Lassen Volcanic

Overview

Lassen Volcanic National Park is the geothermal heart of the southern Cascades, where all four types of volcano found in the world — shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome — exist within its boundaries. Lassen Peak, the park's centerpiece, last erupted in 1915 with a massive blast that flattened forests and sent a mushroom cloud 30,000 feet into the sky. Today the mountain sleeps uneasily, surrounded by roaring fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, and the sulfurous stench of an active hydrothermal system. Bumpass Hell, the park's largest hydrothermal area, is reached by a moderate 3-mile round-trip trail that ends on a boardwalk threading past boiling pools, steam vents, and violently bubbling mudpots. The landscape looks otherworldly — bleached white and yellow earth, turquoise acidic pools, and columns of steam rising from the ground. The Lassen Peak Trail, a strenuous 5-mile round trip gaining 2,000 feet, climbs to the summit for views across the entire Cascades range from Shasta to the Sierra. The park's 30-mile Main Park Road passes through volcanic devastation from the 1915 eruption, pristine alpine lakes, and dense conifer forests. Compared to the more famous volcanic parks, Lassen is refreshingly uncrowded, with shorter trail distances and a compact layout that makes it possible to see the highlights in a single full day.

Things to Do

• Hike to Bumpass Hell hydrothermal area
• Summit Lassen Peak for Cascade Range views
• Walk through the Devastated Area from the 1915 eruption
• Paddle or fish at Manzanita Lake
• Drive the 30-mile Main Park Road
• Explore Sulphur Works fumaroles right by the road
• Snowshoe through the park in winter

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for these animals during your visit:

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Heavy snowfall buries the park from October through June. Summer is short and pleasant with highs of 70-85°F. The main road opens incrementally as snow is cleared, usually fully open by July.