Lassen Volcanic National Park
National Park · Mineral, California
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a quiet, high volcanic landscape of lakes, meadows and steam in the Southern Cascades of northern California, far from the big-name parks and much less crowded. Lassen Peak, a large plug dome volcano, last erupted in 1915, and the park is often cited as a place where all four main types of volcano occur. The signature sights are the hydrothermal areas, especially Bumpass Hell, with its boardwalk past steaming vents and boiling pools, the Lassen Peak trail of about 5 miles round trip, and Manzanita Lake near the northwest entrance. Be clear about timing: the main park road is closed by snow for much of the year, commonly from about November into June (confirm), so many sights are reachable only in summer and early autumn. There is no hotel lodging inside the park, only campgrounds and a few cabins (confirm), so most visitors stay in nearby towns. Allow one to two days.
38050 Highway 36 E, Mineral, California, 96063, United States
The park is open all year, but the main road through it, the Lassen Park Road, is typically closed by snow from about November until late spring or early summer, with the exact opening date varying each year - confirm with the National Park Service. When it is closed you can reach the southwest and northwest entrance areas and use them for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Visitor centre hours and ranger programmes run on seasonal schedules, mostly summer. Trails such as Lassen Peak and Bumpass Hell can stay snowy or be closed for hazards well after the road opens, so check trail conditions on the day. Daylight, weather and snow, not a gate, set your real schedule.
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