News Release

Lassen Volcanic National Park Beginning to Increase Recreational Access

News Release Date: May 22, 2020

Contact: Kevin Sweeney, 530-595-6130

Mineral, CA – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Lassen Volcanic National Park is increasing recreational access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning May 29, Lassen Volcanic National Park will increase access with the opening of the 30-mile park highway, Butte Lake road, Warner Valley road, and all hiking trails (except Bumpass Hell). Backcountry camping and stock use will also resume on May 29 and requires a free permit.

Manzanita Lake and Southwest Walk-in Campgrounds will open June 1. All other campgrounds will open on their original scheduled dates, which can be viewed at go.nps.gov/lavo/camp.

In conjunction with the increase in access and services, the park will resume collecting entrance fees on May 29.

With public health in mind, the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center and Loomis Museum remain closed at this time. Information will be posted outside each facility, however visitors are encouraged to plan ahead by visiting the Plan Your Visit section of the park website and reviewing the Summer Guide. Juniper Lake Road remains closed at the park boundary due to snow.

Trails in the higher-elevation areas of the park remain snow-covered. This includes, but is not limited to, Lassen Peak, Brokeoff Mountain, Kings Creek Falls, and Summit Lake Area trails. Bumpass Hell Trail remains under seasonal closure due to snow hazards. The first trails to become snow-free are located in lower elevations areas including Manzanita Lake, Butte Lake, and Warner Valley. View current trail conditions at go.nps.gov/lavo/hike.

 “We highly encourage visitors to plan ahead this summer season so that they can be prepared, not disappointed,” said Superintendent Jim Richardson. “Visitors can learn about modifications to services and facilities and how to recreate responsibly on the park website and social media channels.”

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Lassen Volcanic National Park, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow California State guidance, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities. Learn more about how you can recreate responsibly at Lassen Volcanic at go.nps.gov/lavo/RR.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.  

Lassen Volcanic National Park offers virtual content for people who are not traveling at this time. Visit go.nps.gov/lavo/virtual to view webcams, 360-degree photos, videos, and more.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website at nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/conditions.htm and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

www.nps.gov

For more information about Lassen Volcanic National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/lavo; contact the park at [phone] or e-mail us; find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube @LassenNPS.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube @nationalparkservice. #FindYourPark