Snowshoe a Winter Route

When roads and trails are hidden under snow, you can still explore the park on snowshoes.

NPS photo

Snowshoes offer a way to explore the park in winter and spring, when roads and trails are hidden under snow. Each side of Lassen’s main park road closure (southwest area and Manzanita Lake area) offer a variety of winter routes to peruse on ‘shoes.

Snowshoes are fitted with bindings that strap onto your winter boot. They have spikes underfoot to provide increased stability over hard-packed and icy snow. Decking is attached to a frame, creating a large surface area which prevents post-holing through deep snow. Winter boots are not the same as snowshoes.

Where to Go

In winter, there is no way to drive through the park. Most visitors tend to stick to one side of the road closure and access the park via Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center (southwest entrance) or Manzanita Lake (northwest entrance). Each side has multiple routes with varying length and difficulty.

Southwest Area Routes*

(Visitor services, steeper slopes, and sweeping vistas)

Manzanita Lake Routes*

(Easier routes with gentle slopes and scenic lakes)

*Using the app offline? Navigate to “Visiting in Winter” to see route descriptions and maps.

Gear Rentals

Rentals may be available in nearby communities of Shingletown (northwest entrance), Mineral (southwest entrance), Red Bluff and Redding (both).
Note - Snowshoe or other winter equipment rentals are not available at the park.

Snowshoeing Tips

Snowshoeing is different than hiking or any other form of recreation. Snowshoeing a trail can be much more tiring than hiking the same trail without snow. Remember to adjust your expectations of how far and how steep you can travel on snowshoes versus hiking in the summer.

Snowshoeing strides are different than walking strides, as the shoes force your stance wider. If you’re new to snowshoeing, we recommend trying different walking styles, such as swinging your hips more than normal.

If the snow is particularly deep, use the kick-step technique to flick snow off the front of your snowshoe. As you are bringing your foot up, kick your foot to dislodge the extra snow. You may also need to stop periodically to pick out any snow clumps in the spikes of the snowshoe with a trekking pole.

Winter Etiquette

Do not walk on ski tracks. Footprints and snowshoe tracks worsen conditions for skiers and using a separate track ensures snowshoers remain clear of downhill skiers.

Yield to faster skiers and/or downhill traffic. Step to side to allow skiers traveling downhill to safely pass. In all other cases, yield to those traveling uphill.

Details

Activity

Snowshoeing

Pets Allowed

No

Pets are not permitted on snow-covered routes. Leashed pets are permitted in parking areas.

Activity Fee

No

An entrance fee or valid pass is required to enter Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Location

Southwest & Manzanita Lake areas

Snowshoeing is possible at both the southwest area (southwest entrance) and Manzanita Lake area (northwest entrance).

Reservations

No

Overnight trips in the backcountry require a Wilderness Permit reserved through recreation.gov.

Season

Winter, Spring

Whenever the park has enough snow, typically December through April.

Time of Day

Day, Night

Typically a daytime activity, but overnight camping is allowed for multi-day trips.

Accessibility Information

Parking areas are paved and wheelchair accessible, but may have residual snow/ice from plowing. Both parking areas have accessible restrooms. Snowshoe routes are covered in deep snow. Trails may have steep and challenging terrain. All non-motorized devices for oversnow travel are welcome.