!!
Lassen Peak must have just about everything imaginable. Volcanoes - several different types. Mud pots and sulpher works. Crags and Jumbles. Remnants of forest fires and beautiful lakes!! Incredible.
Lassen Peak or Mount Lassen is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range AND the center-point to Lassen Volcanic National Park. As you drive through the park from south to north, there are countless views from different perspectives that are just amazing. The ultimate interaction with the peak is to hike the trail to the top of the mountain. We were not able to do this hike during this visit because we were only in the park for a half day, but I will definitely do this one next time. How often can you hike to the top of a volcano of this altitude in only 5 miles round trip? We did see spectacular views along the main road thru the park at the Lassen Peak trailhead, at Lake Helen, at the west end of Manzanita Lake, at the Chaos Crag overlook, and at the Devastated Area Picnic Area. Beautiful!
I only spent 1 day at the park, but it was a wonderful drive with occasional stops for light trail hiking and photography. Everything from Mount Lassen herself to some Geothermal vents and some wildlife photograph of mountain lakes, scenic views.
On our way from Shasta to Reno and had this road selected without knowing about the park. Well worth the price of admission. Historically and geographically important. Beautiful scenery.
This national park is amazing and well worth a visit. Mount Lassen is a must to climb. The views are stunning and the swarms of butterflies on the slopes are just incredible.
Fantastic views, gorgeous lakes interspersed along the way...Kings Creek is delightful, and the scope of the place is incredible...
To really appreciate and enjoy Lassen Volcanic National Park it pays to get away from the road and the popular trails. Bumpass Hell is very interesting and the climb up the Peak is well worth the effort, especially since the trail has been repaired and improved, but there is so much more. The Brokeoff Trail is one of my favorites and the backpacking along trails to the east of the highway is excellent. Seeing the best parts of this Park require some effort and planning but the reward is beauty and solitude. If you don't have much time then at least view the excellent film at the Visitor's Center near the south entrance and the Loomis Museum near the north entrance.
Do remember that in normal years the Park receives a lot of snow and in some exceptional years the road may be closed until late June or even into July because of the challenge of removing the huge amounts of snow.
This year-2015- there was not a lot of snow but late-Spring and early-summer rains meant that the wildflower display was spectacular.
Although it isn't as showy--or as popular--as Yellowstone, Lassen has many of the same features: geysers, mud pots, steam vents, and wildlife. It also has hiking trails, a mountain to climb with views of much of northern California from its summit, and winter sports such as skiing and show-shoeing. It's a great place to go for a day or a week.
Climb Lassen, hike Bumpass Hell, camp near a mountain lake, or just enjoy a pleasant drive-through. This little-known national park is a jewel.
This is a "camera" must. There was still a lot of snow roadside complimenting the beautiful scenery pictures. The road is friendly to RV's, trailers and motor homes.
It was so much more than I envisioned. I have been to many national parks but this one competes well with them all. Plenty of turn outs for stopping and enjoying the sites.
Travelers were respectful of others making the journey really nice.
The views were amazing and we loved hiking! Beware if traveling in May or June though - it can be COLD! We tent camped and were pretty uncomfortable at night due to it being so cold.
We went up the mountain to see Bumpass Hell & hike down to it. If you can't do a steady upward & downward climb do not attempt. The boiling,oozing, sulfurous smelly holes were obnoxious @ the same time fascinating! A fine mist of rain helped a bit. Was cooler & so with the climb back up & out that made it better. Encountered 3 groups of 4th graders & 1 high school class. At certain points you have to stop & let others go by. Great time to be had & lots of squirrels to see.
One day trip through Lassen on Labor Day. Not crowded. Was hot. No bugs though. Was surprised not more thermal features close to roads/parking. Might say Loomis museum better than the main visitor center on south side of park. BE sure to use the audio tour -- I used the printed transcript. And next time, from north side be sure to take a lunch instead of having to wait until get to south side -- there's nothing in between for eats. Manzanita Lake itself did not excite me but the path down there from Loomis gave me several good pictures. Sounds like the Dark Skies event in summer is worth doing.
This is a tough hike as you begin at 8000 ft and end up almost at 11,000ft but as long as you take your time it is fine. Took us about 2 hours to get up to the summit. The views going up and at the summit are spectacular. It really is worth it to see the views - you can even make out Mt Shasta from the summit. Loved it!
We visited during the shoulder season, between the heat of summer, and when it closes in winter. Thus, more enjoyable, no crowds, easily accessible. Hiking the main trail into the volcano is easy, but a 10 on the reward when you get to it (perhaps 45 minute) and the views during the walk in. Can do in sneakers or shoes with tread ... no need for hiking boots IMO. There are many other trails in park, good map at entrance upon paying $20 entry fee/car. Limited parking. It's an enjoyable, curvy mountain ride by motor vehicle in from Chico CA; a motorcyclists dream.
Where does one begin? From visiting the S. W. Ma-ha-wah-nee Visitors
Center to venturing toward the deep gray Cinder Cone peak (actually a tall hill), this remote national park in northern California I found extremely unique. And it still had snow in parts of it the first week in June!
The Manzanita and Butte Lakes were so colorful I'd have to call them pretty, along with the reddish "snow plant" wildflower I found at the Lily Pond, and a Stellar Jay had a nest up in the eaves in the first visitors' center I saw. This had been called "little Yellowstone" because it has steaming pools, but it also has extinct volcanoes (!), the highest one Lassen Peak itself. There are also many trails, falls, places to swim or fish here. It has dealt with fires too, in spite of having snow! We stayed at a cabin with a punch-in code-- make sure you get that code in advance!
The central focus of the park is Mount Lassen. I was lucky enough to climb the summit trail about a week before it was officially dedicated. What an amazing hike! Not for the faint of heart, and remember descending is harder than going up! But once on top you are rewarded with amazing views in all directions. California tortoiseshell butterflies were migrating over the mountain as I hiked. The trail is in excellent shape. Be prepared however for being without any shade for the final mile or so. And don't forget to take pictures.
This national park is a well kept secret. It is gorgeous! Didn't have time to do any hikes but drove through on the road and stopped a lot. I would love to come back and stay here for a few days to enjoy the activities and hikes. I would especially like to bring the 6 & 7 year old grand kids. They would enjoy it.
There was still a lot of snow in the park on 7/7/16 which made it all the more beautiful.
I highly recommend this park.
The views from the top are impressive, and you often have to put in a lot more mileage to get to the top of a mountain like this.
Be super careful before you travel to this park. The rangers there close the park for any reason. It it rains, if it sprinkles, if they feel precipitation in the air. Seems like they never want to be open. I live near bye and from my estimate of the last 5 years of being here, they are closed about 60% of the time. They claim it's closed for snow but there is only snow at the very tope but still those close the entire park, blocking people from miles of dry roads.
We spent more time than we anticipated because we loved hiking here. There are plenty of options for short or long hikes. We explored the Devastated Area Interpretive trail, Lassen Peak, and Bumpass Hell. Lassen Peak was a challenge, but the view was awesome! We'd highly recommend Bumpass Hell for all the interesting thermal features. It's like a mini-Yellowstone.
We were looking for something to do for the day since we would be in the area and saw this on the map. I had never heard of this National Park...but we drove over to it anyway. All i can say is wow ! We enjoyed our visit so much. We have the annual National Park pass so the entrance fee was free. We started by Manzanita Lake and worked our way up, up, up the mountain. We got so many beautiful pictures. It was a nice sunny day and even though it is much cooler up in the mountains we drove with the windows down & enjoyed the views from every way you look!
I hadn't been here in over 35 years so it was a delight to see how well it has been maintained. The visitor center really explains it well and is well laid out with food and the usual things. The display on different volcano types is perfect for educating kid as well as adults. The rangers are helpful too. The mountain has almost no snow thanks to 5 years of drought, but is still impressive. Bumpass Hell has great thermal action and the mud pots were so active they shut them down the day after we were there. Good sign that nature is still alive and kicking. NO CROWDS! beautiful drive in through and out of park. Lake Helen in my favorite with incredible clarity, and hues of blue and green. There is a hiking path to the summit. But is quite a challenge due to altitude, although saw many people heading up and coming back not exhausted. If you are heading north on 5 to Oregon, take the time to make a side trip.
We toured with a 4th grade class. The assistants in the museum were very helpful, answering all our questions and the ranger was great! She was very interactive with the kids, engaging and funny! The park itself is unique feature every type of volcano within the park. There are many opportunities to take in the breathtaking views surrounding Mount Lassen including many lakes. Definitely a must see and great for all types including those that want to camp.
In late march Lassen was up to your waistline in snow! Still, it was worth the effort to drive up to the visitors center. Lots of neat things to see, including a mountain of sand in a box that changed colors as you would wave your hand over it. Informative museum had many surprises and their was a nice gift shop. Many people go here to walk trails and I'm sure it's beautiful when the weather is right. Really enjoyed Lassen even with the visitor center being pretty much buried!
I wanted to tour Lassen Park ever since I went to Yellowstone a year ago and found the time this weekend. Visitors center at the south entrance was nice and staff were helpful, had a little café with snacks, sandwiches, and drinks along displays and mementos to purchase. The first geothermal feature is just a minute down the road and wasn't crowded. The road climbs the mountain as you pass a series of small lakes, trails and volcanic features where you can pull out and relax. When you reach the parking lot for the trail up to Lassen peak you are just below the summit and lots of hikers were climbing the trail from the parking lot at about 8500 feet to the summit about 2000 feet higher they looked like ants at the top but you could see them moving up there. You wind around to the east side of the peak and steadily lose elevation but pass by a series of campgrounds next to small high mountain lakes, we pulled through and they were quiet and relaxing. you pass through the devastation area from the1915 eruption as you go from the east side of Lassen to the northwest entrance to the park you end up at Manzanita lake where there's a museum, store, and campground which by far had the most people we'd seen all day. Over all I kind of missed the wildlife we'd seen at Yellowstone as we went there in the spring just as most of park was opening up and we only saw a couple of deer at Lassen right at Manzanita Lake, Also I was surprised at how quickly we went from one end of the park to the other and wished they would connect the roads that go into the Southeast and Northeast parts of the park to get to those areas you have to drive a long way outside the park and then come back in to roads that dead end inside the park. My understanding is that a lot more of the active geothermal features are in the east side of the park.
The major road through park was closed as snow had already blocked the thoroughfare, however we were able to view the Visitor Center and take a short walk with our dogs. Refreshing, invigorating air worked our appetites for the evening meal. The dark clouds signaling that evening's rain were looming over Mr. Lassen, so we cut our visit short to return to the KOA campground just 12 miles back towards Redding on Hwy 44. The hint of winter certainly was strong in the air and views that day.
At age 61, I was afraid I'd waited too long and wouldn't have the stamina for the trek to the top at this elevation, given that I live at sea level. But we spent a few days in the area doing other hikes and then started this one early in the morning when it was still cool. The trail is in fantastic shape after all the work the Park Service has done. It's wide and well groomed. The views get better and better on the way up, and there are bits of shade for about two-thirds of the way. Occasional mile markers let you know how far you have to go. At the top is a large flat area, easy to take in all the views. When we arrived, another hiker said "This isn't the TRUE summit - it's over there" (pointing). That bit is a scramble down a cowpath and up the rocks with no real trail, although the Park Service is working on it. It wasn't difficult but it also wasn't necessary.
Great visit to a great location. We only had a day trip. We were staying in Red Bluff so we drove about 50 minutes to see the park. First stop was at the Visitor Center. Very informative movie, gift shop, small cafe, and displays. Drove the main road to Manzanita Campground. Stopped about a dozen times a long the way to play in the snow and soak up the view. Stoped at the Museum near the Ranger Station were my daughter got her 28th Junior Ranger Badge. Plenty of things to do here. Nice hikes with easy trails. Some were closed due to snow pack yet but we stayed busy. Planing on dropping in again in future years with more time for more activities.
Its a straight up hill hike and weather is always cold especially on top. The views if not cloudy are awesome and has very spiritual feeling to it. plus the volcano is still active so you get to visit sulfar springs to warm up on hike up. plus the danger of it possibly erupting!!!!
Take the hour even if you don't get out of the car. You will, however be tempted at several hiking spots to spend the day. About 30 miles around the mountain by car
I am not sure I understand why there is not more people going to Lassen NP. It is as beautiful as many other parks - volcanic activity, substantial mountain peaks, high passes, good accommodations and support from the National Park Service. If you are going to be in northern California, put this in your itinerary for a couple of days of exploring.
We did the trail up Mount Lassen in a great hot summer day (but not extremely hot) with a light overcast sky. These conditions make the walk perfect: not to warm, not to cold. Was the weather warmer then things could get really hot, really fast, so go prepared with water for everybody! On the other hand at the top of the peak temperatures are much lower than down in the car park so be ready to take some light warm jackets just in case (we did not needed them only because the wind was from the right side... and we were protected by some rocks in the summit). The path follows a steady (and relentless) gentle slope with amazing views all the way up, and breathtaking 360 vistas as the top. Be prepared: there will be some crossings over snow, so adequate shoes is a must), and some sections are near big exposed slopes that may not be enjoyable for people that don't like heights. We visited in august weekday and we met people in the tray but it was not crowded at all, and in the top it was 5 or 6 of us (and the area is spacious).
The drive through Lessen Volcanic National Park is beautiful and peaceful. Amazing views everywhere you look and places to stop so you can get an even better view.
I was there in mid June and there was still enough snow to have a snowball fight and Lake Helen and Emerald Lake were still frozen.
I drove past on the 36 and enjoyed the view. The 89 was closed so this was as close as I could get by car today. Fantastic view. Will come back some day.
If you are fascinated by different geological features this is the park for you, there were a lot of amazing and surreal sights I've not seen elsewhere. We were unable to see many of the big attractions such as Bumphass Hell as part of park road was closed in late June due to snow, so be aware that snow can be an issue. Cinder cone was absolutely amazing hike. If the south part of park road is closed past Sulphur Works it's not worth making the drive to the south entrance for the visitor center if you are staying at the Manazanita cabins by northwest entrance. Recommend the cabins for budget visitors.
This volcanic park is quite large and has a road that you can drive through on the way to the coast of California. It is a pleasant drive with many sights along the way such as small lakes, as well as having a number of picnic areas.
The large visitor center is well stocked; there is a café; and there is an informative video as well as displays that explain the history and geology of the park. We didn't have time to partake of some of the hikes in the park, but the drive through was certainly worth the time.
The main road wonders through the park over a meandering 28 miles. A full day with frequent stops allows for 3 short hikes. These can be very interesting from a geologic standpoint, or absolutely beautiful if hiking a stream with water falls. Weather in the fall can be cool, but there are no mosquitoes and few crowds. Hiking to the summit is an all day expedition from the south entrance. Only attempt it if you are an experienced mountain climber and have carefully checked the weather. Weather near the summit can change very rapidly. Taking 2 days to explore is really the best way to enjoy this park. Even if not doing a lot of hiking, have good shoes and if going up a steep trail, hiking boots and trecking poles are recommended.
This park is a gem. Not too crowded. Trails for every level of hiking. We hiked for two days and plan to return to do other hikes. The park has had 4 different types of volcanoes. Very educational. Visitor center is helpful too.
The whole park is beautiful, full of adventure, fun, and discoveries. I have always loved hiking to bumpus hell, just experiencing the immense power of the earth is awesome. Manzanita Lake and the Meadows are a wonder within themselves.
If you want to skip the crowds of Yosemite, then drive up to Lassen. There are a lot of good hikes, including to the top of the peak, out to Cinder Cone and to several lakes. The campsites are nice, although I prefer less crowded ones outside the park (Crater Lake, just a few miles to the east). There is a lot of thermal action to check out and you can see the 'Devastated Area" to see how a landscape recovers 100 years after a volcanic event. Highly recommended!
Lassen is definitely worth the trip. Lots to see and much of it is near the road. The short hike to Bumpass Hell (geothermal area) is worth it, but be aware that the return hike is very steep for the first 0.5 mile.
The temperature was great and it was clear so we could see all around us. The lakes like Emerald and Manzanita were incredible. We stopped at the Lassen Peak parking lot and have already decided that will be my next hike. The Cafe and the Museum were clean and informative.
Snow capped in summer, this gives a great backdrop to the park and it's surrounds....
The visitors center provides a explanation of the history and what the volcano may have looked like.
We didn't have much time in the park, but visited because my wife and I wanted to show the kids another place we went when we were children. The terrain is beautiful and various stops along the way have good historical information about the last eruption (100 years ago) and about the pioneers in the area.
One nifty thing that we've never seen in national parks before is that Lassen is doing Park-Caching, where they'll give you a sheet of 11 coordinates and factiods. You visit the location specified and look for an answer that'll complete the factiod. This really got the kids engaged.
Depending on what part of Mt. Lassen you visit you might want to be sure you have on good hiking shoes/boots! It is truly a wonderful area to experience.
Spent the day driving the 30-mile highway and stopping at all the overlooks, viewpoints, and pull-outs along the way. We entered through the NW entrance and made our first stop at Loomis Museum. We enjoyed all the historical information (movie, pictures, and displays) regarding the area. Park Rangers were there to answer questions and provided additional info. It was small, but interesting.
Along the drive there were many spots to hike trails. This National Park is a hikers paradise. One of our members was in a wheelchair, however, so hiking trails was out of the question. The ONLY trail that was wheelchair accessible was the 1/2 mile trail in Devastated Area. This was a gravel path and it was easy to maneuver the chair. Although happy to have this trail wheelchair accessible, we were disappointed that there were not any others. Very bummed we were not able to hike Bumpass Hell. According to the park website, this IS the best trail to hike in the park. Unfortunately, we couldn't see it due to no wheelchair access. No view of the hydrothermal area from the parking lot either.
The drive along Mt Lassen was very nice though and did provide lots of opportunities for turn outs and views. Some of the highlights were right along the road like Sulphur Works, Lake Helen, & Chaos Crags. We downloaded the "auto tour" so we had a nice audio of all the stops along the way.
At the Kohm-Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center there were more displays and information regarding the mountain (and the same movie we saw at Loomis Museum). In addition, there was a small gift shop and café that served sandwiches and other items. We wanted to stop for lunch, but it was VERY crowded and HOT. Keep in mind both the museum and the visitor center is only open from 9 am - 5 pm. (both are wheelchair accessible!).
This was a special trip to California to see Lassen VNP. We had a great time, despite only being able to go to Destruction Point. We talked to a fascinating couple who had just hiked up Mt. Lassen and skied down. How awesome is that? We will return to LVNP in the future when all roads are open and we have more time to see all 5 volcanic types.
Early June and there was still snow up in the mountains, closing many of the sites and driving routes. Nonetheless, we visited the vistor lodge (nice film about the 4 different types of volcanoes in the park) the sulphur works, explored a fire devastated trail and did the perimeter road around the park. One mistake we made was that we were at the KOA on the wet side of the park, and only the south entrance was open. Views of the volcano covered with snow, the lava tunnels nearby, and the sights we could visit made it worthwhile. BUT, check the weather and park access before you go.
Although this isn't the most beautiful of national parks, it is still lovely. I would recommend two days to hike some of the best trails. My favorite was Bumpass Hell which has a fairly steep return in its earliest section. Bring plenty of water. The park has no gas station, lots of campsites, but not much by way of food...mainly overpriced sandwiches and drinks. Come with a full ice chest.
We visited the National Park as a day trip from Redding. The staff at the visitor center was very helpful in suggesting a few short hikes. We did the hike around the reflection lake to get great views of mount Lassen. Bumpass Hell is a nice hike although there is some elevation to cover. At Bumpass Hell there are wooden trails and platforms so that one can really get close to the hot springs and sulfur beds. An other nice stop was Sulfur Works where the hot springs are 20 steps away from the parking lot. Overall there are amazing views from multiple view points along the road. An absolute must in northern California.
Fabulous little NP, round every bend was a fabulous view. Loved the Bumpass Hell trail. So glad the recent fires didn't reach the park.
Spent an afternoon last week driving through the entire park. There are numerous places to pull off the road and explore the sights. From lakes, even a frozen one, to sulfur pits, you drive through several different ecosystems. Considering it was a summer weekend, the park was free from the usual summer crowds. Two nearby attractions we also visited prior to our drive through Lassen were Burney Falls and the interesting Subway Caves. All doable in one day.
A truly stunning park with forest, lake, mountain views, a stunning drive, hikes and of course the boiling mud pots and steaming vents at Bumpass Hell, similar to those found at Yellowstone, although on a smaller scale. It gets a fraction of the visitors that the bigger parks get but is just as awe inspiring in it's own unique way. I was taken aback by it's beauty and I have visited most of the National parks in the west, high praise indeed !
My favorite was Cinder Cone. Mount Lassen itself is not especially awesome-looking. It probably was before it blew up.
This 2.5 mile hike gains 2500 feet in elevation, but the trail is so well planned and maintained, it doesn't feel that difficult. The biggest consideration if you want to hike to the top is getting used to the high elevation. The views are amazing. A must-do hike if you visit the park.
We decided to drive through Lassen on our way home from staying at Butte Lake (Yes I know it is part of the park too, but it is on the northern side) there were so many great places to see! I would have loved to see more location signs but there are worse things. The views were spectacular and they do have the major stopping points numbered.
Spent 8 day camping at Manzanita Lake Campground inside of Lassen National Park. Campground was very nice and quite. We did several days for hiking in the park and had a great time. We downloaded the auto tour before leaving home and that was a great way to do the 30 mile trip through the park.
We didn’t expect to have four seasons in Mt Lassen. It was a great experience for us. We did auto touring through the whole mountain, entered through manzanita lake, exited through Kohm Yah-mah-nee gate. It’s indeed a Pretty scenic, we were surprised with leftover snow on the peak. Be ready with jacket and be ready to spend few days if you want to hike. If you just want to do auto touring, you will need whole full day trip.
Had never even heard of this park until I was planning a trip to Crater Lake NP and was planning my route and studying maps. So glad I decided to visit Lassen. The scenery is beautiful with many features to visit. Spent six hours in park and barely scratched the surface. Not much traffic or crowds like Yellowstone or Yosemite. Try it, you will enjoy.
Amazing hike! It's pretty steep but only about 5 miles up and back. I'm 62 and in reasonable shape and I made it up and down at a modest pace without stopping...except at the top of course! We were here in July and still had several patches of snow to cross, mostly near the bottom, so bring sticks for sure. The views along the trail and at the top are out of this world. The final stretch is a bit sketchy and requires some scrambling. Best hike in the park, and definitely one of my top ten hikes of all time.
We left Redding at 2:15 in the morning to get to the top and see the sunrise from the very start. It was cold at night so be well dressed. The difference in day time temperatures are huge.
The actual mountain is ugly. Basically a big pile of gravel. The views from the mountain are good though! The trail is easy to follow even in the dark. It took about 90 minutes to get to the top and about an hour to get down.
Well worth your time, and I do recommend a sunrise hike!
Touring on motorbikes, arrived from Redding direction. Amazing place and well worth the entry fee ..... could have ridden those roads all day long. Beautiful weather .... riding in t-shirts, surrounded by snow with elevations in excess of 8000ft with stunning views, and still frozen lakes. Were lucky enough to see a bubbling mud pot at the sulphur works on the way out. Lots of places to stop and admire the scenery. Don't miss it ..... it's a stunning place
We did Mount Lassen as our entry point to the Volcano trail....going up through Oregon. What a lovely way to start.
Very pretty and the trees are lush and the air fresh.
Don't be in a hurry.....be sure to LOOK and not just take pictures.
When a friend said - Lassen Volcanic National Park and Peak Lassen, I said - Come again? Where is that? I suppose people who live on the west coast are much more likely to have heard of Lassen but I had never before come across it. Peak Lassen is a volcano, still active (not smoking, but active) which erupted about 100 years ago. Lassen peak is 10,463 feet. It's about 2,000 feet climb from the base of the peak and 2.5 miles.
I found the park a wonderful experience. Beautiful views. We visited for the 4th of July. The peaks still had snow. There are many lakes, which are also picturesque. The park is not overwhelmed with visitors. Far from it. And I really liked that. Some of our parks are too crowded, especially on holiday weekends. Lassen was a wonderful experience. You can experience the outdoors the way we love to experience it - away from the crowds and technology. BTW, no reception in the park or mostly no reception.
Highly recommend the trails in the park, Devill's Kitchen, Boiling lake and Lassen Peak. I really enjoyed the peak climb. Wonderful views, good hike up. Definitely make a point to visit when in the area. Lovely views of Mt Shasta as well.
We mentally prepared ourselves for a grueling hike, but it wasn’t as bad as we had expected. Our slow group took about 2.5 hours for the ascent. A faster group took about 1.5 hours.
There is another rock scramble past the first peak with the elevation medallion, but I wouldn’t say it’s worth the extra climb if you are tired.
There was more shade than we had imagined (It wasn’t as non-shaded as Mission Peak in the East Bay/Fremont), and as you go up, the wind cools you down.
However, the wind wasn’t too bad at the top either. We had brought jackets thinking it would be chilly, however, none of us needed them (hiked in late August).
It is satisfying to know that you’ve ascended the tallest peak throughout the rest of your journey, when you look up to the peak.
Another highlight not to be missed in the USA. Another volcanic peak at the start of the Cascade Mountain range and one of the most beautiful. The lake near the Rangers gate on the road from Redding, has some of the most photographic and beautiful views of the mountain. The full road through the park was still closed in late May because of snow. Lots of history about pass volcanic eruptions was really interesting! Not to be missed!
If you are in northern California, this park must be on your list of places to see. Although it is not as famous as other national parks; it is just as beautiful. It is one of the jewels of the volcanic sites in the country. Coming from the eastern part of the country which does not have volcanic sites, this park is truly breathtaking.
This is a moderate family hike, smooth trail with many switchbacks. I saw kids as young as 5 years old walking the entire trail. The view from the top is amazing and worthwhile. Patches of snow in early September. Gets windy on top. Plan 3.5 to 5 hours.
We spent the day in the park exploring the easy trails and spending time photographing the wonderful sights. The visitors centre was interesting.
Have been coming to this park since I was a small child, and manage to make it back at least every 2-3 years. This is one of California's best kept secrets, and one of the least visited national parks. The living geology of the area is fascinating. From Sulphur Works to Bumpass Hell to Boiling Springs Lake you can see the earth changing and reshaping right before your eyes. The landscape itself is absolutely stunning. There are many great opportunities to hike and camp throughout the park. Mount Lassen itself is a majestic sight which dominates the view through most of the park. The Lava Tubes just to the north of the park entrance are another fun and interesting area to visit. I would recommend this NP to anyone looking for a fun and relaxing outdoor trip.
Finally made it here! Did not disappoint. The road is only open to bumpass hell trail. Unfortunately the Bumpass trail is still closed because of the snow (June 7). I’d recommend stopping at the visitors and watching the video.
Driving up the park road you can stop at the mud pots about a mile up and then to the next parking lot for some beautiful views. While the road is closed to vehicles you are permitted to walk up the road Lake Helen is a short walk up the road. Lots and lots of snow!
I have wanted to go to lassen since I received my first big piece of rainbow obsidian from the lassen volcano area. As a geologist, I have longed to make the trip here and it did not disappoint. Beautiful drive, so many different geological format in in one area. Well worth the visit for anyone.
Mount Lassen's campsites were almost sold out when we arrived on a Friday night around 3pm just time to get our 5th wheel set up and move the next morning. As retired Americans we pay half price ($12 at Lassen) for a site which is why we chose to go to a national park on a journey to Seattle.
The following day we were dazzled by rangers, volunteers and an ornothologist, Ryan tagging songbirds. Precious songbirds are captured by a net, tagged, recorded and released.
We visited Bumpass Hell, like Yellowstone with mud pots and hot pools. Only missing geysers. When 40k visitors are in Yosemite on a summer weekend it feels good to be among the10k visiting Lassen.
We visited Mt Lassen in August of 2016 and I was amazed at how few people there were in the park. For such a diverse and beautiful park it is, thankfully, under utilized! We did not see any wildlife but the park features were the real stars here. Climbing Mt Lassen was a great hike and the views from the top were well worth it, Bumpass Hell was well worth the trek and was like a mini Yellowstone feature. We also enjoyed Cinder cone and the painted desert in the northeast corner of the park. All in all it was a great experience! I highly recommend taking the time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park....you won't be disappointed!
The hike isn't very difficult - we've seen little kids and very season hikers on it. Just take your time and you'll get to the top. The view is beautiful and worth every step to the top.
We have young kids3, 6 and 8. In one day we went walking down lava tunnels, snow sledding, admired epic views and went kayaking. The kids also got to say a vow to protect the park with one of the Rangers.
Also, a chipmunk nabbed my little boys popcorn. Plus, it was 26c when it was 41c in Redding. Perfect!
A friend and I recently visited Lassen, and returned for a second visit to take in more! Watch the well-done and informative video at the Visitor's Center before seeing the sights. The story about how our 17th National Park came to be is fascinating. We were there on a crystal clear morning, and left with our heads full of magnificent vistas There are many pull-offs for viewing. We could see a couple of forest fires smoking in the distance. Some road construction in the park slowed down traffic. It's really beautiful here!
There is a fee to get into the park unless you have your Golden Age pass. We just drove through the park and stopped and hiked at leisure. A great escape from the Redding heat! Enjoyed interpretive trails. Some are ADA accessible. Other hiking trails are a bit rougher. Great to hear and see water running in drought-weary California! The park wasn't too crowded, so our drive and hikes were peaceful. Sadly, Bumpass Hell trail was closed because of trail damage, so double check to see if it's open before setting your heart on going! Be sure to dress in layers and have water along, even if it's cool. (There were patches of snow and Lake Helen still had ice.)
The visitor's center is quite nice. Great gift shop and a very nice little restaurant! Nice, healthful choices including vegetarian options. Got some sandwiches for later in the day.
We didn't hike to the peak, just drove by and took photos. The NP has many scenic vistas and this is one of the best. Wild flowers were in full bloom in the park--lovely.
There is a lot packed into this less well known of the National Parks. There are active thermals, history of a volcano eruption that was only 100 years ago, and it is beautiful. We took a short hike around Manzanita lake in its fall colors. Unfortunately we didn't stay long enough to view more, but wish we had.
The thought of hiking to the top of a major volcano was intriguing to me. This is an awesome hike to accomplish. 5 miles RT with about 1900 feet in elevation gain. A bit of a puffer, but the payoff is worth it. The NPS has done a great job the last few summers to repair the trail. Very popular. About halfway up there was a trail crew working on some minor details. The trail itself is not really steep, but going up on the switchbacks constantly with the high elevation, it can present a challenge. If you're going uphill against the wind like I did, it's even tougher. Plenty of interpretive signs and areas to stop and take a break if needed. There are more signs at the first summit. From here, the views are endless. Cinder Cone, Lake Almanor, Mount Shasta to name a few. To get to the true top, it does require a rock scramble and that's where it can get tricky. Some of the rocks are loose, but if you navigate it right, you'll make it. Lassen is a plug dome volcano and you get a great view of the center of the volcano from here. You do get a top of the world feeling from here. Of course the trek down doesn't take as long. Allow about 2 hours to go up and an hour or so on the way down. This is a very rewarding hike and if you enjoy doing hikes like this, this one is a must.
Visited Lassen in early October and the weather was perfect. Hiked Lassen Peak and took about 2 to 3 hours to ascend and about half that to descend. The trail is well maintained. Not too rocky. We used hiking poles as it was recommended but is doable without them. The views were spectacular and worth the effort to reach the peak. There was still enough snow, that some hikers had reached the peak to ski down it! If you don't have time to hike and stop at the various points of interest, you can drive through the park in an hour. We did not venture over to Warner Valley or Butte Area. Another hike for spectacular scenery is Brokeoff Mountain. It's longer and requires more effort but is supposed to have the best views for the effort. Something to think about. The park was not crowded when we visited so we did not run into issues for parking at the various trailheads.
Mt. Lassen in little hard to get to and you have to actually want to go there. But once there the drive over the top is fantastic. I went in October and the road was not crowded. Beautiful scenery to be seen on both side of the mountain. Great places to hike and lots of places to pull out for pictures. Staff was helpful and friendly.
While Bumpass Hell is a neat place to see the active volcano, there are also lots of wonderful trails throughout to see amazing scenery and wildlife. We hike to the falls from the visitor center and only passed a few people during the whole 4 miles. It was moderate, but worth every step and the falls are amazing!
This is one of the best mountain climbs in California. While it's doable for most people (the trail is very well maintain, can be done in sandals, it takes about 2-3 hours to climb, no special equipment needed - just bring a liter of water or so) and we've seen a lot of elementary school kids and seniors making it to the top, it's has all attributes of a "real" mountain climb - a great peak, spectacular views, snow year around and thin air - but all in moderation. Plan to spend 3-5 hours. A couple things to think of. If it's a sunny day - either cover your skin or put some sunscreen on. Also, it's usually about 10F lower on top and could be windy, so you might want to take some wind break jacket.
We visited the park, doing the very pretty drive. Some of the best hiking trails were closed - which was disappointing. These included the best trails for seeing thermal activity. I did he hike up to the pea of Mt Lassen which was fantastic. Steady uphill hike. I kept a brisk pace and it took me 1 3/4 hours to get up. I think most hikers took 2-3 hours up and much less coming down. Some slippery, snow-covered areas (June) but mostly a nice trail. The views from the top were fantastic. It was a clear day and Mt Shasta was in the distance. Loved this hike.
We visited via the North entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park. The museum was there but closed in May. Manzanita Lake was so large and pretty and this part of the park was beautiful. We were able to drive in 10 miles to the devastated area. There was a lot of snow there and you had to walk if you wanted to go further. There are 4 types of volcanoes in the park. You can't drive through the park from one end to the other, this time of the year.
A must-see is the Bumpass Hell thermal area. In the old days, you could simply walk around with your foot punching through the crust into the hot sulfur below. Sadly, it is now all boardwalk, so your boy children will be somewhat disappointed (but your car won't smell like sulfur all the way home). If you plot out your route on the map, you will discover you can begin your hike at the Bumpass Hell parking area, pass through Bumpass Hell, and continue on to the Kings Creek camping and picnic area. If you park there and hitchhike to the Bumpass Hell parking area to begin your walk, you will find it is all downhill.
The hidden gem at Lassen is Butte Lake and the Cinder Cone. Largely ignored by visitors, Butte Lake is a great campground with genuine flush toilets and a ranger on duty. Butte Lake itself is wonderful for canoeing, and Bathtub Lake, a block or so from the campground, is as hot as a bathtub. The Cinder Cone (Google it) is just shy of 1000 feet, but you'll have to climb 1500 feet to get to the top of it because you slip back a third of the way with every step in the loose cinders. You'll feel a real sense of accomplishment at the top, and the view of the painted Fantastic Lava Beds is a sight to behold. I first climbed it when I was eight years old as did my kids, so don't worry about little people making it to the top. Much more approachable than Lassen Peak, and more enjoyable as well.
Butte Lake and the Cinder Cone are in the Northeast section of the park. To get there, you must exit the park at the north and drive for a half hour or so east. The road into Butte Lake is gravel, though they grade it every 50 years or so to keep it nice and smooth :-). Be prepared for a good long rumble on the drive in, secure in the knowledge it's keeping all but the most adventurous out.
I've had to put down a specific date and sort for a visit, but I've been coming to Lassen at least every five years since 1953, as a kid, a couple, with friends, and with family. Every visit has been fun and memorable.
Try to plan your visit for the summer months. Lassen Park starts getting cold in September and tends to stay that way through May. In many campgrounds, you can still find snow to keep your food chilly well into August, though it is warm and comfortable during the day.
Mount Lassen....says it all! You can fish, you can ride a bike, you can do it all. Perfect for almost anything! Most folks enjoy the walking, very friendly staff! Hiking Is amazing, the atmosphere is welcoming and inviting the kids loved it here! It’s the BEST!
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Out in the boonies, but really worth the effort to get there. We had researched the Park before coming. But we were surprised and impressed at the thermal features and the importance of the area volcanically (is that a word?).
They have a nice Visitor Center (that serves food, unusual at NP Visitor Centers). Our first stop was the video. Very good overview of the park and its geologic history. It's an amazing place with a recent eruption (as recent as 1921) and a number of thermal features - boiling ponds, mud pots, fumaroles. We hiked to Bumpass Hell (interesting story behind the name). It was a nice hike. The trail was a bit bumpy with lots of rocks and big elevation change at the end near the thermal basin. Nice hike. And the thermal basin is other-worldly.
After our hike, we drove through the Park to the north entrance. Beautiful drive. At the north entrance it the Loomis Museum - a combination museum/Visitor Center. There are displays of the volcano and the native peoples. Of particular interest to me were photographs taken early in the 20th Century of the Lassen Peak eruption. Amazing that anyone got a photograph of the eruption at that time.
We enjoyed a sandwich at the Campground Store. Very good sandwich. Not gourmet, but surprisingly good. Worth a stop if you're hungry.