VOLCANIC HIGHLIGHTS ALONG THE BYWAY
The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway travels through a land of contrasts that’s breathtakingly beautiful, cherished and protected. Highlights along the route include two National Parks at both Lassen and Crater Lake, as well as the Lava Beds National Monument and Mount Shasta.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park feels like California’s version of Yellowstone, with steaming fumaroles, wildflowers, lakes and volcanoes. Jagged peaks tell the story of its eruptive past while hot water continues to shape the land. From Bumpass Hell to Kings Creek Falls and Manzanita Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park offers opportunities to discover the wonder and mysteries of volcanoes and hot water for visitors willing to explore the undiscovered. It also features more than 150 miles of trails to explore.
Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta
Iconic Mt. Shasta has been described by the San Jose Mercury News as the “jewel atop the crown of California.” It’s got a laid back, ski town kind of vibe with four season access to the outdoors, as well as waterfalls, lake and river recreation and swimming holes. There are also great local restaurants and breweries and very budget-friendly lodging. Mt. Shasta also has a spiritual vibe, with several spas, yoga studios and a sacred mineral springs just ten miles outside of town.
Lava Beds National Monument
Lava Beds National Monument
Experience the unique underground world of California’s Lava Beds National Monument, where volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created a rugged 28 mile wilderness with several explorable caves. The great majority of the caves are old lava tubes that require self-guided walking over irregular ground or around underground boulders, depending only on flashlights. Check in at park headquarters first for the best caves at the moment, as well as reservation-only trips to the spectacular Fern and Crystal caves.
Medicine Lake Volcano
Medicine Lake Volcano
Medicine Lake Volcano is a shield volcano and the largest volcano in the Cascade Mountain, covering 800 square miles and an elevation of 2762. It is located near the Lava Beds National Monument in eastern Siskiyou County, with a beautiful recreational caldera lake and an entire mountain made of obsidian to explore.
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park
Mount Mazama, a stratovolcano, collapsed many years ago to produce the beautiful Crater Lake, one of the world’s best-known calderas. The caldera is about 6-miles wide. The catastrophic eruption released about 12 cubic miles of magma to the surface and was one of the largest eruptions in the last 10,000 years. Today, you can drive around the caldera to take in the scenic beauty and stunning blue waters, take a boat tour on the water, hike the many trails, and even camp in the national park.
