What to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park with Kids
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Bumpass hell is an easy hike for families & you get this gorgeous hydrothermic view
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The sunset at manzanita lake was absolutely UNREAL
If you’re looking for what to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park with kids, you’re in the right place. This park is home to one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world. It is also home to one of the few places on Earth where all 4 types of volcanoes are found together; shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome. Lassen Volcanic National Park was established as a National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907 and upgraded to a National Park in 1916. Whether you are traveling with kids or without, you’ll fall in love with this absolutely gorgeous National Park. Lassen Volcanic National Park is visited by approximately 565,000 people annually and is about is 106,589 acres. It is the 40th largest National Park of the 62 in the United States.
Every visitor to Lassen Volcanic National Park should make a stop at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee visitor center or the Loomis Museum to get a park map, get a weather update, and info about the park’s road conditions and possible closures. You can also visit HERE to see up-to-date closures and weather. Park Rangers are also a wonderful resource for finding out the parks more off the beaten path spots. The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center is located just inside the South Entrance to the park, while Loomis Museum is located at the North West entrance of the National Park. All of the visitor centers can answer questions about both parks as they are managed by the same park rangers. Don’t miss a stop at one of the two Lassen Cafe and Gift Shop. One is located inside the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center and the other is located at the Manzanita Lake Campground Store.
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When to Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is open 24/7 all year long, but you may want to consider the season before you make the trek.
June through August is Lassen’s most popular tourist season. The weather is warmer and more predictable during this time. The temperature is during summer is never unbearably hot.
In the Fall and Spring, the weather is very cool and can easily change to below freezing. The crowds are thinner in the fall and Columbus Day weekend is usually when the park cuts its campground numbers and starts to close up for the winter. We went over Columbus Day weekend (the long weekend in October) and at night the weather was between 25-30 degrees F. During the day it was ranging from 30 to 55 degrees.
In the winter months, the temperatures drop drastically. Some months the park requires visitors to have either snow tires or chains, so be sure to know the requirements before you go. Keep in mind that Lassen Volcanic can get over 30 feet of snow in one winter season and snow can remain on the mountain peaks year-round.
The average annual weather for reference courtesy of Google.com (Click through)
How to get to Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is not the easiest to get to. To give you an idea of how long it will take to get to the park, here are a few examples.
Obligatory national park sign photo!
How far is Lassen Volcanic National Park from Sacramento? 3 hours 5 minutes
San Francisco to Lassen Volcanic National Park is 1 hour 25 minutes
Redding to Lassen Volcanic National park is 49 minutes
Reno to Lassen Volcanic National Park is 2 hours 35 minutes
Redwood National Park to Lassen Volcanic National Park is 4 hours 7 minutes
Crater Lake National Park to Lassen Volcanic National park is 3 hours and 45 minutes
Lassen Volcanic National Park’s West Entrance is located along CA-44 and is easiest accessed from Redding, California, or Reno, Nevada. The park isn’t directly along a major highway and will take some driving from any major city in California.
READ NEXT: A Complete Guide to Pinnacles National Park with Kids
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How Much Does it Cost to Get into Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Day and Weekly Passes
the line was short and quick to get into the park on the busy Columbus Day Weekend (Saturday at around 12 PM)
Vehicle Entrance Fee $30
Valid for up to 7 consecutive days from the day of purchase at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Payable in-person at park entrances. Self-registration when not staffed.Vehicle Entrance Fee - Winter $10
Valid for up to 7 consecutive days at Lassen Volcanic National Park between December 1 and April 15. Payable in-person at park entrances. Self-registration when not staffed.Individual Entry Pass - $15.00
This entry fee is for a single person traveling on foot or by bicycle. Pay once and get access to both parks for 7 days.
Motorcycle Pass - $25.00
This pass includes everyone traveling on a motorcycle, scooter, or similar motorized vehicle. Pay once and get access to both parks for 7 days.
Or you can buy an Annual Pass to all of the U.S. National Parks HERE.
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Where to Stay in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lodging in Lassen Volcanic National Park:
Drakesbad Guest Ranch is nestled in Warner Valley, in the southeast corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The ranch includes a lodge, dining hall, and bungalow units; all meals are included in the stay. Initially homesteaded by Edward Drake in the 1880s, Drakesbad Guest Ranch continues to offer a rustic dude ranch-style experience. While staying at the ranch guests enjoy horseback riding, hiking, fishing, swimming in the hydrothermal spring-fed pool, enjoying a massage, or just relaxing.
READ NEXT: What to do in Kings Canyon National Park with Kids
Lassen Volcanic National Park Campgrounds:
There are 8 campgrounds located in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Campgrounds, and sections of campgrounds, are subject to close during the winter months, so be sure to check the NPS page for closures.
***2020 Camping Info: Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited throughout the parks.****
Hands down, manzanita lake CampgrounD is the best! The kids are eating ice cream cones from the campstore.
Manzanita Lake Campground: This is one of two campgrounds in Lassen Volcanic National Park that is open year-round. In my opinion, Manzanita Lake is the best campground in the park. The proximity to Manzanita lake, the well-stocked camp store (closes in October for winter), and the Loomis Museum are ideal. All of the sites are large and the restroom/shower facilities are very clean. Manzanita Lake Campground also offers laundry and has a gas station during peak season. (Those close in October) There are no RV hook-ups available to the public, but RVs are welcome to stay in this campground. This campground offers both campsites and cabins and both can be reserved HERE. If you’re looking for the most family-friendly campground in Lassen Volcanic - this is it.
The other 7 campgrounds have varying prices and are open at different times of the year. The National Park Service has made an easy-to-read chart to help you choose which campground is right for you and your family. Juniper Lake and Southwest Walk-In are the only two campgrounds in the park with first-come, first-serve sites. The rest need to be booked through recreation.gov.
Read Next: How to ENJOY Tent Camping with Toddlers
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This is the view of our giant campsite at manzanita lake campground
Where to Stay Outside of Lassen Volcanic National Park
Near By Stays:
Tall Timbers B&B: (West Entrance): Come and enjoy some relaxing time surrounded by hundreds of whispering pines. The property is just 7 miles from the world-famous Lassen National Park and a 45-minute drive from Burney Falls.
Mill Creek Resort: (South Entrance) Quaint & rustic one or two-bedroom cabins offer comfort while exploring the beauty of Lassen National Park. Each cabin offers guests a fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, stove/oven, toaster, coffee maker, cookware, & features a private bathroom. In keeping with the era, the cabins were built. In order to promote quiet and relaxation, there are NO televisions, air conditioning or WIFI services available. Mill Creek also offers camping and RV sites in the summer months.
Airbnbs Near Lassen Volcanic National Park
Manzanita Lake campground has an awesome camp store where you can get espresso drinks, hot breakfast and lunch. They also have a gas station, laundry and an amazing gift shop.
What to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park with Kids
In the background you can see General Sherman tree
1) Hike:
Lassen Volcanic has 5 major hiking areas inside the park. Many of the hikes are strenuous and mountainous. The National Park Service has created an easy-to-read chart breaking down the hikes by difficulty and location — click HERE to see that chart.
Best Hikes for Toddlers in Lassen Volcanic National Park
The devastated area hike is a short .5 miles where you learn all about the 1915 eruption of lassen peak
Manzanita Lake Trail: This easy 1.8 mile trail takes hikers around Manzanita Lake. The trail maintains an even elevation and offers unmatched views of the mountains. I highly recommend taking a sunset stroll around the lake. This is the best hike for families in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Devastated Area Interpretive Trail: This very easy and short .5 mile trail really opened our eyes to how powerful volcano eruptions can be. I definitely recommend this trail for young kids.
Lilly Pond Nature Loop: Lily Pond Nature Trail is a very easy 0.7 mile loop trail located near Loomis Museum that features a lake and is good for any skill level. Get an interactive trail map for 50 cents at the Loomis Museum!
Best Hikes for Kids in Lassen Volcanic National Park:
do not miss a hike to bumpass hell!!
Bumpass Hell Trail: This easy 3-mile trail is an absolute must for anyone visiting Lassen Volcanic. The trail maintains elevation as it follows the ridgeline from the parking lot over to Bumpass Hell. This is the largest hydrothermal area in Lassen Volcanic National Park. There is a boardwalk over the boiling pots and steam with a slight Sulphur smell. (not overwhelming) We hiked this with our 3 and 5-year-old, but we did put our son into a Toddler Tula backpack to keep him safe at the actual hydrothermal area. The parking lot is fairly large and offers hikers a restroom.
There are some epic views of the park along the bumpass hell trail
Best Hikes for Teenagers in Lassen Volcanic National Park:
Lassen Peak: This difficult 5-mile trail takes hikers to the top of the famous Lassen Peak. This trail is snow-capped almost year-round and the trail can be rough and slippery. We considered this hike for our family, but decided against it at the last minute — this is the one hike I wish we had done.
For additional information about day hiking Lassen Volcanic National Park, go HERE.
Backpacking, Back Country, and Overnight hikes:
Due to Lassen’s unpredictable weather, they have implemented strict rules to keep hikers safe. Check out all of the NPS rules HERE.
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Pro Tip: Wear your smaller kids on your back to avoid them steppig off into the hydrothermal areas
2) Stargazing!
Far from the light pollution of nearby towns, Lassen is one of the last sanctuaries of natural darkness in the United States. Lassen Volcanic offers amazing stargazing from almost anywhere in the park. However, if you’re camping under the dense forest, you may want to move out toward a parking lot. To assist with your stargazing, pick up a night sky viewing book or sky chart from the Lassen Association bookstore. You can also download the SkyView app to help you understand which constellations you’re seeing.
And if you’re really into America’s Dark Skies and Astronomy, check out Lassen’s annual Dark Sky Festival.
3) Water Sports:
We fished at manzanita lake! It was gorgeous.
Boating, fishing, and swimming are popular activities in Lassen Volcanic. With over 200 lakes, ponds, and several creeks there is no shortage of spots to take a dip or try your hand and angling. Recreational swimming is allowed in the park! Please use caution and follow the park’s suggested safety measures.
Kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, and cataraft rentals are available in the Manzanita Lake Camper Store. The rentals are available from 9 am to 30 minutes before sunset daily on a first-come, first-served basis. Rentals are only offered during the summer months.
Be sure to get your fishing license before you go to the park as they are not sold inside the park. A valid California fishing license is required to fish in the park; this is for adults only as kids under 16 years of age do not require a license. Purchase a license online at wildlife.ca.gov or at select license agents outside the park.
4) Become a Lassen Volcanic National Park Junior Ranger:
Both kids RECEIVED LAssen Volcanic junior ranger badges
Lassen offers in-person or online Junior Ranger Programs.
Junior Ranger Program: This program helps kids understand volcanos, how eruptions affect the surrounding areas, how to be stewards of nature, and even has the child identify each peak in the park by height! Children can earn an official Lassen Volcanic National Park Junior Ranger badge by completing activities in our junior ranger booklet. Ask for a free booklet at the Loomis Museum or Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, complete it, then return it to receive your badge.
Currently, you can also achieve your Junior Ranger badge virtually HERE.
Upper meadow is a great place to stop and take in the views. there is trout in this stream and mountain views as the backdrop.
Charletta fishing at manzanita lake
5) Loomis Museum:
This historic museum offers exhibits dedicated to Benjamin Franklin Loomis who documented the latest eruptions inside the park and fought to have the park established. Here you will also see the original equipment used for seismology and the tracking of the 1915 eruption. This museum is located near Manzanita Lake and is only open in the summer months. There is a nice gift shop inside the museum and the Lily Pond Nature Trail starts here.
6) Winter Activities
Latham was patient, but we didn’t catch anything at manzainta lake!
Snowshoe: In Winter you can join a ranger-led snowshoe walk. These walks start at 1:30 PM and last for 2 hours. The park will provide the snowshoes and all hikes are first-come, first-serve; pick up a free ticket the day of the hike at the information desk inside the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.
**Note: Children must be at least 8 years old to join the snowshoe hikes.
Cross Country Skiing & Sledding: Winter is a big season for Lassen Volcanic and both cross country skiing and sledding are allowed inside the park.
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There is an epic view of Lassen peak along the main park road at marker 14. Also - you’ll pick up a little cell service in this spot too!
Lassen Volcanic National Park is so unique and offers the perfect getaway for families. There is so much amazing wildlife, pristine mountain and lake views, real volcanos, incredible morning weather, and amazing hydrothermal areas. No matter if you camp in the park or stay nearby, Lassen Volcanic National Park is an unforgettable adventure. I can’t wait for you to see all there is to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park with kids!
Don’t forget to check out: The Perfect 1 Day Itinerary for Yosemite National Park
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