Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park Photo: Whitney James

A visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park is not to be missed. As locals, we are fortunate to have a national park in our backyard that is lesser known than Yosemite and Yellowstone but offers similar thermal wonders and incredible mountain scenery, all with a fraction of the people. The park is absent of long lines of cars and shoulderto-shoulder people making Lassen Park a great place for visitors to enjoy wide-open spaces in the awe of nature. All four types of volcanoes (shield, plug dome, cinder cone, and composite) call the park home, with Lassen Peak being the largest plug dome volcano in the world. Near Lassen Peak, the road reaches 8,512 feet, making it the highest road in elevation in the Cascade Mountain range. At the park’s north entrance is Loomis Museum, which offers a peek into the day in 1915 when Lassen’s fateful eruption was caught on camera. Steps from the museum is Manzanita Lake, offering an easy hiking trail that circles the lakeshore and features great vantage points for selfies with Lassen Peak in the background. If looking for family fun - camping, fishing, kayaking, and picnicking are all available at the lake. As you drive the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway through the park, there are a few favorite places not to be missed. Keep in mind Highway 89 through Lassen is only open for vehicles from summer into the early months of fall - generally June through mid-October, with the road covered in snow the rest of the year. This also makes for unforgettable winter wonderland adventures with many snow activities such as snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing, and splitboarding. Summit Lake, much like Manzanita Lake, offers camping, fishing, kayaking, picnicking, and is a great place to splash around and relax. Lassen boasts steam vents, fumaroles, mudpots, and hot springs, which can all be seen by hiking the 1.5mile trail to Bumpass Hell. Lassen’s other geothermal areas - Sulphur Works, Little Hot Springs Valley, Boiling Springs Lake, Devils Kitchen, and Terminal Geyser –- offer fumaroles, boiling mud pots, and waters above 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit). Sulphur Works is the easiest place to view the bubbling mud pots, literally alongside the road. Don’t miss a stop at Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center at the south entrance to the park which features exhibits, a gift shop and bookstore, an auditorium with a park video showing every 30 minutes, a café, and park rangers happy to recommend hiking trails and share the park’s history. For additional park information visit www.UpStateCA.com/national-and-stateparks

Lassen Night Sky Manzanita Lake Photo: Cory Poole

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a stretch of mountainous splendor, drawing fans from all over the planet to its inspiring and fascinating terrain. They come to hike, paddle, snowshoe, camp, and learn, absorbing the volcanic landscape’s countless beauties and geologic revelations. Many would-be Lassen aficionados leave out one important aspect, though: the park in the dark! Lassen’s wonders don’t set with the sun. Exploring the park by moon or star light is an incredible way to experience its full range. Lassen is one of the country’s last remaining sanctuaries of natural darkness, and celebrates this honor with a three-day (and night!) event every August: the Dark Sky Festival. Stay up late for astronomy programs and night sky viewing opportunities that will leave you awestruck. While you’re embracing your inner night owl, take a hike up Lassen Peak by the light of the full moon. The treeless trail takes on an otherworldly glow, and if you time it right, you can watch the sunrise from the peak – a truly singular experience. During the winter, the moonlight on the freshly fallen snow can guide you along hushed and lovely snowshoe trails. If you thought you knew Lassen Volcanic National Park, or you’ve been planning a trip, remember: there’s nothing quite like volcanos in the dark.