Planning a trip to one of the most underrated National Parks in the US? Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of my favorite National Parks because there are some epic hikes, diverse scenery, and hardly any crowds!
Plus, it’s one of the only places where you can hike on all 4 types of volcanoes!
If you’re looking for the perfect Lassen Volcanic National Park itinerary, keep reading! This post will cover how to spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Lassen along with where to stay, how to get there, and more.
(And if you plan to visit Lassen and are looking for the ultimate 7-day northern California road trip itinerary, check out this post too!)
Lassen Volcanic National Park Overview
Lassen Volcanic National Park is the most underrated hidden gem of northern California. You’ll 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.
And the best part? People don’t even know it’s here so there are hardly any crowds!
We found Lassen Volcanic National Park to be a fantastic combination of the best parts of our Yellowstone and Grand Teton road trip we took earlier the same year without the insane crowds.
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).
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).
There are still plenty of fantastic ways to spend a few days at Lassen despite some areas being closed!
As always, check the NPS website for the latest info on reopening plans after the Dixie Fire before planning your trip.
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!
How Many Days Do You Need at Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Plan to spend 2-3 days at Lassen Volcanic National Park. This is enough time to do the scenic drive, hike a few of the best trails, and make a quick day trip to Burney Falls State Park.
If you don’t like hiking, you only really need a day at Lassen to do the scenic drive and visit the main highlights.
How to Get to Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in the central part of northern California, about an hour east of Redding from the I-5 corridor. It’s basically in the middle of nowhere.
It’s about a 4 hour drive from San Francisco and a 3 hour drive from Sacramento.
If you’ll need to fly and rent a car, the San Francisco and Sacramento airports are both good options.
You can also combine a trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park with a road trip up the California coast with stops at Point Reyes National Seashore and Redwood National Park for an epic NorCal adventure!
You can also continue on to Mount Shasta, Crater Lake National Park, and/or Lake Tahoe if you have more than 1 week to spend on your trip!
Related: 7-Day Northern California Road Trip Itinerary for Hikers (Seashore, Redwoods, & Volcano Edition!)
Lassen Volcanic National Park Map
Below is a map of Lassen Volcanic National Park that I’ve annotated with popular sights and trails that will be mentioned later on in this itinerary!
Helpful Tips for Visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park
Here are a few helpful things to know about visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park:
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.
I also highly recommend downloading any maps on your hotel wifi before heading out for the day!
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!
(If you have any doubts about the dangers of the hydrothermal areas, make sure you read up on Kendall V. Bumpass and how Bumpass Hell was discovered!)
Best Things to Do at Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Hike the Bumpass Hell Trail
- Walk the Manzanita Lake Trail
- Visit Sulfur Works
- Drive Lassen Volcanic National Park Scenic Highway
- Climb the Lassen Peak
- Have a picnic
- Kayak on Manzanita Lake
- Go Stargazing
- Hike the Cinder Cone Trail
- Swim in Bathtub Lake
- Hike the King’s Creek Falls Trail
- Explore the Devastated Area Interpretive Trail
- Visit Burney Falls State Park
Related: 13 Fantastic Things to Do at Lassen Volcanic National Park
Where to Stay at Lassen Volcanic National Park
The only in-park lodge, the Drakesbad Guest Ranch, remains closed for the 2023 season due to the Dixie Fire. Check the NPS website for the latest info on reopening plans before planning your trip.
The largest major town close to Lassen is Redding. Redding is a good hour away from the north entrance gate to the park, so it doesn’t make a great home base for visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park for a few days.
There are a few small towns located on the southern side of the park that provide a much more convenient location.
Chester, Mineral, and Mill Creek are your options and are all less than 30 minutes from the south entrance gate to the park. The south entrance is also closer to a lot of the main attractions in Lassen.
However, the restaurant selection here is pretty slim and a lot of places are closed Monday – Wednesday. There is a nice grocery store in Chester with grab-and-go items as a backup though!
I would recommend looking for an Airbnb close to these towns, or one of the following accommodations:
- St. Bernard Lodge: Affordable bed and breakfast in Mill Creek. We stayed here for 3 nights and would recommend it! The breakfast is made to order and included in the nightly price, but you won’t have a private bathroom, so keep that in mind!
- Timber House Brewery and Lodge: Accommodations in Chester that are attached to a great brewery!
- Best Western Rose Quartz Inn: Clean, basic hotel in Chester with free breakfast.
1-Day Lassen Volcanic National Park Itinerary
With a 1-day Lassen Volcanic National Park itinerary, you’ll be able to do the scenic drive, do a couple of short hikes, and see the highlights.
I recommend packing a picnic lunch for your day in Lassen. You can grab supplies at the grocery store in Chester, at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor’s Center, or the Manzanita Camper Store. There are picnic tables and pit toilets at various stops along the highway, but no food!
Depending on where you are coming from, drive the Lassen Volcanic Scenic Highway through the park north-south or vice versa.
Here are my suggestions on the best stopping points and hikes to do along the way in order from north to south (reverse this itinerary if you’re coming from the south):
- Manzanita Lake Trail: This is a flat, 1.9-mile trail around the lake with amazing views of the Lassen Peak.
- Hot Rock: A 3-ton rock that was moved here via lava during the 1915 Lassen Peak eruptions.
- Devastated Area Interpretive Trail: Short, gravel trail with signs explaining the destruction of the 1915 Lassen Peak eruptions.
- Picnic lunch at Lake Helen (or another area in the park)
- Bumpass Hell Trail: This 2.7-mile, moderate trail leads you around the Bumpass Mountain and down into a densely-concentrated hydrothermal area full of bubbling mud pots and pungent fumaroles. This is the most popular hike to do at Lassen Volcanic National Park!
- Sulfur Works: Short, boardwalk trail right off the road with pungent, sulfur-smelling hydrothermal areas
When you finish your day in the park, grab dinner in Chester and relax in your accommodations!
2-Day Lassen Volcanic National Park Itinerary
2 days in Lassen will allow you to do the scenic drive, hike a few popular trails, and make a day trip to Burney Falls State Park.
Day 1: Lassen Volcanic Scenic Highway & Bumpass Hell Trail
This day’s itinerary is the same as the 1-day Lassen Volcanic National Park itinerary above. I’ve briefly recapped it below:
- Drive the Lassen Volcanic Scenic Highway
- Hike the Manzanita Lake Loop
- Visit the Devastated Area Interpretive Trail
- Have a picnic lunch at one of the many picnic areas
- Hike the Bumpass Hell Trail
- Visit Sulfur Works
Day 2: Burney Falls State Park & Cinder Cone Trail
Morning
Grab breakfast and hit the road for Burney Falls State Park.
I know this part of the itinerary isn’t technically in Lassen Volcanic National Park, but Burney Falls is a fantastic state park with one of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve ever seen!
And it’s only an hour and a half from Chester.
The hike down to Burney Falls is short and sweet. It’s only 1.1 miles with 164 feet of elevation gain. The trailhead is located just past the entrance gate and there is plenty of parking.
It will cost you $10 per vehicle to get in, unless you have the California State Parks Pass (the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass won’t get you into state parks).
There is a nice viewing platform at the base of the 129-foot waterfall that is great for taking photos. All of the water flowing down is groundwater, making these falls more unique than your traditional waterfall!
Midday
Grab lunch in the small town of Burney after visiting the falls.
Afternoon
The drive back to Lassen from Burney Falls conveniently passes by the Butte Lake area of the park in the northeast corner. This area is more remote and requires a 6-mile drive down a dirt road. You’ll be fine in any passenger car so don’t worry!
Follow the signs for the Butte Lake Campground, park your car, and get ready for a fantastic, strenuous hike up a cinder cone volcano!
Starting from the Lake Butte Campground, you’ll walk slightly uphill for about 1.5 miles along the Fantastic Lava Beds.
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. We had this part of the hike all to ourselves!
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.
We also hiked down into the cinder cone, which was an amazing experience!
The Cinder Cone Trail is easily one of the top 5 hikes I’ve ever done. It’s 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 summit to 10,500-foot Lassen Peak.
Evening
Head back to Chester and grab dinner and a drink, you earned it after that hike!
We really enjoyed the food and atmosphere at the Timber House Brewery, but they are only open Thursday – Monday. Hopefully your trip allows for the chance to eat here because it’s the best place in town.
3-Day Lassen Volcanic National Park Itinerary
With a 3-day Lassen Volcanic National Park itinerary, you’ll get to see the highlights, visit Burney Falls, and add on one or two more spectacular hikes!
Day 1: Lassen Volcanic Scenic Highway & Bumpass Hell Trail
This day’s itinerary is the same as the 1-day Lassen Volcanic National Park itinerary above.
I’ve briefly recapped it below:
- Drive the Lassen Volcanic Scenic Highway
- Hike the Manzanita Lake Loop
- Visit the Devastated Area Interpretive Trail
- Have a picnic lunch at one of the many picnic areas
- Hike the Bumpass Hell Trail
Day 2: Burney Falls State Park & Cinder Cone Trail
This day’s itinerary is the same as day 2 of the 2-day Lassen Volcanic National Park itinerary above. I’ve briefly recapped it for you below:
- Visit Burney Falls State Park
- Hike the Cinder Cone Trail
Day 3: Go Hiking
With your third and final day in Lassen Volcanic National Park, pick another hike or two to do! I wrote a whole blog post on the 7 best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park, but by this point you’ve already done most of them!
Here are my other hiking recommendations:
- Lassen Peak Trail: Extremely strenuous, 5-mile summit to the top of Lassen Peak. You’ll gain over 2000 feet of elevation and end up at 10,500 feet above sea level!
- Kings Creek Falls Trail: Moderate, 2.8-mile hike with almost 700 feet of elevation gain (AllTrails has the elevation wrong) down to an impressive waterfall. The scenery on this hike is unreal- you’ll get panoramic views of the park, up close and personal with burned trees from the 2021 Dixie Fire, and walk through lush meadows. The rock scramble on the way back up is fun too!
- Chaos Crags to Crags Lake Trail: Moderately challenging, 4-mile, out-and-back hike with 984 feet of elevation gain. You’ll hike to Crags Lake and enjoy the scenery of these plug volcanoes, the Chaos Crags, on the way.
- Mill Creek Falls Trail: Moderate, 3.4-mile trail with 767 feet of elevation gain to the tallest waterfall in Lassen Volcanic National Park. You’ll be rewarded with views of Brokeoff Mountain and Mt. Diller.
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can also go kayaking on Manzanita Lake or go swimming in Bathtub Lake (yes, it is called “Bathtub” Lake because it is the smallest, warmest lake in the park!).
Did this post help you plan an epic Lassen Volcanic National Park itinerary? Let me know if you have any questions about these itineraries in the comments below!
-Megan
More on Lassen Volcanic National Park
- 13 Fantastic Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- 7 Best Hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park (2023 Update)
- 7-Day Northern California Road Trip Itinerary for Hikers (Seashore, Redwoods, & Volcano Edition!)
Other Attractions Near Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen really is in the middle of nowhere, but there are some other fantastic places to explore within a half-day drive. String a few of these together on an epic road trip through northern California!
You have a ton of options for road trips: keep heading north toward Oregon, southwest toward Sacramento/San Francisco, southeast toward Lake Tahoe, or straight west toward Redwood National Park and the California/Oregon coast!
Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks are home to the tallest trees in the world right on the California coast. The atmosphere here is truly magical and it feels like you’re a teeny tiny person on a different planet.
Redwood National Park is a good 5 hours away from Lassen, but flying into San Francisco and road tripping up the coast to Redwood before hitting Lassen makes for an awesome vacation!
You really only need 1 full day to experience Redwood National Park, and I have everything you need to know in my Redwood National Park itinerary and guide post here!
Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta is a majestic, active, stratovolcano located about 2 hours north of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Its peak sits at over 14,000 feet and has a spiritual history that dates back to the American Indian tribes that lived in the region.
There is a ton of hiking, skiing, kayaking, and other outdoor adventures to be had here. We simply ran out of time on our trip so we unfortunately didn’t make it up here this time!
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is home to the deepest lake in the US at over 900 feet! It’s located in Oregon about 4 hours north of Lassen.
Again, Crater Lake was on my list for this trip but we didn’t have the time to do it justice. The hiking and scenery here look truly out of this world and I can’t wait to come back and explore!
(I alway seem to over-pack our initial itinerary and then have to parse down to a more realistic plan when I realize how far away places are from each other!)
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is another bucket list destination only 3.5 hours from Lassen.
If luxury resorts and casinos are your thing, you can experience that along with world-class hiking, boating, and skiing at North America’s largest alpine lake!
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