For how relatively close we live to Lassen, it's a shame we didn't make it up here sooner! This…read morepark is absolutely beautiful and didn't have nearly the amount of people as we expected. Made for a peaceful trip. There are so many wonderful things to see and do here that I wish we had more time to really explore it all. The Paradise Meadow Trail was a surprisingly wonderful, peaceful trail that had very few people on it and ended with a gorgeous view overlooking a grassy field and the mountains beyond. Very small parking area (5ish spots), so if you wanna do it, take a parking spot when you can! We also hiked the Lassen Peak Trail up to the true summit. Definitely a strenuous hike, but it's worth it at the end when you're looking out over Lassen National Park. But, the gem of Lassen National Park, is Bumpass Hell Trail. Only open for about 4 months of the year, this hike brings you to the park's main hydrothermal area. Both beautiful and awe-inspiring, it's definitely worth the walk. Parking can be tough, so plan ahead. And if you've been to Yellowstone, definitely temper your expectations - it's beautiful but doesn't reach the grandeur of their hydrothermal areas. The only thing on our list we did not get to visit was Manzanita Lake. Wish we could've made it there, but we traded our time for the lake to summit Lassen Peak. So it'll definitely be a must-stop on our return trip. Overall, Lassen was such an incredible time. You can do it in one day if that's all you have, but if you can manage at least 2 days, you'll get to experience more of what the park has to offer. Highly recommend!

Only visited Lassen for a short afternoon hike at Manzanita Lake, but what a beautiful park it is…read more Since it's a National Park there was a $30 entrance fee, no one was at the booth when we arrived, but they had signage on how to pay online, and told you where you could find wifi to do so. We did the Manzanita Lake loop, which was about two miles. The trail was easy but took a long time because we kept stopping to take pictures of the beautiful views. We did the trail clockwise and it took a little while to get to the ultimate view, but I was glad it wasn't immediate so that we had something to really look forward to while on the trail. We parked at the Loomis Museum lot where there was a bathroom and small visitor center/gift shop. Parking was pretty full when we arrived, but emptied out quite a bit when we were leaving. They had kayak rentals on the lake, we had originally planned to do it, but time didn't permit on this trip. Rangers at the visitor center/shop were very knowledgeable, I heard one giving information about the plethora of trials and areas of the park, and wow are there a lot of trials!

Great campground, clean bathrooms near campsites, trash service came every day, wash area for…read moredishes, water pump near, bear box clean, camp store convenient - would camp again. Showers were eh on cleanliness and curtains feel a bit sheer. Don't forget your shower shoes. You have to pay $5 for the code for each gender bathroom, but you can use it unlimited during your stay. Also, had a medical emergency where someone from my camp fainted multiple times/cut his hand open - went to emt for help and they said "we'll be there in a few minutes," lacked urgency, when they finally arrived they didn't know how to take VITALS, and wasted 10 minutes of our time when he suggested the nearest hospital, 1 hour away, in Redding after explaining there's "not much he can do."

Manzanita Lake Campground is beautiful but the showers were infested with flies and it made…read moreshowering a gross experience. I have never been more disgusted in my entire life where flies fall on you while you shower and get into your clothes. There were tampons in two different shower stalls left there for 3 days I went to the Manzanita general store to complain but nothing was done other than the typical, "we will inform management. Thanks..." Finally on the 4th day, the showers were somewhat decent. There needs to be more pride and care put into the cleanliness of the showers and bathrooms. I took pictures of the showers when no one was there.

We made a spur of the moment choice to hike up Lassen Peak, which might have been for the best? We…read morehad a lot less time to question our choices regarding this strenuous hike, but it was 100% worth it in the end. A five mile roundtrip, strenuous hike, this took us about 5-6 hours to complete - including the time we spent enjoying the view at the peak. And the hike up is definitely steep - about a 2,000ft elevation gain. We just went slow and steady, and it honestly wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. Just enjoy taking in all the surrounding beauty - you get gorgeous views of Lassen National Park from the trail. You'll get to the first summit, and there will be some plaques to read amongst the limited views. BUT, you can keep going a short distance more to reach the true summit. This last bit of trail is definitely unmaintained with more loose gravel, rocks, and a bit of climbing. We even had a bit of snow in this area in July. So definitely be safe if you choose to continue, but we found it so fantastic at the end. We found a place to sit, had a snack, and just took it all in. If you do choose to continue to the true summit, be aware of the rocks and use caution. They are very unstable and should not be used as leverage when climbing up or down. Pack lots of water, bring some food, and don't be afraid to take a lot of breaks. There is no shade, so bring a hat and some sunscreen. Plenty of parking at the trailhead. Probably one of our top 5 difficult hikes, but it was so worth it. Highly recommend.

This was the trail we kept on postponing due to mother nature. The trail has always been blocked by…read moresnow on previous visits, but finally we did it! It's one of the reasons we keep coming back to Lassen National Park as we needed it to be checked off on the list. The trail was not difficult as it looks. Just remember it's not a race and keep a steady pace. Staring the trail at 7 AM probably made it easier. I honestly think earlier the better. I don't do well with the heat. Trekking poles are recommended as it will save your knees on the way down. The view is spectacular and worth the time. When you reach the top, it doesn't stop there. Make sure you get to the summit. You are close. It's one of those hikes I'm so glad I've completed and would do it again if the opportunity arises.

really lovely, clear blue-green lake to look at, walk around and/or have a picnic. on the day we…read morevisited, the weather was perfect....mid-upper 70s, sunny, breezy, and we saw visitors doing all 3 and just enjoying this little gem in lassen nat'l park. hubby and i took the time to admire this lake, snap a few pics, then walk around the lake, mainly b/c i was curious how long it would take to walk around and how many miles it was....answer? 24 minutes and 0.79 miles! normally, i'd be able to walk this distance in under 20 minutes, but given how bumpy the walking path was, it took a bit longer and i had to slowly step over a few of the rocky passages. there's plenty of spots for people to sit and sunbathe or have a snack. there are also a few picnic benches higher up from the lake, and we saw a family bring their camping stove and cook lunch there. lots of free parking all along the rim of the lake as well as separate men's & women's restrooms and trash/recycling receptacles. i'll definitely plan on a longer visit the next time i'm here and perhaps bring my portable stove to make myself a feast and enjoy this lovely lake!

Lake Helen is a simple quick-stop feature as you venture along the 30 mile Lassen Volcanic Parkway…read more The reason why I'd like to mention Lake Helen is because of how beautiful and COLORFUL I found this place to be! Wow....I was pretty stunned by the mixture of the still melting snow with what seemed like turquoise blue waters....and this was the status when I visited back in the middle of July! There's really not much to Lake Helen other than stopping, getting out of your car and taking scenic photographs of the area with this stunning lake as the focal point. During my visit to Lassen National Park, it was one of the first few attractions I came upon as I navigated the parkway from the main, southwest entrance all the way up towards the Manzanita Lake Camping Area. In estimation....I'd say it was located about 5 - 10 miles going along Lassen Parkway. It can't be missed from the road. I saw plenty of cars parked with visitors playing by the snow and capturing photos of this picturesque surrounding. I certainly took a few moments to appreciate the landscape. Although Lassen NP has a rugged and brownish exterior from the high elevations and chilly winter setting,....this Lake Helen was a wonderful reprieve from the mostly out of bloom and dull terrain I found the park to be. Although there's not much to Lake Helen other than observing the wonderful blue coloring of the waters mixed with the snowy ice melting....it was still quite a fascinating revelation to witness such an unheralded and strikingly colorful roadside attraction.

Just past the entrance to the park of a reasonable car fee is parking next to the gift shop and…read moremuseum you can find lots of parking. You can either park right next to the gift shop/museum/bathrooms or go to the right just after the first parking lot and there's tons of parking on the backside where there lots of pick nick tables and a boat launch area. This is also where you will find the trail that goes all the way around the lake with stunning views on every side with the gorgeous Lassen in the background. This is about a mile around with easy walking. There's also fishing here off shore or in your boat. Wanna go further up the mountain? You can go another 7 miles and hike up to the backside of Lassen. There is a further drive here to get to the other volcanoes in the park. There was too much snow so the roads were closed. It's important for me to make note here that there really good points of history all along the way on plaques you will see along the road. Very worth stopping at them and reading them. Incredible how these mountains were created and also had rock avalanches. Scary and incredibly interesting. I definitely recommend putting this on your bucket list to visit.

I've been here 3 times and it never gets dull. Depending on the time of the year, the experience…read moremay differ. There's never a bad time to visit of course. Many bird watchers, anglers, and photographers gather here. It's that perfect place to forget all your troubles and become one with nature. Unfortunately dogs aren't allowed to hike around the loop. I'm sure they would love it. Kayaks are available to rent as well, but not needed to enjoy the fantastic views. If you are camping at the Manzanita Campground, that's even better! Hiking the trail every day during your stay is the best!

One of my top two hikes in Lassen National Park, and probably their most popular and well-known…read morehike. If you have the chance to hike down to Bumpass Hell, I'd highly recommend you do it. If you visited Sulphur Works, that's just a small bit of what Bumpass Hell has to offer. It's about a 3 mile round-trip hike with only about 200 elevation gain. All in all, it was a pretty easy hike. The views of these hot springs are absolutely gorgeous - a good variety of hydrothermal areas with such strikingly beautiful colors. If you've been to Yellowstone National Park, it might be a bit of a let down because the ones there are next level. So just keep that in mind when visiting! Make sure to stay on the boardwalk. The ground off trail is completely unpredictable and can lead to severe injuries. This trail is only open about 4 months of the year. So check the website in advance. It also gets so busy as this is their park gem. And there is not as much parking as you would like. So plan accordingly to ensure you'll be able to do the hike - the ranger did advise to go earlier in the morning. Amazing hike in Lassen. Highly recommend!

A Must-See Hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park!…read more Bumpass Hell is a fantastic hike and one of the highlights of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The trail offers incredible geothermal features--bubbling mud pots, steaming vents, and vibrant colors that make it feel like you're walking through another world. Keep in mind, the hike is at high elevation, so the trail is typically only open from July through late October, depending on snow conditions. Please inform yourself before traveling here. In some years, it might not open until August - based on the information provided by rangers. Be sure to check trail conditions before you go, especially if Bumpass Hell is a must-do on your list. National Park fee applies. Even if the trail happens to be closed, don't worry--there are plenty of other great hikes throughout the park to explore. But if it's open, this one is absolutely worth the trip! If you happened to be fluffy like me, take it slow and drink water.

On previous visits to Lassen Volcanic National Park, we've noticed cars parked outside/before the…read moresouth entrance. Little did we know it was a trail! A fellow camper at our campsite informed us with the details. We made a return just for this and conquer Lassen Peak once again. Round trip is a little over 7 miles. We started the trail before 8 in the morning as the 2nd and 3rd hikers on the trail. Along the trail we came across deers and signs (scat) of the presence of bears. Be equipped and prepared! The trail begins with plenty of brush then shady trees at mid. The morning breeze is what kept me going. If you enjoy Lassen Peak or incline hikes in general, give this a try. The experience was unforgettable. Check this off your list.

Awesome hike! Mostly uphill on the way up. Make sure to wear shoes that have good grips on the…read morebottom because there can be slippery parts. The view from up top is amazing. Took my friend and I about 4 hours to get in and out!!

The falls are absolutely gorgeous and a must see!!…read more We arrived around 1000 on a Friday where we had to park in overflow, so I suggest to go early. They have a gift shop that sells softserve icecream so we grabbed one of those and talked to the store clerk who also runs the marina where he explained the boating and kayaking options, fishing, etc. Afterwards we hiked the paved path down to the falls. The path has an incline and is wet in some areas so exercise caution as we saw someone fall and bust her knee open. The falls are so beautiful from every angle, and very worth the trip! After taking a ton of photos we walked on another path that took us to a cool bridge crossing the river. Then headed over to the marina area and rented a kayak for 4 hours for $85, which is great price honestly. The guy at the boat rental area was very nice and accomodating. The sun was out in full force so take your sunscreen! We fished and caught a few small mouth bass but nothing we could keep. After we turned in our kayaks we found a picnic area and grilled up some food. Overall we really enjoyed our day at this park and highly recommend!!

This is my second trip to McArthur Burney Falls. Easy access and available parking today, 09.17.25…read moredue to it being the end of season/fall. $10 entrance fee, accept cash or credit cards. I actually received a $1 back as in a senior. I dislike that dog access is limited to parking lot, and observation area. Not allowed on stairs leading down to base of falls, on trails, posted properly. I understand people don't clean up after their pets plus you never know how dogs will interact. Their park, their rules. I love the rule that doesn't allow you to leave your dog(s) in the car, kudos. I think these dog rules apply to all California State Parks. Beautiful falls, great fall weather, friendly rangers.

I hiked this trail in July 2011 when there was still several feet of snow on the ground. Very…read morelittle of the trail was visible, so I used an app on my phone to trace our way up the trail. It was pretty easy, even though we had quite a few post-holes through the snow. In a few places there was a creek under the snow that we could hear, so be very careful where you walk in snow covered conditions. We arrived at the meadow and it was breathtaking. The entire bowl was flowing water to the creek that runs through the meadow. However, there were clouds of nasty mosquitoes that could probably pick you up and carry you off. I'm serious, it was a plague. We couldn't be there more than about 5 minutes. But it was totally worthwhile to see this beautiful place.

WOW! One of the prettiest, easiest hikes in Lassen National Park. Although the hike is listed as…read moreshort and it IS an easy distance, there is a decent climb up to the meadows but you hardly notice because of the gorgeous, cozy wooded setting. Most of the entire hike you have a beautiful view of the creek bubbling along side you and it's just gorgeous. There are wonderous amounts of wildflowers lining the trail's path: Skyrockets, Red Columbine, Larkspure, Alpine Aster and Daisies. And then the big payoff is the end of the trail where the wooded path opens up to Paradise Meadows where the still beauty is just overwhelming. On the return trip, you need to be careful of the loose rocks and sticks on the trail as you descend. This appeared to be a good hike for kids as we saw a couple of other families with children on our way out and they all seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Oh, and the weather can only be described as perfect. A cool breeze, beautiful sun, no bugs. I wish there were more than 5 stars to award :o)

Very fun lava tube (cave)…read more Short hike. Easy parking. Bathroom at parking area. You will definitely need a flashlight and close-toed shoes. It is not dangerous, but it is very dark and the ground is bumpy and uneven.

Wonderful pit stop to cool down in the extreme heat!…read more Limited parking Picnic area Non flushable toilets