16 Amazing Hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park You Need To Check Out
Where can you walk among volcanoes in California? Lassen Volcanic National Park is the perfect place to enjoy a nature-filled getaway with its amazing hikes.
There are hikes of varying difficulty all throughout Lassen Volcanic National Park. You will be able to find something suitable for you and your group. Aside from the wonderful scenery, you also get to hike in relatively quiet environments as the park is quite big and spread out.
Whether you are looking for an easy scenic boardwalk with educational value, or a challenging hike to the top of a cinder cone volcano, there’s just the hike for you.
Let’s explore the different sections of Lassen Volcanic National Park and pick out a hike with your preferred difficulty level and wow factor. You can also refer to this map.
Read more: How To See Lassen Volcanic National Park: Weekend Itinerary
⚠️ Jul 2024 update: Lassen Volcanic National Park is closed due to fire risks! (Check status here)
Consider alternatives: Point Reyes, Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, or Yosemite.
Lassen Volcanic National Park Hikes: Manzanita and Summit Lakes Area
Manzanita Lake and Summit Lake are located near the Northwest entrance of the park. You can plan a relaxing day here with a night of camping at Manzanita Campground. There are many easy hikes in this area, making it a suitable place to stop by.
1. Manzanita Lake (Easy)
The Manzanita Lake trail is an easy and flat trail that goes around Manzanita Lake. On this route, you will be able to see views of Lassen Peak and Chaos Crags from this trail. You can also look out for birds, wildflowers and observe people kayaking in the lake.
The Manzanita Lake trail is accessible from either near the boat launch area just after the parking lot or from Loomis Museum.
Round-Trip Distance: 1.7 miles (1 hour)
Elevation Change: 0 ft
2. Lily Pond Nature Trail (Easy)
This trail leads you along Reflection Lake and a lily pond. Plant lovers will love admiring the plants and trees in the area which can be reached from Loomis Museum.
You can also make another loop around Reflection Lake as a detour, and it will be just another 0.5 miles.
Round-Trip Distance: 0.6 miles (30 minutes to 1 hour)
Elevation Change: 0 ft
3. Devastated Area Interpretive Trail (Easy)
You will find the Devastated Area Interpretive Trail along the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway drive. Look out for the Devastated Parking Area as you make your drive through the park.
Here, you can find an accessible path with educational signs that show the effects of the 1915 Lassen Peak eruption.
Round-Trip Distance: 0.5 miles (30 minutes)
Elevation Change: 0 ft
4. Summit Lake Loop (Easy)
The Summit Lake Loop starts and ends at the Summit Lake Ranger Station parking lot. This is another easy trail that starts witha boardwalk crossing and brings you around the parameter of the Summit Lake.
If you need a break from all the driving, consider stopping for this easy hike.
Round-Trip Distance: 1.8 miles (1 hour)
Elevation Change: 0 ft
5. Manzanita Creek (Moderate)
The trailhead starts southward from the end of the Manzanita Lake Campground road, and evolves into an uphill climb through beautiful pine trees.
The scenery also starts to reveal a meadow along Manzanita Creek as you continue climbing up the switchbacks.
Finally, you end up in a meadow that offers stunning views of Eagle Peak, Vulcan’s Castle and Loomis Peak.
Round-Trip Distance: 7.0 miles (3 to 4 hours)
Elevation Change: 1,110 ft
6. Chaos Crags and Crags Lake (Moderate)
This hike also begins near the Manzanita Lake Campground, but instead look for the trail head right at the entrace where cars turnout to the main road.
This trail leads you through a gentle climb through a forested area on the side of the Chaos Jumbles. At the end after a steep downhill slope, you will come to Crags Lake though it tends to be dry in summer.
Round-Trip Distance: 4.0 miles (2 to 3 hours)
Elevation Change: 850 ft
7. Paradise Meadow (Moderate)
Near the Devastated Area Interpretive Trail you can also find the Paradise Meadow trail that starts from the Hat Creek Trailhead. This trail follows a creek towards a meadow that is surrounded by cliffs.
You can also see a waterfall and make detours to other nearby lakes like Terrace Lake, Shadow Lake and cliff Lake.
Round-Trip Distance: 2.8 miles (2 hours)
Elevation Change: 700 ft
Lassen Volcanic National Park Hikes: Butte Lake Area
The Butte Lake Area is in the Northeast section of the park. Coming in from the Manzanita Lake Northwest entrance, follow a series of paved roads before turning out onto a gravel road leading to Butte Lake.
It’s also possible to go camping at the Butte Lake campground, so that you can enjoy the full day at any of these hiking trails.
8. Butte Lake Shore (Easy)
This easy hike gives you a great taste of the wonders of Lassen Volcanic National Park. You get to see the Fantastic Lave Beds, enjoy views of the Cinder Cone volcano as well as Prospect Peak. If you get to the east shore of Butte Lake, you may even be able to spot Lassen Peak.
There are also some ways to make the trail a bit longer by taking a detour on the way back to explore the Butte Creek path towards Bathtub Lake.
Round-Trip Distance: 2.3 miles (1 to 2 hours)
Elevation Change: 80 ft
9. Cinder Cone (Difficult)
A hike to the Cinder Cone is sure to leave you breathless – physically and emotionally. This trail includes stunning views of the coloured Painted Dunes as well as Lassen Peak. As you hike up the loose sandy trails next to the Fantastic Lava Beds, remember to stay on the established trail as this is after all a hike up to a volcano crater.
The Cinder Cone trailhead can be found beside the Butte Lake boat ramp. If you are looking for something unique to do on your trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park, consider checking out this amazing hike.
Round-Trip Distance: 4.0 miles (3 hours)
Elevation Change: 846 ft
Lassen Volcanic National Park Hikes: Southwest Area
If you are heading to Lassen Volcanic National Park from the San Francisco Bay Area, the Southwest Area is likely your first stop in the park. There are many amazing hikes here including trails to the iconic Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain.
If you only have time for one area of the Lassen Volcanic National Park, I highly recommend hiking here to witness the geothermal landscape.
10. Cold Boiling Lake (Easy)
The only easy hike in the Southwest Area is the Cold Boiling Lake Trail. This is a short trail through the forest and meadow, leading you to a hydrothermal site where you can see bubbling pits. That makes it look like there are boiling lakes, hence its name.
To get to this hiking trail, you will need to drive along the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway towards the Kings Creek Picnic Area. The starting point is actually already quite high elevation – 7,400 ft!
Round-Trip Distance: 1.4 miles (45 minutes to 1 hour)
Elevation Change: 40 ft
11. Kings Creek Falls (Moderate)
A short distance away from the Kings Creek Picnic Area, you will find the Kings Creek Trailhead. You will be led through the Lower Kings Creek Meadow before going lower towards Kings Creek Falls. It is 30 feet tall and is the highlight of this trail. Besides that, the sweeping views are surely going to make it a memorable hike.
Round-Trip Distance: 2.3 miles (2 hours)
Elevation Change: 486 ft
12. Bumpass Hell Trail (Moderate)
The hike to Bumpass Hell is popular in Lassen Volcanic National Park because of the iconic boardwalk through the hydrothermal basin. You also get a nice view of the Bumpass Hell area from an overlook.
The trail head begins from the Bumpass Hell parking area through a partially shaded mountain route, before descending towards the boardwalk. This hiking trail will open once the snow and ice melts off the path during summer and you can find families and people of all ages on the trail.
Although it is not a difficult trail, do give yourself some time to rest if you feel any symptoms of altitude sickness and listen to your body.
Round-Trip Distance: 3.0 miles (2 hours)
Elevation Change: 300 ft
13. Terrace, Shadow, and Cliff Lakes (Difficult)
If you’re up for a hiking trip to some lakes for a swim, cons you can check out the Terrace, Shadow and Cliff Lakes trail. This trail is rocky and leads you between Reading peak and Lasesn Peak.
You can find the trail starting somewhere along the side of the road between Lassen Peak Trailhead and the Kings Creek Trailhead.
Round-Trip Distance: 3.4 miles (3 hours)
Elevation Change: 700 ft
14. Hike to Lassen Peak (Difficult)
If you are looking for an iconic mountain hike, the Lassen Peak hike is for you. You will get to enjoy panoramic views of the Lassen Peak surrounding along the trail, making those steep slopes worth the effort.
The trail starts at the Lassen Peak parking lot just after the Bumpass Hell area. Make sure to bring sun protection and suitable shoes for those rocky switchbacks. You are also advised to stay on the established trail for safety reasons.
Round-Trip Distance: 5.0 miles (4 to 5 hours)
Elevation Change: 1,957 ft
15. Ridge Lakes (Difficult)
The Ridge Lakes trail is just slightly after the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, making it a great stop for you if you don’t want to venture too far deep inside the park. Before you begin the trail, you will pass by Sulphur Works, one of the popular viewpoints in the park for hydrothermal areas.
The Ridge Lakes are located between Mount Diller and Brokeoff Mountain, and you will get there after hiking up a steep trail on a ridge.
Round-Trip Distance: 2.0 miles (1 to 1.5 hours)
Elevation Change: 1,045 ft
16. Brokeoff Mountain (Difficult)
Beginning just before the Southwest entrance of Lassen Volcanic National Park, you have this hike that leads all the way up to Brokeoff Mountain. This hike has the highest elevation change among all the ones I’ve mentioned and is definitely a more challenging one.
The peak offers views of the park and the views all around the area. There are sections of it that are shaded by the forest, though most of it will be a steep climb up. Seems like this is one of the hikes I need to attempt when I get stronger.
Round-Trip Distance: 7.4 miles (6 hours)
Elevation Change: 2,600 ft
Check out more hikes and road trips in California:
- Yosemite 2-Day Itinerary: The Best Sights For Weekend Warriors
- 5 Things To Do On The Mount Diablo Summit Drive
- Catalina Island Hiking & Camping Guide (Two Harbors to Little Harbor)
- Hiking Upper Yosemite Falls In Winter
- 10 Must-Go Places In California – An Outdoor Enthusiast’s Guide
- California Coastal Road Trip: Best Places You Need To Stop At
- Places You Need To Hike In The Bay Area Now (Peninsula and South Bay)
