01
Best mellow backcountry escape
Hay Meadow to Long Lake Loop
Caribou Wilderness North Of Chester • Gentle Forest-And-Lake Loop • Easygoing High-Country Ramble
A relaxed loop from Hay Meadow that strings together tranquil forest, open meadow, and a classic Caribou Wilderness lake shoreline.
This loop is a great first taste of the Caribou Wilderness, with soft tread, modest elevation gain, and a real sense of being away from it all. Start at the Hay Meadow trailhead and wander past the wide meadow before climbing gently toward Long Lake, where granite outcrops and scattered pines invite a long lunch stop. It’s an ideal choice for a low-key day hike that still feels properly wild.
02
Best lakes-and-lava sampler
Triangle, Twin, and Turnaround Lakes Trail
Eastern Caribou Wilderness • Lakes-And-Plateau Wilderness Route • Best For Strong Day Hikers Or Overnighters
A longer, mostly gentle loop that links several clear lakes on the Caribou Plateau, with options to turn it into a quiet overnight.
Leaving from the Triangle Lake/Cone Lake trailhead, this route winds across classic Caribou country: open lodgepole forest, old lava flows, and a chain of clear blue lakes. The terrain is mostly forgiving, but the mileage adds up, making it satisfying for fit day hikers or a relaxed one-night backpack. Campsites tucked in the trees above the waterline give you sunrise reflections without the crowds of better-known destinations.
03
Most iconic summit
Lassen Peak Trail
Lassen Volcanic National Park, Southwest Entrance • Rocky Volcanic Summit Climb • Best For Big Views And Bragging Rights
A stout but approachable climb up a volcanic giant, with sweeping views over the park’s lakes, lava flows, and distant ranges.
From the summit trailhead on the park highway, the route wastes no time gaining elevation as it switchbacks up Lassen’s volcanic shoulder. Underfoot it’s mostly stable gravel and rock, but the grade and thinner air make it feel like a real mountain ascent. On a clear day the rounded summit delivers a 360-degree panorama that easily justifies the effort and puts the Caribou and Lake Almanor country into broader context.
04
Best geothermal boardwalk walk
Bumpass Hell Trail
Lassen Volcanic National Park, South Section • Scenic Geothermal Boardwalk Hike • Best For Families And First-Time Visitors
An undulating trail to a steaming basin of vents, mud pots, and hot springs, with stellar mountain and lake views along the way.
Starting near the high point of the park road, this well-traveled path rolls across open slopes with big vistas before dropping into the Bumpass Hell basin. Boardwalks and railings keep things safe while you wander among fumaroles and boiling pools that feel almost otherworldly. It’s short enough for kids but dramatic enough to impress seasoned hikers, especially when paired with a picnic at one of the nearby lakes.
05
Most dramatic volcanic climb
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes Trail
Lassen Volcanic National Park, Butte Lake Area • Steep Volcanic Cone Ascent • Best For Adventurous Hikers
A punchy climb up loose cinders to the rim of a perfect cone, overlooking the Painted Dunes and stark lava beds.
From the quiet Butte Lake trailhead, the route follows sandy forest paths before tilting sharply up the flanks of Cinder Cone. The footing is like hiking on a steep ash pile, but frequent breathers give you time to admire the lava fields spreading out below. From the crater rim, you can walk a full circle or drop into the bowl, with views of the multicolored Painted Dunes that make this one of the region’s most unforgettable short hikes.