Best Hiking Trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Overview

Filled with volcanic domes, steaming fumaroles, and bubbling mudpots, Lassen Volcanic National Park is alive with geological activity. The park's deep wilderness and position at the toe of the Cascade Range also make it a prime site for viewing summer wildflowers, snow-capped peaks, and an unobscured, star-filled sky. Hikers will find over 150 miles of trails to explore—enough to stage day hikes and backpacking trips of any shape or size.

Getting Started

Getting There
Lassen Volcanic National Park is about a three hours’ drive north of Sacramento, California, and an hour east of Redding. (There’s currently no public transportation available in or to the park.)
Once you arrive, stop at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center or the Loomis Museum to learn a bit about the park’s natural and cultural history

Recommended Hikes
Get the full sampler of Lassen’s volcanic features with a short out-and-back down the Bumpass Hell trail. The three-mile trip leads to the Big Boiler, one of the hottest volcanic fumaroles in the world, in addition to several other boiling mudpots and pools.

For a more challenging intro to the park, take the rugged 4.6-mile Lassen Peak trail to the summit of the active (but dormant) Lassen Peak volcano.

For a full-value backpacking trip, try circling Silver, Butte, Snag, and Lower Twin Lakes in a 27.1-mile lollipop-loop. The hike also leads right past the otherworldly Cinder Cone, one of the youngest volcanos in the region.

When to Go

The best time to visit the park is June through October, when warmer temperatures, snow-free trails, and wildflowers (blooming May through August abound. September and October often offer cooler nights but optimal daytime hiking temperatures.

The park is also open in the winter, but be prepared for snow: Lassen gets up to 20 feet of it every winter. (Check road closures online before you go.)

Permits

Lassen Volcanic National Park currently accepts either a single-use entrance fee, or an interagency parks pass. You can see a full list of accepted passes and current fees on the park website.

You'll need a separate permit to camp in the backcountry. You can apply by email or pick up a permit at a ranger station or visitor center.

Finally, fees are required for camping in designated sites. You can make reservations, or view the full schedule of fees online.

Dog Info

Pets are not allowed on any of the trails within Lassen Volcanic National Park. Leashed pets are permitted on roads, in picnic areas, and at developed campgrounds.