Lassen Peak above the deep blue water of Lake Helen, inside Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Guided experience

Into Lassen Volcanic, from our side of the park

Two of the park's entrances start in Chester. Both are dirt for their last miles.

Photo: NPS photo, Public domain

Our two entrances

Warner Valley

From Highway 36 in Chester, onto Feather River Road, then County Road 312, following signs for Drakesbad.

A 13-mile, partly-unpaved road is used to access the Warner Valley area. The last three miles is dirt road with steep sections. Not recommended for trailers.

National Park Service, Getting Around

Another Park Service page says 17 miles, so budget for that. Warner Valley guide.

Juniper Lake

A 13-mile, partly-unpaved road. The last six miles is rough dirt road with steep sections. Not suitable for buses, motorhomes, or trailers.

National Park Service, Getting Around

Southwest Entrance

West of Chester on Highway 36. Use it for the park highway and Bumpass Hell.

Is the road open

Lassen Volcanic park highway opening and closing dates, 2020 to 2026
YearRoad openedRoad closed
202029 May13 November
202117 May21 October
20223 June6 November
20231 July5 December
202420 June6 December
202527 June24 October
202622 Maystill open

What it costs

$30 per private vehicle, valid 7 consecutive days, from 16 April to 30 November. From 1 December to 15 April it is $10 for a vehicle, a motorcycle or a person on foot.

When the other roads are open

Warner Valley and Juniper Lake are "not maintained in winter", approximately November to June. Drakesbad Guest Ranch runs 12 June to 12 October for 2026.

Lassen in winter

Vehicle access is limited to the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center (southwest entrance) and Loomis Plaza/Manzanita Lake parking area (northwest entrance). Winter guide.

The boardwalk through Bumpass Hell, Lassen's largest hydrothermal area.
Steam rising from the Devils Kitchen hydrothermal area in Warner Valley.
Aspens in fall colour on the east side of Lassen Peak.

Where you sleep

Motel rooms King rooms, and queen suites with bunk beds.
The home Three bedrooms and two baths.
RV sites Full hookup sites.

Check availability

If you have another day

Last checked 23 September 2026.

Area photographs from Wikimedia Commons: NPS photo (Public domain); NPS photo (Public domain); Frank Schulenburg (CC BY-SA 4.0); NPS photo (Public domain). Photographs of Cedar Lodge are our own.