Visiting in Spring

Spring is a time of lingering snow and increasing access to the park's interior.

NPS photo

April Through June

Spring is a transitional season, one where snow lingers, flowers bloom, and plows work tirelessly to clear the park road for summer traffic.

 

 

Access May be Limited

Road closures are listed in park alerts, which appear at the top of each page and on the Alerts & Conditions page.

Lassen National Park Highway is Closed to Vehicles

Lassen’s main park road (Hwy 89 through the park) is not open for vehicles in spring. During the snowy months, November through April, snow accumulates on the road and is not cleared. Throughout the snowy months, vehicle access is limited to Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center (southwest entrance) and Loomis Plaza/Manzanita Lake parking area (northwest entrance).
The remainder of the road connecting the two entrances is covered with accumulated snow.

Spring snow clearing along the road typically begins in April; road opening days vary by year. Historically, the road typically opens in late May to mid-June, but has opened as late as July 26.

During road clearing operations, opportunities for bicycling or walking on cleared areas before opening to vehicles is possible! Learn more

Roads to Butte Lake, Juniper Lake, and Warner Valley

Snow accumulates throughout the snowy months on these roads. They are not winter maintained. These roads are closed to vheicles at the park boundary for safety. Prior to the gate, the roads are often impassable by vehicle with accumulated snow. Travel is at your own risk. The roads are passable and open into the park once snow is cleared and necessary repairs are made. Learn more about the park's outlying roads.

Weather

Bring layers, sun protection, and waterproof outerwear. Conditions are varied and hard to predict this time of year. Winter chill and snow may intrude into July, or summer heat may arrive early.

Historically, April boasts the year’s deepest snowpack. Average snow depth at the southwest entrance is 10-12 feet (3 meters). Expect a 5° temperature decrease for every 1,000-foot increase in elevation. Check the weather forecast for various points in the park, see the current snow depths around the park, and learn more about how and why Lassen measures snowpack.

 

 

Visitor Centers

Visitor center hours may vary during this unpredictable time of year. Check out current / planned operating hours using the link above.

Camping

Front-Country: All park campgrounds are closed in winter and into spring. Most campgrounds require a reservation through recreation.gov; all opening dates are subject to weather and road clearing capabilities.The Southwest Parking Area allows self-contained vehicle camping year-round.

Backpacking: Backcountry camping is allowed with valid Wilderness Permit (reserved via recreation.gov prior to your trip). Backcountry camping along the closed park road is allowed in winter, see page for detailed information.

Things to Do

Enjoy the Snow

Take advantage of spring snowpack!

Hike & Bike the Highway

The park highway opens to hiking and biking before vehicles. Take advantage of quieter roads to see the park on foot or bicycle.

Hiking

While most of Lassen remains snow-covered through May and into June, some hikes in the Manzanita Lake and Butte Lake Areas can be snow-free by May, and most are usually snow-free by sometime in June, except in heavy snow years.