What to do and see in Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park: The Best Things to do

June 29, 2021 Diedre Savory

Discover the best top things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park, United States including Cinder Cone, Juniper Lake, Bumpass Hell, Manzanita Lake, Kings Creek Falls, Fantastic Lava Beds, Mount Lassen, Mill Creek Falls, Warner Valley Trailhead, Lassen Volcanic National Park Hiking Trails.
Restaurants in Lassen Volcanic National Park Campgrounds

1. Cinder Cone

Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA http://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/hiking_cinder_cone2.htm
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 56 reviews

Cinder Cone

Reviewed By SonomaTrekker - Sebastopol, United States

Unless you are a hearty hiker, you will have a moment where you ask yourself, "Why did I start this hike?" But the good news is: the hard part is SHORT and the rewards are worth it. The first part of this hike takes you along an easy, meandering path through the pine forest to deliver you at the base of Cinder Cone. The hike up the cone is extremely steep, on loose gravel, where you will take a step and slide back, step-slide, step-slide, like plodding up a sand dune. But know that as look up and see a spot where the path appears to cut left, that is basically the top! And the view from the summit is not only a gorgeous 360degree panorama of lake, lava beds and mountains, but you can look down into the cone, which is not something you see every day. You can also walk down into the cone! If you go during summer, start early when it's cool. (And a fun bonus: you can get back down the cone in less than 5 minutes!)

2. Juniper Lake

Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA
Excellent
75%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Juniper Lake

Beautiful isolated lake in the southeast section of the park.

Reviewed By 1Whitekitty - Chico, United States

It was My fiancé and I first camping trip and its so nice and secluded to just hang out no worries. We did put a blowup boat in the water and tried to fish, which later we were told there were no fish. We just laughed and still enjoyed ourselves. The water is just beautiful and calm when we went and the sunsets are unbelievable. Its been16 years since we were there and have talked about going back. But its that rough road and terrain that makes us really think about doing it again. Overall beautiful place must see.

3. Bumpass Hell

Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA +1 530-595-4480 http://nps.gov
Excellent
66%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 307 reviews

Bumpass Hell

A 1.3-mile walk from the main road will bring you to this geothermal area with boiling mud and hissing blowholes.

Reviewed By barefoot2008 - Lincoln, United States

As of May 2019, the main trail is closed. If you want to see this, take the trail from Kings Meadow via Cold Boiling Lake. This trail is 5.2 miles round trip, and a little more difficult. Some of the reviews say the trails are easy, and that is true if you are young/fit, but not If you have special needs or are not used to altitude (7,000 to 8,000 ft.). Take your time. Wear sturdy shoes, use sunblock and wear tough, practical clothing. The advantage of using this trail is you get to see Cold Boiling Lake (source of the North Fork, Feather River) as well as the fantastic bubbling mud pots and sulphur works of Bumpass Hell. The alpine views of Lassen Peak and other lakes are great too.

4. Manzanita Lake

Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA +1 530-595-4480 https://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/manzanita-lake-campground.htm
Excellent
62%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 167 reviews

Manzanita Lake

Lake at the North Entrance to the park.

Reviewed By csarchibald - San Marcos, United States

After driving from Redding up to Lassen Volcanic National Park, this is a nice place to rest and relax. The lake is pretty calm, so gives nice reflections of Mount Lassen if the angle is right. The visitor center was open with Covid restrictions and there is a campground and camp store close by.

5. Kings Creek Falls

Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA http://nps.gov
Excellent
61%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 51 reviews

Kings Creek Falls

A fairly easy 1 mile hike will take you to this sparkling waterfall.

Reviewed By Alilu007 - Menlo Park, United States

This was my favorite hike (over Lassen Peak) because there were a lot of diverse landscapes – forested woods, rocky areas, and open meadows. The rolling hills also made it a bit more interesting, instead of a ton of switchbacks that only went up hill. In addition, the loop nature of the hike is better than just an out-and-back. If you have two groups going at different paces, the fast group can break off to Sifford Lake (which does have water), and then meet back up with the group who is continuing the loop. The map at the trailhead says that this loop takes 5-7 hours, however, we did it in about 3. This being said, it’s not an easy trail, and there are some uphill parts that require a bit of effort. Temper expectations in the summer: Bench Lake was dry, but Sifford Lake had water.

6. Fantastic Lava Beds

Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA http://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/hiking_cinder_cone2.htm
Excellent
50%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 24 reviews

Fantastic Lava Beds

A thick black sheet of lava covers several square miles.

Reviewed By mrsdoos

These lava beds sure are fantastic!!! I am a huge volcano lover, and this area did not disappoint! They really are incredible. This flow covers an enormous area! The lava rocks are so cool. Big chunks, different colors, layers, and mineral compositions. It's amazing to imagine when this flow was actually happening. There's a map with numbered points along the trail where it explains the process & what you are looking at. Highly recommended!! An excellent science lesson for all!!!

7. Mount Lassen

Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA 96088 +1 916-595-4444 http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 501 reviews

Mount Lassen

This mountain is a beautifully rewarding hike for the novice.

Reviewed By Toriavic9 - Beaufort, United States

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!

8. Mill Creek Falls

Lassent Volcanic National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA http://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/hiking_mill_creek_falls.htm
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Mill Creek Falls

9. Warner Valley Trailhead

Warner Valley Road, Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA 96020 http://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/hiking_devils_kitchen.htm
Excellent
60%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Warner Valley Trailhead

10. Lassen Volcanic National Park Hiking Trails

Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA +1 530-595-4480 http://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/hiking_lassen_park.htm
Excellent
77%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 232 reviews

Lassen Volcanic National Park Hiking Trails

Reviewed By 58mads

On my return trip from up the Calif. and Oregon Coast, I wanted to stop at places along the way. South on I-5, I happened to notice on the map that Lassen Volcanic National Park was only about 45 miles east on highway 44, so I took the detour. Immediately after the North entrance to the park is Manzanita Lake. It's not large, but very picturesque, especially for those of us who like to take photos. Unfortunately, I also discovered the best parts, including Bumpass Hell (Geysers), Kings Creek Falls, Lassen Peak and several other lakes, are all on the other side of the park. Moral of the story, for these sights, enter from the South-west entrance.

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