Day Hiking

Young hikers on the Bumpass Hell Trail with Lassen Peak in the background.

 

More than 150 miles of hiking trails provide access to a wide-variety of park features including hydrothermal areas, volcanic peaks, alpine lakes, and mountain meadows. Hiking is the best way to explore Lassen Volcanic Wilderness, a designation afforded to just five percent of America’s public lands. You can enjoy and preserve these wild areas by practicing Leave No Trace (LNT) principles and not contributing to recreation-related impacts in the park including litter, erosion, social trail creation, and food-conditioned wildlife.

 

Numerous Trails Impacted by the 2021 Dixie Fire

• All trails west of the park highway were not affected by the Dixie Fire.
• Be prepared for burned area hazards on all trails within the Dixie Fire footprint.
• The park is prioritizing efforts to repair high-use trails within the burn footprint as soon as possible.
• Learn more about visiting after the Dixie Fire.

 

No Pets on Trails

Leashed pets are permitted only in developed areas: roadways, parking lots, campgrounds and picnic areas. Pets are not permitted elsewhere, including in a carrier. We encourage you to leave your pet at home if you are planning to hike. You can help protect native animals like rare Sierra Nevada red fox by keeping your pet in paved areas. Learn more about visiting the park with your pet.

 

Plan Your Hike

Hiking season generally occurs between June through October. The park receives up to 30 feet of snow each winter. Hiking trails can remain snow-covered into June and sometimes July. Trails are not plowed or shoveled during the winter, and most likely will require snowshoes or skis. Learn more about hiking and over-snow travel in the winter or early spring.

1. Choose a Trail

• View descriptions and conditions of popular day hikes (June-October).
• View descriptions and conditions of over-snow routes (November-May).
• View the park map with distances for all trails.
• If you plan to backpack, learn more about obtaining a free permit.

2. Prepare for Your Hike

• Learn more about reducing risk when hiking at high-elevation in a remote area.
• Find out how you can reduce your risk while visiting the park.
• Learn more about visiting in summer, fall, winter, or spring.
• Purchase hiking books or trail maps from the Lassen Association bookstore.

 

Map of park areas and trailheads. Click on map for larger image.

 

Featured Trails

• 

  Manzanita Lake Loop

  Enjoy scenic views and wildlife watching on this 1.7-mile loop.

• 

  Devastated Area Interpretive Trail

  Discover the history of the Devastated Area on this short walk with trailside signs.

• 

  Cinder Cone Trail

  The steep trail climbs 200 feet from the base to summit of Cinder Cone.

• 

  Lily Pond Trail

  This half-mile, self-led interpretive walk explores the rich diversity of plant and animal life in this unique volcanic landscape.

• 

  Lassen Peak Trail

  The 5-mile round-trip trail climbs to the summit of one of the largest dome volcanoes in the world.

• 

  Bumpass Hell Trail

  Visit Bumpass Hell via a 3-mile, round-trip trail.