Lassen Volcanic National Park

A comfy campout with 2 to 5 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Ideal for first-timers
Places we've visited and fallen in love with

Funky fumaroles and bubbling lakes at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Funky fumaroles and bubbling lakes at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Funky fumaroles and bubbling lakes at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Funky fumaroles and bubbling lakes at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Designed by
Yvonne Leow
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Last updated
August 3, 2024

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Friends and new campers

Vibe · Relaxing and chill

Reservations · Yes, reserve a spot at Manzanita Lake Campground

Drive · 4 hours from SF

Ideal dates · June to October

Pets · Welcome at camp, but not on trails

Lassen Volcanic National Park (LVNP) is an under-rated geological gem. It's never as crowded as Yosemite, and every rock in the park is made from volcanoes. You can find all four types -- shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome volcanoes -- within the park, as well as "fumaroles," which are cracks in the Earth’s surface that emit steam and volcanic gases. Pretty rad, right?

Official National Park Website

Latest Park Road and Trail Conditions

LVNP Trail Map

Directions To Park

Main image credit: Patrick Bosiger

Stuff to know

  • LVNP has a 7-day vehicle entrance fee for $30
  • Always buy firewood locally!
  • Print or bring a screenshot of your campsite reservation
  • Bring some cash just in case
  • Be bear aware! LVNP is a year-round home to black bears. Pack food, trash, drinks and scented items in your campsite's storage locker when you're away and/or catching some zzz's.
  • Face masks and social distancing are required. Recreate responsibly!

Resources

Check the weather
Lassen Volcanic National Park

Where to camp

Manzanita Lake Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

  • Picnic table
  • Food storage locker (for bearz)
  • Fire ring and grate
  • Two parking spots
  • Enough space for about three tents

Manzanita Lake Campground is decked with restrooms, hot showers, drinking water, a dump station, camp store (that sells ice and firewood), and a laundromat on site. You can reserve a campsite for tents, trailers, and RVs, along with group campsites and rustic camping cabins. Make a reservation ASAP! Campsites do get swooped up between June and September.

Manzanita Lake Campground Map

Nightly Fee: $26

Manzanita Lake Campground
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Itinerary

Day One

The Hive Kitchen and Bar
The Hive Kitchen and Bar. Credit: Yelp

Depart SF by 11 AM and swing by The Hive Kitchen and Bar for lunch

  • Located at 730 6th Street in Orland, CA
  • Locals love their live bee hive, fresh honey, and breakfast menu
  • Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 11 AM to 9 PM
  • Last pit stop: Antelope Valero - 615 Antelope Blvd, Red Bluff, CA

Arrive at Lassen Volcanic National Park

  • Enter LVNP's Southwest Entrance via Hwy 89
  • Pay $30 for a 7-day vehicle entrance fee      
  • Drive to Bumpass Hell Trail (it's typically open from June to October, but check LVNP's website.) It's a 3-mile round-trip hike to the largest hydrothermal area in the park.

Cruise along LVNP's Scenic Highway

  • It's a 30-mile, hour-long drive (without stops) to Manzanita Lake, but check out some roadside highlights, like Lassen Peak Viewpoint, along the way.  

Check-in at Manzanita Lake Campground

  • Settle in and set up camp!

Enjoy dinner, roast s'mores, and stargaze

The park is named after Peter Lassen, a Danish-American pioneer, who guided settlers to nearby towns in the 1800's.

Day Two

Wide view of Manzanita Lake
Manzanita Lake. Credit: Pam Riches

Sleep-in!

  • Make brunch and pack an afternoon picnic
  • Bring a daypack, blanket, food, and drinks

Or if you're an early bird, hike Manzanita Lake Loop

  • An easy 1.9 mile loop around the entire lake

Later, trek Chaos Crags Trail

  • A moderate 4-mile, out and back trail packed with beautiful views of the park
  • Enjoy your picnic lunch at the top

Return to camp

  • Unwind, clean-up, and hang out around camp

Sunset dinner

  • Prep a hot meal and bring your camp chairs for a lakeside meal

Campfire and s'mores

  • Stay up stargazing and cap the evening off with another round of s'mores
The Lassen area used to be a meeting point for four American Indian groups: Atsugewi, Yana, Yahi and Maidu.

Day Three

Sulphur Works in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Sulphur Works. Credit: Priya Karkare

Make brunch and clean up around camp

Pack up and pack out

  • Load up the car and drive back towards Kohn Yah-Mah-Nee Visitor Center

Stop by Sulphur Works

  • Before you reach the visitor center, drop by Sulphur Works, a .6 mile out and back trail to boiling mudpots and hissing steam vents. It's LVNP's most easily accessible hydrothermal area.

Head home!

Cute, hamster-sized Pikas live in the highest parts of the park, like Lassen Peak. Keep an ear out for their high-pitched squeaks!
June 1, 2024

Bewilder at LAist Super-Fun Saturday

Make wildflower seed bombs with Bezzi the Yeti at LAist's Super Fun Saturday

Event in 2 days

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

Everything your family needs for a fun and easy campout

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$5

Pocket-sized UNO GO!

A classic, easy to learn game for the entire family

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$24

Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50

It's pricey, but Supergoop! makes putting on sunscreen feel smooth and easy.

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$19

NATPAT BuzzPatch Mosquito Patches

A cute and colorful patch that repels mosquitoes with a natural repellent.

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$19

Vlirka VNDS Shoe Holster

A neat way to pack, carry, and organize dirty shoes.

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$32

High Tail Hikes Brass Leash

A lightweight, easy to clean customizable leash that comes in a rainbow of colors.

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$49.95

Ruffwear Basecamp™ Dog Bed

A packable, easy to clean dog bed for the great outdoors.

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$17.99

Mighty Paw LED Dog Collar

A weather-resistant LED collar so your pup stays safe at night.

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$24.96

PupFlask Large Dog Water Bottle

A leakproof water bottle to quench your pup's thirst.

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$17.40

DOGSWELL Remedy + Recovery Bundle

Add this pup medication and liquid bandage bundle to your first aid kit.

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$139

Radius Outfitters Large Camp Kitchen Organizer

For avid campers, this organizer will keep your kitchen utensils clean and organized.

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$20

MyCarry Travel Potty

Bring a portable toilet to help your toddler stick to their indoor routine.

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Meal & snack ideas

It turns out everything tastes better when we're outside

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Dinner

Ham and cheese campfire sandwiches

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Moroccan apple beef stew

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Breakfast

Apple sweet potato hash

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Banana coconut french toast

Vegan

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Lunch

Chicken soba noodle salad

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Apple maple sausage sandwiches

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Chicken pad thai

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Frittata

Gluten Free · Vegetarian

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Baked sweet potatoes and chili

Vegetarian

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Huevos rancheros verdes

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Banana boats

Gluten Free · Vegetarian

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Scrambled eggs n' bacon

Gluten Free

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