Travel information

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The former visitors center for the park was in an advanced state of disrepair and has been demolished. There is currently no visitors center inside the park while a new center is being designed and built. The tentative opening date is October of 2008. A temoprary shed is erected for the summer months near the south entrance of the park for dissementation of information, but no facilities are available the rest of the year.

Be sure to gather any information you need about the park before visiting as there will likely be none available at the park.

History

Cinder Cone National Monument and Lassen Peak National Monument were established by proclamation of Theodore Roosevelt on May 6, 1907 to be administered by the U.S. Forest Service. Volcanic eruptions from Lassen Peak in 1914 and 1915 resulted in national publicity. The two monuments and surrounding areas were included in Lassen Volcanic National Park, established in 1916, administered by the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior.And is also a very exciting place to be.

Landscape

Beneath Lassen Volcanic's peaceful forests and gem-like lakes lies evidence of a turbulent and fiery past. 600,000 years ago, the collision and warping of continental plates led to violent eruptions and the formation of lofty Mt. Tehama (also called Brokeoff Volcano.) After 200,000 years of volcanic activity, vents and smaller volcanoes on Tehama's flanks-including Lassen Peak-drew magma away from the main cone. Hydrothermal areas ate away at the great mountain's bulk. Beneath the onslaught of Ice Age glaciers, Mt. Tehama crumbled and finally ceased to exist. But the volcanic landscape lived on: in 1914, Lassen Peak awoke. The Peak had its most significant activity in 1915 and minor activity through 1921.

All four types of volcanoes in the world are found in the park. Over 150 miles of trails and a culturally significant scenic highway provide access to volcanic wonders including steam vents, mudpots, boiling pools, volcanic peaks, and painted dunes.

Flora and fauna

Although Lassen is primarily known for its volcanic geology, the park boasts a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Over 700 flowering plant species grace the park, providing shelter and food for 250 vertebrates as well as a host of invertebrates including insects.

This great diversity of life forms is due to two factors: the geographic location of the park and the abundance of habitats that occur there.

Situated at the southern end of the Cascade Range geologic province, Lassen Volcanic National Park lies at the crossroads of three great biological provinces: the Cascades range to the north, the Sierra Nevada mountains to the south and the Great Basin desert to the east.

The myriad habitats of Lassen Volcanic National Park are produced by variations in environmental conditions such as elevation (5,000 to 10,457 feet), moisture (precipitation is greater on the western than the eastern side of the park), substrate (rock type and soil depth), temperature, insolation (amount of sun) and prior disturbance (both natural and human-caused).

Climate

Snow covers much of the park mid-October through mid-June. The Park Road (the main road that connects Hwy. 89 through the Park) is usually closed late October through mid-June. During years of heavy snowfall, the road may open significantly later. Please call the Park for road and trail condition updates. Many of the main park attractions are snow covered and inaccessible by car and foot during the winter. The months of July, August, and September may bring mostly sunny skies with warm daytime temperatures and cool nighttime temperatures.

  • Hike to Bumpass Hell, [2]. On Highway 89, near Lassen Peak. This is the largest geothermal area in the park and features boiling pools, mudpots and roaring fumaroles seen from a wooden boardwalk. A large parking lot is found at the trailhead to Bumpass Hell. The geothermal area can be reached via a 3-mile (4.8 km) hiking trail. The trail has a 300 foot (91 m) elevation gain/loss. The elevation of the trail is around 8,000 feet (2,430 m) so care should be taken if you are not used to high altitudes. The trail is buried under snow until late spring, sometimes till mid-summer, depending on the previous winter's snowfall. edit
  • Climb Lassen Peak, [3]. The high mountain pass of Highway 89 allows easy access to the summit of Lassen Peak. The 2.5 mile (4 km) trail to the summit begins from a parking lot on the highway. The trip to the peak and back is a total of five miles (8 km) with a climb of about 2,000 feet (610 m). The average time for the round trip is 3-5 hours. The elevation of the trail is from 8,000 feet (2,430 m) to 10,457 feet (3,187 m) so care should be taken if you are not used to high altitudes. edit
  • Fishing, [4]. Fishing is allowed in Manzanita Lake, located just inside the West Entrance, Juniper Lake in the southeast corner of the Park (reached via unpaved road from the town Chester) and Butte Lake in the northeast corner of the Park (reached unpaved road from Highway 44). All three lakes allow fishing from the shore or from a boat. All three have a boat launch ramp. A California fishing license is required. The lakes have natural trout populations. Only single-hook, barbless, artificial lures are allowed in Manzanita Lake. edit
  • Climb Cinder Cone. Located in the Butte Lake area in the northern part of the park, this extinct volcano is a perfect cone that looks like what you think a volcano should look like, complete with a hole in the middle you can walk down into. The trip to the top and back is about four miles (6.5 km) with a short but really steep climb at the end of about 500(?) feet (310 m) up the side of the cone itself on really loose sand-like material (coming down is easy - and fun, like skating on sand). From the top you can see the old lava flows of the "Devastated Area" of the park. The average time for the round trip is 4 hours. Very sunny, so bring lots of water. edit

  • Sulphur Works. On Highway 89, about one mile +(1.6 km) north of the Southwest Entrance. A small geothermal area with mudpots, fumaroles and hot water flow. Its small parking lot is located right on the highway. A boardwalk allows for closer viewing of the features. edit
  • Devastated Area. Located in the north section of the park on Highway 89. This area was located in the path of the pyroclastic flow from Lassen's eruption. All of the vegetation in the area was destroyed by hurricane force winds and burning hot gasses and mud. Since the eruption, the area is regrowing but there is still ample evidence of the destruction. A short, fairly level interpretive trail points out the results of the devastation and the subsequent natural recovery process. edit

By plane

The nearest major airports are in Redding and Chico, with additional options in Reno.

By car

The best access to the park is by private automobile. Auto rental services are available in Redding, Red Bluff, Chico, Susanville or Reno. The park is located fifty miles east of Red Bluff on highway 36, and 50 miles east of Redding on highway 44.

By bus

Greyhound and Trailways bus lines serve cities within 60 miles of the park, although neither visits the park.

The main roads in the park are paved, although many are closed by snow except from June until September. Allow at least three hours to drive across the park and to make stops. Current road conditions are available online.

  • Manzanita Lake Camper Store, Ph: (530) 335-7557. Located at Manzanita Lake and open daily from late May through early September, this store offers food, restrooms, pay phone, showers, laundromat, and a gas station.
  • Peak Necessities. Located in the Lassen Peak parking area and open daily from mid-June through early September, this store offers food and gift sales.
  • Lassen Chalet Gift Shop & Snack Bar. Located in the Southwest area, this store offers snacks and gifts.