22 Best Sights in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Though set in the park's remote northeastern corner, this is one of its most fascinating trails, as it offers views of a dazzling variety of volcanic features, including Painted Dunes, Fantastic Lava Beds, and Prospect Peak. It's a somewhat challenging undertaking, because the 4-mile round-trip hike to the cone summit requires a steep 845-foot climb over ground that's slippery in parts with loose cinders. For a better understanding of the geology along this hike, pick up an interpretive brochure at the trailhead or visitor centers. Moderate–Difficult.

A moderately hilly 4.2 mile round-trip hike through open meadows and conifer forest leads to the least-frequented of the park's three main hydrothermal areas, the others being Sulphur Works and Bumpass Hell. The lack of crowds makes this an especially enjoyable place to view burping mud pots, misty steam vents, hot boiling pools, and even Lassen Peak in the distance. Moderate–Difficult.

A handsome, contemporary LEED-certified structure at the southwest entrance, this helpful year-round resource is a good place to pick up maps, inquire about kids' activities and ranger programs, view an engaging park film, and check out the well-conceived interactive exhibits. There's also an excellent bookstore and a casual café.

This 30-mile scenic route, the main thoroughfare through the park, passes by such prominent sites as Lassen Peak, Bumpass Hell, Sulphur Works, Kings Creek, Devastated Area, and Chaos Crags, connecting the southwest entrance with Manzanita Lake and the northwest entrance. It's often referred to simply as Lassen Park Highway.

When this plug dome volcano erupted in 1915, it spewed a huge mushroom cloud of debris almost 6 miles into the air. You can admire the peak from a number of points along the park road, and a fabulous panoramic view rewards those who make the strenuous 2½-mile hike to the 10,457-foot summit.

In this handsome building constructed of volcanic rock in 1927, you can view artifacts from the park's 1914 and 1915 eruptions, including dramatic original photographs taken by Benjamin Loomis, who was instrumental in the park's establishment. The museum also has a bookstore, excellent exhibits about the area's Native American heritage, and a helpful staff who can recommend hikes and points of interest on this side of the park.

Learn about black bears at this ranger-led talk, offered mid-June–mid-August, that takes less than an hour.

This worthwhile 3-mile loop leads from the Warner Valley Trailhead to Boiling Springs Lake, which is surrounded by high bluffs topped with incense cedar, Douglas fir, and other conifers. Vents beneath the milky gray-green lake release bubbles into it, heating it to a temperature of 125°F. Most who come all the way to Warner Valley combine this hike with one of the others that it connects with, typically either Devils Kitchen or Terminal Geyser. Easy–Moderate.

This 2.6-mile round-trip hike through meadows and forests to Cold Boiling and Crumbaugh lakes presents an excellent opportunity to view spring wildflowers, but it's quite pretty throughout summer and fall. At Cold Lake, it's possible to detour to Bumpass Hell (thereby adding 3.8 miles round-trip to your trek). Moderate.

Lassen Peak's 1915 eruptions cleared this area, which makes up a good chunk of the center of the park, of all vegetation, though after all these years the forest has gradually returned. The easy ½-mile interpretive trail loop is wheelchair accessible.

Take a morning stroll and learn about the birds of Manzanita Lake.

Visit the otherworldly Sulphur Works with a ranger and learn the secrets behind this unique hydrothermal feature.

Junior Rangers, ages 5 to 12, meet for 45 minutes three times a week with rangers, including for talks about the role wildfires have in shaping our national parks. Kids can earn patches by completing an activity book, or joining the Chipmunk Club and earning a sticker by completing various activities.

Trees shade these creekside picnic tables located at a popular trailhead.

Nature photographers love this 2.3-mile loop hike through forests dotted with wildflowers. A steady 700-foot ascent leads to the spectacular falls. It can be slippery in spots, including along a stone staircase, so watch your step. Moderate.

This site with picnic tables and vault toilets has views of several summits, including Lassen Peak.

This ½-mile jaunt loops past a small lake and through a wooded area, ending at a pond that is filled with yellow water lilies in summer. Marked with interpretive signs, it's a good choice for families. Easy.

Lassen Peak is reflected in the waters of this rippling lake, which has good catch-and-release trout fishing and a pleasant trail for exploring the area's abundant wildlife.

This 2½-hour 3.8-mile round-trip hike through forests and wildflowers takes you to where East Sulphur and Bumpass creeks merge to create the park's highest waterfall. For a longer adventure, you can continue past the falls for 2.5 miles to Crumbaugh Lake, and another 1.3 miles past Cold Boiling Lake to Kings Creek Picnic Area. Moderate.

Listen to the fascinating tales of the intrepid travelers who made the journey in 1853 to California via the Nobles Emigrant Trail wagon road.

The midpoint between the northern and southern entrances, Summit Lake is a good place to take an afternoon swim. A trail leads around the lakeshore, and several other trails lead east—for quite a few miles—toward a cluster of smaller lakes in the park's more remote northeastern quadrant.