Lassen Volcanic National Park Day Trip What To See and Do

Lassen Volcanic National Park is California’s Yellowstone. One of its main attractions is Lassen Peak, one of two volcanoes in the continental U.S. that erupted during the 20th century.

Despite its menacing past, however, Lassen Peak remains one of the most accessible volcanoes in the Cascades. The peak is also the world’s most giant plug dome volcano and the southernmost volcano in the Cascade Range.

The entire area around the peak, including multiple points in the park, is still an active volcanic spot, with hazards such as geothermal mud pots, steam vents, and bubbling hot springs.

Things to Do Lassen Volcanic National Park

An excellent place to start your trip is at the  Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, located at the Southwest entrance to the park. Visitors will learn about the best places to enjoy in and around Lassen Volcanic National Park.

The visitor center features an exhibit hall where tourists can unearth the area’s natural wonders and the park’s volcanic past and watch a short 20-minute film that chronicles the site’s history and geology.

Inside the visitor center are Lassen Café & Gift, where tourists can stop for a coffee and souvenir. The Lassen Association Bookstore carries a wide variety of maps and trail guides.

Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway runs through the park’s center and gives visitors easy access to many of Lassen’s most popular attractions. You should take this route if you only have one day to visit. Highlights include Sulphur Works, Bumpass Trail, Lassen Peak Trail, Summit Lake, Hat Creek, and Manzanita Lake.

If you plan to spend several days camping at the park, we suggest visiting the Cinder Cone Volcano trail, Boiling Springs Lake, Butte Lake, and the Warner Valley area.

Bumpass Hell Trail

This trail is only six miles from the southwest entrance and is one of the park’s most popular places. This three-mile round-trip hike takes visitors through the largest hydrothermal area in the park. A raised boardwalk lets hikers look at the steaming pools and boiling mud pots. Pets are not allowed on any of the hiking trails in the park for obvious reasons.

 Sulphur Works

Sulphur Works’ hydrothermal area is adjacent to the park’s main highway. A paved wheelchair-accessible trail passes several boiling mud pots. The sulfur smell can be a little overwhelming, but Sulphur Works is well worth visiting.

Lassen Peak Trail

Hiking to the summit of Lassen Peak is not as easy as it looks. The hike to the top and back is a little under 5 miles and will take the average hiker 3-5 hours to complete. This trail has no shade, so be sure to use sunscreen and bring plenty of water. Park visitors who reach the summit will be rewarded with amazing Lassen Volcanic National Park views.

Summit Lake

Located 17 miles from the Southwest entrance to the park, Summit Lake has two popular campgrounds with 94 campsites. Popular activities at the lake include fishing, hiking, and sightseeing.

Manzanita Lake

It is located at the park’s northwestern corner and boasts some of the area’s most breathtaking views of Lassen Peak. There are cabins and the Manzanita Lake Campground, where visitors can take in the mountain vistas and spend hot summer days swimming, kayaking, and fishing. A camp store near the lake offers gas, groceries, a Laundromat, hot showers, and other conveniences.

Where is Lassen Volcanic National Park

A vehicle pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Northwest Entrance: From Redding, California: The Northwest entrance is approximately 50 miles east on Highway 44. Southwest Entrance: From Red Bluff, California: The Southwest entrance is about 45 miles east on Highway 36.

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