Getting Around

Relevant Information

• Park Maps
• Current Park Conditions
• Places to Go

Lassen Park Highway, part of Highway 89, is the only road through the park. Many of the park’s features, popular trails, and visitor services are along this road. Three additional roads provide access to more remote areas: Butte Lake, Juniper Lake, and Warner Valley.

Winter Road Closures

During the snowy season (approximately November – June), park roads are closed and/or impassible due to heavy snowfall. Road closures are listed in alerts on the top of every webpage. Closures and additional information are available on the Current Conditions page.

 

 

Lassen Park Highway

The park’s main road is a 30-mile (48km) stretch of Highway 89 that runs north-south through the park. This scenic route passes through dense forest, open ridgelines cresting 8,512 feet near Lassen Peak trailhead, and descends steep volcanic slopes into the southwest area. Typically, the drive takes about one hour without stopping. Learn more about driving the park highway.

Travel Tips

• Slow down and enjoy the drive – the speed limit in the park is 35 mph unless posted otherwise. Adhering to posted speed limits is a great way to help spot and care for Lassen's wildlife.

• Use pullouts to let others pass if you're going to drive below the speed limit. Lassen Park Highway has no passing lanes or areas; please be courteous to other visitors.

• Give 3 feet to bicyclists as you pass on the road – it’s California state law! 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.

 

Park Highway Alternatives in Winter

It is possible to travel from one park entrance to the other on outside roads around either the east or west side of the park.

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.

 

Area Map

 

This area map shows roads in and around Lassen Volcanic National Park.

NPS Graphic

 

Roads to Outlying / Remote Areas

Butte Lake Road (FR-32N21)

A 6-mile dirt/gravel road is used to access the Butte Lake area. Although typically passable by passenger vehicles, the road may be rutted and dusty in midsummer. The road is partly within Lassen National Forest and partly within the park. Butte Lake is 31 miles (50km) from the Northwest Entrance / Manzanita Lake area. Butte Lake Road is not maintained in winter; vehicle travel is not advised when snow covers the road (approx. November – April). Butte Lake Directions in Google Maps

Driving Directions from Northwest Entrance:

1. Follow SR-89 east 13.5 miles to the SR-44/89 junction in Old Station.

2. Turn right to follow SR-44 and continue 11 miles.

3. Turn south onto Butte Lake Road (FR-32N21). Look for signs indicating Butte Lake Campground.

4. Continue 6 miles to the Butte Lake Campground and day use area.

 

Juniper Lake Road (CR-318)

A 13-mile, partly-unpaved road is used to access the Juniper Lake area. The last six miles is rough dirt road with steep sections and is not suitable for buses, motorhomes, or trailers. The road is partly within Plumas County, Lassen National Forest, and the park. Juniper Lake is 38 miles (61km) from the Southwest Entrance / Southwest Area. Juniper Lake Road is not maintained in winter; vehicle travel is not advised when snow covers the road (approx. November – June). Juniper Lake Directions in Google Maps

Driving Directions from Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center

1. Follow Hwy 89 south 5 miles to CA-36 junction.

2. Turn Left onto CA-36 and continue 25 miles to Chester.

3. From CA-36 in Chester, turn onto Feather River Road (on the northeast side of the Feather River).

4. Continue a half mile and veer right onto CR-318.

5. Continue 13 miles to Juniper Lake parking area.

 

Warner Valley Road (CR-312)

A 13-mile, partly-unpaved road is used to access the Warner Valley area. The last three miles is dirt road with steep sections and is not recommended for trailers. The road is partly within Plumas County, Lassen National Forest, and the park. Warner Valley is 38 miles (61km) from the Southwest Entrance / Southwest Area. Warner Valley Road is not maintained in winter; vehicle travel is not advised when snow covers the road (approx. November – June). Warner Valley Directions in Google Maps

Driving Directions from Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center

1. Follow Hwy 89 south 5 miles to CA-36 junction.

2. Turn Left onto CA-36 and continue 25 miles to Chester.

3. From CA-36 in Chester, turn onto Feather River Road (on the northeast side of the Feather River).

4. Continue a half mile and veer left onto CR-312.

5. Continue 4 miles and veer right to stay on CR-312. Follow signs to Drakesbad.

6. Continue 12.5 miles to Warner Valley campground and day use area.