The Best Hikes in Lassen Volcanic for Every Experience Level
Lassen Volcanic rewards anyone willing to walk. Its trails cross landscapes you won't find anywhere else in North America: solidified lava fields, fumaroles steaming between the rocks, and high-elevation lakes in an almost surreal blue. If you only do one hike, make it Bumpass Hell, a 5-mile round trip through the park's most active hydrothermal area. If you've got more time and strong legs, Lassen Peak offers 360-degree views across Northern California. For a short family outing, Manzanita Lake Loop fits the bill in under an hour.
Getting ready for a hike in Lassen Volcanic
Permits and entrance fees
You don't need a permit for day hikes in Lassen Volcanic. The park entrance fee still applies: $30 per vehicle, $15 per person entering on foot or by bicycle, and $25 for motorcycles. The park's annual pass costs $55. The America the Beautiful pass ($80 per year) covers admission to all federal parks if you're visiting several of them.
Dogs on the trails
Dogs are allowed in the park, but only on paved roads, in picnic areas, and at campgrounds. They're not allowed on hiking trails, no exceptions. Make a backup plan if you're traveling with your pet.
Water and supplies
Most trails don't have drinking water along the way. Bring at least 2 liters per person for outings longer than 3 hours. Filter or purify water from lakes and streams. There are no stores on the trails, so pack your supplies at the car.
Wildlife and safety
Lassen Volcanic is home to black bears, but not grizzlies. Carry food in an approved bear-resistant canister or keep it in your car's trunk, never in plain sight inside the passenger compartment. Bear sightings remain rare on the busiest trails, but stay alert in remote areas such as Warner Valley and Juniper Lake.
Hydrothermal areas such as Bumpass Hell and Sulphur Works pose real dangers. The ground has fragile thermal crusts, boiling water can lie just below the surface, and acidic steam rises from the openings. Stay on the boardwalks and marked areas at all times. Visitors have suffered serious accidents after leaving the trails.
Weather and snow
The park is generally snow-covered from November through May, and sometimes into June at higher elevations. Lassen Peak and several trails remain inaccessible in the off-season. In summer, temperatures can rise above 86°F in the lower areas, while the ridges stay cool. Always check trail alerts on the NPS website before setting out. Our guide's Weather page covers conditions month by month.
The best hikes, area by area
Southwest area: the volcanic heart of the park (Highway 89)
This is the most accessible and busiest area. The southwest entrance provides access to most of the park's major hikes.
Bumpass Hell Trail
5 miles round-trip · 750 feet of elevation gain · 3 hours · Moderate · Out and back
Bumpass Hell is the park's largest hydrothermal area. The trail climbs gently from the parking area on Highway 89, crosses a landscape of forest and volcanic rock, and then opens onto a chaotic mix of boiling pools, geysers, and sulfurous fumaroles. The heat you feel beneath your boots is real. Wooden boardwalks let you move safely through the heart of the area. Start at the Bumpass Hell parking area on Highway 89. Arrive early in the morning in July and August to avoid the crowds and heat.
Sulphur Works
0.5-mile loop · Flat · 20 minutes · Easy · Loop
This is a quick warm-up or a short family outing. The trail passes fumaroles and bubbling mud pots just steps from the parking area. The sulfur smell is strong, and that's intentional. It's ideal if you arrive late in the day or have young children. Start at the Sulphur Works parking area at the southwest entrance.
Lassen Peak Trail
5 miles round-trip · 2,000 feet of elevation gain · 4 to 5 hours · Difficult · Out and back
The climb reaches the volcano's summit at 10,459 feet. The trail is well marked and follows a series of switchbacks, but the elevation gain and altitude take a toll, so plan on taking breaks. From the summit, you can see across the Cascade Range to Mount Shasta in the north and the Sierra Nevada in the south. Below, the secondary craters and lava flows from the 1915 eruption remain clearly visible in the landscape. Start at the Lassen Peak parking area on Highway 89. Be aware that the trail may remain snow-covered into July.
Brokeoff Mountain Trail
7.5 miles round-trip · 2,950 feet of elevation gain · 5 to 6 hours · Difficult · Out and back
This is the big hike for anyone looking for solitude. Brokeoff Mountain is an eroded former stratovolcano, and Lassen Peak is its youngest remnant. The climb passes through alpine meadows, pine forests, and open rocky areas. The summit, at 9,213 feet, offers an even more striking view of Lassen Peak than the peak itself because you see it straight across the valley. Far fewer people hike here than at Lassen Peak, and you'll have a better chance of spotting bears from a safe distance. Start at the Brokeoff Mountain parking area on Highway 89.
Kings Creek Falls Trail
3.1 miles round-trip · 500 feet of elevation gain · 2 hours · Easy to moderate · Out and back
This forested trail gradually descends to a waterfall framed by basalt. The falls drop about 50 feet into a pool sheltered by vegetation. There's little elevation gain on the way down, but the uphill return surprises hikers who judged the trail “easy.” Start at the Kings Creek Meadows parking area on Highway 89.
Northwest area: Manzanita Lake
This area is closest to the north entrance. It has the park's most accessible hikes and the best opportunities for wildlife watching.
Manzanita Lake Loop
1.6-mile loop · Flat · 45 minutes · Easy · Loop
The trail circles Manzanita Lake with Lassen Peak as a backdrop. It's flat, marked, and shaded. Ospreys, ducks, deer, and sometimes otters gather around the lake. This is also one of the park's best hikes for photography, especially at sunrise when the water is perfectly still. Start at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area.
Chaos Crags and Chaos Jumbles
2.8 miles round-trip · 500 feet of elevation gain · 1.5 hours · Moderate · Out and back
Chaos Crags are lava domes formed by eruptions about 1,000 years ago. The trail climbs to the base of the rock formations, with beautiful views of Manzanita Lake below. Visible from Highway 89, Chaos Jumbles formed when a landslide associated with those eruptions sent a field of lava blocks across the area three centuries ago. Start at the Chaos Crags parking area on Highway 89.
Warner Valley area: the park's hidden side
You can reach Warner Valley by an unpaved road from Chester. It's the least visited area, with a distinctly wilder atmosphere.
Mill Creek Falls Trail
4.3 miles round-trip · 650 feet of elevation gain · 2.5 hours · Moderate · Out and back
The trail follows a wooded canyon to the park's tallest waterfall, which drops about 100 feet. The vegetation is dense and temperatures are cooler. This is one of the park's best hikes for birdwatching. Start at Warner Valley Campground.
Boiling Springs Lake Loop
3.1-mile loop · Little elevation gain · 1.5 hours · Easy · Loop
This hydrothermal lake reaches 126°F at the surface. Its geothermal activity is less dramatic than Bumpass Hell, but the setting feels more intimate, with conifer forest and few visitors. You can combine this trail with Terminal Geyser by adding 1.9 miles. Start at Warner Valley Campground.
Butte Lake area: the cinder cone
Cinder Cone Trail
4 miles round-trip · 720 feet of elevation gain · 3 hours · Difficult · Out and back
Cinder Cone is an almost perfectly shaped volcanic cone formed by eruptions between 1650 and 1850. Climbing its loose ash slopes is strenuous, with two steps forward for every one step back. At the top, the double crater and the Painted Dunes, fields of oxidized lava in shades of orange and red, create one of the park's most otherworldly landscapes. Start at the Butte Lake parking area, reached by an unpaved road from Highway 44. Don't attempt this hike in rainy weather, when the ash slopes become slippery.
Easy, family-friendly hikes
For families with young children or hikers who are new to the trail, three hikes stand out.
Manzanita Lake Loop (1.6 miles, flat) circles the lake with views of Lassen Peak and is stroller-friendly for most of the route. Sulphur Works (0.5 mile, flat) offers an immediate introduction to the hydrothermal areas with almost no effort. Boiling Springs Lake Loop (3.1 miles, little elevation gain) is the most accessible trail in Warner Valley and makes a pleasant family hike as long as you keep an eye on children near the steam vents.
For family outings, our guide to visiting Lassen Volcanic with kids also covers the park's non-hiking activities.
Strenuous and full-day hikes
Lassen Peak (5 miles, 2,000 feet, 4 to 5 hours) is still the standard for a strenuous day hike. If you want to avoid the crowds, Brokeoff Mountain (7.5 miles, 2,950 feet, 5 to 6 hours) offers a similar challenge with far fewer people. For a moderate commitment, Bumpass Hell (5 miles, 750 feet) remains the park's best effort-to-reward ratio. The hydrothermal scenery makes every foot of elevation gain worthwhile.
Access, trailheads, and parking
Highway 89 is the park's main road. It connects the northwest entrance at Manzanita Lake with the southwest entrance at Sulphur Works over about 28 miles. Nearly all the trails described above are accessible from this road, with a dedicated parking area at each trailhead.
There are a few exceptions.
Cinder Cone in the Butte Lake area is reached from Highway 44, followed by a 7-mile unpaved road. A vehicle with standard ground clearance is sufficient in dry weather.
Warner Valley is reached from Chester by an unpaved road that runs about 16 miles. RVs and trailers aren't recommended on this section.
The park doesn't have an internal shuttle. Each trailhead has its own parking area. In peak season, July and August, the Bumpass Hell and Lassen Peak parking areas are often full before 9 a.m. If you're coming to Lassen Volcanic from Redding or Red Bluff, our guide to getting to the park covers all your options.
When should you hike in Lassen Volcanic?
The ideal window runs from mid-July through September. High-elevation trails are clear, temperatures are comfortable, and roads are open. In June, check conditions on the high-elevation trails because snow can remain up to 8,200 feet. October is still a good option for fall color and fewer visitors.
Our guide to when to visit Lassen Volcanic covers the season, precipitation, and conditions month by month.
Which hike is right for you?
| Hiker profile | Recommended trail |
|---|---|
| Family with children | Manzanita Lake Loop, Sulphur Works |
| First hike in the park | Bumpass Hell Trail |
| Looking for views | Lassen Peak, Brokeoff Mountain |
| Wildlife watching | Manzanita Lake Loop, Mill Creek Falls |
| Exploring volcanic areas | Cinder Cone, Boiling Springs Lake Loop |
| Full day, elevation gain | Brokeoff Mountain Trail |
| Waterfalls | Kings Creek Falls, Mill Creek Falls |
For more on what the park offers beyond its trails, our complete Lassen Volcanic guide covers all the activities.
Frequently asked questions
What hikes are available in Lassen Volcanic?
Lassen Volcanic has about 20 marked trails, from a family-friendly lake loop such as Manzanita Lake Loop, at 1.6 miles, to the climb to the summit of Lassen Peak, at 5 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain. The hydrothermal areas, including Bumpass Hell, Sulphur Works, and Boiling Springs Lake, and Cinder Cone in the Butte Lake area are among the park's signature hikes.
Is hiking in Lassen Volcanic difficult?
Difficulty varies widely. Sulphur Works and Manzanita Lake Loop are accessible to everyone. Bumpass Hell is moderate, at 5 miles with 750 feet of elevation gain. Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain are difficult because of the altitude, above 9,200 feet, and the elevation gain, from 2,000 to 2,950 feet. Cinder Cone is short but strenuous because of its loose ash slopes.
Is it safe to hike in Lassen Volcanic?
Hiking in Lassen Volcanic is safe as long as you stay on marked trails. The main danger in the hydrothermal areas comes from fragile crusts covering boiling water, so never leave the boardwalks. Black bears are present, but incidents remain very rare. At higher elevations on Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain, bring warm clothing even in summer.
Are there grizzlies in Lassen National Park?
No. The park is home to black bears, Ursus americanus, but not grizzlies. The species isn't found in this part of California.
Do you need a permit for a day hike in Lassen Volcanic?
No. You don't need a specific permit for a day hike. Only the park entrance fee applies, at $30 per vehicle. A free wilderness permit is required for backcountry camping and is available at the Visitor Center.
Can you hike with your dog in Lassen Volcanic?
No. Dogs aren't allowed on any of the park's hiking trails. They're permitted on paved roads, in campgrounds, and in picnic areas, as long as they're leashed with a leash no longer than 6 feet.
What's the best time to hike in Lassen Volcanic?
The best time runs from mid-July through late September. Our guide to when to visit Lassen Volcanic has details for each month.
Are there loop hikes in Lassen Volcanic?
Yes. Manzanita Lake Loop, at 1.6 miles, Sulphur Works, at 0.5 mile, and Boiling Springs Lake Loop, at 3.1 miles, are complete loops. Most of the other major trails, including Bumpass Hell, Lassen Peak, Brokeoff Mountain, and Kings Creek Falls, are out-and-back hikes.
How do you get to the trailheads?
Nearly all the main trails are accessible from Highway 89, with signed parking areas. The Butte Lake and Warner Valley areas require short stretches on unpaved roads. Our guide to getting to Lassen Volcanic details the options from the park's north and south entrances.