Stock Use Regulations

Horses, mules, burros, and llamas are the only animals allowed for stock use in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

NPS photo

More than 100 miles of trails in Lassen Volcanic are open to stock users. The following regulations for saddle and pack animals help insure the safety of visitors, riders, and horses, and the protection of resources. These regulations derive from CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) and the Superintendent’s Compendium (park-specific determinations per CFR). At times when trail and weather and trail conditions warrant (such as trees across the trail or wet soil) additional stock use conditions (including closure of a trail to stock use) may be established.

Note: In these regulations, stock refers to saddle and pack animals. The only animals allowed to be used as stock in Lassen Volcanic National Park are horses, mules, burros, and llamas.

 

 

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Some Areas of Dixie Fire Burn Footprint Remain Closed to Stock Use

The following locations are temporarily closed to livestock use:

• Pacific Crest Trail from Corral Meadows North to the Junction with the Horsehoe Lake Trail (Grassy Swale).
• Pacific Crest Trail South from Warner ValleyTrailhead to Boiling Springs Lake.
• Trails originating from the Warner Valley Trailhead leading to Devil's Kitchen, Drake Lake, and Dream Lake.
• Drakesbad Guest Ranch developed area.
• Warner Valley Road as marked by barricades and signage at a point just North of Warner Valley Campground.

Entering closed areas or accessing damaged facilities is prohibited and may result in a citation.

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Group Size

Group size is limited to 12 animals maximum.

Where can I go with Stock?

Roads & Developed Areas

Stock are not allowed on paved roads unless such travel is necessary for entry/exit from trails, or is incidental to authorized travel.

Stock are only allowed in designated stock use areas of campgrounds. Do not ride or tie stock animals anywhere else in campgrounds, in picnic areas, or within the immediate area of eating or sleeping establishments or other areas of public gatherings.

Trails

Stock are allowed on established/maintained trails except those listed below. They are not allowed off trail.Stock are not allowed:

• Manzanita Lake Trail
• Lassen Peak Trail
• Trails on Cinder Cone
• Reflection Lake Trail
• Bumpass Hell Trail
• Trails within the Devil's Kitchen and Sulphur Works hydrothermal areas
• Trails inside the Drakesbad closure
• Stock animals must be kept at least 100 feet (31 meters) from lakes unless on an allowed trail that passes closer to a lake. In these circumstances, do not allow the animal to stop and obtain water.

Stock and pack animals must proceed at a slow walk when traveling in the immediate vicinity of people on foot.

When leaving stock for short periods of time, tie them to a high line or hobble them near the trail. Tie the line between two trees or rocks and tether the animals to it. Hang the line on a flat, sparsely vegetated site to limit damage to roots and plants.

Camping with Stock

Stock are only allowed in designated areas in frontcountry campgrounds (reservations required via recreation.gov). Stock use is not allowed overnight in the backcountry.

Designated Stock use Campsites:

• Summit Lake: maximum of 8 animals and 10 people with parking limited to 6 licensed vehicles
• Butte Lake: maximum of 8 animals and 10 people with parking limited to 6 licensed vehicles
• Juniper Lake: maximum of 8 animals and 10 people with parking limited to 4 licensed vehicles

Stock-specific Camping Regulations

• Certified weed-free feed must be provided by the camper.
• Sites must be cleaned of manure and uneaten food daily. Refuse must be raked, bagged and deposited into a dumpster.
• Watering facilities must be used when they are provided.

Weapons

A permit from the superintendent is required for persons in charge of stock to carry a weapon. Permits will only be granted for the emergency use of dispatching injured stock. Weapons carried for this purpose:

• Must remain unloaded until there is a circumstance in which an animal must be dispatched.
• Must not be displayed or openly carried.

Prohibited Practices

• Free-trailing or loose-herding

• Picketing and/or grazing of stock animals

• The use of animals other than those designated as pack animals (horses, mules, burros, and llamas) for purposes of riding or the transportation of equipment

Help Protect the Park

• Scatter manure and smooth the area over to accelerate the decay process and reduce odor and visual impact.

• Use processed grain or pellet feed with a nosebag to feed stock while on the trails.

• To prevent the introduction of non-native plants in the park, hay and seed-type feed are not recommended but may be used in park stock corrals.

 

Relevant Information

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  Rules & Regs

  Superintendent's Compendium

  All visitors are expected to know and follow park rules and regulations during their visit.

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  Camping Regulations

  What you need to know before spending a night in Lassen's campgrounds.