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Visit Sulphur Works at Lassen Volcanic NP

Shasta County, California

4.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Details

Distance

2 miles

Elevation Gain

200 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Kandis Owens

No time for a hike? No problem. Take in the sulphuric aroma and witness boiling mud pools at Sulphur Works without traveling too far from the parking lot.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a wonderland of lush pine forests, arid rocky terrain, boiling lakes, snow-capped peaks, and extremely diverse wildlife.  I recommend at least a week to explore this underrated national park, but if you are only driving through, you can still enjoy some of the wonder!

There are several hydrothermal areas of the park, but if you are short on time, Sulphur Works is easily accessible and worth the stop!  Access Sulphur Works through the Southwest entrance of the park.  About a mile after entering, you will pass by the Kohm-Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.  This visitor center has an auditorium with an informational movie about Lassen Volcanic NP and various wildlife exhibits. 

Continue about a mile past the visitor center and the parking lot for Sulphur Works will appear on the left. There is a sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot which marks the start of the Sulphur Works walk.  You will pass by boiling mud pools and steam vents and directly across the street is a staggering view of the breathtaking landscape.  There are informational signs along the way to answer all of your curiosities and several opportunities to catch the perfect photo for your national parks scrapbook!

If you continue past Sulphur Works (weather-permitting; the park's thru-road is often closed several times during the year due to landfall or icy/snowy conditions), you can travel about an hour all the way to the northern Manzanita Lake entrance.  This drive is nothing short of spectacular, but requires at least a half-day to fully enjoy.

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Features

Chillin
Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Forest
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife
ADA Accessible

Visit Sulphur Works at Lassen Volcanic NP Reviews

This is the first introduction to Lassen NP if you’re entering from the south. It’s hard to see from the car but there will likely be people on the sidewalk talking photos. There’s a decent amount of parking and it’s a very short walk to the mud pot and overlook of Sulphur Creek. Not really a hike but worth the stop to see the boiling mud pot, closer to a thermal feature than you’ll get at Bumpass.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Brokeoff Mountain Trail

Lake Helen in Lassen Volcanic NP

Bumpass Hell Trail

Lassen Peak

Summit Mt. Lassen via the Northeast Face

Bumpas Hell to Cold Boiling Lake