How much does it cost to travel to Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park?
You should plan to spend around $126 per day on your vacation in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $30 on meals
- $56 on local transportation
- $125 on hotels
A one week trip to Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park for two people costs, on average, $1,761. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park expensive to visit?
Prices in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Vernon, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Key West.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park?
The average Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$125
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$56
|
Food 2
|
$30
|
Entertainment 1
|
$21
|
Alcohol 2
|
$9 -
28
|
Accommodation Budget in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park is $62. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park is $125. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $56 per person, per day, on local transportation in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$56
How much does it cost to go to Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park can vary, the average cost of food in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park is $30 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park should cost around $12 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$30
Entertainment Budget in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park typically cost an average of $21 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$21
Alcohol Budget in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $19 on alcoholic beverages in Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$19
Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park On a Budget
Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Located in northeastern California, Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of those places you don't hear too much about, yet it is a one-of-a-kind park boasting all 4 volcano types, hydrothermal areas, and over 150 miles of trails. Lassen Peak is the most popular attraction, a cinder cone volcano, which is open for visitors who wish to hike to the top. From here you can see sweeping views of the surrounding valley, clear mountain lakes, flower spotted meadows, and even other volcanoes in the Cascade Range like Mount Shasta.
Lassen Volcanic National Park actually started as two separate national monuments designated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907: Cinder Cone National Monument and Lassen Peak National Monument. Soon after, because of the area's stark volcanic beauty and Lassen Peak's eruptive activity, the place was declared a National Park on August 9, 1916.
Sights
Lassen Peak is by far the centerpiece of the park. The cinder cone looms above it all, still active but dormant deep beneath the surface. The last eruptions occurred in a series from 1914 through 1921, releasing lava, a great deal of ash, and forming a crater near its top. Taking the hike up to Lassen Peak is well worth the effort, as you begin to see gorgeous views unveil themselves the higher you climb. The trek is about 5 miles round trip, reaching an elevation of 10,457 feet at its summit. There are many switchbacks and the trail can be steep and rocky at times, so be sure to wear good hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with some of the most spectacular views to be seen in the park.
Neighborhoods
The national park is designated as being located in the town of Mineral, California-population 100 or so. As the town is mostly made up of the national park, there is very little to it, except for the Mineral Lodge, which serves as a comfortable place to stay for tourists visiting the little community and the surrounding areas of the park.
The closest town that features the most amenities is Chester, located on Lake Almanor on the southeast edge of the national park. Chester's primary industries are lumber production and tourism, and the lake itself is a popular destination for hunting, fishing, and boating. The area is also home to many seasonal and year-round resorts and restaurants that cater to the locals and summer tourists. Wintertime tends to be quieter and the town often becomes a waypoint for people traveling to ski resorts at Mount Shasta and Lake Tahoe.
Activities
In addition to the hike up Lassen Peak, the surrounding areas of the park have much to offer in natural phenomena. Bumpass Hell, for example, is the largest hydrothermal area in the park, existing as a 16-acre bowl of hot mud pots, bubbling pools, and roaring steam vents. The hike through this basin is about a 3-mile descent for those wishing to explore.
The clear mountain waters of Manzanita Lake are another popular destination with visitors. The lake is a prime fishing spot (with a catch and release policy), and also allows non-motorized boats with kayak rentals available nearby. Offering scenic views of Lassen Peak and radiant sunsets reflecting on its waters, Manzanita Lake is conveniently located just a walk away from Lassen National Park's largest campground. The campground is also located just a mile south of the Loomis Ranger Station, Loomis Museum, and a discovery center where educational programs and activities are held. The museum also houses artifacts and photos from Lassen's long history and previous eruptions.
In the summer months the park is a prime location for hiking, camping, fishing, boating, backpacking, and birdwatching, while the winter months are great for skiing and snowshoeing. The park is also well known for its starry night sky. Far from the light pollution of civilization, the place encompasses a natural darkness perfect for stargazing. Join a ranger-led tour of the night sky or see the park's website for information on the annual Lassen Dark Sky Festival.
Food and Dining
Having been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, the best place to grab some grub in Lassen National Park seems to be JJ's Cafe in Old Station, California. JJ's offers good food, burgers, and sandwiches, right in the middle of nowhere. A few other places to grab a bite throughout the park are the Lassen Mineral Lodge, Mill Creek Resort, and Lassen Cafe & Gift in Mineral. The closest restaurants outside of the park can be found in the town of Chester mentioned above. If you plan on camping during your stay, your best bet may be to pack picnic supplies and campfire gear to truly enjoy the rugged living of the great outdoors.
Transportation
There is currently no public transportation serving Lassen Volcanic National Park, and so the best way to navigate the attractions of the park is by car. There are five separate entrances to the park, and one Main Park Road which runs North-South through the park.
The nearest major airports include Sacramento, California (165 miles away) and Reno, Nevada (180 miles away).
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