Alerts & Conditions

Alerts

 
 

Conditions Summary

Service/Facility/Activity

Current Conditions

Emergency Closures in Burned Areas

Burned Area Safety

Some closures are in place for facilities, infrastructure (e.g. bridges, overlooks), and areas affected by the 2021 Dixie Fire. Please adhere to all closures indicated by CLOSED signs.

Use caution when recreating through burned areas. Standing dead trees can fall without warning. Learn more about burned area safety.

Park Roads

  • The Lassen National Park Highway is CLOSED to vehicle through traffic throughout the snow season. (Generally November through June).
    • Lassen National Park Highway (Highway 89, 30 miles through the park) closes seasonally to vehicle access upon snow accumulation (usually in early November).
    • Vehicles can access the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center in the SW from State Highway 36.
    • Vehicles can access Loomis Plaza in the NW from State Highway 44.
    • In times of limited vehicle access visitors cross country ski/snowshoe the park road.
  • Spring Road Clearing Operations usually begin in April with complete road opening by June/July.
  • When open, the Lassen National Park Highway (connecting Hwy. 89 through the park) winds through mountainous terrain. It is 30 miles through the park and reaches an elevation of 8500 feet.
  • Warner Valley and Juniper Lake Roads closed to vehicles for Dixie Fire repair and winter snow accumulation.
  • Check Caltrans for road conditions and chain requirements leading to the park State Highway 44 to the northwest entrance and State Highway 36 to the southwest entrance).

Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center
(Southwest Area)

*Open Wednesday-Sunday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Lassen Association Park Store is Open Wednesday-Sunday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Lassen Cafe & Gift Shop is Open Friday-Sunday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Food selection limited to prepackaged snacks and drinks.
There is no food available for sale Monday-Thursday within the park.

*Extreme weather conditions may limit hours. See Alerts above for current information.

  • The electric vehicle charging station may not always be available due to intermittent internet outages.
  • Camping in self-contained vehicles, such as motorhomes and trailers, is permitted in the Southwest parking area year-round. Large trailers and RVs must park in appropriate marked spaces. Do not take additional parking space.
    • During winter vehicles should park in the center of the parking lot as to not interfere with snow plow operations.
    • Fires and fire pans including portable gas fire pits are prohibited in the Southwest parking area .
  • Paws on Pavement. Pets are not permitted on hiking trails, snow (including snow-covered roads), or in any body of water. Walk leashed pets only on roads that vehicles can drive on.

Manzanita Lake Area
(Northwest Area)

Loomis Museum is Closed until May 24, 2024.
Manzanita Lake Camper Store and Gas Pump are closed until May 23, 2024.
Lassen Association Park Store is Open Friday-Sunday 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Oversnow Route Conditions
(Updated November - May)

Hiking Trail Conditions
(updated June - October)




Once snow covers the park, view the status of Oversnow Routes. Updates occur November through May.

  • Snow traversal equipment is highly recommended to explore beyond the main entrances. Snowshoes or skis are necessary to do so.
  • Once substantial snow accumulates and closes Lassen National Park Highway, most of the park including Bumpass Hell and Kings Creek Falls trails are inaccessable. Snow-covered routes (including the snow-covered highway) in the immediate area of the main entrances are accessible by vehicle and require use of snow traversing equipment such as snowshoes/cross-country skis and described as "oversnow routes".
  • Learn more about winter recreation opportunities and winter recreation etiquette
  • Use caution when traveling through burned areas. Standing dead trees can fall without warning. Learn more about burned area safety and visiting after the Dixie Fire

Campgrounds

  • All park campgrounds are closed for the season.
  • Campgrounds are open approximately May/June through September/October. Opening and closing dates are dependent on snow depth and other conditions.
  • Most campgrounds require reservation via Recreation.gov.
  • Camping in self-contained vehicles, such as motorhomes and trailers, is permitted in the Southwest parking area year-round. Large trailers and RVs must park in appropriate marked spaces. Do not take additional parking space.
    • During winter vehicles should park in the center of the parking lot as to not interfere with snow plow operations.
    • Fires and fire pans including portable gas fire pits are prohibited in the Southwest parking area .
  • Warner Valley, Juniper Lake, and Southwest Walk-in Campgrounds will remain closed for 2024 for post 2021 Dixie Fire recovery.

Backcountry Access and Camping

 

AnchorWeather, Webcams & Snow Depths

Snow depths are updated when there is a significant change. Learn more about Lassen's snowpack and snowpack surveys.
There are no regular patrols into the interior of the park in the winter; information is provided only for the Manzanita Lake and Southwest Areas.

Last updated - March 21, 2024

Weather Forecast

Webcam

Approximate Snow Depth (Nov - Apr)

Manzanita Lake
5,900 feet

Offline indefinitely

~24 inches (2 feet) of snow.
View oversnow route conditions

Southwest Entrance
6,700 feet

Facing north from back of Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center

~120 inches (10 feet) of snow.
View oversnow route conditions

Lassen Peak
8,250 feet

Daily sensor measurements
Monthly manual measurements (Jan - Apr).

Northern California Area

View area webcams

California Cooperative Snow Surveys

Learn about Lassen's Snowpack

Surveys typically take place around the start of every month, January through May or June.

View statewide survey information inlcluding two survey locations in the park.

Lower Lassen Peak (LLP) | Lake Helen 8200 feet elevation | Feather River Basin

March Survey
Date - Feb. 24
Snow Depth - 163 inches/13.6 feet
Water content - 62.5 inches/5.2 feet
Density (water to snow ratio) - 38%
April 1 average for water content - 79%


New Manzanita Lake (MNZ) | Manzanita Lake 5900 feet elevation | Pit River Basin

March Survey

Date - March 3
Snow Depth - 31 inches
Water Content - 9 inches
Density (water to snow ratio) - 24%
April 1 average for water content - 112%
 

Loading weather forecast...

 

AnchorAnchorStatus of Roads in the Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway and other park roads close to vehicle access during the winter snow season, typically November through May.

Refresh your browser (hit F5) to view the most recent information.

Road Section

Status

Detail

Lassen National Park Highway
A 30-mile section of Highway 89 between Highway 36 and Highway 44.

CLOSED to vehicles for the snow season

Highway 89 closes seasonally to vehicle access through the park upon substantial snow accumulation. This usually takes place sometime in November until completion of Spring Road Clearing Operations which usually occurs Late May/June.

Current Conditions

  • Vehicles can access the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center in the SW.
  • Vehicles can access Loomis Plaza in the NW .
  • The connecting 28 miles is closed to vehicles due to snow and ice, but open for skiing or snowshoeing.

When open, the park highway connects the northwest and southwest entrance of the park and is 30-miles in length. Vehicles over 45 feet and commercial vehicles are not allowed.
The road reaches an elevation of 8500 feet and winds through mountainous landscape.

Butte Lake Road

CLOSED to vehicles for snow season

This 6-mile road is unpaved/gravel passable by all vehicles. It starts at the junction of Hwy 44 and dead ends at Butte Lake Area.

Warner Valley Road

CLOSED to vehicles for snow season

Road closed to vehicles for Dixie Fire repair until further notice. Hike and bicycle access only.
Drakesbad Guest Ranch closed to all access.

Campground is closed.

Be alert in burned areas. Learn more about burned area hazards.

Road is not recommended for RVs, trailers, and low clearance vehicles. The 17-mile-long remote road begins off of Hwy 36 in Chester. The last 3-mile section is unpaved/dirt.

Juniper Lake Road

CLOSED to vehicles for snow season

Road closed to vehicles for Dixie Fire repair until further notice. Hike and bicycle access only.
Campground is closed.

Be alert in burned areas. Learn more about burned area hazards.

Recommended only for high-clearance vehicles. Road is generally not advised for RVs, trailers or vehicles with very low clearance.This remote road travels north from Chester (Hwy 36E). It is paved for the first 6 miles. The remaining 7 miles are rough gravel and rock. A section of the county road just before the park boundary has large rocks and hazards.

 

Roads to the Park

Check conditions for area roads (map of the area) on the CalTrans QuickMap or Highway Conditions lookup page; or view current conditions on CalTrans webcams. The park does not determine chain control restrictions - this is determined by CalTrans. Please go to the CalTrans website for area chain control information.

State Route (SR) 44/89 provides access to the Northwest Entrance/Manzanita Lake Area
State Route (SR) 36/89 provides access to the Southwest Entrance / Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center

Winter Closure Map


 
Road Closure Map Winter 2024
Winter Closure Map 2023/2024

NPS

 
Area Map of Lassen Volcanic National Park

Area Map of Lassen Volcanic National Park

Last updated: March 21, 2024

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 100
Mineral, CA 96063

Phone:

530 595-4480

Contact Us