The Best Photographic Spots In Lassen Volcanic National Park

Where is Lassen Volcanic National Park?

Located in the Shasta Cascade region in Northeastern California, Lassen Volcanic National Park is among the parks that aren’t as well-known in California. It’s a shame because the park has much to offer. However, it’s also a blessing to the experienced travelers who visit and can enjoy this stunning landscape in peace.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is where you can find stunning thermal features like volcanic mountains, hydrothermal features, and many beautiful lakes. If you love the great outdoors, you should put Lassen Volcanic National Park on your list of destinations in this year’s Golden State.

Explore the beauty of Lassen Volcano National Park with this curated list. 

Where to stay near Lassen Volcanic National Park?

The closest town is the small log-mining center of Chester, situated within the State of Chester and offers a handful of hotels and restaurants, and is just 40 minutes from the southwest entrance. There are alternatives 35 miles east of Susanville, a more wealthy town in Susanville. 

Best camera equipment to take pictures Lassen Volcano National Park

We recommend a quality camera, and that’s the holy trinity. A wide-angle lens. 14-24mm or something like it. The 24-70mm range or like that and naturally 70-200mm or something similar.

If you don’t own the lenses required, don’t fret; the same lens will work well enough. A tripod is also advised to capture those stunning sunsets and night photos.

Best Photographic Spots In Lassen Volcanic National Park

1. Lake Helen

Lake Helen is a great place to cool off during a hike into the wilderness. The volcanic rock on the shoreline is gorgeous. It contrasts beautifully with a backdrop of blue sky and shimmering water. It’s a lovely place to take photos and share on social media if you want a colorful and vibrant picture. It’s surrounded by rhododendrons, lupine, and wildflowers, while dramatic peaks dominate the horizon. This is an excellent spot for photography and picnics. 

The best time to visit the Lake Helen region will vary greatly depending on where and when you travel. Still, in general, you should be looking at late spring through early fall. The summer months are relatively hot, but the water is still clean and inviting. Autumn is beautiful as the leaves change color, and the winter months can also be quite lovely with low humidity levels and fewer crowds since most people avoid outdoor activities when there’s snow on the ground

2. Manzanita Lake

Manzanita Lake is a scenic attraction that should not be missed when visiting Lassen National Park. It is located in the heart of the park but commands a majestic view of Mt. Lassen. The lake lies directly below the peak of Manzanita Mountain, which rises above 9,000 feet high. One of two lakes in the park offers spectacular views of Mt. Lassen, the other being Lake Helen. It is best to visit Manzanita when there are still lingering patches of snow on Mount Lassen and its surroundings. This makes for great photography opportunities.

3. Bumpass Hell 

Bumpass Hell is the most popular place to visit in Lassen Volcanic National Park. It’s a fun, unique, and easily accessible geothermal area that you can walk right up to, with one of the largest hydrothermal areas left in the park. It’s unique because it contains only water and has some of the hottest water temperatures in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The best time to visit Bumpass Hell is during a warm day without rain, so you can see the steam rising from all the pools.

4. Sulphur Works

Sulphur Works is a beautiful location for photography, containing the most spectacular hot springs and geothermal activity in Lassen Volcanic National Park. It is best to visit Sulphur Works in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun’s angle is less harsh. The area is typically open from late May to early October. Still, the park is often closed due to wildfire danger. Check ahead before going!

5. Kings Creek Falls

Kings Creek Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Kings Creek Falls is best photographed when water flows over the rock face in the spring. In the winter, you can photograph the frozen waterfall without running water; however, ice climbers can be seen climbing on the firm side walls. 

Due to the peak fall colors, you can see Kings Creek Falls at the best time of year if in September and October. The best place to view Kings Creek Falls is from the West Rim Trail, which follows the rim of Lassen Peak for 4 miles (6 km). A lower loop extends through a forested area. It can be used to reach an overlook with views of Hotlum and Devastated Cone.

6. Diamond Peak

Diamond Peak is a beautiful place to visit. Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife and plant life, so unsurprisingly, Diamond Peak ranks among the best photography spots in the park. The peak is also one of California’s most accessible destinations due to its proximity to major highways. Suppose you’re looking for a quiet place to get lost in nature and photograph the beautiful landscape of Lassen Volcanic National Park. In that case, Diamond Peak is where you need to be.

7. Lassen Park Highway

Located in Lassen Volcano National Park, the Lassen Park Highway is one of the best photography spots in the park. It offers stunning views of Diamond Peak and Mount Shasta. The road is open from late spring to early fall and is closed during winter. Next time you’re planning a visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park, be sure to stop along this route.

8. Boiling Springs Lake in Warner Valley

Boiling Springs Lake is one of the best photography spots in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The lake sits within a small meadow overlooking a large expanse of Lassen Peak and the surrounding mountain peaks, making for incredible backdrops for your photos. This spot is especially great during sunrise or sunset because of its location near the north end of the park, where it gets less cloud cover than other areas.

9. Hiking at Mt. Lassen

If you love the outdoors, then hiking at Mt. Lassen is for you. Whether you’re looking for a day-long hiking adventure or just family friendly distant hike up to a fantastic waterfall, there are plenty of walks to choose from all over Lassen Park. This trail is an excellent choice for those with a little more time to spare. Hiking through the forest and across mountain ridges, this 10.2-mile hike will take you to some of the most breathtaking views found in Lassen Volcano National Park

Best Photographic Spots In Lassen Volcanic National Park

10. Brokeoff Mountain

Brokeoff Mountain is a great place to explore and hike. You can enjoy the views of Brokeoff Mountain while hiking, camping, or day hiking in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Suppose you are looking for the best time to visit Brokeoff Mountains. In that case, it is best to see it in late spring during the blooming season of wildflowers, fall with color-changing leaves, or winter for some snowy mountain peaks.

11. Crater lake

Crater lake is one of the best photography spots in Lassen Volcano National Park. It’s a stunning deep blue color, surrounded by tall pine trees and a deep crater reaching down to the earth’s middle. The most beautiful time to visit Crater Lake is around sunrise, when light hits the peaks at just the right angle & creates gorgeous shadows.

12. Dormant Volcano

Dormant Volcano National Park is one of the best photography spots in Lassen Volcano National Park. The main attraction at Dormant Volcano is the unique lava flows and cones. Still, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy as well. If you want to visit in person, the best time to go is May through October, when the weather is better.

13. Colorful Volcanic Mounds

The best time to visit Colorful Volcanic Mounds is June-October. One of the unique spots in Lassen Volcano National Park is a large circular geothermal area with colorful volcanic mounds. Visitors will experience mineral and thermal features here, including fumaroles, mud pots, and other geothermal features.

14. Volcanic Cinder Cone

The cinder cone is an excellent photography site, and you can capture the beauty of nature through your camera lens. The best time to visit the Volcanic cinder cone is summer when you will see lots of wildflowers blossoming and the lakes in full bloom.

15. Crater of Cinder Cone

Crater of Cinder Cone is one of the best photography spots in Lassen Volcano National Park. It has a great view over the park, and part of it can be seen from the lookout point. The best time to visit the Crater of Cinder Cone is sunrise or sunset.

16. Terrace Lake

Terrace Lake is a hidden gem in a high alpine meadow with stunning views of Lassen Volcano. The most popular spot for photographers is the reflections in the lake, which can get crowded on summer weekends. The best time to visit this small lake is during the spring and fall when there are fewer people around.

17. Smoking Fumaroles

Smoking fumaroles is a great photography spot with exciting and beautiful scenes. Lassen Volcano National Park is a trendy park, especially in the fall when the surrounding hillsides turn to gold. The visibility here is ideal in the early morning and evening before the sun comes out and the mountain silhouettes disappear from view.

18. Bumpass Hell boardwalk

One of the unique features of Lassen Volcanic National Park is Bumpass Hell, an unusual geothermal area full of hot springs and mud pots. Bumpass Hell Boardwalk is a short walk above the site that offers an excellent opportunity to see bubbling springs, steaming cauldrons, and other naturally occurring phenomena.

19. McArthur-Burney Falls

When it comes to the best places to visit in Lassen, McArthur-Burney Falls is at the top of the list. This beautiful cascade cascades down a sheer rock face that’s easy for climbers and hikers to admire from above. Take a bright raincoat and sturdy boots, as well as a camera, to capture the beauty of this fantastic spot.

20. Mountain Ridge

Mountain ridge is a popular place for visitors to enjoy the scenery in Lassen Volcano National Park. Visitors can find scenic views of volcanic rocks and meadows when they visit this area. Hiking trails are available here, and don’t forget your camera.

21. Summit Lake

Summit Lake is an iconic destination in Lassen Volcanoes National Park. It is one of the best photography spots in it. The lake has a beautiful view, surrounded by volcanic terrain. You can take great landscape photos here. If this is your first visit, hiking to the lake could be a bit challenging for you, but worth making it for at least once. Also, take photos around sunset or sunrise when light conditions are better and have more dramatic effects on watercolor reflecting off rocks.

22. Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is one of many great photography spots in Lassen Volcano National Park. With the same name as its emerald-green waters, this lake is popular with adventurous hikers who want to take in views of the beautiful surrounding landscape. The best time to visit Emerald Lake is during the summer months when temperatures are warm, and crowds are low.

23. The Milky Way

The Milky Way is one of the best photography spots in Lassen Volcano National Park. The best time to visit The Milky Way is during September and October, when you can see all of the stars clearly, and there is no light pollution. A good day hike would be to set up camp at Black Butte or Lake Helen, near the lava flows, hike up to the summit at dawn, or stay at the lower elevations for the sunrise on Lassen Peak.

24. Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail offers incredible views of Lassen Volcano National Park, but most visitors reach it during the summer. While this is a great time to visit, fall is an even better time to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. During peak fall color the golds, reds, and browns of the landscape will transform your perception of this remarkable place.

25. Lassen Visitor Center

The Lassen Visitor Center is a great starting point for exploring Lassen National Park. It’s located in the center of the park. It offers a wealth of information on the volcano’s history, wildlife, and geology. The visitor center is also an excellent spot for photographing nearby features like Bumpass Hell, Cinder Cone, and Lassen Peak

26. Chaos Crags

Chaos Crags is a classic hike in Lassen National Park. The trail can be steep and rocky sometimes, but it winds around the side of a valley, next to an old lava flow sculpted by water and ice into rocky columns. The trail is lined with wildflowers, and small waterfalls cascade down the cliffside in spring runoff. It’s a great place to spend a weekend day or two hiking and exploring!

27. Alpine Forest

The Alpine Forest is one of the most reflective and peaceful places in Lassen, and it’s also where you can find the largest concentration of wildflowers. This forest has some great photographic opportunities, not to mention beautiful views of nearby mountains and meadows. The weather during summer tends to be warmer and drier than in other national parks in California, which makes it a good choice if you want to avoid crowds. A bonus is that this area is dog friendly.

28. Volcanic Pond

If you love photography, Volcanic Pond is the perfect place to start your visit to Lassen National Park. It features beautiful views everywhere, but what makes this spot truly unique is its location. A shimmering blue pond sits in a volcanic crater surrounded by hills and forests of snow-covered pines and firs. No matter where you point your camera lens, you’ll be sure to snap stunning shots

27. Alpine Lake

Alpine Lake is one of the best photography spots in Lassen Volcano National Park. It’s a small body of water that you can see from the side, but if you hike along the trails around the lake, it gives you some great shots of it and views of other parts of the park. Take advantage of this fantastic spot while touring through Lassen, and make sure to get there early in the morning while everything is still covered in mist.

30. Lassen Peak

Take the short hike to Lassen Peak, a volcanic cone that is the second-highest point in California. This hike is moderately difficult and is recommended for fit hikers only. On clear days, this area offers incredible views of the surrounding landscape as well as nearby Lassen National Park and Lake Almanor on cooler days.

This is one of the most popular photo locations within Lassen Volcano National Park

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