Lassen Volcanic National Park is a United States national park that is at the southern terminus of the Cascade Mountains in the Shasta Cascades region of California, approximately 50 miles east of Redding. Within the park's (106,000 acres are numerous volcanic features including four types of volcanoes, steam vents, mud pots, and painted dunes. In addition, with nearly 79,000 acres designated as wilderness area and fewer than 400,000 visitors per year, the park is an ideal place for a nature getaway. It's slightly off the beaten track so typically much less crowded than the flagship Western US national parks such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Zion.
Lassen Peak National Monument was established by proclamation of President Theodore Roosevelt on 6 May 1907 to be administered by the U.S. Forest Service. Volcanic eruptions from Lassen Peak in 1914 and 1915 resulted in national publicity. The two monuments and surrounding areas were included in Lassen Volcanic National Park, established in 1916, administered by the National Park Service of the Interior.
Beneath Lassen Volcanic's peaceful forests and gem-like lakes lies evidence of a turbulent and fiery past. 600,000 years ago, the collision and warping of continental plates led to violent eruptions and the formation of lofty Mount Tehama (also called Brokeoff Volcano.) After 200,000 years of volcanic activity, vents and smaller volcanoes on Tehama's flanks-including Lassen Peak-drew magma away from the main cone. Hydrothermal areas ate away at the great mountain's bulk. Beneath the onslaught of Ice Age glaciers, Mount Tehama crumbled and finally ceased to exist. But the volcanic landscape lived on: in 1914, Lassen Peak awoke. The peak had its most significant activity in 1915 and minor activity through 1921.
All four types of volcanoes in the world are found in the park. Over 150 miles of trails and a culturally significant scenic highway provide access to volcanic wonders including steam vents, mudpots, boiling pools, volcanic peaks, and painted dunes.
Although Lassen is primarily known for its volcanic geology, the park boasts a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Over 700 flowering plant species grace the park, providing shelter and food for 250 vertebrates as well as a host of invertebrates including insects.
This great diversity of life forms is due to two factors: the location of the park and the abundance of habitats that occur there.
At the southern end of the Cascade Range geologic province, Lassen Volcanic National Park lies at the crossroads of three great biological provinces: the Cascades range to the north, the Sierra Nevada mountains to the south and the Great Basin desert to the east.
The myriad habitats of Lassen Volcanic National Park are produced by variations in environmental conditions such as elevation (5,000 to 10,457 feet), moisture (precipitation is greater on the western than the eastern side of the park), substrate (rock type and soil depth), temperature, insolation (amount of sun) and prior disturbance (both natural and human-caused).
Snow covers much of the park mid-October through mid-June. The Park Road (the main road that connects Hwy. 89 through the park) is usually closed late October through mid-June. During years of heavy snowfall, the road may open significantly later. Please call the park for road and trail condition updates. Many of the main park attractions are snow covered and inaccessible by car and foot during the winter. July, August, and September may bring mostly sunny skies with warm daytime temperatures and cool night time temperatures.
Park entrance fees are $10 for private vehicles and $5 for individuals on foot, bike and motorcycle. All entrance fees are valid for seven days. The Annual Pass is available for $25, allowing park entry for one year.
- Sulphur Works. On Highway 89, about one mile +(1.6 km) north of the Southwest Entrance. A small geothermal area with mudpots, fumaroles and hot water flow. Its small parking lot is right on the highway. A boardwalk allows for closer viewing of the features.
- Devastated Area. In the north section of the park on Highway 89. This area was in the path of the pyroclastic flow from Lassen's eruption. All of the vegetation in the area was destroyed by hurricane force winds and burning hot gasses and mud. Since the eruption, the area is regrowing but there is still ample evidence of the destruction. A short, fairly level interpretive trail points out the results of the devastation and the subsequent natural recovery process.
Sulphur Works. On Highway 89, about one mile +(1.6 km) north of the Southwest Entrance. A small geothermal area with mudpots, fumaroles and hot water flow. Its small parking lot is right on the highway. A boardwalk allows for closer viewing of the features.
Devastated Area. In the north section of the park on Highway 89. This area was in the path of the pyroclastic flow from Lassen's eruption. All of the vegetation in the area was destroyed by hurricane force winds and burning hot gasses and mud. Since the eruption, the area is regrowing but there is still ample evidence of the destruction. A short, fairly level interpretive trail points out the results of the devastation and the subsequent natural recovery process.
- Hike to Bumpass Hell. On Highway 89, near Lassen Peak. This is the largest geothermal area in the park and features boiling pools, mudpots and roaring fumaroles seen from a wooden boardwalk. A large parking lot is found at the trailhead to Bumpass Hell. The geothermal area can be reached via a 3-mile (4.8 km) hiking trail. The trail has a 300 foot (91 m) elevation gain/loss. The elevation of the trail is around 8,000 feet (2,430 m) so care should be taken if you are not used to high altitudes. The trail is buried under snow until late spring, sometimes till mid-summer, depending on the previous winter's snowfall.
- Climb Lassen Peak. The high mountain pass of Highway 89 allows easy access to the summit of Lassen Peak. The 2.5-mile (4 km) trail to the summit begins from a parking lot on the highway. The trip to the peak and back is a total of five miles (8 km) with a climb of about 2,000 feet (610 m). The average time for the round trip is 3-5 hours. The elevation of the trail is from 8,000 feet (2,430 m) to 10,457 feet (3,187 m) so care should be taken if you are not used to high altitudes.
- Fishing. Fishing is allowed in Manzanita Lake, just inside the West Entrance, Juniper Lake in the southeast corner of the Park (reached via unpaved road from the town Chester) and Butte Lake in the northeast corner of the Park (reached unpaved road from Highway 44). All three lakes allow fishing from the shore or from a boat. All three have a boat launch ramp. A California fishing license is required. The lakes have natural trout populations. Only single-hook, barbless, artificial lures are allowed in Manzanita Lake.
- Climb Cinder Cone. In the Butte Lake area in the northern part of the park, this extinct volcano is a perfect cone that looks like what you think a volcano should look like, complete with a hole in the middle you can walk down into. The trip to the top and back is about four miles (6.5 km) with a short but really steep climb at the end of about 500(?) feet (310 m) up the side of the cone itself on really loose sand-like material (coming down is easy - and fun, like skating on sand). From the top you can see the old lava flows of the "Devastated Area" of the park. The average time for the round trip is 4 hours. Very sunny, so bring lots of water, and wear a decent pair of boots as the pumice that makes up the cone is not kind to your feet.
Hike to Bumpass Hell. On Highway 89, near Lassen Peak. This is the largest geothermal area in the park and features boiling pools, mudpots and roaring fumaroles seen from a wooden boardwalk. A large parking lot is found at the trailhead to Bumpass Hell. The geothermal area can be reached via a 3-mile (4.8 km) hiking trail. The trail has a 300 foot (91 m) elevation gain/loss. The elevation of the trail is around 8,000 feet (2,430 m) so care should be taken if you are not used to high altitudes. The trail is buried under snow until late spring, sometimes till mid-summer, depending on the previous winter's snowfall.
Climb Lassen Peak. The high mountain pass of Highway 89 allows easy access to the summit of Lassen Peak. The 2.5-mile (4 km) trail to the summit begins from a parking lot on the highway. The trip to the peak and back is a total of five miles (8 km) with a climb of about 2,000 feet (610 m). The average time for the round trip is 3-5 hours. The elevation of the trail is from 8,000 feet (2,430 m) to 10,457 feet (3,187 m) so care should be taken if you are not used to high altitudes.
Fishing. Fishing is allowed in Manzanita Lake, just inside the West Entrance, Juniper Lake in the southeast corner of the Park (reached via unpaved road from the town Chester) and Butte Lake in the northeast corner of the Park (reached unpaved road from Highway 44). All three lakes allow fishing from the shore or from a boat. All three have a boat launch ramp. A California fishing license is required. The lakes have natural trout populations. Only single-hook, barbless, artificial lures are allowed in Manzanita Lake.
Climb Cinder Cone. In the Butte Lake area in the northern part of the park, this extinct volcano is a perfect cone that looks like what you think a volcano should look like, complete with a hole in the middle you can walk down into. The trip to the top and back is about four miles (6.5 km) with a short but really steep climb at the end of about 500(?) feet (310 m) up the side of the cone itself on really loose sand-like material (coming down is easy - and fun, like skating on sand). From the top you can see the old lava flows of the "Devastated Area" of the park. The average time for the round trip is 4 hours. Very sunny, so bring lots of water, and wear a decent pair of boots as the pumice that makes up the cone is not kind to your feet.
There are few options within the park, but the neighboring towns offer a handful of stores and restaurants.
- Manzanita Lake Camper Store, +1 530 335-7557. At Manzanita Lake and open daily from late May through early September, this store offers food, restrooms, pay phone, showers, laundromat, and a gas station.
- Peak Necessities. In the Lassen Peak parking area and open daily from mid-June through early September, this store offers food and gift sales.
- Lassen Chalet Gift Shop & Snack Bar. This store offers snacks and gifts during the summer and fall season. Open only on weekends in April and May.
Manzanita Lake Camper Store, +1 530 335-7557. At Manzanita Lake and open daily from late May through early September, this store offers food, restrooms, pay phone, showers, laundromat, and a gas station.
Peak Necessities. In the Lassen Peak parking area and open daily from mid-June through early September, this store offers food and gift sales.
Lassen Chalet Gift Shop & Snack Bar. This store offers snacks and gifts during the summer and fall season. Open only on weekends in April and May.
The majority of the park is at high elevations so care should be taken to avoid altitude sickness.
Always stay on the paths and trails around geothermal areas. This mineral crusts can form over mudpots and hot springs that appear to be solid ground. These crusts can collapse leading to immersion in boiling water. The Bumpass Hell geothermal area is named for a man who broke through a crust and ended up having his leg amputated due to the burns he sustained.
- Subway Cave. Near the town of Old Station, 1/4 mile (0.4 km) north of the junction of Highways 44 and 89. Subway Cave is a lava tube formed 20,000 years ago. A 1/3 mile (0.5 km), self-guided trail leads through 1,300 feet (396 m) of the lava tube. The lava tube has interpretive signs but is not lit so flashlights are required. The floor is rough and uneven and the temperature is 46°F (7.8°C) year round. Sturdy shoes and warm clothing are recommended. Free.
- Red Bluff - Offers many restaurants and lodging options. About 50 miles west of the park on Highway 36.
- Mill Creek - Just south of the park on Highway 172.
Subway Cave. Near the town of Old Station, 1/4 mile (0.4 km) north of the junction of Highways 44 and 89. Subway Cave is a lava tube formed 20,000 years ago. A 1/3 mile (0.5 km), self-guided trail leads through 1,300 feet (396 m) of the lava tube. The lava tube has interpretive signs but is not lit so flashlights are required. The floor is rough and uneven and the temperature is 46°F (7.8°C) year round. Sturdy shoes and warm clothing are recommended. Free.
[[Red Bluff]] - Offers many restaurants and lodging options. About 50 miles west of the park on Highway 36.
[[Mill Creek (California)|Mill Creek]] - Just south of the park on Highway 172.