5 Best Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Among other, more busy California National Parks, Lassen Volcanic feels like a hidden gem compared to places like Yosemite or even the nearby Redwoods.
For this reason, Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of my favorites, and if you visit during the beautiful summer or fall season when Hwy 89 is snow-free—the main road through the park—you’ll be able to see some of the best that Lassen Volcanic has to offer!
Hiking Checklist - Lassen Volcanic
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Bear Spray & Holster - If you aren’t flying, don’t rent bear spray! It’s a waste of money. Prepare ahead of time by buying your own, as this may be one of the most important items on this list.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
5 Best Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, but know that if Lassen Peak Highway hasn’t opened for the season because of snow, visiting the park can be particularly challenging, as many of the best things to see and do are off this scenic drive.
On a different note, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
1. Lassen Peak Trail
Distance: 4.9 miles / 7.9 km
Climbing Lassen Peak is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park!
I mean, how could you visit the park without attempting to summit the one mountain after which it’s named?
In any case, the Lassen Peak Trail ascends nearly 2,000 ft. (610 m) up a long series of switchbacks from trailhead off Hwy 89 to the summit.
Therefore, some may find the trail to be quite challenging, but if you’re up for a bit of an early morning or late evening adventure, both sunrise and sunset are equally amazing from the summit, as Lassen Peak stands high above the surrounding landscape as the southernmost Cascade in the range.
AllTrails: Lassen Peak Trail
2. Cinder Cone Trail (Painted Dunes)
Distance: 4.7 miles / 7.6 km
The Cinder Cone Trail in the northeast part of Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the most beautiful hikes in the park because, from the summit of the Cinder Cone, you get amazing views of Painted Dunes from above.
If you’re interested in photographing the vibrant colors of the Painted Dunes, I recommend the Cinder Cone Trail for either sunrise or sunset, as the soft light brings out the best of the colors during these times.
All said, the Cinder Cone Trail is a great place to explore the beautiful volcanic landscape within the park, but that’s not without saying that climbing Cinder Cone itself is more challenging than you may think.
After a relatively flat hike to get there, be prepared for a very steep hike up the cinder cone, as the trail gains roughly 500 ft. (150 m) in only 0.25 miles (0.4 km) from the base of the cone to the summit.
AllTrails: Cinder Cone Trail
My Print - Cinder Cone Trail (Painted Dunes)
3. Summit Lake (Sunset)
Summit Lake is one of many beautiful alpine lakes within Lassen Volcanic, but what truly makes the lake stand out from the rest is how beautiful Lassen Peak gets when the sunset lights it up during the late evening hours.
On top of this, Summit Lake is commonly known for being one of the best and most beautiful drive-up campgrounds within the park.
Therefore, if you’re interested in camping, you can make reservations directly through Recreation.gov below, or by clicking the link.
Book Here: Lassen Volcanic Permits
No information is collected by this website when using the Recreation.gov booking widget, and all reservations made here are secure through the official website.
4. Sulphur Works
To me, the Sulphur Works shares a striking resemblance to the thermal features within Yellowstone National Park, but be that as it may, it’s one of the best and most accessible places in Lassen Volcanic to learn about this ever-changing, active volcanic landscape.
Therefore, I highly recommend making the quick and easy stop at this little pullover off the Scenic Byway, as it’s truly one of the more unique features within the park.
Google Maps Directions: Sulphur Works
5. Prospect Peak Trail
Distance 6.9 miles / 11.1 km
The Prospect Peak Trail is one of the least-trafficked trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park!
That being said, Prospect Peak is one of my personal favorites, as the peak rises high above the surrounding forest east of Lassen Peak.
For this reason, I personally prefer hiking the trail early in the morning and watching the first light hit Lassen Peak some 10 miles (16.1 km) away!
AllTrails: Prospect Peak Trail
Additional Early Season Gear
Depending on the winter snowpack, trails can be covered in snow into the middle of June or even July.
For this reason, micro-spikes are a must on many trails, as conditions can be particularly hazardous if the snow is melting during the day and freezing at night.
Therefore, I recommend coming prepared, as many hikers miss out on trails that they could have done simply for this reason alone. I personally use the Yaktrax below.
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
Lassen Volcanic National Park is black bear country and while hiking with Black Bears generally presents less of a risk as opposed to Grizzlies, hiking with bear spray is never a bad idea. However, it’s really up to your own discretion and comfort level.
Be that as it may, the majority of injuries in Lassen Volcanic are due to falls, which can be particularly prevalent during the early summer season if there is yet a lot of snow on trails throughout the park.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Lassen Volcanic National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
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