Accessibility

Lassen Volcanic National Park strives to be accessible.

NPS Photo / Alison Taggart-Barone

 

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a scenic and wondrous place to visit, with bubbling mudpots, wildflower-carpeted meadows, and jagged volcanic peaks. By using principals of universal design, Lassen is committed to providing an ever-increasing level of accessibility. From designing and building new facilities to rehabilitating older buildings, accessibility has become a key component of all projects.

Interagency Access Pass

US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities qualify for the Interagency Access Pass, which provides free or discounted admission to over 2,000 federal recreation sites. Access passholders receive free admission to Lassen Volcanic National Park and a 50% discount on campsites.

Service Animals

Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal?

At Lassen, service animals are allowed in all facilities and on all trails, with the exception of areas closed by the superintendent to protect park resources. Service animals must always be leashed and pet waste must be disposed of in a trash bin. The park does not provide waste bags, so please bring your own.

Caution! National parks can be deadly for pets and service animals. At Lassen, conditions may change quickly and become severe. Lassen Volcanic National Park is also home to a variety of wildlife that may be harmful to you and your service animal. Plan ahead and use caution to have a safe and enjoyable experience at the park.

 

Visitor Centers

Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center

Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor center is near the southwest entrance to the park. The visitor center has an exhibit hall, information desk, auditorium, amphitheater, café, gift shop, and bookstore. The visitor center is fully accessible with tactile exhibits including a relief map of the park and models of the four types of volcanoes. Audio description of the exhibits is available; inquire at the information desk. Accessible parking spaces are located near the entrance of the visitor center, and near the Southwest Walk-in campground.

Loomis Museum

The Loomis Museum is an ranger contact/information station located near the northwest entrance to the park. The museum has an information desk, bookstore, and history exhibits. An auditorium inside the visitor center shows the 20-minute park film. A wheelchair accessible entrance is located on the west side of the building. Accessible restrooms are located outside of the museum in the Loomis Plaza.

 

Facilities

Picnic Areas

Lassen has several picnic areas in which to enjoy an afternoon in the park. Manzanita Lake, Lake Helen, Devastated Area, and Kings Creek picnic areas offer level sites, accessible restrooms, and accessible parking.

Campgrounds

Three campgrounds in Lassen offer accessible campsites suitable for wheelchairs. These sites are also located near accessible restrooms. All campsites must be reserved online at recreation.gov. Visitors with access passes receive a 50% discount on camping in the park. Accessible campsites:

• Manzanita Lake Campground, sites A32 and B9
• Summit Lake North Campground, site A1
• Butte Lake Campground, site A6

Manzanita Camping Cabins

These camping cabins are adjacent to Manzanita Lake Campground and Manzanita Lake, Cabins 1, 8, 14, and 18 are wheelchair accessible. Each cabin includes a bed, propane heater, lantern, bear box, fire ring, access ramp, stairs with handrails and an extended picnic table.

 

Popular Park Features

Auto Touring

Many of Lassen's fantastic sights can be seen from the main park road (Highway 89). Learn more about driving the scenic park highway.

Sulphur Works

Near the center of the ancient Brokeoff Volcano lies Sulphur Works, the most accessible hydrothermal area in the park. Plopping mudpots and smoking steam vents can be seen roadside. A paved sidewalk connects the parking area to the features; this path requires assisted mobility. Interpretive exhibits tell the story of this constantly changing area. Accessible parking and vault toilets are available in the parking area.

Devastated Area

A half-mile (.08 km) hard surface loop trail offers spectacular views of Lassen Peak and its 1915 mudflow. Interpretive exhibits with motion activated audio description highlight the eruption of Lassen Peak. Accessible parking spaces and vault toilets are available at the trailhead.

Manzanita Lake

This popular summer destination offers excellent bird watching, swimming, boating, and picnicking opportunities. Paths at Manzanita Lake have a dirt surface. None are designated as accessible; however many visitors find it possible to access a portion of the south side of the 1.8 mile (2.9 km) lake loop trail via the boat launch area.

 

Ranger-Led Programs

Rangers offer a variety of programs in the busy season (Memorial Day - Labor Day). Park rangers will gladly accommodate for accessibility when possible. The Kohm Yah-mah-nee and Manzanita Lake amphitheaters (often used for evening programs and night sky viewing) are wheelchair accessible.

 

Publications and Media

Park Brochure

Download and listen to audio description or view the text-only audio description for the park brochure.

Park Film

The 20-minute park film The Story Behind the Landscape is captioned and audio described. The film is viewable at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center and Loomis Museum (summer only). Please ask the information desk for listening devices.