Bumpass Hell © Russell Virgilio/NPS
Most visits to Lassen Volcanic National Park begin and end on Main Park Road (CA-89). A slight problem is that you’ll only find campgrounds in between Southwest and Northwest Entrances. Nearby dining, grocery stores, lodging, festivals, and attractions are listed in the What’s Nearby section. Tucked away in Warner Valley is the park’s only lodging, Drakesbad Guest Ranch (866.999.0914, www.drakesbad.com). Accommodations are simple (most without electricity), and rates range from $140 – 176 per person per night (meals are included). The roads to Warner Valley, Juniper Lake, and Butte Lake are long and rough, but the peacefulness is worth the journey. With that said, most visitors only travel along Main Park Road. Expect the 29-mile (one-way) drive to take one hour without stopping. Here’s a one-day itinerary to help guide you along Main Park Road (beginning at the SW Entrance).
Day 1: Introduce yourself to the park at Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Watch the introductory film, browse through the exhibits and bookstore, and check the day’s schedule of ranger guided activities. Adjust your schedule in order to squeeze in any programs of interest. Return to your car and begin touring Main Park Road. After a few miles you’ll reach two of the premier destinations: Bumpass Hell and Lassen Peak. Hike their respective trails. At a leisurely pace it takes 2 hours to complete Bumpass Hell Trail and 4 hours to hike to the summit of Lassen Peak and back. If you’re sufficiently worn out from the hikes complete the drive all the way to the NW Entrance and Manzanita Lake. Here you can sit down, set up camp, or continue on to your next vacation destination.