Lassen Volcanic Highway Closes to Through Traffic for Winter Season
MINERAL, Calif. – Lassen National Park Highway is closed to through traffic for the winter/spring snow season. Recent autumn storms brought heavy snow and ice to the high-elevation roadway.
Lassen Volcanic National Park remains open throughout the winter/spring snow season and can be a wonderful time to visit for well-prepared visitors. While the park remains open, vehicle access is limited to one mile from the northwest entrance to the Loomis Plaza and one mile from the southwest entrance to the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. The majority of Lassen National Park Highway, and the other park roads into Juniper Lake, Warner Valley, and Butte Lake are closed to vehicles for the winter.
“We are happy to welcome another early start to the winter season at Lassen Volcanic. Winter is a special time to visit the park with friends and family. Sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing are wonderful ways to enjoy Lassen Volcanic’s snowy splendor,” said Acting Superintendent Kevin Sweeney.
Camping in self-contained vehicles, such as motorhomes and trailers, is permitted in the Southwest Area parking lot. Oversnow tent camping is not permitted in the Southwest Area, nor in the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center (KYVC) parking area. Oversnow tent camping is allowed in the Lassen Volcanic backcountry (1/2 mile from any park road open to vehicle traffic) with a permit, as well as in the adjacent Lassen National Forest. Fires and fire pans are not permitted; self-contained barbecues and gas stoves are allowed. Drinking water and restrooms are available inside the visitor center.
Visitors are reminded to be cautious of camping anywhere near trees that may have been impacted during the 2021 Dixie Fire. Weakened trees and branches can fall without warning.
The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center is open 9 am to 5 pm Wednesday through Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday) through the winter/spring snow season. The park entrance fee for a vehicle is $30. The winter entrance is fee is $10 between December 1 and April 15.
Enjoy your visit to Lassen Volcanic in the winter season by being prepared. Check the weather forecast, dress in layers, and carry food and water. Stow a shovel, blankets, and tire chains in your vehicle and expect winter road conditions. Fill up your gas tank before entering the park; there is no gas available until May.
Other Notices for Winter in Lassen:
- Be Aware of Burned Area- Hazards Numerous hazards exist in areas affected by the 2021 Dixie Fire. Be prepared for falling/fallen trees or limbs, loose/falling rock, undefined/unmarked trails, and hidden stump holes. Click more to learn about burned area safety. more
- Oversnow Camping off-limits – Oversnow camping is off-limits at the Southwest Campground due to present Dixie fire hazards. Self-contained camping is still allowed in the Southwest parking area, Fees apply, No tents.
www.nps.gov
For more information about Lassen Volcanic National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/lavo; contact the park at (530) 595-4480 or e-mail us; or find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube @LassenNPS.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube @nationalparkservice. #FindYour
Park Photo: NPS/Manzanita Lake at Lassen Volcanic National Park
Current Conditions at Lassen:
The park is accessible, some roads may be closed; many hiking trails were affected by the 2021 Dixie Fire. In addition, all hiking trails are covered with snow.
Reservations are not required or accepted to enter Lassen Volcanic. You may enter the park at any time, 24 hours a day. A 7-day or annual pass is required to enter; all may be purchased online.
Campgrounds are closed for the winter season.
Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center
(Southwest Area)Open Wednesday – Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Lassen Association Park Store Open Wednesday – Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Lassen Cafe & Gift Shop Open Wednesday – Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Food selection is limited to prepackaged snacks and drinks.The electric vehicle charging station is online.Oversnow camping is off-limits at the South West Campground due to present Dixie fire hazards. Oversnow camping will be available in back country areas as allowed by the Back Country Management Plan, permit is required. Food storage requirements are in effect until Dec 1st 2022. Alternate oversnow camping is available on National Forest land, and Morgan Summit Winter area.Manzanita Lake Area Loomis Museum closed for the season.The Manzanita Lake Camper Store is closed for the winter season.Manzanita Lake Campground is closed. View status and closure dates of park campgrounds.Heated restrooms at the Loomis Plaza are open throughout winter.
1-2 feet of snow accumulation. View Oversnow Route Conditions.
Be prepared for snow conditions. Snowshoes and trekking poles are highly recommended.
What is Accessible in winter:
Sulphur Works
The park’s most easily accessed hydrothermal area features boiling mudpots and steam vents viewable via a sidewalk. A parking area with sidewalk access to the features is located one mile north of the Southwest Entrance. Learn more about visiting Sulphur Works in summer/fall or spring/winter.
When will the Lassen Volcanic Highway open again in the Park?
Snow removal from the park highway usually begins in April and continues for about two months before the highway opens to through traffic. Visit go.nps.gov/lavo/snowclearing for spring road information. It is not possible to predict when the highway will open to through traffic. Plow operators have encountered snowdrifts up to 40-feet-deep. Deep snowfall and steep slopes can hold snow well into the early summer months.
