Directions & Transportation

 

• Auto Touring
• Status of Park Roads
• Getting Around
• Spring Road Clearing
• Places to Go

Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in northern California, approximately three hours northeast of Sacramento. The park has two entrance stations on either end of the 30-mile park highway. Three additional roads provide access to remote areas in the southeast and northeast corners of the park. Vehicle access is limited to one mile from the northwest and southwest entrances approximately November through May due to snow.

• Check the status of roads before you travel to find out which roads will be open when you visit.
• Learn more about the park highway and remote area roads.
• Read about limited vehicle access November through May due to snow.

 

Getting Here

Roads to the Park

Check conditions for area roads (map of the area) on the CalTrans QuickMap or Highway Conditions lookup page; or view current conditions on CalTrans webcams. The park does not determine chain control restrictions - this is determined by CalTrans. Please go to the CalTrans website for area chain control information.

State Route (SR) 44/89 provides access to the Northwest Entrance/Manzanita Lake Area
State Route (SR) 36/89 provides access to the Southwest Entrance / Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center

Roads In the Park

Most first-time visitors to the park begin by driving the 30-mile park highway. Begin your drive at the Northwest or Southwest Entrance. There is no public transportation into or within the park.

Visitor Center Addresses

There are few addresses within the park. For navigation purposes, you can use the visitor center addresses:

• Loomis Museum (Northwest Entrance): 29489 Lassen National Park Hwy, Shingletown, CA 96088
• Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center (Southwest Entrance): 21820 Lassen National Park Hwy, Mineral, CA 96063

Airports

The nearest airports are Redding, California; Sacramento, California; and Reno, Nevada.

 

Travel Tips

Fill Up Your Gas Tank Before You Enter the Park

Fuel stations are limited in this remote area; we strongly advise filling up your gas tank before entering the park. View a map for locations of gas stations adjacent to the park. Gas is available at the Manzanita Lake camper store 24-hours a day, approximately mid-May through early October (see exact dates).
Note - *Fuel may not be available at the Manzanita Lake Camper Store due to intermittent pump outages. There is no other fuel available inside the park. It is best to fill your tank at a nearby fuel station before arriving. Rangers cannot supply fuel for vehicles low or out of fuel.

Slow Down, Enjoy the Drive

The speed limit in Lassen Volcanic is 35 mph unless posted otherwise. Violators will be ticketed. Adhering to posted speed limits is a great way to help care for Lassen's wildlife and to increase your chances of spotting one of the many creatures that call Lassen home.

Use Pullouts to Let Others Pass

By all means, please enjoy the view. If you're going to drive below the speed limit, please use pullouts to let others pass. There is only one highway in the park and there on no passing areas in its 30-mile stretch. Keep in mind that drivers may be looking to get from once place to another (e.g. campground or trailhead) and not just enjoying the views.

Give 3 Feet to Bicyclists

There are no bike lanes and few shoulders on the park highway. California law requires drivers give three feet as they pass bicyclists on the road. Can't give three feet? Treat the bicyclist as you would a vehicle in front of you and wait to pass until you can give three feet.

Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Two level 2 charging stations are available year-round in the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. View additional locations on the Alternative Fueling Station Locator from the Department of Energy (search on zip code 96063 or 96088).

Commercial Vehicles

Anyone traveling through the park for business or commercial purposes needs a commercial travel permit.

 

Winter Access and Conditions

Access to the park in the snow season, approximately November to May, is limited due to snow. The park highway is closed to through traffic and remote roads are closed during the snow season.

To check for chain requirements, road closures, or other highway advisories before your trip, call the CalTrans Highway Information Network at 1-800-427-7623 or go to the CalTrans highway status page.

Winter Driving

High-elevation roads to and inside the park are often icy or snow-covered in the snowy months (approximately November through May).

• View the status of park roads or spring snow clearing status in the park.
• Check for live traffic conditions on Caltrans' interactive map (QuickMap). Select Options to view cameras, chain controls, closures, snow plow locations, and more.
• Carry tire chains in your vehicle from October through May. Chain requirements can be instituted at any time; even four-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires may be required to chain up.
• View winter driving trips from California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

Directions for Travel Around the Park

It is possible to travel around the park around both the east and west sides of the park to access the northwest or southwest entrances when the park highway is closed through traffic due to snow.

Travel Around the West Side of the Park

This route is the shortest route around the park. This windy road is not recommended for RVs and trailers. Average travel time is 1 hour, 45 minutes. Average distance is 71 miles. View directions in Google Maps.

1. From the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, head south on Lassen National Park Highway (SR-89) for 6 miles.
2. Turn right (west) on SR-36. Continue for 23 miles.
3. Turn right (north) onto Lanes Valley Road. A large road sign on the north side of the highway marks the turnoff approximately one mile before the town of Paynes Creek. Continue for 7 miles.
4. Turn right onto Manton Road (CR-A6). Continue for 0.6 miles (1 km).
5. Turn left onto Blackbutte/ Wildcat Rd. Continue for 9 miles (14km).
6. Turn right (east) onto SR-44. Continue for 24 miles (39 km).
7. Turn right (south) into the park. Continue 1 mile to the Manzanita Lake entrance.

Travel Around the East Side of the Park

This route is slightly longer than the west route, however it has fewer curves and is appropriate for RVs and trailers. Average travel time is two hours. Average distance is 106 Miles. View directions on Google Maps.

1. From the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, head south on Lassen National Park Highway (SR-89) for 6 miles.
2. Turn left (east) on SR-36. Continue 38 miles to CR-A21/Mooney Road located in the town of Westwood. Continue for 18 miles. Turn left (west) onto SR-44. Continue for 28 miles.
3. Turn left (west) onto SR-44/89. Continue for 13.5 miles.
4. Turn left (south) into the park. Continue 1 mile to the Manzanita Lake entrance.