What Is the Best Time to Travel to Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Summer is the most popular and accessible time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Written by Kara Vanderbeek
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
California
’s Lassen Volcanic National Park is alive with hydrothermal activity, wildlife, and stunning mountain landscapes. However, with unexpected closures and unpredictable weather in the winter months, peak season hits this national park in the short timeframe of late summer to early fall. As one of the only places in the world with all four kinds of volcanoes, Lassen is a natural treasure for travelers compelled to experience the best of what California has to offer. Unfortunately, this park’s high elevation and northern location can result in less than favorable weather and unsafe road conditions, so planning a visit requires some preparation.
Jerry
, the super app
for car insurance
, knows how important it is to time your travels correctly for the best possible experience—that’s why we’ve done the research to help you find the ideal time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park. In this handy guide, we’ll run through the best time of year to visit, with special attention to the park’s must-see sights and activities.RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
The best times of year to travel to Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is open year-round, but the park can get heavy snow in winter. Before hitting the highway to explore this Californian gem, be sure to monitor the
National Park Service
website for unexpected road closures—even if you plan on visiting in the summer.Peak season: August to September
The good: Best weather, all activities, services, and features are accessible
The bad: Busiest time of year
The weather: High 70s to mid-80s
The safest, and most popular, months to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park are August and September. The late summer and early fall are the best times to experience the park’s many features without having to worry about the weather.
In the summer months, visitors can set up camp along
Manzanita Lake
or traverse the stretch of the boardwalk on Bumpass Hell Trail
, where views of boiling mud pots and turquoise pools sprinkle the earth. If you’re willing to tough out an 8,000 feet elevation gain, you can head to Ridge Lakes Trail
for a scenic hike, or catch a glimpse of the fumaroles of volcanic gas at the park’s hydrothermal areas
. As the summer sun sets, Lassen becomes enclosed in darkness, save for the vivid constellations that freckle the night sky. With the
Dark Sky Festival
in August, the park draws in amateur stargazers and professional astronomers alike.Off-season: November to May
The good: Winter activities
The bad: Partially inaccessible, unfavorable weather
The weather: Low 20s to high 50s
The park highway can be closed to through traffic due to snow from November through May, making winter an unpopular season for visitors to plan a trip.
As such, if you plan on visiting Lassen in the winter months, be prepared for a lot of snow. The Park receives as much as 30 feet of snowfall throughout the season with snowpack lasting more than half the year.
While the heavy snowfall can render areas of Lassen inaccessible, visitors still have opportunities for outdoor adventures on “bluebird” days. From cross-country skiing around
Manzanita Lake
to snowshoeing from the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center
, or downhill skiing and snowboarding in the backcountry, there are a variety of ways to enjoy the sights of winter.Pro Tip If you decide to visit the park in the winter months, be prepared to navigate icy and snowy road conditions and bring snow chains.
Shoulder season: June to July
The good: Spring weather
The bad: Potential road and trail closures
The weather: High 30s to low 80s
June and July make up Lassen’s so-called “shoulder season”—i.e., between the high and low seasons. Events including
Hike and Bike the Highway
, wherein visitors hit the snow-cleared roads for the first time, mark the park’s transition from winter to summer. While many features become accessible in the summer months, snowpack can last into July and continue to cause road and trail closures. Check the current
road
and trail conditions
before heading out on your trip.The cheapest time to travel to Lassen Volcanic National Park
Rates for lodging and entrance into the park remain relatively steady throughout the year. For a 1-7 Day Vehicle Pass from December 1 to April 15, expect to pay a fee of $10, and from April 16 to November 30, expect a fee of $30.
If you’re flying into California and driving to the park from a nearby airport, you will likely find cheaper rates on flights in the winter months.
Find the best month for your visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park
Ready to narrow down the right month to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park? Check out the table below to find the ideal time for your Lassen adventure based on the activities you’re planning.
Activity | Best month to visit | Why? |
|---|---|---|
Hiking/Backpacking | August to September | Late summer/early fall bring the clearest conditions for hikers, with nearly all trails accessible. |
Skiing/Snowboarding | November to May | Heavy snowfall and bluebird days in the backcountry are plentiful in the park’s winter months. |
Geothermal features | August to September | The park’s natural and geothermal features are most accessible in the summer months. |
Paddling | August | Hitting the crystal clear lakes for a paddle is an activity best enjoyed in the late summer sunshine. |
Wildlife spotting | Anytime! | Many animal species have adapted to Lassen’s harsh winter conditions, while other fish, bird, and mammal species are more likely to be spotted in the summer. No matter the season you visit, you’re likely to catch a glimpse of resident Lassen wildlife. |
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversHow to find savings on car and rental insurance
Going on a scenic drive is one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of the surrounding park. Whether you’re taking your own vehicle or
renting a car
, it’s important to make sure you’ve got a solid car insurance policy in place before you set out. Jerry
can help with that—as the No. 1 rated insurance app, Jerry can find you affordable policies in less than one minute! Simply download the app and enter your information, and Jerry will browse policies from 50+ top insurance companies to find you the best rates available. Have questions along the way? You’ll have end-to-end support from a team of experts who will even help you cancel your old policy!
On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year on
car insurance
. With savings like that, you might be able to afford that peak season vacation of your dreams! “Jerryquoted me a price that saved me almost $4000 a year in California! I definitely recommend Jerry.” —Patricia B.
MORE: 7 ways to save money on car rentals
FAQs
What is the worst time to travel to Lassen Volcanic National Park?
The worst time to travel to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park is from November to May when the weather is highly unpredictable and roads are inaccessible. However, if your vehicle is prepared with snow chains and you’ve checked the weather and road reports, visiting Lassen in the winter can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
What is the busiest time of year to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park?
The busiest time of the year at Lassen Volcanic National Park is from August to September, when trails, roads, and natural attractions are at their most accessible.
.webp&w=64&q=75)
