Best CA: Lassen National Park

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Lassen Volcanic National Park is a jewel in Northern California’s crown yet for many it lays undiscovered. Situated on the southern tip of the Cascade mountain range the park is teeming with signs of present and historical volcanic activity, playing host to all five different types of volcano and other geological oddities. While Lassen Peak is the obvious poster child, there are many places to explore.

The park is worthy of a multi-day visit, which easily justifies the three-and-a-half hours journey from San Francisco. Compared with an equally distant Lake Tahoe, you’d find Lassen Volcanic National Park a remarkably quiet landscape.

During summer months visitors can freely pass through the park from North to South. The road however is impassible usually between November and May, depending on conditions, so we've broken our hiking recommendations into South and North sections for those who have the option to visit only one side of the park.

Lassen South

	4★ Lassen Peak 4 mi · Moderate · Gain 1,990ft Probably the easiest way to hike the summit of an active volcano, the views from the top are stunning, and on a clear day stretch as far as the massive Mt Shasta seventy miles distant.
	4★ Bumpass Hell 2 mi · Easy · Gain 410ft Follow the mountainside trail to these hotsprings and marvel at boiling pools, fuming vents and bubbling mud pots from the safety of a boardwalk.
	5★ Brokeoff Mountain 7 mi · Moderate · Gain 2,550ft The second tallest peak in the park features an excellent trail to the best views, including those of the iconic Lassen Peak.

Lassen North

	4★ Cinder Cone 3-5 mi · Moderate · Gain 1,120ft Hike up the side of a 700ft volcanic cinder cone and enjoy the spectacular views of the Fantastic Lava Beds.
	4★ Manzanita Lake 2 mi · Easy · Gain 50ft A two mile loop trail around sparkling Manzanita Lake, with picture postcard perfect views of Mount Lassen. Also, enjoy an ice cream at the nearby camp store!
	5★ McArthur Burney Falls 1 mi · Easy · Gain 120ft Visit one of the most spectacular waterfalls in California on this short hike. Though this gem is 40 miles North of the park boundary, it's well worth including on a multi-day visit.
	4★ Subway Caves 1 mi · Easy · Gain 50ft Walk through a section of cavernous lava tube, located 15 miles North of the park entrance. Concrete steps at both ends and a flat cave floor means this is suitable for most.

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