This summer roadtrip to Lassen Volcanic National Park and Burney Falls was the perfect reminder of just how magical Northern California really is. Lassen not usually the first park on people's minds when thinking of California, yet it easily holds its own alongside the heavy hitters. With steaming geysers, alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, and volcanic trails, every turn felt like discovering a secret that deserves far more recognition. We loved it so much that we’ve already started planning our trip back next summer to hit all the spots we missed.
Watching Lassen's reflection glow across the Manzanita Lake at sunset
The view from the top of Cinder Cone (especially after the steep incline up 😅)
An alpine dip after a long hike in Lake Helen
Kings Creek Meadow at golden hour
Cooling off in the mist at the base of Burney Falls (Outside the Park)
The stars that light up the night sky!
Our Three Day Itinerary 𖦹 Our Three Day Itinerary 𖦹 Our Three Day Itinerary 𖦹
Day 1 First looks & Bumpass Hell
It’s about a four-hour drive from the Bay Area to Lassen’s south entrance. First stop: the visitor center (who doesn't love a NPS gift shop). We stretched our legs on the three-mile Bumpass Hell Trail . Steam, sulfur and other-wordly stink!! On the way back we passed Emerald Lake and Lake Helen, both sparkling clear, a little preview of spots we can swim the coming days. The rest of day one we spent cruising around the park, taking in the views before checking into a cozy Airbnb near the north entrance. The remnants of the 2021 Dixie Fire stood out along the way, a reminder of the destructive power of wildfires in Northern California. Sunset from a nearby vista point was the perfect end to the day.
Day 2
Burney Falls & Manzanita Lake
We started the day heading to Burney Falls. We opted to park in the far lot to be able to walk the Rim Trail and work up a sweat before we braved the freezing turquoise pool at the base of the falls! We sat along the rocks & had some packed lunches before we headed back to Lassen. By late afternoon we landed at Manzanita Lake and set up along a quiet little shore stretch. If you get there early, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards, but we stuck with a swim before moving to the west shore of the lake. From there, Lassen Peak lit up at sunset, its reflection glowing across the water. The best sunset spot of the trip hands down! The night wrapped with stargazing and a fire back at the Airbnb.
Day 3 Cinder Cone & Alpine Lakes
We drove to the far east side of the park to climb the Cinder Cone! It steep and dusty, but the Mars-like views from the top were worth it! Take it slow and bring a snack for the top, you'll want to sit and enjoy the view for a while. At the summit we met hikers tackling the Lake Loop to Cinder Cone, a 20+ mile, choose-your-own-adventure style trek that hops between hidden lakes from Summit Lake. It’s definitely on our list for next time; the kind of backcountry experience you can only reach on foot. Before heading home, we cruised back through the main part of the park for golden hour views at Kings Creek, then capped it all off with one last alpine plunge in Lake Helen. Cold, clear, and the perfect goodbye to an incredible weekend.
✷ Things to Note ✷
Limited stores and restaurants: Pack all your meals and snacks since there aren’t many places to grab food nearby.
Short peak season: Main park roads can be closed from October through June so late summer is the best time for exploring.
Pack options, not just layers: We went from hiking gear to swimsuits to sweatshirts several times in a day. Bring clothes you can easily swap.
Camping and gear: We didn’t camp this trip but next summer we are definitely giving it a try. Campsites in the park were clean, scenic, and right by lakes for swimming or kayaking.
High elevation: Even easy hikes can feel like a workout because of the elevation of the park. Take your time and enjoy the views.
Explore our travel blog filled with weekend plans, sunset spots & the roadtrips that inspire our goods ☁︎ Explore our travel blog filled with weekend plans, sunset spots & the roadtrips that inspire our goods ☁︎ Explore our travel blog filled with weekend plans, sunset spots & the roadtrips that inspire our goods ☁︎ Explore our travel blog filled with weekend plans, sunset spots & the roadtrips that inspire our goods ☁︎ Explore our travel blog filled with weekend plans, sunset spots & the roadtrips that inspire our goods ☁︎ Explore our travel blog filled with weekend plans, sunset spots & the roadtrips that inspire our goods ☁︎
Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.
One or more of the items in your cart is a recurring or deferred purchase. By continuing, I agree to the cancellation policy and authorize you to charge my payment method at the prices, frequency and dates listed on this page until my order is fulfilled or I cancel, if permitted.
