Top Things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park, United States including Cinder Cone, Bumpass Hell, Manzanita Lake, Kings Creek Falls, Fantastic Lava Beds, Mount Lassen, Mill Creek Falls, Lassen Volcanic National Park Hiking Trails, Devil's Kitchen, Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.
Restaurants in Lassen Volcanic National Park Campgrounds
1. Cinder Cone
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
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. Bumpass Hell
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 307 reviews
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.
3. Manzanita Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
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.
4. Kings Creek Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
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.
5. Fantastic Lava Beds
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
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!!!
6. Mount Lassen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 501 reviews
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!
7. Mill Creek Falls
8. Lassen Volcanic National Park Hiking Trails
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
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.
9. Devil's Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By travelerfromsj - San Jose, United States
This was probably my favorite hike of the ones we took in Lassen Volcanic. Partly because it’s an enjoyable hike, but also because we had the trail mostly to ourselves, we caught some fall color as a bonus, and we didn’t have haze from the nearby wild fires that day. The hike is about 4.2 miles out and back, with about 440 feet of elevation change. The first half was fairly flat through a meadow that had turned gold already for the fall, past the turn off for Boiling Springs Lake and then Drakesbad Ranch. The second half was a gentle incline under the trees; we had four deer cross the trail during this portion. At the end, the trail drops a little more severely into the hydrothermal area; this is probably the only reason this trail could be considered moderate, but it’s a short bit and the traction is very good. The hydrothermal area here is just as interesting as at Bumpass Hell, except with fewer people, and the trail is actually closer to the steaming elements. The trail does a small loop through here before returning. Note that there are guided trail rides from Drakesbad Ranch to Devil’s Kitchen, although the riders have to dismount at the end and leave the horses outside the hydrothermal area. Beware of horse apples.
10. Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By nycbos8 - San Francisco, United States
We came here in early April and were able to hike the one mile to Sulphur Works and check out the geothermal sights - bubbling mud pools, steaming fumeroles, and lots of beautiful alien terrain. Afterwards, we went sledding down the massive hills located right behind the visitor center. Make sure to bring your own sled!
