Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway (US Hwy 89) is now closed for the winter due to heavy snow and ice from recent storms. Starting November 13, vehicle access is limited to one mile from the northwest entrance near Loomis Plaza and one mile from the southwest entrance near the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Last year, the highway closed on December 6.
While the park remains open to visitors, roads to Juniper Lake, Warner Valley, and Butte Lake are closed to vehicle traffic. Winter camping is allowed only in the Southwest Area parking lot for self-contained vehicles. Tent camping is prohibited in parking areas but permitted in the backcountry with a valid permit.
Visitors should prepare for winter conditions by checking weather reports, dressing in layers, carrying tire chains, and bringing food, water, and fuel, since no gas services are available until May. Caution is advised near trees weakened by the 2021 Dixie Fire, as falling branches pose hazards.
- Related: 12,183′ Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, Is Now Closed for the Season
The highway will reopen in spring following snow clearing and safety inspections. Visitors can find updates about conditions and rules on the official park website.
The Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway is a scenic 30-mile drive through the west of the park, connecting the northwest and southwest entrances. Built in 1926, this paved road offers visitors access to the park’s major volcanic features and breathtaking landscapes. The highway reaches its highest point at 8,512 feet near Lassen Peak, the highest paved road in the Cascade Range. The road is typically closed during the winter months due to heavy snowfall, reopening in late spring or early summer, depending on the conditions. Since 1980, the earliest the road has closed was October 18, 1996, and the latest December 18, 2013.
