Looking for the best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
The only National Park home to all 4 types of volcanoes, Lassen is a super unique area that should be on everyone’s northern California bucket list.
Lassen is also one of the least visited National Parks, so it makes for a fantastic hiking experience since you won’t have trouble finding parking at the trailheads or dealing with crowds at the best places.
These are the 7 best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park. They range from easy to strenuous and can be done in a few hours or less.
There is truly a hike for everyone at Lassen!
(And if you plan to visit Lassen on a longer road trip, check out this post for the ultimate 7-day northern California road trip itinerary!
2021 Dixie Fire Update
During the summer of 2021, the Dixie Fire burned almost 1 million acres in Northern California, making it the largest single fire in California history. The southeast corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park was the most severely burned area in the park.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is open, but remnants of the fire damage are still evident in some areas. The Drakesbad Guest Ranch (the only in-park lodge) remains closed for the 2023 season.
The Warner Valley and Juniper Lake areas of the park are closed (no access via Warner Valley and Juniper Lake roads). All trails west of the main park highway were not affected by the Dixie Fire.
This means that the trailheads to some popular hikes, like Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Springs Lake, are also closed. You can get to the trail, but it takes a significant walking detour to get to these areas (I’m talking an extra 7-10 miles in addition to the posted trail lengths).
For that reason, I’ve left the hikes with inaccessible trailheads off of the “best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park” list. There are still plenty of fantastic hikes you can do despite this area being closed!
As always, check the NPS website for the latest info on reopening plans after the Dixie Fire before planning your trip.
Related: The Ultimate 1-3 Day Lassen Volcanic National Park Itinerary
Is Lassen Volcanic National Park Worth Visiting?
Yes, it is definitely worth visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park. You’ll get to see bubbling hydrothermal areas, all 4 types of volcanoes, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and beautiful scenery.
The park’s namesake, Lassen Peak, last erupted in 1915 where it devastated nearby areas and deposited volcanic ash 200 feet away.
It is also one of the only places in the world where you can see (and hike on!) all 4 types of active volcanoes.
And the best part? There are hardly any crowds!
My best guess for this is that Lassen is in a very remote part of northern California and it gets overshadowed by other popular California attractions, such as Yosemite and the coastal towns.
We found Lassen Volcanic National Park to be a fantastic combination of the best parts of our Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Craters of the Moon National Monument trip we took earlier the same year without the insane crowds.
There are mudpots, hot springs, and fumaroles similar to Yellowstone, alpine lakes and rugged peaks similar to Grand Teton, and cinder cones and lava flows similar to Craters of the Moon.
Related: Hiking Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park: A Complete Guide
The Best Time to Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park
The best time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park is in the summer between July and September. This area of California is at an elevation of 7000+ feet, so it gets a lot of snowfall in the winter and the park roads close between October and May, depending on weather.
The weather in the summer will be very pleasant for hiking and outdoor adventuring. Don’t worry about summer crowds here either- Lassen is one of the least-visited National Parks in the US!
Helpful Tips for Hiking in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Before we get into the best hikes at Lassen Volcanic National Park, here are a few helpful tips for visiting this area:
Pets are not allowed on hiking trails, lakes, or in the backcountry areas of Lassen Volcanic National Park. They are allowed in campgrounds, parking lots, and picnic areas, but must remain on a leash. These rules are in place to protect your pet and the native wildlife. More info on the pet policy can be found on the NPS website here.
Most of Lassen Volcanic National Park sits at an elevation of more than 7000 feet. Hiking at elevation will be more difficult than what you are likely used to (especially if you are a near-sea-level midwesterner like me!), so use caution when hiking and assess your fitness level before choosing your hikes.
Gas stations, restaurants, and cell signal are few and far between in the park. You can find grab-and-go sandwiches and snacks at the Kohm Yah-Mah Nee Visitor’s Center and the Manzanita Lake Campground store. Gas is also available at Manzanita Lake between May and October, but it’s best to fill up before entering the park.
Stay on the boardwalks in hydrothermal areas. These areas are very dangerous if you venture off the path. The water is boiling and acidic and will severely burn you if you touch it or fall in!
Related: 13 Fantastic Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
7 Best Hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park
My husband and I spent 3 days hiking and exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park the week of Labor Day. We had minimal crowds, amazing weather, and an overall great time!
These are the 7 best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park. I’ve also put the trailhead locations on the map below.
All of the distances noted below are for the round-trip hike.
1. Devastated Area Interpretive Trail
Length: 0.3 miles
Elevation gain: Negligible
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 20 minutes
Trailhead location: Lassen Volcanic Highway, follow the signs for Devastated Area
The Devastated Area Interpretive Trail is an easy stroll through part of the devastated area from the 1915 Lassen Peak eruptions. The trail has an excellent view of the Lassen Peak along with signs explaining the history of the eruptions.
You’ll also see lava rocks and giant boulders that were thrown over 5 miles from the Lassen peak during the eruptions.
I know this trail isn’t really a hike, per say, but it is a neat walk learning about the history of the park, so that’s why it made my list of best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
2. Lassen Peak Trail
Length: 4.9 miles
Elevation gain: 1971 ft
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Extremely strenuous
Time: 4-5 hours
Trailhead location: Lassen Volcanic Highway
The Lassen Peak Trail is probably the most famous hike in the park. It is just what it sounds like- you climb up to the top of Lassen Peak for panoramic views over the park.
This hike is not for the faint of heart! Your starting elevation is 8500 feet, and the peak sits at just shy of 10,500 feet, the highest point in the park.
The climb is straight up for nearly 2.5 miles and is no joke, especially at that elevation.
The last part of the climb is a rock scramble through snow and ice (yes, the Lassen Peak has snow year-round). The weather can change very fast at high elevation, so it’s important to be prepared for wind, rain, hail, lightning, and anything else Mother Nature may throw at you.
If you do plan to hike this trail, pack layers, a rain jacket, trekking poles, sunscreen, food, and tons of water.
We originally planned to do this hike, but decided against it after reading some of the AllTrails reviews, mainly due to the reports of changing weather that we were definitely not prepared for.
This is the only hike on this list that we did not do. Maybe one day we will make it back here because this is a truly epic hike!
3. Bumpass Hell Trail
Length: 2.7 miles
Elevation gain: 344 ft
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1.5 hours
Trailhead location: Lassen Volcanic Highway
Don’t leave Lassen without hiking the Bumpass Hell Trail! This trail leads you around the Bumpass Mountain and down into a densely-concentrated hydrothermal area full of bubbling mud pots and pungent fumaroles.
The trail is packed gravel with a slight uphill incline until you get to the Bumpass Hell Overlook, which overlooks the largest hydrothermal area in the park.
You’ll descend about 200 feet down to the short boardwalk trail to explore the features more closely.
This is probably the most popular area in the park, so the parking lot can get full midday. I’d recommend doing this hike relatively early in the morning!
In case you’re wondering why this trail is called “Bumpass Hell,” it’s because mountaineer Kendall Vanhook Bumpass first discovered this area in 1864 and planned to mine the minerals. His leg broke through a piece of thin ground into boiling mud that was nearly 240 degrees!
He was left severely burned and never made his fortune in mining, but concluded that “the descent to hell was easy.”
4. Manzanita Lake Loop
Length: 1.9 miles
Elevation gain: negligible
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 minutes
Trailhead location: Manzanita Lake area
Looking for an easy stroll around an alpine lake with incredible views of the Lassen Peak? Look no further than the Manzanita Lake Trail!
You can start this trail at the north entrance station or at the Manzanita Lake Campground. It’s an easy, flat walk around the lake.
Take in the view of Lassen Peak at multiple points around the lake, and take note of the awesome reflection in the water!
5. Cinder Cone Trail
Length: 4.7 miles
Elevation gain: 1053 ft
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Strenuous
Time: 2.5-3 hours
Trailhead location: Butte Lake area
This trail was by far our favorite in the whole park (and one of my personal top 5 hikes, ever!), so it easily made the list of best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Starting from the Lake Butte Campground, you’ll walk slightly uphill for about 1.5 miles along the fantastic lava beds. These really do live up to their name, as they are huge and tower above you as you walk!
Once you reach the cinder cone, the fun really begins. You’ll climb over 500 feet in less than a half mile through some loose volcanic sand. This portion of the hike is strenuous not only for the steep climb, but also due to the loose sand you’ll be climbing over.
Every step forward results in a half-step back as you sink into the sand.
As you summit the cone, a fantastic view of the Lassen Peak motivates you to keep going. When you finally reach the peak, you’re rewarded with the opportunity to hike down into the cinder cone and take in the amazing views from all angles of the peak.
The Painted Dunes, Fantastic Lava Beds, Lassen Peak, Snag Lake, and Prospect Peak are all visible from the top. The Painted Dunes might have been the weirdest landscape I’ve ever seen.
All that to say, you definitely won’t regret the hike up Cinder Cone!
The Butte Lake area is also less-visited than other areas in the park. In order to get here, you will have to drive 6 miles down a dirt road (don’t worry, it’s passable in any passenger car), so you could have this adventure all to yourself!
The Cinder Cone Trail is a great alternative to the Lassen Peak Trail if you’re looking for a challenging summit with panoramic views, but aren’t quite up for the 10,500 foot summit to Lassen Peak.
6. King’s Creek Falls Trail
Length: 2.8 miles
Elevation gain: 492 ft
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2 hours
Trailhead location: Lassen Volcanic Highway
The King’s Creek Falls Trail packs a lot of scenery into a relatively short hike. Starting from the King’s Creek Picnic Area, you’ll hike down through a burned forest (remnants of the 2021 Dixie Fire) with some great views over the Lassen Volcanic Wilderness.
Part of this hike is pretty steep with some loose rock, so I definitely recommend sturdy hiking shoes.
You’ll know when you’re getting close to the falls when the scenery turns into a green meadow! In the spring, this area is abundant with wildflowers.
Follow the creek down to 2 waterfall viewing platforms and marvel at the 30-foot-tall King’s Creek Falls. We had this all to ourselves and enjoyed a quick snack before the trek back up!
There are 2 ways to hike back up from the falls: the way you came, or a shorter, rock scramble along the King’s Creek.
We opted for the shorter rock scramble and enjoyed the scenery and sounds of rushing water on the steep climb up! Again, good hiking shoes are a must for this hike. This part was steep, but not too bad when you incorporate a few breaks.
We absolutely loved this hike! The panoramic scenery, unique remnants of the Dixie Fire, lush meadows, and 30-foot waterfall easily makes it one of the best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
7. Bathtub & Butte Lake Loop
Length: 2.2 miles
Elevation gain: 341 ft
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1 hour
Trailhead location: Butte Lake area
Bathtub and Butte Lakes are both located in the remote Butte Lake area. Walk the loop trail around the lakes for amazing views of the fantastic lava beds, Cinder Cone, and Prospect Peak.
These lakes are also not as cold as some of the other higher-elevation lakes, so feel free to take a quick swim after your hike to cool off!
Bonus: Burney Falls Loop
Length: 1 mile
Elevation gain: 167 ft
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 45 minutes
Trailhead location: Burney Falls State Park
The Burney Falls Loop isn’t technically in Lassen Volcanic National Park, but this hike is super close and excellent enough that I have included it in the best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park list.
Located just northeast of Lassen, Burney Falls State Park is definitely worth the trip. The hike itself is easy and straightforward, and the Burney Falls are absolutely breathtaking.
You’ll hike down 167 feet and be right at the base of this 129-foot waterfall.
This waterfall is really unique because the water is all ground water and not from your typical river or creek. The water runs through an “underground river” system and you get to see the point where all the water pours out.
Since this is a California State Park, your America the Beautiful Pass won’t work and you’ll have to pay the $10 entrance fee to get in. It is well worth it though to see those falls!
Lassen Volcanic National Park Hiking FAQs
How Hard is the Hike to Lassen Peak?
The hike to Lassen Peak is very strenuous. You’ll be ascending from 8500 feet to 10,500 feet and subject to very quickly changing weather. Snow stays on the peak year-round, and the last portion of the hike is a rock scramble to the peak.
Reports of rain, wind, snow, lightning, and hail have been reported at the peak despite warm and sunny weather at the trailhead. There is no shade or tree cover on this trail.
If you plan to do this hike, be prepared with plenty of layers, water, food, sunscreen, trekking poles, and a rain jacket. Know what to do in case of a storm and be prepared to turn around if you become too short of breath due to the altitude!
Are There Grizzly Bears in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
No, there are not grizzly bears in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
There are some black bears, however. Black bears are usually not aggressive and are a rare sighting at Lassen. However, it is important to store food properly and be bear aware just in case.
Do You Need Bear Spray in Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Bear spray is not permitted in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The non-aggressive behavior of black bears does not necessitate bear spray use at Lassen.
Is the Lassen Peak Volcano Still Active?
Yes, the Lassen Peak is still considered active since it erupted just over 100 years ago. The region has been volcanically active for over 3 million years.
Scientists are monitoring the seismic activity beneath the volcanic areas for research and emergency planning.
Do you plan to do any of these best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park on your trip? Let me know which one(s) you’re most excited for in the comments below!
-Megan
More Info on Northern California
And if you’re looking for more places in northern California to add to a road trip itinerary, check out my other northern California posts!
- The Ultimate 1-3 Day Lassen Volcanic National Park Itinerary
- 13 Fantastic Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- 1-Day Redwood National Park Itinerary & Guide
- The Ultimate Point Reyes Day Trip Itinerary
- 7-Day Northern California Road Trip Itinerary for Hikers (Seashore, Redwoods, & Volcano Edition!)
