Lassen Volcanic National Park — Visitor Info

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Lassen Volcanic National Park protects an active volcanic landscape in Northern California — steaming fumaroles, boiling mud pots, and Lassen Peak itself, one of the largest plug dome volcanoes on Earth. Deep winter snow closes much of the park road for roughly half the year.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: The main park road (Highway 89) typically doesn't fully open until late June or July and can close again as early as October due to snow — shoulder-season access varies year to year. Always check the official Lassen Volcanic Alerts & Conditions page first.
Quick Facts
Location
Northern California, near Redding
Entrance Fee
$30/vehicle summer, $10 winter (7 days)
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Permit Needed For
Backcountry camping, Lassen Peak summit day-use area
Lodging
Drakesbad Guest Ranch (in-park); campgrounds
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center
At the Southwest Entrance; the park's main year-round visitor center, with exhibits, a cafe, and trip planning help.
Loomis Museum
Near Manzanita Lake at the northwest entrance; seasonal, with exhibits on the 1915 Lassen Peak eruption.

Confirm current hours and seasonal openings on the official NPS hours & visitor centers page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle from April 16 through November 30, dropping to a discounted $10 from December 1 through April 15 (motorcycle $25/$10, per person $15/$10 by season), valid 7 days. An Annual Pass is $55 and also covers Crater Lake, Whiskeytown, and Lava Beds. This park does not accept cash — entrance payments are credit/debit only.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park or day-hike. Permits are required for overnight backcountry travel:

Backcountry Camping

A free wilderness permit is required for all overnight backcountry trips, available at park visitor centers. Dispersed camping rules (minimum distance from trails, lakes, and roads) apply throughout the wilderness.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Manzanita Lake Campground
Northwest entrance area. The park's largest campground, with a general store, pay showers, and the only dump station in the park. RVs up to 45ft, trailers up to 40ft. Reserve on Recreation.gov.
Summit Lake Campground (North & South)
Central park, on the main road. North section takes RVs up to 35ft; the South section cannot accommodate RVs or trailers at all. Reserve on Recreation.gov.
Butte Lake Campground
Remote northeast corner, reached via a gravel access road. Rustic — vault toilets and bear boxes only. RVs up to 35ft in Loop A, up to 45ft in Loop B. Reserve on Recreation.gov.
Southwest Walk-In, Juniper Lake & Warner Valley Campgrounds
Smaller, more rustic options — Southwest is walk-in tent-only near Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center; Juniper Lake and Warner Valley are remote, reached by rough gravel roads not recommended for RVs or trailers.

Good to Know

  • Short main season: the full park road across Lassen typically isn't clear of snow until late June or July, and can close again by October — check conditions before planning a spring or fall trip.
  • Hydrothermal areas are dangerous — stay on boardwalks and trails at Bumpass Hell, Sulphur Works, and other thermal features; ground can be unstable and scalding.
  • Cell service is very limited throughout the park — download maps and directions in advance.
  • Drakesbad Guest Ranch is the only in-park lodging, in the remote Warner Valley area, and books up well in advance.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees and regulations change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Lassen Volcanic National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Camping · Recreation.gov – Manzanita Lake · NPS – Alerts & Conditions