L A S S E N V O L C A N I C N AT I O N A L PA R K
Take in the views of Lassen Peak as you relax on your vacation.
Courtesy of The California Parks Company
Suzi Brakken
see a volcano
Boiling springs, belching mudpots and hissing steam vents are among the wondrous sights awaiting visitors to beautiful Lassen Volcanic National Park. One of the oldest national parks, LVNP was established in 1916 and remains a treasure trove of hydrothermal activity. Lassen Peak sits at the southernmost end of the Cascade Range, which extends from here to Canada. The western part of the park features lava pinnacles and volcanoes, while the eastern part features small cinder cones forested with conifers and studded with small lakes. LVNP is just a short 35-minute drive from the Chester-Lake Almanor area, or an hour from Indian Valley — the park offers great day trip opportunities. Visitors can observe the hydrothermal activity along the road, or take short hikes and strolls through some of the most pristine, untouched wilderness in the country. The park itself is open 24 hours a day year-round. The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, located at the park’s southwest entrance, is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. year-round with the exception of Christmas Day and Tuesdays and Wednesdays between Nov. 1 and March 31. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the exhibit hall, view the spectacular park film and browse in the bookstore. The concession cafe and gift shop are open daily in the summer and on weekends and holidays in the winter. The center receives its name from the Mountain Maidu name for Lassen Peak, which means “Snow Mountain.” The historical Loomis Museum, located at the northwest entrance of the park, operates May 27 through Oct. 31. It offers an auditorium, bookstore and exhibits. Two brand new
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