Lassen Volcanic National Park guide · 1 min read
Lassen's Dark Skies and August Dark Sky Festival
The night sky above the park sits far from the glow of cities, so much of it stays genuinely dark after sunset.
First-time skywatchers and experienced astronomers alike can find plenty to see overhead, including the Milky Way.
You can stargaze from any spot with an open view of the sky. Many campsites here are wooded, so a lakeshore, a meadow, or a parking area often gives more open sky overhead. The park has few lights after dark, and stepping away from buildings, headlights, and camp lamps sharpens the view even more. Choose dry, level ground, since wet or uneven terrain can cause trips and falls.
Several roadside spots are easy to reach. The trailhead lots for Bumpass Hell, the Lassen Peak Trail, and Devastated Area are good choices, and so are the visitor center lots at Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center and Loomis Museum. Lake Helen, Emerald Lake, Manzanita Lake, and Summit Lake all have roadside shorelines where you can watch the sky. Pullouts at Kings Creek Meadow, Chaos Jumbles, and the Little Hot Springs Valley overlook are also worth a stop. If you plan to sleep out, use a campground, since pullouts and most parking areas don't allow overnight camping, except the visitor center lot at Kohm Yah-mah-nee.
Ranger-led night sky programs are scheduled through the year, with more of them in summer. Volunteer partners contribute their time and expertise to telescope viewing and night sky events. The Shasta Astronomy Club joins the park for trainings and special events, and the Astronomical Society of Nevada offers public telescope viewing in the Reno area.
Lassen is also working toward designation as an International Dark Sky Park. The International Dark Sky Association awards that title and promotes responsible lighting and public education to protect dark sites.
