60 MinutesFee applies
Drive Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway
Lassen Volcanic National Park
The 30-mile park highway connects the northwest (Manzanita Lake) and southwest entrances of the park. This scenic route passes through dense forest, winds around alpine lakes and meadow, crests at 8,512 feet near Lassen Peak Trailhead, and descends steep volcanic slopes into the southwest area. Designated turnouts and parking areas provide opportunities to enjoy the highway highlights.
The 30-mile Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway winds around the east side of Lassen Peak and connects the northwest and southwest entrances of the park. Plan for a one-hour drive time, without stops. Travel the highway in either direction and enjoy numerous roadside highlights. Roadside Audio Tour Learn more about the park with an audio tour along the 30-mile park highway. Download the NPS App before visiting. Then, select Lassen Volcanic NP Highway under Self-Guided Tours to listen to 16 audio files that correspond with numbered posts along the highway. Printed Road Guide For a more in-depth auto tour, you can purchase a printed park road guide Lassen Volcanic National Park: Auto Tours, Trips, and Trails at park stores in the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center and Loomis Museum or online. Highway Highlights The highlights below match numbered markers on the map below and posted along the highway. The highway markers also correspond to stops in the audio tour and road guide. View 360-degree photos from the highway. 0. Southwest Entrance Sign 1. Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center 2. Sulphur Works Hydrothermal Area 3. Diamond Peak Scenic Vista 4. Little Hot Springs Creek Overlook 5. Emerald Lake 6. Brokeoff Volcano Scenic Vista (Bumpass Hell Trail parking area) 7. Lake Helen 8. Lassen Peak Scenic Vista 9. Kings Creek Meadow Viewpoint 10. Hat Creek Viewpoint 11. Devastated Area 12. Hot Rock 13. Sunflower Flat (Nobles Emigrant Trail) 14. Chaos Crags Viewpoint 15. Reflection Lake 16. Lassen Crossroad
Tags
Scenic DrivingForests and WoodlandsConiferous ForestsGeologyGeothermalHot SpringsMeadowsLakesMountainsRock Landscapes and FeaturesScenic ViewsRoads, Routes and HighwaysVolcanoesauto touringscenic bywayHighway 89drivingScenic Drivescenic route
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Details
Duration
60 Minutes
Duration Details
Plan for at least one hour to travel the 30-mile highway. Add additional time for other activities from the highway including stopping to view highway highlights, picnicking, and hiking.
Fees
An Entrance fee or valid pass is required to drive within the park.
Fees Apply
Yes
Seasons
Summer, Fall
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility
The park highway is primarily used for vehicle travel for non-commercial vehicles. There are no guardrails on the highway, including across steep slopes. Restrooms provided along the highway are wheelchair-accessible and most pullouts are flat and paved.
Pets
Yes — Leashed pets are permitted anywhere a car may go. This includes roads and road shoulders (not snow-covered), campgrounds, picnic areas, and parking lots. Pets are not permitted on any hiking trail, in any body of water, or inside visitor centers or other park facilities*. Please clean up after your pet and take responsibility for its behavior. Additional regulations include: Pets must be on a leash less than six feet long at all times. Pets may be left unattended in vehicles. However, if hazardous conditions exist, such as hot weather, owners can be cited for endangering an animal. Pets can not be left unattended AND tied to an object, except in designated areas or under conditions which may be established by the superintendent. *These regulations do not apply to service dogs that perform a specific tasks that assists a person with a disability. Emotional support or comfort animals are not service animals.
Reservations
No — Reservations are NOT required or accepted to enter Lassen Volcanic. You may enter the park and drive the highway at any time, 24 hours a day.
Age Info
Suitable for all ages.
Location
Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway