Plan a Winter Visit: December - MarchWinter is a season of snow and solitude. Vehicle access is limited, but over-the-snow adventure is seemingly endless. View current conditions. Winter/Spring GuideView or print the Visitor Guide for the winter/spring season to view information about areas to visit, things to do, and winter routes, services, and wildlife. Areas to VisitThe Manzanita Lake and Southwest Areas of the park are accessible throughout the winter season. Be prepared for winter driving by carrying tire chains and keeping a full tank of gas (the nearest station is 30 miles away). Southwest Area ActivitiesFor those prepared for winter recreation, opportunities include sledding, snowplay, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing/snowboarding. *ranger-led snowshoe walks are offered on weekends January through March. Plan on leaving your pet at home or in your vehicle, as pets are not permitted on trails or snow-covered routes (including the park highway). Learn more about visiting the park with pets. Visitor CentersThe Kohm Yah-mah-ee Visitor Center is open 9 am to 5 pm year-round. The center is open Wednesday through Sunday November through April. The visitor center may experience delayed openings or early closures at any time due hazardous weather conditions. The Loomis Museum is closed through the winter. WeatherThe park receives up to 30 feet of snowfall in the winter/spring snow season (approximately November through May). Sunny skies are common between short (1 to 3 day) snow storms. Winter/spring temperatures in the Southwest Area (6,700 feet elevation) range from highs of 50°F to 61°F to lows of 13°F to 23°F. Temperatures in the Manzanita Lake Area (5,800 feet elevation) run about 5° warmer. Expect a 5° temperature decrease for every 1,000 foot increase in elevation. View the weather forecast for each area prior to your visit. Lassen Volcanic's snowpack often lasts more than half of the year. View current snow depths or learn about how and why park snowpack is measured. ServicesWinter services are available in the Southwest Area of the park. The Southwest Campground is open year-round. Parking, restrooms, and water are available in the Loomis Plaza in the Manzanita Lake Area. Equipment rentals are not available in the park. Snowshoe and/or ski rentals may be available in Mineral, Chester, Redding, Susanville, or Chico. View the table below for more information. |
Last updated: December 11, 2022