 Seething
sulfur springs, belching mudpots and hissing
steam vents are among the wondrous sights
awaiting visitors to beautiful
Lassen Volcanic National Park. A national
park since 1916, Lassen is a treasure trove of
hydrothermal activity.
The peak is the southernmost volcano in the Cascade range, which extends from
here to Canada. The western part of the park features lava pinnacles and
volcanoes, while the eastern part features small cinder cones, forested with
conifers and studded with small lakes. created by lava flows, while the eastern part features small cinder
cones, forested with conifers and studded with small lakes.
Just a short 30-minute drive from the
Chester and Lake Almanor area, the park is a great day trip. Observe the
hydrothermal activity along the road, or take short hikes and strolls through
some of the most pristine, untouched wilderness in the country.
In fall of 2008, the park will welcome
visitors to the new
Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, located at the
park's southwest entrance. The name means
"snowy mountain" in the Native American language
of the Mountain Maidu tribe and is their name
for Lassen Peak.
Hiking trails take visitors through a
hydrothermal area called Bumpass Hell, and
through the Devastated Area which exhibits
remarkable recovery since Lassen's last eruption
in 1921. For a longer trek, visitors can climb
to the top of Lassen Peak (elevation 10,475), on
a five-mile, three to five-hour journey that
climbs 2,000 feet. Be sure to pick up a map at
either park entrance and consider exploring the
listed trails. These walks are a great way to
see just a few of the 700 species of plants and
wildlife in the park. In addition to the
landscapes, there are breathtaking views of the
entire Almanor Basin, and on a clear day you can
see Mount Shasta from Lassen Peak. The park
also offers talks and evening programs in
summer.
During the winter, park rangers lead snowshoe
walks that enable visitors to explore the beauty
of the park year-round.
There is a fee of $10 per vehicle to enter Lassen Volcanic
National Park. The park road (which connects with Highway 89 north and south of
the park) covers 30 miles and it takes approximately an hour to drive. The best
time to visit the park for car touring or hiking is July through September. The
road may be closed from late October to mid-June due to snow, but there is
parking and access to the area at both the north and south entrances.
Campground fees are $10 - $18 and are available both by reservation and
first-come, first-served. To reserve, call 1-877-444-6777 or
click here
to reserve online. For more information, call the park office at (530)
595-4444 , the Visitor Center (530) 595-4480, or visit their
website.
Chester, located a half-hour east of
the southern entrance to the park, is the nearest full-service town, offering
complete visitor services including
lodging,
camping,
dining and shopping.
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