Lassen Peak and Lake Helen, Lassen Volcanic National Park
All Parks
California · Est. 1916
Park Map PDF

Lassen Volcanic

Active hydrothermal areas and a still-simmering volcano — live conditions updated every 60 seconds.

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♨️
Active
Geothermal hazard
🪧
2/3
Entrances open
🏕
3 open
Campgrounds
💵
$30
7-day fee
🌋
10,457 ft
Lassen Peak
📷
1 live
Camera
♨️Geothermal Hazard SafetyActive volcano
☠️ Lassen sits atop one of the most active hydrothermal systems in the Cascades. The NPS explicitly warns that ground in hydrothermal areas "can look solid but may actually be a thin crust hiding pools of acidic boiling water or mud" — visitors have been severely burned going off-trail. Stay on boardwalks and established trails at all times at Bumpass Hell & Sulphur Works. Never touch, soak in, or step into any thermal feature — water and mud can exceed boiling temperature and the crust can give way without warning. Lassen Peak's last major eruption was 1915–1917, and the volcano is still considered active today. NPS geothermal safety info ↗
Quick Stats
Last Eruption1915–1917
Highest Peak10,457 ft (Lassen Peak)
Hydrothermal AreasBumpass Hell, Sulphur Works
StatusActive Volcano
🪧Park Entrances & Fees2 open · $30
🚧 Main Park Road (SR-89), which connects the NW (Manzanita Lake) and SW (Kohm Yah-mah-nee / Sulphur Works) entrances, closes every winter due to heavy snowpack — 30–40 ft in places at higher elevations. Plowing typically starts March/April, and the road usually reopens sometime late spring (May–June) — there is no fixed date. Check current conditions before you go. NPS road status ↗
NW Entrance Usually Open
SR-89, via Manzanita Lake / Hwy 44 & 89 junction
Closest entrance to Manzanita Lake, the largest campground, and the north end of the Main Park Road. Common approach from Redding.
💡 Main Park Road closes in winter — confirm it's open before planning a drive-through trip.
NPS directions ↗
SW Entrance Usually Open
SR-89, via Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center / Sulphur Works
Main visitor hub with the year-round visitor center, closest access to Bumpass Hell trailhead and Sulphur Works. Common approach from Red Bluff / Chico.
💡 The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center stays open even when the Main Park Road beyond it is snowed in.
NPS directions ↗
NE Entrance Seasonal / Gravel
Butte Lake Road, via Hwy 44
Remote gravel-road access to Butte Lake, Cinder Cone & the Fantastic Lava Beds — not connected to the Main Park Road corridor.
💡 No live wait-time data exists for any Lassen entrance — none are gated/metered like larger parks.
NPS directions ↗
Entry Fees · Summer (Apr 16 – Nov 30)
Vehicle (7 days)$30
Motorcycle$25
Individual / Hiker / Bike$15
Winter (Dec 1 – Apr 15)$10 flat
Lassen Annual Pass$55/yr
America the Beautiful$80/yr
Lassen Annual Pass also covers Crater Lake, Whiskeytown & Lava Beds
🏕Campground Availability3 open · 1 closed
Manzanita Lake Reservation Only
Sites179
Elevation~5,900 ft
AmenitiesFlush toilets, camp store
NotesLargest & most family-friendly campground · near the NW entrance
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Summit Lake (South) Reservation Only
Sites~48
Elevation6,700 ft
NotesNear the lakeshore, central along the Main Park Road
Campground details ↗
Butte Lake Reservation Only
Sites101
ElevationRemote NE corner
NotesNo-generator policy · good dark skies, popular for astrophotography
Campground details ↗
Juniper Lake Closed
StatusClosed · no confirmed 2026 reopening date
Sites (normally)18 first-come + 2 group sites
Elevation6,800 ft
NotesRemote SE corner · do not plan a trip around this campground being open
Campground details ↗
🍽️Concession Information4 locations
Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center (SW)2 locations
Lassen Cafe & GiftLight fare, coffee & souvenirs · run by park partnerYear-round
Lassen Association BookstoreTrail guides, maps & books · nonprofit park partnerYear-round
Manzanita Lake (NW)2 locations
Manzanita Lake Camper StoreGroceries, camping supplies, gifts & the only gas sold in the parkSeasonal · mid-May–mid-Oct
Lassen Association Store — Loomis PlazaEducational books & maps · at the Loomis MuseumSeasonal
📍Landmarks5 stops
Hydrothermal Areas2 stops
Bumpass HellLargest hydrothermal basin in the park · ~3 mi RT boardwalk trail, 8,200–8,400 ft · opens roughly early July–October depending on snowmeltStay on boardwalk
Sulphur WorksPaved, wheelchair-accessible · roadside steam vents & mud pots near SW entranceStay on trail
Peaks & Volcanic Features2 stops
Lassen Peak TrailStrenuous summit trail · 10,457 ft, one of the world's largest plug dome volcanoes~4–5 hrs RT
Cinder ConeStrenuous · NE corner near Butte Lake, volcanic cinder cone with summit views~4–5 hrs RT
Lakes & Visitor Hub1 stop
Manzanita LakeCamping, kayaking & canoeing · classic reflective views of Lassen PeakEasy access
🌙Stargazing & Night SkyNo IDA designation
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Lassen Volcanic does not hold a formal DarkSky International (IDA) dark sky designation, but its remoteness and minimal light pollution make for excellent night skies. Butte Lake, in the park's isolated NE corner, is informally popular with astrophotographers thanks to its distance from any light source and its no-generator campground policy. Best on new-moon nights — bring a red flashlight to preserve night vision and layer up, as high-elevation nights get cold fast. NPS night sky info ↗
Refreshing in 60s
📞 Phone: (530) 595-6100  ·  Mailing Address: PO Box 100, Mineral, CA 96063  ·  Official NPS contact page ↗