Getting to Lassen Volcanic: Airports, Access, and Transportation

By Victoria Boissonade · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Lassen Volcanic

Lassen Volcanic is in northern California, about 50 miles east of Redding. The closest airport is Redding Municipal (RDD), a 1.5-hour drive away. The most accessible major international hub is Sacramento (SMF), about 3 hours away. You'll need a car because there's no public shuttle to the park.

Airports around the park (5)

• Airport Redding Municipal Airport RDD · 47 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
• Airport Truckee Tahoe Airport TKF · 106 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
• Airport Reno Tahoe International Airport RNO · 111 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
• Airport Sacramento International Airport SMF · 125 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
• Airport California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport ACV · 145 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Where to Fly: Which Airport for Lassen Volcanic

The Closest Regional Airport

Redding Municipal Airport (RDD) serves northern California with nonstop flights from San Francisco and Los Angeles (Alaska Airlines, United, and American). The runway is small, fares can be high, and flights are limited, so check the schedule before building your plans around this airport. Once you're in Redding, take Highway 44 east. The park is a 1.5-hour drive away.

Major International Hubs

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is our main recommendation for travelers coming from France. It offers a much wider range of flights, more competitive fares, and on-site car rentals. The drive to the park's south entrance is about 149 miles, or 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on your route.

San Francisco International (SFO) is still a good alternative. The drive north takes 3.5 to 4 hours, but there are plenty of nonstop transatlantic flights, and the park can easily fit into a longer California road trip.

Getting to Lassen Volcanic from France: Nonstop or Connecting Flight

There are no nonstop flights from Paris to Sacramento or Paris to Redding. From Paris-CDG, travelers typically take one of two routes:

• Via San Francisco (SFO): Air France and United offer nonstop flights that take 10.5 to 11 hours. From SFO, the drive to the park's north entrance takes 3.5 to 4 hours.
• Via Los Angeles (LAX): There are plenty of nonstop flights, which take about 11 hours, followed by a 6-hour drive north. This is less practical if Lassen is your only destination, but it works well if you're combining it with other parks in southern California.

By Car: Distances and Drive Times from Gateway Cities

Driving is the only practical way to reach Lassen Volcanic. The roads are well maintained outside the winter season.

The mountain roads inside the park are winding and poorly lit. Plan to arrive during daylight, especially if you're not used to driving on mountain roads.

Lassen Volcanic Entrances

The park has two main entrances, both on Highway 89 (Lassen Scenic Byway), which runs through the park from north to south.

North Entrance

From Redding, take Highway 44 east for 48 miles, then continue 0.9 miles south on Highway 89. This is the busiest entrance, close to Manzanita Lake Campground and Loomis Museum.

South Entrance

From Red Bluff, take Highway 36 east for 51 miles, then head north on Highway 89. This entrance provides direct access to the Sulphur Works hydrothermal area and the park's most volcanically active sections.

Hours: The park is technically open year-round, but vehicle access is limited from about November through May because of snow. Highway 89 through the park usually closes in November and reopens in spring. Exact dates vary each year depending on snowfall.

Entrance fees: $30 per vehicle, $15 per pedestrian or bicyclist, and $25 per motorcycle. The Lassen Volcanic annual pass costs $55. The America the Beautiful Pass ($80) provides access to all U.S. national parks for one year. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees and Passes page.

Getting Around the Park

There is no shuttle inside Lassen Volcanic, so you'll need a car throughout your stay. Fill up in Redding, Red Bluff, or Chester before entering the park because there are no gas stations inside, and the Lassen Scenic Byway runs for about 31 miles. In summer, parking lots at the main sites, including Bumpass Hell Trailhead and Manzanita Lake, fill up by 9 a.m. Plan to arrive early. For complete information on traffic and parking, see the Lassen Volcanic getting-around guide.

Other Options: Tours and Organized Transportation

If you don't want to drive or you're traveling without a car, a few agencies based in Sacramento or San Francisco offer day trips and multiday tours to Lassen Volcanic. These options are uncommon and often expensive, but they are available.

There is no bus or train service directly connecting a major city to the park. Amtrak serves Sacramento and Redding, but getting from either city to the park requires a rental car or a long-distance taxi.

In Summary: The Best Route Based on Your Starting Point

From France, fly to Sacramento (SMF). It offers the best balance of airfare, flight options, and convenience. Rent a car at the airport, drive north on I-5, and enter through the south entrance (Highway 36 / Highway 89) or the north entrance (Highway 44 / Highway 89), depending on your California itinerary.

If Lassen Volcanic is your only destination, the north entrance via Redding is the most direct. If you're combining the park with Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, or the northern coast, the south entrance from Sacramento fits better into a loop road trip.

To plan your stay, see our complete Lassen Volcanic guide and our Itinerary and Length of Stay page to decide how much time to allow.

Frequently Asked Questions