Lassen Volcanic National Park

Overview

Welcome to Lassen, California’s fiery alter ego. This place isn’t just a park ... it’s a full-blown volcanic variety show. You’ve got steaming fumaroles that hiss like tea kettles, bubbling mud pots that look like Mother Nature forgot to clean her crockpot, and mountains shaped like the earth sneezed and then froze mid-blast. Standing here, you don’t just see geology, you feel it ... you smell the sulfur, hear the burps, and half expect the ground to wink at you and say, “Yeah, I’m still alive.” But Lassen’s not all smoke and brimstone. Step a little farther and suddenly you’re knee-deep in alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, kayaking across a mirror-still lake, or trudging up a trail that smells like pine-scented adventure candles. It’s that perfect cocktail of serenity and chaos, the kind of place where one moment you’re marveling at nature’s calm reflections and the next you’re side-eyeing a steaming vent thinking, “Please don’t explode while I’m taking this selfie.”

Top Attractions (Mud Pots, Peaks & Lakes)

Bumpass Hell

A boardwalk stroll through steaming vents and mud pots... nature’s own soup kitchen.

Lassen Peak Trail

A climb to the summit of the largest plug dome volcano in the world, with views worth the calf burn.

Manzanita Lake

Kayak, fish, or just gawk at Lassen Peak’s reflection doing its best Instagram pose.

Sulphur Works

Bubbling roadside mud pots that smell like rotten eggs but look like adventure.

Devastated Area Interpretive Trail

Walk through a landscape reshaped by Lassen’s 1915 eruption.

Stargazing

Enjoy some of the darkest skies in California, perfect for watching the Milky Way.

Unique Stories & Facts (Volcanoes, Ghosts & Bad Luck)

• Lassen Peak erupted between 1914–1917, making it the last volcano in the continental U.S. to blow before Mount St. Helens in 1980.
• Bumpass Hell is named after Kendall Bumpass, who discovered the area, fell through the crust, and badly burned his leg. Some say his ghost still limps around the area, warning hikers to watch their step.
• The park has all four types of volcanoes ... shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome ... making it a one-stop volcano shop.
• Old ranger tales mention ghostly figures near Sulphur Works, which are probably just steam but make for a good story.

Best Travel Seasons

Lodging Options (Ranches, Resorts & Rustic Charm)

Luxury: Highlands Ranch Resort

Features beautiful cabins with fireplaces and fine dining just steps away.

Mid-Range: Drakesbad Guest Ranch

Offers rustic charm with the added bonus of hot springs to soak in after a long hike.

Quirky: Mineral Lodge

This spot is half motel, half museum of roadside Americana.

Budget: Manzanita Lake Campground

Affordable camping with postcard-worthy views of the lake and peak.

Dining (Nearby Options)

Lassen Café & Gift (Mineral)

Serves burgers, shakes, and volcanic trivia with a smile.

Highlands Ranch Resort (Mill Creek)

Enjoy farm-to-table dining with a cozy, rustic flair.

Mineral Lodge Restaurant (Mineral)

A classic American diner with hearty breakfasts to fuel your day on the trail.

Kopper Kettle Café (Chester)

Serves comfort food that tastes like home after a long hike.

Travel Tips

• Bring layers, because temperatures can swing like a jazz band here.
• The sulfur smell is real, so pack a strong sense of humor.
• Keep your eyes peeled on trails; geothermal areas are unpredictable, and the ground doesn’t care about your hiking boots.

Listen to Our Podcast Episode!

“Sulphur & Sass: Dane D. Blaze in Lassen.”