Explore Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California

Active Hydrothermal Features, Volcanic Peaks, and Mountain Lakes in the Cascades

In the southernmost extension of the Cascade Range in northeastern California, Lassen Volcanic National Park presents a landscape that is quietly dramatic and quietly uncommon. Established on August 9, 1916, during an active period of volcanic eruptions that had begun in 1914, the 106,452-acre park protects the only place in the world where all four types of volcanoes are found together: shield, plug dome, composite, and cinder cone. Lassen Peak, a plug dome volcano rising to 10,457 feet, remains the park’s dominant landmark, while beneath the surface, the heat that once drove those eruptions still bubbles up in hydrothermal features distributed across the park.

Bumpass Hell is the park’s signature hydrothermal area and the largest accessible hydrothermal area in the Cascades, reached by a 3-mile round-trip trail from the main park road. The boardwalk threads through boiling mudpots, steaming fumaroles, and acid pools of extraordinary color, where ground that appears solid is sometimes just a thin crust over boiling acid springs. Warning signs and the boardwalk itself are critical safety infrastructure; veering off the path here has caused serious burns to visitors. Sulphur Works, accessible near the southwest park entrance, provides a shorter encounter with active steam vents and mudpots. Manzanita Lake, near the northwest entrance, offers clear water swimming, fishing, kayaking, and paddling in a setting framed by volcanic peaks and old-growth forest. Cinder Cone, in the park’s more remote northeast section, rewards the three-mile hike with a summit view of the Painted Dunes, a landscape of volcanic ash stained in otherworldly ochres and reds by oxidation.

Important context for 2026 visitors: the 2021 Dixie Fire burned approximately 69 percent of the park’s total area, and ongoing closures affect portions of the Warner Valley, Juniper Lake, and Southwest walk-in campground areas. The main park road (Highway 89), Bumpass Hell, Manzanita Lake, and the primary visitor experience areas are accessible; check nps.gov/lavo for current closure information before planning specific itineraries.

Lassen is genuinely well-suited for families curious about earth science and geology, offering interpretive programs at both the southwest Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center and the Manzanita Lake area that make the park’s volcanic story accessible to children. Multi-generational groups appreciate the combination of easy accessible views near the road, moderate hydrothermal walks, and the exceptional swimming and paddling at Manzanita Lake. Pet-first travelers should be aware that leashed pets are permitted in the park but are not allowed on most trails or in the backcountry, and are restricted in all hydrothermal areas for safety; confirm current pet policies at nps.gov/lavo before visiting.

The small towns surrounding Lassen offer vacation rental inventory that suits groups of all sizes. The towns of Chester, Mineral, and Burney to the west and south provide cozy cabins with forest settings, some with hot tubs and fire pits, within an easy drive of the park’s main entrances. Larger vacation homes with multiple bedrooms and full kitchens accommodate groups comfortably and make bases for multi-day park exploration. Properties near Almanor Lake, about 20 miles south, offer beautiful waterfront options with dock or boat slip access and stunning views of Mount Lassen from the lake. Book your accommodations near Lassen Volcanic National Park through Lake.com.