With diverse seasonal scenery and a huge variety of activities visitors can experience throughout the year, Upstate California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park is a hidden gem within America’s National Park System — and Butte County is the beautiful southern gateway to its many splendors.
For those visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park from the south, the shortest route to the southwest entrance goes right through Butte County, with the Chico area less than 90 minutes away from the Kohm Yah-mah-née Visitor Center, making day trips from Butte County possible year-round.
Though it has a bounty of outstanding scenery, Lassen Volcanic National Park is still off the beaten path and sees less visitation than most other National Parks. That means fewer crowds, more opportunities for peace and quiet, and some of the best night sky views in Northern California.
The quietness of Lassen is even more stark during the winter season when the park turns into a winter wonderland perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Lassen sounds like a long trip from much of the state, but it’s surprisingly close to Butte County — and more than worth the drive.
The centerpiece is the stunning Lassen Peak, the southernmost active volcano in Northern California’s Cascade Mountains. Hikes around and including Lassen Peak provide big mountain views with seasonal alpine wildflowers. The volcanic activity here offers the best assortment of geothermal features in the continental United States outside of Yellowstone National Park.
It’s easy to find yourself in an otherworldly landscape at Lassen, whether you’re walking the boardwalk through Bumpass Hell by steaming vents or spiraling up Cinder Cone next to the Painted Dunes. And mountain lakes like Manzanita Lake and Butte Lake provide scenic paddling and fishing opportunities if you’re ready to get out on the water.
This guide will help you prepare for your adventures at this spectacular National Park, get there and back (with some fantastic stops along the way), and celebrate your visit with a few drinks and great Butte County cuisine.
Get in Shape at Other Northern California Parks
Some of the trails at Lassen Volcanic National Park have serious elevation gains, like Lassen Peak (almost 2,000 feet) and Brokeoff Mountain (over 2,500 feet).
If you want to test out your gear and stretch your legs while visiting Butte County, there are many can’t‑miss Upstate California destinations and state parks offering long distances or several hundred feet of elevation gain to prepare you:
- Take a quick but steep hike up to the iconic Monkey Face.
- Walk up to see the view from the Oroville Dam via the Brad Freeman Trail.
- Explore the many California State Parks trails around Lake Oroville.
- Conquer Upper Bidwell Park’s North Rim or South Rim.
- Tally up the miles with the Many Waterfalls Cross-Country Loop during winter and spring.
Your Butte County Base Camp
You’ll want to make sure you rest well before (and after) your big adventure at Lassen Volcanic National Park! Most lodging options in the Chico area are less than an hour and a half away from the park’s southwest entrance. Stays in the Paradise and Oroville areas only add a few more scenic minutes to the drive, making Lassen within reach from wherever you’re staying in beautiful Butte County.
Gear Up For Upstate California Sun and Fun
Make sure you have the proper clothing, shoes, and equipment to stay safe and comfortable during your Lassen adventure.
Hiking calls for quality hiking shoes, a pack for your gear, sun protection, a first aid kit, hydration, and maybe even camping equipment if you want to sleep under the stars. Winter hikes at Lassen can include snowshoes, skis, snow boots, avalanche safety gear (for those who want to go way out there), and clothing to keep you warm and dry.
Mountain Sports in Downtown Chico has been a destination for summer and winter season adventure gear since 1975. They also have equipment available for rent and their staff can guide your expeditions at Lassen Volcanic National Park and anywhere else in Butte County you might travel before or after.
Both Oroville and Chico have a Big 5 Sporting Goods store, while Chico is also home to REI, Sportsman’s Warehouse, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, ensuring you will always have the opportunity to pick up any new gear you need well before you need it.
On-the-Way Scenic Northern California Travel Stops
The drive up Highway 32 from Chico is full of scenic vistas and winding forested roads, perfect for a National Park road trip. Before you get too far from Chico, stop at Peregrine Point for an unforgettable panoramic view of the Sacramento Valley and surrounding mountain ranges.
As you drive further uphill, you will notice that Highway 32 straddles two canyons: Big Chico Creek Canyon to the north and Little Chico Creek Canyon to the south. When going through the community of Forest Ranch, you will also get one more chance to stock up on snacks at Zavettero’s Grocery.
Past the turnoff to Butte Meadows, Highway 32 winds down into the Deer Creek drainage. Once you’re in Lassen National Forest, watch for the sign for Deer Creek Falls, which has a small turnout for parking on the south side of the road. You will also notice impressive volcanic rock formations here and there along this stretch, reminding you that you’re on land shaped by countless years of volcanic action.
As you approach Highway 36, the views will begin to open up to showcase the splendid scenery typical of Upstate California, and you’ll start catching enticing glimpses of Lassen Peak on clear days.
After Your National Park Adventure
Once you’re back in Butte County, you will be ready to relax and reminisce about your epic adventures at Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Whether you’re looking for a quick drink, somewhere fancy to celebrate your achievements, or a kitchen to serve up a hearty meal, the bars and eateries of Butte County have you covered with unique, farm-to-fork California cuisine, and a rich showcase of international flavors.
How to Get to Lassen Volcanic National Park
The most accessible part of Lassen from Butte County is the southwest entrance, which includes the Kohm Yah-mah-née Visitor Center (open year-round). From Highway 99 in Chico, take Highway 32 east for 52 miles to where it ends at the junction with Highways 36⁄89. Turn left at the junction and head north for just over 12 miles.
Highway 89 will split from Highway 36 (which heads west towards Red Bluff). Continue north on Highway 89 (the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway) for another 5 miles and you will be in Lassen Volcanic National Park! Note that Highway 89 is closed to vehicles (but open to snow adventure!) past the Kohm Yah-mah-née Visitor Center during the snowy season. The National Park maintains a webpage updating visitors about the spring snow-clearing timeline.
The northwest entrance to Lassen, including Manzanita Lake and the Chaos Crags, is only 1 hour and 45 minutes away from Chico. The lightly visited southeast entrance north of Chester is also about 1 hour and 45 minutes away from Chico (though some areas here, such as Juniper Lake, are currently closed to vehicles due to fire recovery efforts). The northeast entrance, home to Butte Lake, Cinder Cone, and the Painted Dunes is the most distant entrance at about two and a half hours away, but the unique volcanic landscape makes the journey well worth the effort.
Before you head up, be sure to check for current conditions at Lassen and highway conditions from Caltrans.