Getting Around

Park Highway and Roads

Lassen Volcanic Park Highway is the only route through the park. Three additional roads provide access to more remote areas: Butte Lake, Warner Valley, and Juniper Lake and close for due to snow, approximately December through May. View a map of the park or learn more about park areas to visit. Beginning in March or April, road clearing progress can be followed on the spring road clearing page. Visitors are highly encouraged to check current road conditions before visiting.

Lassen Volcanic National Highway

The 30-mile park highway connects the northwest (Manzanita Lake) and southwest entrances of the park. This scenic route passes through dense forest, traverses a ridge with views of Lake Almanor to the south, crests at 8,512 feet near Lassen Peak trailhead, and descends steep volcanic slopes into the southwest area. There are no guardrails on this route due to snow removal requirements. The southern section of the highway is windy and includes a handful of switchbacks. Learn more about driving the park highway.

Juniper Lake Road

The Juniper Lake area is located in the southeast corner of the park and is accessed via a 13-mile road outside of Chester. The last 6 miles is rough dirt road with steep sections and is not suitable for buses, motorhomes, or trailers. Juniper Lake is 45 miles (approximately 1.5 hours) from the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. View directions in Google Maps. The area is accessible by vehicle approximately June through October; the road is closed due to snow in the winter/spring season.

1. From CA-36 in Chester, turn onto Feather River Road (on the northeast side of the Feather River).
2. Continue a half mile and veer right onto CR-318.
3. Continue 13 miles to Juniper Lake campground.
4. Continue an additional half mile to the day use area.

Warner Valley Road

The Warner Valley area is located in the southeast corner of the park is accessed via a 13-mile road outside of Chester. The last 3 miles is dirt road with steep sections and is not recommended for trailers. Warner Valley is 38 miles (approximately 1 hour) from the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. View directions in Google Maps. The area is accessible by vehicle approximately June through October; the road is closed due to snow in the winter/spring season.

1. From CA-36 in Chester, turn onto Feather River Road (on the northeast side of the Feather River).
2. Continue a half mile and veer left onto CR-312.
3. Continue 4 miles and veer right to stay on CR-312. Follow signs to Drakesbad.
4. Continue 12.5 miles to Warner Valley campground and day use area.

Butte Lake Road

The Butte Lake area is located in the northeastern corner of the park. A 6-mile dirt road is accessed from Highway 44 and is passable by passenger vehicles. It can be rutted and dusty mid-summer. Butte Lake is 31 miles (approximately 1 hour) from Manzanita Lake. View directions in Google Maps. The area is accessible by vehicle approximately May through November; the road is closed due to snow in the winter/spring season.

From the Northwest Entrance:

1. Follow SR-89 east 13.5 miles to the SR-44/89 junction in Old Station.
2. Turn right to follow SR-44 and continue 11 miles.
3. Turn south onto Butte Lake Road (FR-32N21). Look for signs indicating Butte Lake Campground.
4. Continue 6 miles to the Butte Lake Campground and day use area.

 

Map of roads around the park.

 

Directions for Travel Around the Park

It is possible to travel around the park around both the east and west sides of the park to access the northwest or southwest entrances when the park highway is closed through traffic due to snow.

Travel Around the West Side of the Park

This route is the shortest route around the park. This windy road is not recommended for RVs and trailers. Average travel time is one hour and 45 minutes. View directions in Google Maps.

1. From the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, head south on Lassen National Park Highway (SR-89) for 6 miles.
2. Turn right (west) on SR-36. Continue for 23 miles.
3. Turn right (north) onto Lanes Valley Road. A large road sign on the north side of the highway marks the turnoff approximately one mile before the town of Paynes Creek. Continue for 7 miles.
4. Turn right onto Manton Road (CR-A6). Continue for 0.6 miles (1 km).
5. Turn left onto Blackbutte/ Wildcat Rd. Continue for 9 miles (14km).
6. Turn right (east) onto SR-44. Continue for 24 miles (39 km).
7. Turn right (south) into the park. Continue 1 mile to the Manzanita Lake entrance.

Travel Around the East Side of the Park

This route is slightly longer than the west route, however it has fewer curves and is appropriate for RVs and trailers. Average travel time is two hours. View directions on Google Maps.

1. From the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, head south on Lassen National Park Highway (SR-89) for 6 miles.
2. Turn left (east) on SR-36. Continue 38 miles to CR-A21/Mooney Road located in the town of Westwood. Continue for 18 miles. Turn left (west) onto SR-44. Continue for 28 miles.
3. Turn left (west) onto SR-44/89. Continue for 13.5 miles.
4. Turn left (south) into the park. Continue 1 mile to the Manzanita Lake entrance.