Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to steaming fumaroles, meadows freckled with wildflowers, clear mountain lakes, and numerous volcanoes. Jagged peaks tell the story of its eruptive past while hot water continues to shape the land.
Alerts
- InformationNPS ↗Juniper Lake Campground Closed
The Juniper Lake Campground and day use area is currently closed for maintenance and campground improvement projects. Potable water is not available in the campground. The Juniper Lake Road (access to lake and trailheads) is open. Please drive with caution as road crews and contractors may be actively working along the roadway.
- InformationNPS ↗EV charging station unavailable
The Electric Vehicle charging station is non-functional. There is no timeline for when it may become available. Please plan accordingly.
- InformationVisitor Phone Line Intermittent
You may experience problems reaching park staff via the main visitor phone line which functions intermittently. You may email the park at [email protected] with general park questions.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCy26 Elrd Underburn Drake Unit 7 & 9 Rx
19 mi from the park's reference point
- PrescribedShf Rx
47 mi from the park's reference point
Within 50 miles, as of 2026-10-14. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Check the park's alerts and the managing office before you drive.
Fees & passes
| Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Private VehicleAdmits one private, non-commercial vehicle. Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov. | $30 | |
| Private VehicleDiscounted entry fee during winter. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle. Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov. | $10 | |
| MotorcycleValid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov. | $25 | |
| Per PersonPer-person entrance fee used to admit one person on foot or bicycle. Also used for individuals traveling together in a vehicle as a non-commercial, organized group. Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov. | $15 | |
| Education/Academic GroupsPark entrance fees are waived for eligible academic groups with approved fee waiver application. Applications must be submitted at least two weeks prior to park visit. | Free | |
| MotorcycleDiscounted entry fee for winter. Admits one private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders. Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov. | $10 | |
| Per PersonDiscounted entry fee for winter. Per-person entrance fee used to admit one person on foot or bicycle. Also used for individuals traveling together in a vehicle as a non-commercial, organized group. Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. When entrance station is not staffed, digital passes may be purchased online at recreation.gov. | $10 | |
| Commercial tours · by vehicle capacity | ||
| SedanValid for up to 7 consecutive days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. | $25 | |
| VanValid for up to 7 consecutive days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. | $50 | |
| Mini-busValid for up to 7 consecutive days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. | $60 | |
| Motor CoachValid for up to 7 consecutive days for a vehicle carrying the same group of passengers. A commercial tour is defined as consisting of one or more persons traveling on an itinerary that has been packaged, priced, or sold for leisure or recreational purposes by an organization that realizes financial gain through the provision of the service. | $150 | |
| Passes | ||
| Annual Entrance - ParkThis multi-park annual pass is valid for one year from month of purchase at four NPS units: Lassen Volcanic and Crater Lake national parks, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, and Lava Beds National Monument. This pass admits one vehicle and all occupants or one motorcycle and riders or the pass holder and 3 others on bicycle and foot. | $55 | |
Lassen Volcanic National Park charges different entrance fees based on mode of transportation and group type, or: how you arrive at the park, and whether you are a part of a commercial tour group.
Hours
| Entire park, all entrances | Daily · All Day |
When to go
July draws the most visits here and December the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| Manzanita Lake Campground | 180 sites | |
| $26 a night · Closed Nov 13 to May 21 | ||
| Lost Creek Group Campground | 8 sites | |
| $62 a night · Closed Sep 16 to Jun 12 · 8 reservable | ||
| Summit Lake North Campground | 46 sites | |
| $24 a night · Closed Sep 8 to Jun 26 · 46 reservable | ||
| Summit Lake South Campground | 48 sites | |
| $22 a night · Closed Sep 25 to Jun 26 | ||
| Southwest Campground - Summer/Fall | 35 sites | |
| $16 a night · The Southwest Walk-in Campground is open seasonally. The campground closes for the season and typically reopens in June. · 25 first-come | ||
Show all 10 campgroundsHide
| Southwest Campground - Winter/Spring | 15 sites | |
| $10 a night · The Southwest Walk-in Campground is open seasonally. Once snow covers the ground (typically in November), the campground closes for the season and typically… · 5 first-come | ||
| Butte Lake Campground | 81 sites | |
| $22 a night · Closed Oct 14 to May 29 | ||
| Juniper Lake Campground | 2 sites | |
| $12 a night · Juniper Lake Campground is closed. Work is in progress to re-open. | ||
| Warner Valley Campground | 17 sites | |
| $21 a night · Closed Oct 14 to Jun 11 · 8 reservable, 9 first-come | ||
| Backcountry Camping in Lassen's Wilderness ↗ | · | |
| $6 a night · Backcountry camping is allowed year-round. Access to much of Lassen's wilderness areas is limited when the park has deep snow, approximately November to May. · 99 reservable | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Loomis Museum ↗Passport stamp
The historic museum is located one mile from the northwest entrance of the park near Manzanita Lake. From the museum you can pick up the trail around Manzanita Lake or cross the highway to access the self-guided, interpretive Lily Pond Nature Trail.
- Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
This year-round visitor center is located one mile from the Southwest Entrance. The visitor center offers an information desk, exhibit hall, auditorium, amphitheater (summer), park store, dining area, patio (summer), and a gift shop and cafe (summer). Free Wi-Fi is available inside.
Explore
Things to do
- Hike to Bumpass Hell90 Minutes
Hike the three-mile, round-trip trail to the largest hydrothermal area in the park.
Opens on the Park Service site - Sledding & Snowplay in the Southwest Area
The steep slopes behind the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center are a popular destination for sledders. Lassen's deep snowfall also provides ample opportunity for snowplay. Snowman building contest, anyone?
Opens on the Park Service site - Snowshoe a Winter Route
Enjoy Lassen’s winter wonderland by snowshoe! Meander along the park highway route (snow-covered Hwy 89), circuit an icy lake, visit boiling hydrothermal features, or, for intrepid explorers, summit a snowy peak.
Opens on the Park Service site - Ski & Snowboard at Lassen
Enjoy Lassen’s winter wonderland by ski or snowboard! Cross-country ski along one of the park’s numerous winter routes or, for experienced explorers, backcountry ski and snowboard one of Lassen’s mountain slopes.
Opens on the Park Service site - Sledding & Snowplay in the Manzanita Lake Area
Sled a wintery slope, build a snowman, or otherwise enjoy Lassen's winter wonderland at the Manzanita Lake area. Got snow?
Opens on the Park Service site - Drive Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway60 Minutes
The 30-mile park highway connects the northwest (Manzanita Lake) and southwest entrances of the park. This scenic route passes through dense forest, winds around alpine lakes and meadow, crests at 8,512 feet near Lassen Peak Trailhead, and descends…
Opens on the Park Service site
Show all 12Hide
- Fish Manzanita Lake0-10 Hours
Manzanita Lake is one of the most popular fishing spots in the park and it is easily accessible. This lake holds a fair number of rainbow and brown trout and is rated as a blue-ribbon fly fishery by the state of California Department of Fish and…
Opens on the Park Service site - Visit Sulphur Works10 Minutes
This steamy spot is accessible via a short walk along Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway. Sulphur Works is the easiest to access of the park's seven hydrothermal areas.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike to Kings Creek Falls90 Minutes
The Kings Creek Falls trail leads to a large roaring waterfall draped in ferns and other green plants which thrive off the mist generated by the falls.
Opens on the Park Service site - Fish Butte Lake0-0 Minutes
Fly fishing, Fishing Butte Lake
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike Lassen Peak4-5 Hours
Hiking Lassen Peak
Opens on the Park Service site - Hike Reflection Lake Loop15-30 Minutes
A short and relatively flat walk offers views of Lassen Peak and Chaos Crags volcanoes, often seen reflecting in the water. The trailhead is across the road from the Loomis Museum.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Webcams
Camera images load live from the National Park Service and partner agencies
News
- Lassen Volcanic National Park Implements Stage 2 Fire Restrictions ↗2026-07-30
Effective at 12:01 a.m. local time on Friday, July 31, 2026, Lassen Volcanic National Park will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Summit Lake Ranger StationBuilding · Mineral · 1.1 mi
- Twin Lakes Fire Tool CacheBuilding · Mineral · 2.9 mi
- Warner Valley Ranger StationBuilding · Chester · 3.9 mi
- Horseshoe Lake Ranger StationBuilding · Chester · 4.3 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Forest Service trails nearby
These trails are outside the park on National Forest land, within 15 miles of Lassen Volcanic. Each one opens on Trailhead Atlas.
Distance is measured from the park's reference point to the nearer end of the trail.
Guidebooks for Lassen Volcanic National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Monitoring the American Pika in the Pacific West Region: Crater Lake National Park, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Lava Beds National Monument: Standard Operating ProceduresNational Park Service, 2013Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthPrairie Falcon 1× · Fox Sparrow 1× · Gray Fox 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 208 birds, 43 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican Kestrel · Bald Eagle · Barn Owl · California spotted owl · Cooper's Hawk · Ferruginous Hawk · Golden Eagle · Great Horned Owl · Hen Harrier · Merlin · Mountain Pygmy Owl · Northern Saw-whet Owl · Osprey · Peregrine Falcon · Prairie Falcon · Red-shouldered Hawk · Red-tailed Hawk · Sharp-shinned Hawk · Swainson's Hawk · Turkey Vulture
Waterfowl & wadersAmerican Bittern · American Coot · American Wigeon · Barrow's Goldeneye · Black-crowned Night Heron · Black-necked Grebe · Blue Goose · Blue-winged Teal · Bufflehead · Canada Goose · Cinnamon Teal · Clark's Grebe · Common Goldeneye · Common Loon · Common Merganser · Common Teal · Double-crested Cormorant · Great Blue Heron · Great Egret · Greater White-fronted Goose · Green Heron · Lesser Scaup · Northern Pintail · Ring-necked Duck · Ruddy Duck · Sandhill Crane · Tundra Swan · Virginia Rail · Western Grebe · Wood Duck · pied-billed grebe · sora rail · white pelican
Shorebirds & seabirdsBonaparte's gull · California Gull · Caspian tern · Forster's Tern · Greater Yellowlegs · Killdeer · Least Sandpiper · Long-billed Dowitcher · Marbled Godwit · Pectoral Sandpiper · Red-necked Phalarope · Ring-billed Gull · Semipalmated Plover · Western Sandpiper · Wilson's Phalarope · Wilson's snipe · sabine's gull · spotted sandpiper
Gamebirds & dovesBlue Grouse · California Quail · Common Pigeon · Mountain Quail · Mourning Dove · Ruffed Grouse · Wild Turkey · band-tailed pigeon
WoodpeckersAcorn Woodpecker · Black-backed Woodpecker · Downy Woodpecker · Hairy Woodpecker · Lewis' Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Pileated Woodpecker · Red-breasted Sapsucker · Sierra Nevada red-breasted sapsucker · White-headed Woodpecker · Williamson's Sapsucker
Hummingbirds & swiftsAllen's Hummingbird · American Black Swift · Anna's Hummingbird · Broad-tailed Hummingbird · Calliope Hummingbird · Rufous Hummingbird · Vaux's Swift · White-throated Swift
Also on the checklistAmerican Bushtit · American Crow · American Dipper · American Dusky Flycatcher · American Grey Flycatcher · American Pipet · American Robin · American goldfinch · American yellow warbler · Ash-throated Flycatcher · Barn Swallow · Bewick's Wren · Black Phoebe · Black-and-white Warbler · Black-headed Grosbeak · Blue-gray Gnatcatcher · Brewer's Blackbird · Brewer's Sparrow · Brown creeper · Brown-headed Cowbird · Bullock's oriole · California Scrub Jay · California yellow warbler · Canada Jay · Canvasback · Canyon Wren · Cassin's Vireo · Cassin's finch · Cedar Waxwing · Chipping Sparrow · Clark's Nutcracker · Common Nighthawk · Common Starling · Common Yellowthroat · Cordilleran Flycatcher · Dark-eyed Junco · Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) · Evening Grosbeak · Fox Sparrow · Gadwall · Golden-crowned Kinglet · Golden-crowned Sparrow · Gray-crowned rosy-finch · Great-tailed Grackle · Green-tailed Towhee · Hammond's Flycatcher · Hermit Thrush · Horned Lark · House Wren · Lazuli Bunting · Lincoln's Sparrow · MacGillivray's warbler · Mallard · Marsh Wren · Mountain Bluebird · Nashville warbler · Northern Goshawk · Northern Raven · Northern Rough-winged Swallow · Northern Shoveler · Northern waterthrush · Pacific Diver · Pacific Wren · Pacific-slope flycatcher · Pine Grosbeak · Purple Martin · Pygmy Nuthatch · Red Crossbill · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Red-winged Blackbird · Rock Wren · Roughleg · Ruby-crowned Kinglet · Savannah Sparrow · Say's Phoebe · Song Sparrow · Spotted Towhee · Steller's Jay · Swainson's Thrush · Townsend's Solitaire · Townsend's warbler · Tree Swallow · Varied Thrush · Vesper Sparrow · Violet-green Swallow · Warbling Vireo · Western Bluebird · Western Meadowlark · Western Tanager · Western Wood Pewee · White-breasted Nuthatch · White-crowned Sparrow · Willow Flycatcher · Wilson's warbler · Yellow-headed Blackbird · belted kingfisher · black-throated gray warbler · cliff swallow · common poor-will · hermit warbler · house finch · lesser goldfinch · mountain chickadee · olive sided flycatcher · orange-crowned warbler · pine siskin · purple finch · tree swallow · yellow-rumped warbler
Small mammalsAmargosa Vole · American Beaver · Belding's ground squirrel · Black-tailed Jack Rabbit · California ground squirrel · Common Muskrat · Long-eared Chipmunk · Merriam's Shrew · Mountain Cottontail · Mountain Pocket Gopher · Snowshoe Hare · Western Gray Squirrel · Western Harvest Mouse · Western red-backed vole · Yellow-bellied Marmot · common porcupine · golden-mantled ground squirrel · great basin dwarf shrew · malheur shrew
PredatorsAmerican mink · Black bear · Bobcat · California otter · Common Gray Fox · Long-tailed Weasel · Ringtail · Spotted skunk · Striped Skunk · common raccoon
Hoofed mammalsMule Deer · Pronghorn · elk
BatsBlack Bat · California Myotis · Fringed Myotis · Hoary Bat · Little Brown Bat · Long-eared Myotis · Yuma Myotis · big brown bat · long-legged myotis bat
Also on the checklistCatamount · Virginia Opossum
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Camping in the national parks · Canoeing and kayaking in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Horseback riding in the national parks · Skiing in the national parks · Stargazing in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
All 41 activitiesHide
Weather & climate
Weather at Lassen can vary dramatically throughout the year. Average January temperatures are a high of 40.4 °F (4.7 °C) and a low of 20.8 °F (-6.2 °C). Average July temperatures are a high of 88.4 °F and a low of 49.8 °F. Temperatures reach 90 °F or higher on an average of 36.9 days, and drop to 32 ° or lower on an average of 164 days annually.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lassen Volcanic?
Entrance is $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bike. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle.
Source: National Park Service
Which passes work at Lassen Volcanic?
The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee here, and a Lassen Volcanic-only annual pass is $55.
Source: Is the pass worth it
Can I pay the entrance fee in cash?
No. Lassen Volcanic takes cards only at the entrance.
Source: National Park Service
When is entrance to Lassen Volcanic free?
Next on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. 2 fee-free days are left this year, for US residents only.
Source: Free entrance days
Do I need a reservation to enter Lassen Volcanic?
No. There is no timed-entry or entrance reservation at Lassen Volcanic. Camping and some tours have their own reservations.
Source: National Park Service
Is Lassen Volcanic open year-round?
Yes. The grounds are open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Lassen Volcanic?
Yes. The Park Service lists 10 campgrounds in Lassen Volcanic: Manzanita Lake, Lost Creek Group, Summit Lake North, Summit Lake South, and Southwest Campground - Summer/Fall, and more. 8 take reservations through Recreation.gov; 2 are first-come, first-served.
Which Lassen Volcanic campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?
Showers: Manzanita Lake. Dump station: Manzanita Lake.
Source: Campgrounds
Do camping fees at Lassen Volcanic include the entrance fee?
No. Camping is charged per night on top of the entrance fee or a pass; Manzanita Lake is $26 a night.
Source: Campgrounds
When do Lassen Volcanic campgrounds close for the season?
Manzanita Lake is closed Nov 13 to May 21, Lost Creek Group is closed Sep 16 to Jun 12, and Summit Lake North is closed Sep 8 to Jun 26; 3 more have posted closures.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at Lassen Volcanic right now?
3 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Juniper Lake Campground Closed; EV charging station unavailable; and more.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Lassen Volcanic?
504,777 recreation visits in 2025, number 112 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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