Lassen Volcanic National Park

Southwest

The Southwest Area pairs the park's best-known hydrothermal ground with access to Lassen Peak. Bumpass Hell is a hydrothermal basin reached by a three-mile round-trip trail, and the Sulphur Works is another hydrothermal area. On the five-mile round-trip Lassen Peak Trail, hikers climb to the top of a dome volcano that ranks among the biggest of its kind anywhere. The moderate to difficult Brokeoff Mountain Trail offers a second climb, and separate trails lead to Kings Creek and Mill Creek Falls, the only waterfalls in the park. Visitors can pick up information, food, supplies, and souvenirs at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, and the Southwest Walk-in Campground is close by. Most years bring heavy snow to these steep, high slopes, making them a good choice for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Manzanita Lake Area

At about 5,800 feet, the lakeside area around Manzanita Lake has gentle slopes and the largest campground in the park, the only one offering camping cabins. The 1.8-mile Manzanita Lake Loop Trail circles the water, and from its western shore you can see Lassen Peak and Chaos Crags. The shorter Lily Pond Nature Trail is 0.5 miles long. Visitors swim, fish, and paddle non-motorized boats on the lake, while birdwatchers look for songbirds, raptors, and waterbirds. The Loomis Museum is a place to talk with rangers and join ranger-led programs. In winter the easy terrain suits snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and picnicking is a common way to spend a summer afternoon.

Summit Lake

Halfway along the 30-mile park highway, Summit Lake offers camping in two campgrounds, one on each shore, joined by a short trail along the east side. The north campground has loops A and B, a picnic area with tables, a swimming area and day use parking. The north shore is the better bet for a dip, while the south side has a grassier edge. The south campground has loops C through E and does not take RVs or trailers, though small tent trailers are allowed. Swimming and wading are permitted in the park's lakes and creeks outside hydrothermal areas. Across the highway from the north campground, a stock corral has two metal pens with water troughs for horses. There is no drinking water there, so visitors bring their own or get it at the campground.

Butte Lake Area

Cinder Cone, the youngest volcano in the park, rises in the remote northeast corner beside Butte Lake. Where the water meets the dark lava along the shore, the lake shows a bright blue, and it is often clear all the way down. Hikers can tackle the demanding Cinder Cone trail, which rewards them with views of the Painted Dunes, or follow the moderate Bathtub Lake Loop, a two-mile round trip suited to children. Basic facilities at the Butte Lake Campground leave room for plenty of outdoor recreation, and old growth trees add to the feeling of solitude. Paddlers can kayak or canoe along the lava-lined shoreline. Anglers here most often land rainbow trout. The Butte Lake region was once a national monument of its own, which sets it apart from the rest of the park.

Juniper Lake

Reached only by a rough, primitive dirt road, the park's largest lake holds clear water fed by snowmelt. Swimmers, kayakers and beachgoers share the shoreline, and many sites in the small campground sit right beside the water. Several hikes begin at the campground or the picnic area. Mount Harkness is a strenuous 3.8-mile climb to what remains of an old fire lookout, with wide views from the top. The moderate 1.4-mile route to Inspiration Point takes in the park's major peaks, while an easy 2.8-mile path leads to Horseshoe Lake, known for its fishing. From the campground, a 0.8-mile walk reaches Crystal Lake, a little tarn ringed by rock. The Dixie Fire burned through this area and recovery work continues, so use care around burned ground and standing dead trees, which can fall without warning.

Warner Valley Area

Warner Valley is a small, remote corner of the park where hydrothermal areas sit among quiet meadows, and it draws far fewer visitors than the sites along Highway 89. Both main hikes begin at Warner Valley Campground. The Devils Kitchen Trail winds through meadows and forests before reaching steaming fumaroles, boardwalks and bubbling mud pots, while the Boiling Springs Lake Trail passes mudpots and wildflowers on the way to a warm lake. Hikers can also reach Terminal Geyser, which is really a fumarole and steam vent rather than a true geyser. Lush meadows offer good chances for wildlife viewing along the trails. Drakesbad Guest Ranch, maintained in the style of the 1920s, offers a rustic place to stay.