To visit Lassen Volcanic National Park is to witness a brief moment in the ancient battle between the earth shaping forces of creation and destruction in Northern California. Nestled within Lassen’s peaceful forests and untouched wilderness, hissing fumaroles and boiling mud pots still shape and change the land, evidence of Lassen’s long fiery and active past.
The Basics
Hours:
Lassen Volcanic National Park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Access to the park may be restricted due to snow.
Headquarters Information Desk & Book Nook
Open All Year, (M-F) 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M., Closed holidays Phone: (530) 595-4444 Location: In the town of Mineral on State Route 36 East, 9 miles outside the Park. Closures: May close temporarily September-May for park meetings and training.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in Northeastern California. There are five separate roads to access the park, and one Main Park Road which runs North-South through the park. The Main Park Road runs between the Northwest (Manzanita Lake) park entrance and the Southwest park entrance. The Northwest entrance is approximately 50 miles east of Redding, California on Highway 44, and 180 miles west of Reno, Nevada. The Southwest park entrance is approximately 45 miles east of Red Bluff, California on Highway 36, and 160 miles west of Reno, Nevada. Access the Butte Lake area is via a dirt road off Hwy 44 east of Old Station. Access to Juniper Lake and Warner Valley are via a partially paved road north of Chester off Hwy 36.
Climate
Weather plays a dramatic role at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Winter, especially, shapes the landscape; snow generally begins to accumulate each year in October, doesn't melt in most places until July, and can remain in isolated areas year round. Summer weather is more predictable, with warm, dry days, blue skies, and cool nights. Visitors to Lassen Volcanic National Park should be prepared for any kind of weather, any time of the year.
Lassen Volcanic National Park's 106,372 acres provide a wealth of fun activities that are as varied as the seasons of the park.
There are over 150 miles of hiking trails within the park which range in difficulty from a strenuous 5 mile round-trip hike up Lassen Peak to a gentle 1 mile stroll around Manzanita Lake. The Main Park Road provides incredible views of the Cascades and High Sierras, as well as access to mountain lakes and active hydrothermal areas. There are eight campgrounds within Lassen Volcanic National Park, and a large part of Lassen's wilderness is available for wilderness camping with a free permit.
Outdoor Winter Activities
Whether you are looking for a contemplative snowshoe trip, family snow play, or challenging telemark runs, Lassen Volcanic National Park has a lot to offer. Although the Main Park Road usually closes by mid-November, you can access the park year-round. Throughout the winter, the Main Park Road is plowed to the southwest parking area on the south side of the park and to the Loomis Museum on the north side of the park. The winter season provides visitors auto-free opportunities to see another, quieter side of the park.
Family Snowplay
The southwest parking area is a popular spot to bring the family, the sleds, and the BBQ (please use gas or remove your ashes). Within a short walk of your car, there is access to several sledding hills with beautiful panoramic views of Lassen Volcanic's snowcapped mountains. Restrooms are available during the winter, however there is no water.
Snowshoeing
Bring your showshoes and, with just a short 10 minute walk, you can enter a quiet winter wilderness. You might even find yourself wondering if you have the entire park to yourself. The park does not rent snowshoes. Please arrange to bring your own snowshoes with you. If you are new to snowshoeing, or not quite sure you are ready to purchase your own pair, then attend a ranger-led snowshoe walk on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. During this walk, the ranger will provide snowshoes and teach you the basics of snowshoeing, winter survival, and winter ecology.
Winter Camping
Winter camping is quickly becoming a popular activity in the park. There is a designated walk-in winter campground near the southwest parking area. The winter walk-in campground fee is free, and there are restrooms available nearby. A free backcountry wilderness permit is required for winter camping in all other areas of the park. You are responsible for knowing and following all regulations regarding winter backcountry/wilderness camping.
Cross-country and Telemark Skiing
The vast majority of Lassen Volcanic's backcountry provides unparalleled opportunities for challenging and relaxed skiing. The Loomis Museum and the southwest parking area are popular starting spots to ski the 29-mile snow-covered Main Park Road. There are very few marked backcountry/wilderness winter skiing trails. The Forest Lake Trail, near the southwest parking area, and the Manzanita Lake Trail, surrounding Manzanita Lake, are the only marked winter trails in the park.
