Lassen Volcanic Activities

Auto-Touring
Length: 29 miles
Time: 1 hour to drive, non-stop

The Main Park Road provides spectacular views of the Cascade and High Sierra Mountains. Running from the southeast to the northwest of the park, the road has direct access to high altitude mountain lakes, active hydrothermal areas, numerous hiking trails, and grand views of Lassen Peak, Brokeoff Mountain, and the Devastated Area.

Bird-Watching
Over 83 species of birds nest in the Park.  Raptors and other birds-of-prey are frequently sighted soaring above the rocky peaks between Brokeoff Mountain and Lassen Peak.  The Manzanita Lake loop trail hosts many migratory birds and summer residents and is a favorite spot among bird watchers.  The Cluster Lakes loop starting at Summit Lake is another trail popular among bird watchers.

Boating and Kayaking
Whether kayaking or canoeing, exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park can be an exciting and rewarding experience.  Non-motorized boats can access Manzanita, Butte, and Juniper Lakes at their designated boat launch areas.

Camping
There are eight campgrounds in Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Click here to visit the campground webpage for more information about each campground and how to make reservations.

Fishing
Whether fishing from shore with the kids, or fly-fishing Manzanita Lake from a float-tube, Lassen Volcanic National Park has plenty of opportunities to land the big one.  Trout have not been stocked in the park since the 1980s, but a healthy population of these fiesty fish still remain in many lakes and streams (though not in all of them).  Manzanita Lake is famous for its large rainbow and brown trout, but keep in mind you must use single-hook, barbless, artificial lures only.  Butte Lake and Juniper Lake both have healthy populations of trout.  A valid California fishing license is required to fish in the park, and please keep the regulations below in mind before wetting your line in the park.

Hiking

Hiking Trails by Region
South Park Road Region
   1. Mill Creek Falls (moderate, 4 miles round trip)
   2. Brokeoff Mountain (strenuous, 7 miles round trip)
   3. Ridge Lakes (moderate, 2.6 miles round trip)
   4. Bumpass Hell (moderate, 3.2 miles round trip)
   5. Lassen Peak (strenuous, 5 miles round trip)
   6. Cold Boiling and Crumbaugh Lakes (easy)
   7. Terrace, Shadow, and Cliff Lakes (moderate)
   8. Kings Creek Falls (moderate, 3 miles round trip)
   9. Sulphur Works Trail (easy)
North Park Road Region
   1. Summit Lake Loop Trail: Echo and Twin Lakes (moderate)
   2. Manzanita Lake (easy, 1 mile round trip)
   3. Lily Pond Nature Trail (easy, 0.5 miles round trip)
   4. Devastated Area Interpretive Trail (easy)
   5. Crags Lake (moderate, 3 miles round trip)
   6. Manzanita Creek (moderate, up to 7 miles round trip)
Butte Lake Region
   1. Cinder Cone (strenuous, 5 miles round trip)
   2. Prospect Peak (strenuous, 7 miles round trip)
Warner Valley, Drakesbad, and Juniper Lake Region
   1. Mount Harkness (moderate, 4 miles round trip)
   2. Devil's Kitchen (moderate, 3 miles round trip)
   3. Boiling Springs Lake (moderate, 2 miles round trip)

Horses and Pack Animals

Horses and pack animals are allowed on designated trails except:
Manzanita Lake Trail, Lassen Peak Trail, The portion of trail on the Cinder Cone, Reflection Lake Trail, Bumpass Hell Trail, Trails within the Devil's Kitchen and Sulphur Works thermal areas.