Lassen Volcanic National Park
It may not be a very famous park, or a top destination in tourist guidebooks, but Lassen Volcanic National Park, especially the painted dunes, is one of the most beautiful parks I have seen in the United States.
The National Park Service website is a great resource for more information.
The park is located in the northeastern corner of California and is 4 to 5-hour drive from Stanford. Please be aware that from the start of November to June, there may be road closures due to snow.
If you decide to go during the snow season, there may be areas of the park that are inaccessible, but you can still have a wonderful time immersed in the snow-adorned scenery.
You will not be able to visit the entire park in only three days.
You can always stay longer, but I believe you can experience the rich diversity of the park in this amount of time.
The entrance fee is about $30 if you do not have a National Park Annual Pass, which is $80.
I would advise purchasing the annual pass. This annual pass allows you to enter all of the national parks in the US for a full year, as well as some state parks, and supports efforts that protect America's national treasures.
One of the most famous part of the Lassen Volcanic National Park is the Bumpass Hell trail. It is a easy 3mi/4.8km trail from the Highway close to Helen Lake that bring you in the middle of an incredible volcanic landscape.
You will see color palette everywhere around you surrounding by trees and mountains. The smell and the numerous smoke will help you to not forget that you are in the middle of a active volcanic area.
Bumpass Hell trail
Even if the Bumpass Hell is really beautiful, the Lassen Volcanic National Park contains also other areas really beautiful.
At Sulphur Works, you can check out the boiling pools of water, but what I really liked was the change of color between the forest and the volcanic landscape.
In this photo, notice how the colors are different on the left and right side of the river.
You can also view the volcanic landscape by visiting Devils Kitchen, Terminal Geyser, and Boiling Springs Lake, located in the southeast region of the park.
You will have to hike a few hours to get there, but it is more than worth it.
When you reach Boiling Springs Lake, it is like you are on a different planet.
At Devils Kitchen, there is so much hydrothermal activity that steam seems to be coming from everywhere.
The area is engulfed by the smell of sulfur, and when you are hiking towards Devils Kitchen, the pungent smell is an obvious sign that you are approaching this destination.
While traversing the park using the main road, you will take in many of the different landscapes that this park has to offer.
There are obviously volcanic landscapes, but also snow-capped mountains, and stunning lakes surrounded by lush green trees.
The variety in scenery is certainly a great aspect of this national park.
One part of the park that you should not miss is the Butte Lake with the Cinder Cone overlooking the Painted Dunes. It is located in an other part of the park which is a little bit far from the main part of the park (around 1 hour drive) but it is, for me, the most beautiful part of the park.
Also, as it is less famous, it is less visited so you can enjoy the serenity of the nature in a calm atmosphere.
During summer, you can even swim in the Butte Lake almost alone.
The Painted Dunes are pumice fields that formed from layers of oxidized volcanic ash.
The ash became so vividly oxidized (and colorful) because it fell atop a bed of hot flowing lava.
The terrain of the Painted Dunes from the top of Cinder Cone is breathtaking.
You can see the Painted Dunes but also the Lassen Peak, a lake, the flow of old lava, forest…
Also, the hike up Cinder Cone is really great. However, as you near the peak of Cinder Cone, the hike gets quite difficult because the ground is made of black "sand". Keep in mind that it is more than worth it.
With every step up, it feels like you slide two steps down. With that said, I highly suggest visiting this area.
Another hike that is close to the Painted Dunes is Prospect Peak.
This hike reaches an elevation of 8336ft/2541m, which gives you a great view of the park.
Thirty minutes north of Lassen Volcanic National Park is the wonderful Burney Falls of the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park.
It is well worth the $10 entrance fee, as it is a spectacular waterfall.
On the way to Burney Falls, you can visit the lava tube Subway Cave near Old Station. Lava tubes are formed when the surface of flowing lava hardens due to air exposure, and the lava beneath this hardened roof continues to flow out, which creates a tunnel of volcanic rock. It is a very interesting volcanic formation and takes less than an hour to walk through.
In closing, Lassen Volcanic National Park is exceptionally beautiful.
The diversity of distinct landscapes, with some that can only be found in this park, makes it a truly unique place on earth.
Also, because it is not a famous tourist destination like Yosemite, its nature is well-preserved and you can hike for hours without seeing another person (this was the case when I visited in June).
For all of these reasons, I strongly recommend visiting this park.