Manzanita Lake Area

This easily accessed area is one of the most popular in the park.

NPS / Matt Switzer

Quick Facts

Location:

Northwest Entrance

Significance:

Park Area

Amenities

15 listed

Accessible Sites, Amphitheater, Beach/Water Access, Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Recycling, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Restroom - Seasonal, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Sewage Dump Station - Boat/RV, Toilet - Flush, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Drinking/Potable

Located in the northwest corner of the park, Manzanita Lake Area offers the most amenities and is popular with campers and families. The area is accessible year-round from Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway although there are no services and minimal facilities in the winter and early spring.

Manzanita Lake Area Includes:

• Northwest Entrance Station (pay entrance fees and buy passes)
• Loomis Plaza and Reflection Lake (read more below)
• Manzanita Lake Day Use Area
• Manzanita Lake Campground
• Oversnow routes for winter/early spring snow season (read more below)

Loomis Plaza

Stop by the Loomis Plaza to learn from outdoor signage or visit the Loomis Museum (open summer only). The plaza also offers restrooms, a drinking fountain, one of two trailheads for the Manzanita Lake Trail, and Loomis Ranger Station (not open to the public). Loomis Plaza parking is limited and is often full in summer months. RV/trailer parking is available but limited. The plaza can also be accessed via a section of the Manzanita Lake Trail from the day use parking area. 

Reflection Lake

Reflection Lake, Lily Pond Interpretive Trail, and the Discovery Center are located across the highway from Loomis Plaza.

• A short, half-mile loop around Reflection Lake offers fantastic views of Lassen Peak and Chaos Crags and is a shorter alternative to the 1.8-mile Manzanita Lake loop. This is a route that is not a defined trail in all sections.
• The trailhead for the Lily Pond Interpretive Trail is located directly across the park highway from the Loomis Museum. This easy, half-mile loop skirts Reflection Lake and a lily pond. A trail brochure is available at the trailhead and corresponding posts highlight the plants and trees in the area.
• The former park naturalist’s residence now serves as the Discovery Center (science education facility). Ranger-led educational programs are offered here. All visitors are welcome to visit during open house hours, which are listed on the ranger-led program schedule.

Manzanita Lake Campground Road

At the east end of the Loomis parking area, the Manzanita Lake Campground Road travels south and provides access to the dump station, Day Use Area, amphitheater, camper store, and campground. The road also provides access to the Chaos Crags and Manzanita Lake Creek Trailheads.

Day Use Area

Visitors to the Manzanita Lake Area are most likely to find parking at the day use area on the southwest shore, which includes a boat launch, picnic area, and trailhead for the Manzanita Lake Trail. 

Winter and Early Spring Use

The park is usually snow-covered between November and April. Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway is plowed between the intersection of Highways 89 and 44 and the Loomis Plaza. At 5,700 feet elevation, Manzanita Lake Area is lower in elevation than the center and southwest area of the park and trails here are often some of the first to be snow-free. Learn more about visiting in winter, snowplay in the Manzanita Lake Area, or spring snow clearing.