How To See Lassen Volcanic National Park: Weekend Itinerary

Are you looking for a quick getaway in crystal-clear alpine lakes and volcanic landscapes? Lassen Volcanic National Park is a great place to experience the awaking of the lakes, wildflowers and forest life after the snowy season.

The best part is, the park usually does not get too crowded even in the height of the summer weekend. You can go hiking, see mud pots and steam vents, and even stargaze with the Milky Way in the sky.

In this article, I will be sharing a weekend itinerary that can help you maximise your time in Lassen Volcanic National Park. We really enjoyed our weekend in Lassen Volcanic National Park as it truly felt like a gem with all the amazing views. Check out our itinerary video too!

Read more: Amazing Hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park You Need To Check Out

⚠️ Lassen Volcanic National Park may sometimes be affected by fire risks (Check status here)
Consider alternatives: Point Reyes, Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, or Yosemite.

About Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world, and is located in Northern California. Due to the high altitude, Lassen snow arrives early and melts late. In fact, you may even see remnant ice on the side of trails and on peaks.

The park is also going through a restoration phase after the largest single fire that happened in California in July 2021, the Dixie Fire. Hence, some campgrounds are closed through 2023 while recovery efforts continue in the area.

Planning your weekend trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park

Before heading out for your weekend adventure, let’s take a look at some of the essential preparations.

When is the best time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park?

The window for visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park is quite slim due to the high altitude climate, so Summer and Fall (July to October) are the best seasons to visit.

With warmer weather and longer daylight hours, there is a lot you can do over the weekend. The trails are also accessible at both high and lower elevations since the snow has melted, giving you more options for exploring the park.

It is also possible to visit in Spring and Winter to witness the magical snow-covered landscape that is great for winter activities like snow shoeing. Although there are limited areas that you can visit, there are fewer crowds so you can enjoy the serenity of this incredible park.

Book one of the many campsites

There are several campgrounds all over Lassen Volcanic National Park, the biggest one being Manzanita Lake Campground. There are a few campgrounds that are closed for post-fire repair, and you can check Recreation.gov for updates.

Read more:

• An Easy Camping Starter Kit: Everything You Need For Weekends
• How to Plan an Awesome Weekend Camping Trip + Packing Checklist

Manzanita Lake Campround (Northwest)

• Elevation: 5,900 feet (1,798m)
• Number of sites: 179
• Toilets: Flush and vault
• Reservable: May to October ($26 per night)
• First-come, first-served: Not available

Butte Lake Campground (Northeast)

• Elevation: 6,100 feet (1,859m)
• Number of sites: 101
• Toilets: Flush and vault
• Reservable: June to September ($22 per night)
• First-come, first-served: September to October ($15 per night)

Summit Lake North Campground (Central)

• Elevation: 7,000 feet (2,134m)
• Number of sites: 46
• Toilets: Flush and vault
• Reservable: June to September ($24 per night)
• First-come, first-served: Not available

Summit Lake South Campground (Central)

• Elevation: 7,000 feet (2,134m)
• Number of sites: 48
• Toilets: Flush and vault
• Reservable: June to September ($22 per night)
• First-come, first-served: Not available

Juniper Lake Campground (Southeast)

• Elevation: 6,800 feet (2,073m)
• Reservable: Not available. Closed for post-fire repair in 2023

Southwest Walk-In Campground (Southwest)

• Elevation: 6,700 feet (2,042m)
• Reservable: Not available. Closed for post-fire repair in 2023

Warner Valley Campground (South)

• Elevation: 5,600 feet (1,707m)
• Reservable: Not available. Closed for post-fire repair in 2023

Driving time and planning rest stops

Lassen Volcanic National Park is located north of San Francisco and driving times will depend on your starting location, traffic conditions and rest stops.

Here is the driving time from the following starting locations:

• San Francisco: 4.5 to 6.5 hours (250 to 300 miles)
• Sacramento: 3.5 to 5.5 hours (180 to 240 miles)
• Reno: 3 to 4.5 hours (150 to 200 miles)

It’s a good idea to plan some rest stops along the way, especially to grab a snack and make the road trip journey more manageable. You can consider planning your lunch stop by browsing through Yelp the night before.

The Kohm Yah-mah-nee visitor center is usually accessed by the southwest entrance. Do note that there is no gas available within 30 miles of the Southwest entrance, so make sure to have enough fuel before entering the park. If required, you can find Electric Vehicle charging stations at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee visitor center parking area.

Within the park, there is a 30-mile Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway which connects the Southwest and Northwest entrances of the park. Here, you will find beautiful alpine lakes and hiking trails that are easy to access. It is worth making time to drive through this slowly to enjoy the viewpoints. For reference, it takes 1 hour to drive through it without stops.

Read more: California Car Rental: 7 Easy Tips You Need To Know For Road Trips

Phones and Cell Service

As there is limited cell service in the park and surrounding areas, you may want to download the campground map and your booking reservation beforehand. This is so that you will know which campsite you have booked in case any verification is needed.

Day 1: Exploring the Southwest Area of Lassen Volcanic National Park

The Southwest Area is a steep and diverse terrain that offers stunning views on many of the trails. It also has access to the most popular hydrothermal sites in the park – Sulphur Works and Bumpass Hell. This is where we will find the visitor center and begin our journey.

Morning: Set off early with a lunch break at Roberta Taqueria in Williams

Leaving home on Saturday morning means we need to start the day earlier. Our first stop will be in Williams where we will grab a meal at Roberta Taqueria. This is a humble roadside stall that has amazing shrimp tacos.

We bought three tacos (shrimp, fish and chicken) and one chicken quesadilla. I highly recommend it as a pitstop as there is a gas station just beside it.

Afternoon: Explore the highlights of the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway

You will be asked to pay an entry fee when you drive in, but you can also use the America the Beautiful Annual Pass here.

Make a quick stop at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center to learn more about the different types of volcano peaks in the region as well as its rich cultural history.

Next, let’s start our journey along the Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway.

Sulphur Works and Bumpass Hell Trail

The first viewpoint that you will come across is at Sulphur Works, a hydrothermal area with mud pots, steam vents and the smell of sulphur in the air.

As you continue driving, you will come to the beautiful Emerald Lake and Lake Helen. Nearby, you can also choose to hike the Bumpass Hell trail which descends into the boardwalk area where you can come close to the steam vents.

The trail is a 3-mile round trip, with the trailhead starting from the parking area. It is one of the most popular trails in the area despite its moderate difficulty level. Nonetheless we saw people of all ages on the trail. We took 40 minutes each way for a and thoroughly enjoyed the view along the way.

As you are hiking in high altitude, make sure to be aware of any symptoms of altitude sickness. This may include headaches, dizziness, shotness of breath and nauseau. If that happens, it will be safer to turn back and go to a lower elevation.

Lassen Peak Viewpoint and Kings Creek Meadow

The highest point on the park road is at 8,512 feet (2,594m) and you can see Lassen Peak in its full glory. If you are looking for a challenge, the Lassen peak trail is a strenuous one with a 5-mile round trip distance. Given limited time during a weekend trip, I suggest leaving this one for next time.

At King’s Creek Meadow, you will be standing at the foot of Lassen peak. King’s Creek passes through this serene meadow and you also have the option to go hiking on the King’s Creek Trail. It is a moderate trail with a 2.3-mile round trip distance. The meadow is also sometimes remind people of the Yosemite Valley. Depending on the season, you can encounter wildlife and see beautiful wildflowers.

Stop for a picnic, walk, or swim in Summit Lake

If you can’t get enough of beautiful alpine lakes, drop by Summit Lake for a quick walk via the Summit Lake Loop which is an easy 1.8 mile trail. You could also stop by the north shore of Summit Lake for a picnic break. 

Go back in time in Devastated Area

Further ahead in the Devastated Area, there is a viewpoint and a short 0.5-mile long interpretive trail. There are signs explaining the effects of the Lassen Peak eruption in 1915 and its subsequent recovery. This is the shortest trail in the park and is recommended for those who are unable to do longer hikes. 

Chaos Crags view

Finally, as you approach the Manzanita Lake campground, look out for the Chaos Crags and Chaos Jumbles viewpoint. Just imagine how epic (though scary) it would be if a rock slide were to happen on the ragged peaks of these dome volcanoes. 

Evening: Camping and stargazing at Manzanita Lake

Manzanita Lake Campground is the largest campground in the park and this makes for a lively camping atmosphere. There are loops A through D, with A being closest to the camper store and Manzanita Lake. 

Each campsite comes with picnic tables, a food locker and a fire pit. When we arrived 1.5 hours before sunset, many groups were already making dinner and had their campfires going. 

On hindsight, we should have gotten there at least 2 hours before sunset. This is so that we can figure out our way to the bathrooms, water points and Manzanita Lake before it got dark. 

Nevertheless, we took a short walk to Manzanita Lake with our camping chairs and sat by the shore to stargaze. It was the night where the Perseids Meteor Shower were at their peak and many others were also taking part in this experience.

Manzanita Lake Camper Store

You can purchase firewood for $15 at the Manzanita Lake Camper Store, along with other supplies like food, gas, and souvenirs. Take note that the camper store closes at 8pm, so do try to get what you need before that.

You can also find the showers and laundry amenities here. We didn’t use the showers, but we saw a sign that says showers are open 24 hours with a code that can be obtained from the camper store for $5 per day. 

Day 2: Enjoy the Manzanita Lake Area and a Leisurely Afternoon at Redding

Morning: Exploring the Manzanita Lake Area

After such an adventure packed day, it’s nice to wake up to the sound of nature and within walking distance to the lake. You can go for a scenic walk at the nearby Manzanita Lake or Reflection Lake. 

• Reflection Lake route (0.5 miles)
• Manzanita Lake Loop Trail (1.8 miles)
• Lily Pond Trail (0.6 miles)

Alternatively, you can rent a kayak for use on Manzanita Lake and try to see the views from different parts of the lake, including Lassen Peak.

Other things to do in the Manzanite Lake Area include a visit to the Loomis Museum. If you still have time or energy, you can attempt the Chaos Crags and Crags Lake trail, a 4-mile journey through the forest along Chaos Jumbles. 

Afternoon: Lunch in Redding and Coffee Break

Exit from the park from the northwest entrance near Manzanita Lake and drive 1 hour to the town of Redding. Redding is often a hub for people who are exploring the parks and sights nearby, including the Mount Shasta area. Attractions in Redding include Turtle Bay Exploration Park and the Sundial Bridge. 

There are many boutique coffee shops and cafes around the town. We chose the eat at Deja Vu Restaurant because the brunch and coffee reviews. It has an old-school interior and they serve breakfast items up till 2pm. The coffee was good and we were energized for the journey back. 

On the way back south, make another stop at Starbucks in Winters to pick up a cold brew for the warm summer day. 

Is 2 days enough to see Lassen Volcanic National Park?

Going to Lassen Volcanic National Park on the weekend means that there is only 1 day in the park. In other words, you will only have Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning to explore the area. 

If you are trying to tackle some of the bigger hikes you may need 1 more day to enjoy the pace. This includes Cinder Cone trail in the Butte Lake Area and Lassen Peak trail in the Southwest Area. 

On the other hand, if you just want to get a taste of this beautiful volcanic landscape and hydrothermal sites from the viewpoints, a 2-day trip over the weekend will be enough. 

When we come back here again, I hope to be able to tackle the Lassen Peak trail and explore the Butte Lake Area. 

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