9 Best Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park (+Map & Tips)

This site contains affiliate links, which means that we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you, for qualifying purchases. It supports the work that goes into keeping this content free. Thanks for reading! More info: Privacy Policy.

Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California is one of the lesser-known national parks in the U.S., but it’s an absolute gem. The park is home to a volcano, steaming fumaroles, colorful hot springs, and pristine mountain lakes.

This guide covers the best things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park, complete with a map and practical tips to help you plan your visit.

Good to know: The park is fairly compact and easy to explore. You only need half a day to a full day to see the top sights in Lassen mentioned in this guide. If you have more time, you’ll find some additional recommendations at the bottom of this article.

We visited in mid-July, and while most of the park was accessible, a few higher-elevation trails were still closed due to snow. Keep this in mind if you plan an early summer visit, as snow lingers here well into July! The cool thing about visiting in early summer is that you can play in the snow at higher elevations and go swimming or kayaking at Manzanita Lake – all in the same day.

READ ALSO: Our Northern California Road Trip Itinerary

How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Here are the best things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park:

1. The Park Highway

The 30-mile Park Highway (Hwy 89) is the main route through Lassen Volcanic National Park, running north-south and connecting nearly all of the park’s highlights. Along the way, you’ll pass pristine mountain lakes, geothermal areas, and volcanic peaks, with plenty of pullouts and viewpoints to stop and take in the scenery.

Driving this road is the best way to experience Lassen, especially if you’re short on time.

With half a day, you can see all the main viewpoints at a relaxed pace. If you have a full day, you’ll have time to add a few short hikes (we share our top recommendations below).

2. Sulphur Works

Just past the Southwest Entrance, you’ll find Sulphur Works, one of the most accessible geothermal areas in the park. You can see a bubbling mud pot and steaming vents right next to the road.

The Sulfur Works Hydrothermal Area is one of the must-sees in Lassen. It’s a quick stop, perfect for all ages, and a fun introduction to the volcanic activity that shaped this area.

Good to know: The smell of sulfur is pretty strong here, so be prepared for that classic “rotten egg” scent.

3. Bumpass Hell Parking Area & Hike

Bumpass Hell is the largest hydrothermal area in the park and one of Lassen’s most iconic sights. A boardwalk takes you through a surreal landscape of boiling mud pots, colorful hot springs, and steaming fumaroles, all set against a dramatic mountain backdrop.

The Bumpass Hell Trail is 2.6 miles (4.1 km) round trip. It’s considered moderate, with some uphill and downhill sections, but the total elevation gain is just 300 ft (90 m), so it’s manageable for most visitors. Plan on about 1.5–2 hours for the hike. This is the most popular trail in the park, so the parking area fills up quickly – arrive early if you can.

Good to know: In early summer, the trail may still be closed due to lingering snow, especially on the boardwalks. We visited on July 18, when daytime temperatures were in the 80s (25–30°C), yet the trail was still closed because of snow. Check current conditions before you go or inquire at the visitor center.

TIP: Even if you can’t do the hike, make sure to stop at the Bumpass Hell parking area. It offers some of the best 360° views in the park and is well worth a visit on its own.

4. Lake Helen & Emerald Lake

Lake Helen and Emerald Lake are small mountain lakes located right along the scenic drive, with the Bumpass Hell Parking right in between the two.

Emerald Lake is green and stunningly clear, while Lake Helen is turquoise-blue. They are both very scenic and make for beautiful photo stops. The best thing is that neither of these lakes requires a hike, so you can just pull over and enjoy the view. That said, it’s a lot easier to park at Lake Helen, so if you plan one stop, do it here.

Good to know: These lakes sit at high elevation and often stay frozen or snow-covered until mid-summer. Boats are not allowed, but you can dip your toes in the icy water if you are brave enough.

5. Lassen Peak Parking Area & Viewpoint

Lassen Volcano dominates the landscape of Lassen Volcanic National Park and is an impressive sight from almost anywhere in the park. That said, if you want to take a closer look or even climb the volcano, the Lassen Peak parking area is the place to be.

From here, you can also hike to the summit. The Lassen Peak Trail is strenuous – 4.8 miles (7.7 km) round trip with nearly 2,000 ft (600 m) of elevation gain, and takes 3-4 hours to complete. The trail is completely exposed, and even in summer, you may encounter snow on the upper sections. Afternoon thunderstorms are also common.

Good to know: If you plan to hike to the summit, start early to avoid the strongest sun and potential storms. Allow half a day for the hike.

If you’re not hiking, this makes a perfect quick photo stop. You can enjoy incredible close-up views of Lassen Peak without leaving the parking lot.

6. Kings Creek Meadow & Falls

Kings Creek Meadow, located at the foot of Lassen Peak, is a scenic stop along the park highway. There’s a convenient pullout where you can simply stop for a photo and take in the views of the open meadow with the mountain backdrop.

If you have extra time, you can hike to Kings Creek Falls, a pretty waterfall tucked deeper into the park. The trail is 2.3 miles (3.7 km) round trip with 486 ft (148 m) of elevation gain and usually takes 1.5–2 hours. It’s rated moderate, but keep in mind that the return hike involves a steep climb back up.

While the waterfall is lovely, the hike itself isn’t the most scenic right now. Normally, you’d walk through a shady forest, but much of the area is still recovering from fire damage, leaving bare, burned trees and very little shade. Unless you have several days to explore the park, there are other hikes and stops that are more rewarding.

7. Devastated Area Interpretive Trail

The Devastated Area Interpretive Trail is considered one of the must-sees in Lassen. This short, accessible trail offers a fascinating look at the aftermath of the 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak. Signs along the way explain how the eruption shaped the landscape and scattered massive boulders across the area.

The trail is easy and just 0.5 miles round trip. It’s a quick, informative stop, good for families and anyone interested in the park’s volcanic history. But if you’re looking for the most impressive scenery, you could easily skip this stop.

8. Manzanita Lake

Manzanita Lake, near the Northwest Entrance, is one of the most popular and accessible areas of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Here, you’ll find hiking trails, a visitor center, a small museum, a campground, and kayak rentals during the summer months.

One of the highlights is the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) loop trail around the lake, offering beautiful views of Lassen Peak. If you’re short on time, head straight to the spot marked on Google Maps as Lassen Peak Vista Point. When the water is calm, you can see beautiful mountain reflections.

TIP: If you’re visiting on a sunny summer day and have a few hours to spare, you can easily spend half a day here. Bring a picnic, rent kayaks, and enjoy some of the park’s best views and easiest activities – no strenuous hiking required.

9. Reflection Lake

Right across the road from Manzanita Lake, you’ll find Reflection Lake. It’s smaller and quieter but equally scenic. Plus, because there are fewer people around, you have better chances to see wildlife. We saw lots of Canada Geese and a deer.

From here, you can also do the short and easy Lily Pond Trail, a 0.6-mile (0.9 km) loop that’s perfect for families with young kids.

Good to know: We walked the full loop around both Manzanita and Reflection Lakes at a leisurely pace, which took about one hour. So it’s really easy to add both these lakes to your itinerary.

More Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park

If you have more time and want to explore Lassen Volcanic deeper, beyond the main sights, here are some additional recommendations:

• Loomis Museum (Northwest Entrance Visitor Center) has exhibits about the park’s history and eruptions.
• Hat Creek/Lake is the best place to see fall colors in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
• Hot Rock. This impressive 300-ton rock traveled 5 miles from Lassen Peak during the 1915 eruption.
• Ridge Lakes – reachable via a strenuous 2-mile hike from Sulphur Works parking.
• Stargazing. Lassen’s dark skies are perfect for this.
• Swimming is allowed in the park lakes and creeks (NOT hydrothermal areas!).
• Fishing and boating. Check the official website for more information.
• Snow fun. If you visit Lassen in June-July, you can still find quite a lot of snow at higher elevations.
• Subway Cave Lava Tube. While not inside the park, this lava cave is just a 15-minute drive north of the Northwest Entrance and is worth the detour.

Info & Tips for Visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park

Planning a visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park takes a bit of preparation, mostly because the park is so remote and has a short summer season. Here are some essential things to know before you go:

• Best time to visit: The park is open year-round, but the main road is closed in the winter season (approximately November to May). Mid-July through September is the best time for hiking and full park access.

• Road/trail conditions: Due to high elevations, snow lingers late into summer. It’s important to check conditions, especially if you’re visiting outside the warmest summer months or plan on going hiking. You can check current conditions on the official park website or at the visitor centers.

• Arrive early or stay late: Parking lots at the most popular hikes (especially Bumpass Hell) fill up quickly, so try to avoid the busiest hours of the day.

• Entrance fee: Just as with all National Parks, you can either pay for the standard pass or use the annual America the Beautiful pass.

• Cell service: Very limited in the park, so download maps and trail info ahead of time.

• Pets are not permitted on hiking trails or in the water.

• Bring snacks and water: Food options inside the park are very limited.

• Dress in layers, especially if you’re doing longer hikes.

• Fill your gas tank before you arrive: There are no gas stations inside the park, and Manzanita Lake Camper Store often has pump outages. There are several EV chargers at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.

• Where to stay: The park has campgrounds and a few limited lodging options, but for hotels, check nearby towns like Chester or Redding. We stayed at Antlers Inn in Chester.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a beautiful and surprisingly diverse park with geothermal features, scenic lakes, and family-friendly hikes. Located between the popular parks like Yosemite and Crater Lake, it’s a fantastic addition to any Northern California/Southern Oregon itinerary.

TIP: If you’re trying to figure out how to include Lassen in a longer road trip, check out our 2-week Northern California road trip itinerary. In addition to Lassen Volcanic, it includes highlights like San Francisco, Big Sur, Monterey, Yosemite, Redwoods, Lake Tahoe, and Crater Lake National Park.

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!