The second stop on the 2025 Family road trip took us to Lassen Volcanic National Park — a park that’s often overlooked but definitely shouldn’t be. It’s got all the geothermal fun of Yellowstone, snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and hardly any crowds. Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to one of the largest volcanic areas in the world, with a mix of active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes. Its most famous eruption happened in 1915 when Lassen Peak blew its top: the largest volcanic eruption in the U.S. in the 20th century.
We camped at Manzanita Lake, which was a great spot for the family. The campground is shady and peaceful, and the lake is just a short walk away. We spent a lot of time there — fishing, skipping rocks, and watching for wildlife. The kids loved trying to fish (we’ll just say it was more about the trying than the catching), and we even saw a pair of bald eagles soaring overhead. Definitely a highlight!
We hiked the Manzanita Lake Loop, which is an easy trail with beautiful views of Lassen Peak reflected in the water. We were hoping to explore more of the park’s hydrothermal areas — like Bumpass Hell and Sulphur Works — but the southern part of the park was still closed due to snow. So no mudpots or bubbling pools this time around. Just means we’ll have to come back!
Even with the closures, Lassen didn’t disappoint. Lava fields, alpine views, and plenty of space to explore — it felt like a hidden gem. Quiet, wild, and just the right mix of adventure and downtime.
This park rates at 4 out of 5 stars based on our standard criteria.
Rating Criteria: Fun, Scenic, Ease of Travel, Wildlife, Crowds
On the way into Lassen we made a Pit Stop at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. It was a fun little stop and recommended if you're in the area.
Then on the way out we made a Pit Stop to see Burney falls at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park and it was such a beautiful place. I'm glad we were able to make the time to see it.
