Best trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Peak is the largest plug dome volcano in the world. The National Park also features shield, cinder dome, and composite volcanos. The National Park has hydrothermal areas, fumaroles, and boiling pools.
Top trails
- (5658)•Hard•4.9 miTackle the highest peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park and stand atop an active volcano. While other California volcanoes look conical like Mount Shasta, Lassen is a hub of volcanic activity with different vents erupting over the years. It is considered a ‘Lava Dome’. Mount Lassen and Mount St. Helens are the only volcanoes in the US to erupt in the 20th century. Mount Lassen is a towering testament to the volcanic origins of this region, and an imposing sight from the trailhead on the...
- (3023)•Hard•4.6 mi•Est. 2.5–3 hrMarvel at Lassen's volcanic landscape from atop the rim of a cinder cone. Cinder cones are scattered all around you at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Some are in plain sight and others are overgrown and hidden by forest, but none are more recent and more spectacular than the Cinder Cone that created the Fantastic Lava Beds and the colorful Painted Dunes eleven miles north east of Lassen Peak. Sometime around the middle of the seventeenth century a volcanic vent in this area began to expel...
- (2555)•Easy•1.9 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrPicturesque Lassen peaks are reflected by the tranquil waters of Manzanita Lake on this short loop. On a clear day, this short and easy loop hike around sparkling Manzanita Lake is the perfect introduction to Lassen Volcanic National Park, showcasing some of the best features of the park - including the glacier strewn Lassen Peak and the young Chaos Crags massif. In fact, it was an enormous rockfall collapse of Chaos Crags which cut off a local creek and created this lake. This spot is...
- (2481)•Moderate•2.8 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrThis route takes you through Lower Kings Creek Meadow to the upper cascades of the stunning Kings Creek Falls. You'll get great views of the falls on your way in, but wait until your way out- the views are even better! There is an overlook platform where you can hang out and take in the falls. It is not a good idea to try to hike around the fence to the base of the falls. Rocks are slippery, and many hikers have been injured in falls attempting to hike to the base. There is a narrow, steep...
- (1227)•Hard•7.1 miClimb one of the park's best trails to experience the unrivaled views from the summit of Brokeoff Mountain. Many folk head to Lassen Volcanic National Park with a plan to hike Lassen Peak, and for good reason - it's a really good signature hike for the park. However, if you have time to hike only one peak on your travels choose Brokeoff Mountain which affords you some of the best views of the park from the summit, including great ones of Lassen Peak. There are beautiful wildflowers in the...
- (754)•Easy•0.3 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrAccording to wheelchairtraveling.com: This well-developed trail is the easiest of the park's active thermal areas to visit. The volcanic sulphur bubble can be seen but is pretty stinky! It's a short, paved walk through a basin surrounded by volcanic peaks where plopping mud pots and smoking steam vents can be seen close to the roadside. It is named for Austrian immigrant Mathias B. Supan who extracted minerals in the area in the mid-1800s. While the best time to visit this trail is June...
- (783)•Moderate•4.0 mi•Est. 2–2.5 hrWhen the cliffs of Chaos Crags sheared off and tumbled down into the valley they also blocked a local creek, creating what is known today as Manzanita Lake. The hiking trail winds its way through a surviving section of thick evergreen forest running parallel to the jumbles, slowly ascending and eventually thinning out as you climb towards the timberline. The trailhead is located close to the north entrance of the park. Take a turn off the 44 toward Manzanita Lake campground (just next to...
- (707)•Moderate•2.0 mi•Est. 1.5–2 hrThis trail is a short but steep hike, and it can be quite strenuous, especially at this high elevation. The trail starts at Sulphur Works, on the main park road. It begins climbing right away and continues climbing (getting steeper towards the end) until you reach Ridge Lakes: beautiful hidden little lakes with turquoise waters. The lakes are a great place for a picnic or a break before descending back to the trailhead.
- (482)•Easy•1.5 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrThis trail begins at the Kings Creek Picnic Area and follows the Cold Boiling Lake Trail to Cold Boiling Lake. Cold Boiling Lake is a dying hydrothermal area - be sure to look for bubbles along the shore of the lake. There is an option to continue along to Bumpass Hell from this trail. This trail is great for the entire family.
- (609)•Moderate•3.4 mi•Est. 1.5–2 hrThis trail takes you to the highest waterfall in Lassen National Park. There is a mix of forests and meadows, with beautiful views of surrounding peaks along the way. There are many wildflowers in the early summer. The trail will first take you to an overlook, where you can view Mill Creek Falls from above. If you continue along the trail you can hike the bottom of the falls.
Visitor info
Park entrance fees are waived for eligible academic groups with approved fee waiver application. Applications must be submitted at least two weeks prior to park visit.
Admits one private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders. Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov.
Discounted entry fee for winter. Admits one private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders. Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov.
Per-person entrance fee used to admit one person on foot or bicycle. Also used for individuals traveling together in a vehicle as a non-commercial, organized group. Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov.
Discounted entry fee for winter. Per-person entrance fee used to admit one person on foot or bicycle. Also used for individuals traveling together in a vehicle as a non-commercial, organized group. Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov.
Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle. Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov.
Discounted entry fee during winter. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle. Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov.
This multi-park annual pass is valid for one year from month of purchase at four NPS units: Lassen Volcanic
and Crater Lake national parks, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, and Lava Beds National Monument. This pass admits one vehicle and all occupants or one motorcycle and riders or the pass holder and 3 others on bicycle and foot.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, Loomis Museum, and Discovery Center are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning.
Assistive listening devices, audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, and text materials are available.
Many ranger-led programs can accommodate those with limited mobility. Kohm Yah-mah-nee and Manzanita Lake amphitheaters, where evening programs are often held, are wheelchair accessible. Audio tours are also available for the Geologic Walk Through Time and at other locations throughout the park.
Additional information about accessibility at Lassen Volcanic National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, Loomis Museum, and Discovery Center are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms. Orientation films include closed captioning.
The Manzanita Lake, Lake Helen, Devastated Area, and Kings Creek Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms.
Accessible restrooms or vault toilets are available at the following trailheads: Sulphur Works and Devastated Area.
Manzanita Lake (A32 and B9), Butte Lake (A6), and Summit Lake North (A-1) Campgrounds have individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and accessible restrooms.
The Manzanita Camping Cabins has 4 cabins (#1, 8, 14, and 18) that are wheelchair accessible.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
Guides
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
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Are there camping trails available in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
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Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Are there any trails with waterfalls in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
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Are there any trails with lakes in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
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Are there any trails with hot springs in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
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Are there any trails with picnic areas in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Are there any trails with historical ruins in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Are there any trails with springs in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Attractions
- Hard trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Easy trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Forest trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Hot springs trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Lake trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Long trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Moderate trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- No dogs trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- River trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Short trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Scenic viewpoint trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Waterfall trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Wildflowers trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Wildlife trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Points of interest
- Lassen Peak
- Cold Boiling Spring
- Brokeoff Mountain
- Tophet Springs
- Cinder Cone
- Kings Creek Falls
- Mill Creek Falls
- Lily Pond
- Butte Lake Campground
- Ridge Lakes
- Mill Creek Falls Viewpoint
- Southwest Campground
- Summit Lake
- Terminal Geyser
- Supans Springs
- Devastated Area
- Shadow Lake
- Cold Boiling Lake
- Big Boiler
- Reflection Lake
