Northern California holds more than iconic coastlines and redwood forests — it’s also home to volcanic domes, cinder cones, and steam vents. From the geothermal wonderland of Lassen Volcanic National Park to breathtaking MacArthur-Burney waterfall, our journey took us through contrasting yet connected landscapes shaped by tectonic activity and time.
In this blog, we’ll take you through Lassen National Park, from planning to backpacking to off-roading. Whether you’re drawn to geologic wonders or remote trails, this adventures invites you to explore a different side of California.
Destination Insights
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen is one of the few places on Earth where you can see all four major volcano types (shield, plug dome, cinder cone, and stratovolcano) in a single region. These formations are part of the active Cascadia Subduction Zone, where tectonic collisions continue to reshape the landscape through uplift, magma movement, and erosion. Spanning over 100,000 acres, Lassen features boiling springs, steam vents, mud pots, and trails that wind through pine forests, ancient lava beds, and alpine lakes. The park’s hiking season typically runs from late June to early October, with lingering snow and cool mountain air well into summer.
Nearby towns like Redding (1 hour west) and Chico (2 hours southwest) make excellent launch points. Along the way, we visited McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, home to one of California’s most consistent and photogenic waterfalls.
Travel Guide
Day 1
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | • Roadtrip: Long Beach to Grass Valley (8+ hours) |
| Evening | • Dinner at Diego’s Restaurant: Cozy welcome and great eats! • Night at Grass Valley Courtyard Suites |
Day 2
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | • Roadtrip: Grass Valley to Redding (2 hours) |
| Afternoon | • Off-roading Sierra Buttes Trailhead (10 miles): Scenic alpine ridgelines, old fire lookouts, and a slow, steady trail drive with unbeatable views. |
| Evening | • Dinner at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. • Night at Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn |
Day 3
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | • Roadtrip: Redding to Lassen Volcanic National Park (1 hour) |
| Afternoon | • Hike Crags Lake Trail (4 miles): The pine forests, moss-covered ground, and rocky terrain are beautiful. • Picnic: The final stretch near Crags Lake offers peaceful views, even if the “lake” often resembles a quiet pond. |
| Evening | • Roadtrip: Lassen Volcanic National Park to Redding (1 hour) • Night at Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn |
Day 4
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | • Roadtrip: Redding to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (1.5 hours) |
| Afternoon | • Hike Burney Falls Loop (1.1 miles): We opted to hike counter-clockwise so we could end with an overlook from above the waterfall. What an incredible view! |
| Evening | • Roadtrip: McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park to Chico (3 hours) • Night at Holiday Inn Express Chico |
Day 5
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | • Roadtrip: Chico to Lassen Volcanic National Park (2 hours) |
| Afternoon | • Hike Summit Lake to Rainbow Lake: We hiked via Bear Lakes Trail (8.1 miles) • Lunch at Rainbow Lake • Hike Rainbow Lakes to Cinder Cone (7.3 miles round trip): Views from the top of the Cinder Cone looked straight from Mars! |
| Evening | • Backpacking at Rainbow Lake: Peaceful solitude with a meteor shower. |
Day 6
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | • Hike Rainbow Lakes to Summit Lake (8.1 miles): We traveled via Twin Lakes Trail. |
| Afternoon | • Visit Sulphur Works (steaming fumaroles) • Hike Bumpass Hell (3 miles RT) – Boardwalks over boiling mud pots and hissing steam vents |
| Evening | • Roadtrip: Lassen Volcanic National Park to Chico (2 hours) • Night at Holiday Inn Express Chico |
Day 7
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | • Roadtrip: Chico to Santa Rosa (3 hours) |
| Afternoon | • Lunch at Gio’s Pizza: Yummy! • Roadtrip: Santa Rosa to Napa Valley (1 hour) • Wine tasting at rdWinery: Enjoyed the wine and • Vietnamese culture at this winery! |
| Evening | • Roadtrip: Napa Valley to Salinas (2.5 hours) • Off-roading at Hollister Hills Adventure Track: Superb recreational vehicle park with tracks and trails all over! • Night at Holiday Inn Express Salinas |
Day 8
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | • Roadtrip: Salinas to Pinnacles National Park (1 hour) • Hike Condor Gulch Trail to High Peaks Trail Loop (5.3 miles): Fun scramble through rock passages! |
| Afternoon | • Roadtrip: Pinnacles National Park to Long Beach (5 hours) |
* Some of the incredible photos featured in this photo journal were taken by our amazing family and friends (Maria, Nicholas, Julia, Nam, and Liz – thank you for capturing the adventure from your unique perspectives!).
Next Time Must Do’s
At Lassen, we’d love to hike Lassen Peak for summit views, explore the Subway Cave lava tube near Old Station, backpack the Cluster Lakes Loop, and paddleboard at sunrise on Manzanita Lake.
Wilderness Wisdom
Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to all four major types of volcanoes: Shield, Plug Dome, Cinder Cone, and Stratovolcano. This geodiversity results from a complex interplay between tectonic processes, magmatic evolution, and regional hydrology, all influenced by the subduction of the Juan de Fuca Plate beneath the North American Plate. Few places on the planet bring so many volcanic forms together in one region.
One of our favorite hikes took us up Cinder Cone, a basaltic scoria cone formed during eruptions in the mid-1600s. The steep trail crossed loose tephra and scoria, offering a clear view of pyroclastic processes. From the summit, we looked out over the oxidized Painted Dunes and the rugged Fantastic Lava Beds, shaped by lava flows through the breached crater.
Pro Tip: Running down the soft cinder slope feels like skiing and provides a fast, fun descent. Just be sure to stay on the trail to protect the fragile landscape.
Trailside Ties
Every detour is a destination waiting to surprise you. We made a spontaneous decision to visit McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. We hiked a loop trail that featured several wooden bridge crossings, and ended with a stunning waterfall view. Burney Falls is fed by both surface streams and underground springs, flowing at 100 million gallons per day, steadily all year-round. Surrounded by forest, friends, and falling water, the moment felt peaceful and grounding—one of the trip’s most refreshing surprises.
Photo Journal
Summary
This Northern California adventure was shaped by ancient fire, shifting plates, and a shared love for the outdoors. Lassen brought geothermal energy, volcanic diversity, and peaceful lake camps. This national park offered a journey through California’s lesser-traveled terrain from lava beds and fumaroles. Along the way, we rediscovered the beauty of slowing down, soaking in landscapes, and finding joy in the company of good friends.
Have you visited Lassen National Park? Comment your favorite trails – we’re always looking for the next adventure.
Check out our other favorite destinations!
