Auto Touring

Drive Lassen Volcanic National Highway

The 30-mile park highway connects the northwest (Manzanita Lake) and southwest entrances of the park and is the only route through the park. The highway is open to through traffic only in the summer months (approximately June through November); vehicle access is limited in the snow season. This scenic route passes through dense forest, traverses a ridge with views of Lake Almanor to the south, crests at 8,512 feet near Lassen Peak trailhead, and descends steep volcanic slopes into the southwest area. There are no guardrails on this route due to snow removal requirements. The southern section of the highway is windy and includes a handful of switchbacks.

Remote Roads

Three dirt roads provide access to the more remote and lesser-visited areas of Butte Lake, Warner Valley, and Juniper Lake. These roads close in the snow season, approximately December through May. View the status of park roads.

 

Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway

Lassen Volcanic National Park and nearby Lake Almanor mark the southern end of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. This 500-mile byway is one of just 31 All American Roads in the United States - the "crown jewels" of the nation's highway system. Other highlights on the route include Burney Falls State Park, Mount Shasta, Lava Beds National Park and Tule Lake, and Crater Lake National Park.

 

Circle of Discovery

Did you know that northern California and Southern Oregon are home to seven national park sites? This circle of parks protects everything from America's oldest trees and deepest lake to hydrothermal areas, ice caves, and dramatic waterfalls.

 

Learn Along the Way

Roadside Audio Tour

Delve into park history with a roadside audio tour. Download the MP3 files or Lassen Audio Tours podcast before your visit, or purchase an audio CD at Lassen Association stores in the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center or Loomis Museum.

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 Lassen Association stores in the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center or Loomis Museum.

Roadside Geology

Take a self-guided tour of volcanism in and around the park with a geologic field-trip guide from the U.S. Geological Survey. This field-trip guide is technical in nature and focuses on geologic features and stratigraphy that can be seen easily from the road network.