Lassen Volcanic
Where earth comes alive
Just an hour from Redding, Lassen Volcanic National Park puts Earth’s wild side on full display.
Think steaming vents, bubbling mud pots, rainbow-hued hot springs, and volcanoes you can hike.
Trek the boardwalks at Bumpass Hell, summit Lassen Peak, or chill lakeside at Manzanita.
Tackle Brokeoff Mountain if you’re feeling bold, or keep it mellow on the easy loop around Summit Lake.
This park is proof that adventure and geology can go hand in hand. Ready to explore?
Take a hike
Whether you’re eager to summit a volcano, wander boardwalks over bubbling mud pots, or simply relax by a glassy alpine lake, there is a little something for everyone.
Lassen Volcanic in Four Hours
Short on time? Tackle this four-hour sampler: cruise the 30-mile park highway, feel the heat at Sulphur Works, stroll the Devastated Area loop, then circle Manzanita Lake for postcard reflections of the summit.
Are you ready for the ultimate half-day escape?
- Volcanic Activity
- Hiking
- Seasons
- Lakes
A Living Landscape
Boiling mud pots. Roaring steam vents. Ground that sizzles, bubbles, and breathes. Lassen is alive in every sense of the word.
Rain and snow feed an underground hydrothermal system powered by molten rock, pushing heat and gas to the surface in dramatic style. From fumaroles to sulfurous springs, these features are more than scenic. They’re a reminder that this volcano is still very much awake.
Plenty to chase
Lassen serves up over 150 miles of trail time. Cruise around glassy Manzanita Lake, hike to waterfall views at Kings Creek or Mill Creek Falls, or wander into the steamy wonder of Bumpass Hell.
Ready for a leg-burner? Summit the 10,457-foot Lassen Peak or climb the kaleidoscopic terrain of Cinder Cone. Choose your adventure. It’s all here.
Great for any season
Summer opens the entire park. Paddle across Manzanita Lake, walk the steaming boardwalks of Bumpass Hell, and catch a sunset from the top of Lassen Peak. In fall, golden aspens ring Summit Lake, and the Cinder Cone trail turns into a quiet blaze of color.
Winter brings a slower pace. Snowshoers set out from the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center toward Sulphur Works or the open slopes below Brokeoff Mountain. You can even join a ranger-led snowshoe walk. By spring, melting snow wakes up the waterfalls and wildflowers, kicking off another season of adventure.
Something about the water
With over 200 alpine lakes and ponds, Lassen is a paddler’s dream. Manzanita, Butte, Juniper, and Summit Lakes are the go-tos for kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddling. All are non-motorized, and you can even rent gear right at Manzanita Lake.
To help protect fragile shores and thermal areas, boating isn’t allowed on Lake Helen, Emerald, Reflection, or Boiling Springs. All watercraft must launch from designated ramps at Manzanita or Butte. Learn More.
