Top Things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
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10 Things to do Good for Kids 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 Bumpass Hell, Manzanita Lake, Mount Lassen, Lassen Volcanic National Park Hiking Trails, Devil's Kitchen, Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, Sulphur Works, Boiling Springs Lake, Hiking Devastated Area Interpretive Trail, Loomis Museum.
Restaurants in Lassen Volcanic National Park Campgrounds
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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!
7. Sulphur Works
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By elizabethlU1196RK - Lompoc, United States
If you had to miss Yellowstone with its bubbling cauldrons, Sulphuric Works will give you a little glimpse into bubbling mud pots, steaming streams and steam vents. The parking lot is small, so there could be a problem when it’s busy. Everything is right next to the road so it’s easy access.
8. Boiling Springs Lake
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By travelerfromsj - San Jose, United States
The hike to Boiling Springs Lake is about 2.4 miles round trip, with maybe 300 feet of elevation. It’s only about a mile to get up to the lake, but the trail leads you in a loop around the lake before heading back. Over all it’s a pretty easy trail with good traction. The lake itself is really pretty, with a surprising milky blue color; it’s bubbling gently in some places, and you can definitely smell the sulfur! Much more interesting than Cold Boiling Lake. It’s worth taking the loop around the lake to get better views before heading back. The trail splits off to continue on to Terminal Geyser. Note that you can easily combine this hike with the one to Devil’s Kitchen, since they share the first half mile of trail. Definitely worth the hike, with a bonus spotting of a striped garter snake on the way back.
9. Hiking Devastated Area Interpretive Trail
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, United States
This is one of the best places to stop along the scenic drive in Lassen Volcanic National Park (NPS pass or entrance fee required, $10-30). It's located at Emigrant Pass on the east side of CA89, 10 miles east of the north entrance at CA44 or 18.7 miles northeast of the south entrance. Note that the road to this area is likely to be closed November through May. A large paved parking area is provided, and a restroom and picnic tables are available. A half-mile, hard-surface dirt trail winds through a field of massive boulders that were hurled 3 miles from Lassen Peak during the volcanic eruption in 1915. Educational panels recount the event and explain the fascinating geologic phenomena that transpired. The pathway is gently graded to be suitable for wheelchairs or strollers, and partially-shaded by pine trees. The elevation at this location is about 6500'.
