Lassen Volcanic National Park, United States

Lassen Volcanic National Park Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the picturesque region of northern California, Lassen Volcanic National Park is a natural wonder that is sure to captivate any traveler seeking a unique and awe-inspiring experience. This national park, renowned for its volcanic activity, boasts a diverse range of landscapes, from bubbling mud pots to serene alpine meadows, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

One of the park's most iconic features is the Lassen Peak, an active volcano that stands tall at over 10,000 feet. Adventurous hikers can embark on a challenging trek to the summit, where they will be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear lakes. The Lassen Peak Trail, with its rugged terrain and dramatic vistas, offers an unforgettable journey for those seeking a thrilling escapade.

For those who prefer a more tranquil experience, Lassen Volcanic National Park has an abundance of serene lakes and meadows that are perfect for leisurely strolls and picnics. The sparkling waters of Manzanita Lake provide a peaceful retreat, where visitors can bask in the beauty of the reflected mountain peaks and indulge in activities such as fishing and kayaking. The lush meadows, adorned with vibrant wildflowers during the summer months, offer a serene setting for a relaxing day amidst nature's wonders.

As visitors explore the park, they will also encounter the remarkable hydrothermal features that make Lassen Volcanic National Park truly unique. Sulphur Works, a popular stop along the park's scenic drive, showcases the power and beauty of the park's volcanic activity with its steaming fumaroles and boiling mud pots. Bumpass Hell, one of the largest hydrothermal areas in the park, amazes visitors with its vibrant colors and bubbling hot springs, providing a glimpse into the dynamic forces that shape the landscape.

Alternative names: Area: 166.33 mi²Visitors per year: 499.4 thous.Elevation: 6969 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 40°29'30"N, 121°24'25"W

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CaliforniaUnited States

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Lassen Volcanic National Park Top Attractions

Lassen Volcanic National Park Attractions - What to See and Explore

Lassen Volcanic National Park offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Lassen Peak, Cinder Cone, Manzanita Lake, Lake Helen. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Major volcanic peak with hiking trails
Lassen Peak
Lassen Peak, a striking volcano nestled within the diverse landscape of Lassen Volcanic National Park in California, offers a unique experience for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Standing tall at 10,457 feet, it is one of the largest plug dome...
Natural attraction • Nature • Volcano
Cinder Cone
Nestled within the striking landscapes of Lassen Volcanic National Park in California, the Cinder Cone is a geological marvel that beckons adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike. This imposing cinder cone volcano, with its distinctive loose volcanic rock known as...
Natural attraction • Lake • Body of water
Manzanita Lake
Manzanita Lake is a lake located in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The name means "little apple" in Spanish. Located near the park entrance, the lake is open for fishing and has rainbow, brown and brook trout.

Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Lake Helen
Lake Helen is a glacial lake or a tarn occupying a cirque at around 8,200 feet in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The lake is located to the south of Lassen Peak and west of Bumpass Mountain in the Shasta Cascades region of Northern California.
Natural attraction • Nature • Volcano
Mount Tehama
Mount Tehama is an eroded andesitic stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the Cascade Range in Northern California. Part of the Lassen volcanic area, its tallest remnant, Brokeoff Mountain, is itself the second highest peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park and connects to the park's highest point, Lassen Peak.
Natural history museum • Museum
Loomis Museum
The Loomis Museum, also known as the Loomis Visitor Center, the Manzanita Lake Visitor Center and the Manzanita Lake Museum, was built by Benjamin Franklin Loomis in 1927 near Manzanita Lake, just outside Lassen Volcanic National Park in California, USA.
Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Summit Lake
Summit Lake is a lake in the Lassen Volcanic National Park of Shasta County, California, east of California Route 89 at elevation 6,700 ft. Two campgrounds, named Summit Lake North and Summit Lake South, are located adjacent to the lake.
Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Butte Lake
Butte Lake is a lake located in the northeast section of Lassen Volcanic National Park in the U.S. state of California at an elevation of 6,053 ft.
Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is a small lake located nearby Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park, in Shasta County, California. The lake is located about 0.3 mi west of Lake Helen. Highway 89 runs along the eastern shore of the small lake.
Natural attraction • Nature • Mountain
Bumpass Mountain
Bumpass Mountain is a mountain located south of Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. It rises to an elevation of 8,753 feet near Bumpass Hell and Lake Helen.
Tower • Rustic architecture
Mount Harkness Fire Lookout
The Mount Harkness Fire Lookout, on Mount Harkness in Lassen Volcanic National Park, in Plumas County, California near Mineral, California, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.
Natural attraction • Nature • Volcano
Chaos Crags
Chaos Crags is the youngest group of lava domes in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. They formed as six dacite domes 1,100-1,000 years ago, one dome collapsing during an explosive eruption about 70 years later.
Natural attraction • Geologic formation • Park
Bumpass Hell
The geothermal areas in Lassen Volcanic National Park include several groups of hot springs and fumaroles, as remnants of former volcanic activity, exist in Lassen Volcanic National Park in northeastern California.
Natural attraction • Nature • Volcano
Prospect Peak Fire Lookout
The Prospect Peak Fire Lookout is a fire lookout station located on Prospect Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park, near the city of Mineral, California. The lookout, which was built circa 1912, is one of the oldest extant U.S. Forest Service fire lookouts in the United States.
Natural attraction • Nature • Lake
Snag Lake
Snag Lake is a lake located in the north eastern part of Lassen Volcanic National Park in California.
Natural attraction • Nature • Volcano
Manzanita Lake Naturalist's Services Historic District
The Manzanita Lake Naturalist's Services Historic District encompasses the historic area devoted to visitor interpretation services at the northwest entrance of Lassen Volcanic National Park in northeastern California.
Natural attraction • Nature • Volcano
Summit Lake Ranger Station
The Summit Lake Ranger Station, also known as the Summit Lake Patrol Cabin, is one of the first three buildings constructed by the National Park Service in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. Located near the center of the park on the main park road, the cabin was built in 1926.
Natural attraction • Lake • Body of water
Juniper Lake
Juniper Lake is a large lake located at the southeast corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park in the U.S. state of California. The lake sits at an elevation of 6,700 ft above sea level.
Natural attraction • Nature • Volcano
Warner Valley Ranger Station
The Warner Valley Ranger Station, also known as the Warner Valley Patrol Cabin and Quarters 304, is located in the southern portion of Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the access road to the Drakesbad Guest Ranch.

Day trips

Lassen Volcanic National Park – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Lassen Volcanic National Park, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Burney Falls (McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial State Park), Lake Britton (Lassen National Forest), Ishi Wilderness.

38 milesN
Natural attraction, Waterfall
Burney Falls, McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial State Park
Nestled within the verdant embrace of McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Northern California, Burney Falls is a natural wonder that beckons visitors with its breathtaking beauty. This stunning waterfall is not only one of California's most spectacular...
38 milesN
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Lake Britton, Lassen National Forest
Lake Britton is a reservoir located in Shasta County, California. It is known for its wide variety of bass and trout. Its main body is situated to the west of State Route 89, and is mostly surrounded by PG&E Land, Forest Service Land, and McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park.
32 milesSW
National park
Ishi Wilderness
The Ishi Wilderness is a 41,339 acre wilderness area located on the Lassen National Forest in the Shasta Cascade foothills of northern California, United States. The Ishi Wilderness is located approximately twenty miles east of Red Bluff, California.
39 milesN
Dam
Pit 3 Dam, Lassen National Forest
Pit-3 Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Pit River in northern California in the United States. It forms Lake Britton, and is owned by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
22 milesNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Twin Buttes, Lassen National Forest
The Twin Buttes are a group of volcanic cinder cones located in the Cascade Mountain Range of Shasta County, California.