Looking for more information about Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Check out my Lassen Volcanic National Park Guide. Don’t miss the hikes to Kings Creek Falls and to Terrace, Cliff, and Shadow Lakes.
LOCATION
- Bumpass Hell is located in Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California, about six miles north of the southwest entrance station.
LENGTH
- 3 miles out and back, with longer options possible
DIFFICULTY
- Moderate — The trail to Bumpass Hell starts with a gradual incline, then descends down to the thermal area known as Bumpass Hell. A boardwalk takes you safely through the thermal features. Make sure your kids understand the importance of staying on the trail — just one step off the boardwalk could lead to serious injuries. Young ones may need to be carried, or have a firm hand to hold.
WE HIKED IT
August 2020, a little over 2 hours, including a picnic lunch
CURRENT INFO
For information and updates specific to Bumpass Hell, visit Lassen Volcanic National Park’s Bumpass Hell webpage. For trail reports, you can view the Bumpass Hell Trail posting on AllTrails.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Because Bumpass Hell is within Lassen Volcanic National Park, you need a valid National Parks Pass, such as the America the Beautiful Pass, or you can pay the $30 entrance fee. It’s well worth purchasing a pass if you plan to visit other national parks or monuments, or do much hiking in national forest lands. The standard annual pass costs $80. Check to see if you qualify for a free or less expensive pass. For example, fourth graders can get a free pass to use together with their families. Seniors can purchase a one-time lifelong pass.
- Bumpass Hell is one of the most popular sights in Lassen Volcanic National Park, so arrive early to avoid crowds. Fortunately, the parking lot at the trailhead is large.
- Restrooms are available at the trailhead.
- Pets are not allowed on any hiking trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
- Because of its high elevation, the Bumpass Hell Trail is closed due to snow much of the year. Depending on snowmelt, the trail usually opens in June or July, and closes again when snow starts to accumulate in the fall. Please check the Lassen Volcanic National Park webpage for current information.
HIGHLIGHTS
Bumpass Hell is an otherworldly, bubbling volcanic landscape. Fumaroles emit scalding hot steam, mudpots gurgle and pop, and the acrid smell of sulphur hits your nostrils as you make your way down to the boardwalk. It may not be Lassen’s prettiest sight, but it’s undeniably fascinating. While there are other hydrothermal areas in the park, Bumpass Hell is the largest. Plus, the hike that takes you there is simply gorgeous, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
THE KIDS’ TAKE
Kids tend to be sensitive to the sulfur smells you’ll encounter at Bumpass Hell. My kids certainly found it stinky! They agreed, however, that it was still worth seeing, and unlike anything they’ve experienced before (just wait until they get the chance to visit Yellowstone).
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Since Bumpass Hell lies within Lassen Volcanic National Park, there is no shortage of places to explore! Be sure to check our Sulphur Works, a collection of stinky, bubbling mud pots right along the main road five miles south of the Bumpass Hell trailhead. The Kohm-Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center is one mile past Sulphur Works, with exhibits that provide a great introduction to the park.
Other excellent hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park include Kings Creek Falls and Terrace, Shadow, and Cliff Lakes. For a quick swim or paddle, stop by Summit Lake.
We stayed at Manzanita Lake Campground at the north end of the park during our visit. Located near the shore of beautiful Manzanita Lake, it’s the perfect home base for exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park. The soft serve ice cream sold at the camp store is a great perk, too.
Our Experience
Bumpass Hell isn’t a name that inspires visions of idyllic walks through fields of wildflowers. It does, however, peak one’s curiosity. Named after Kendall Vanhook Bumpass, the California pioneer who discovered the place, and who also lost a leg after unexpectedly breaking through the crust into the boiling contents below, Bumpass Hell is a strange, steaming, barren landscape. It’s also probably the single most popular hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Naturally, we couldn’t miss it.
Unlike most trailheads in Lassen, which provide only roadside parking, at the Bumpass Hell trailhead you’ll find a large parking lot. Fortunately, it wasn’t very full when we arrived around 9:30 on a weekday morning. From the parking lot, we were treated to panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including an especially fine view of Lassen Peak opposite Lake Helen. On our visit, the view was sadly marred by wildfire smoke, but was still beautiful.
The trail leads uphill from the parking lot, offering more mountain vistas. Lupine bloomed profusely over the rocky hillside. As it turns out, the hike to Bumpass Hell isn’t all about the destination – the trail itself is worth a wander. We passed a spacious overlook, noting that it would make a good picnic spot on our return.
As we neared Bumpass Hell, the trail began its descent (how fitting). Through an opening in the trees, we caught a first look into the abyss. Actually, it didn’t look so scary. Streaks of ochre brightened the powder grey slopes and steam rose from hidden vents. But there was a discernable whiff of sulfur in the air, and temperatures as high as 322 degrees F have been measured at Big Boiler, the largest of Bumpass Hell’s steam vents.
Thankfully, a boardwalk trail creates a safe path through the sights and smells of Bumpass Hell. As long as you stay on the trail, there’s no need to fear meeting the same fate as Kendall Vanhook Bumpass. We followed the boardwalk into the heart of the area, then looped back on a dirt path.
Fascinating as it was, it was no place to linger. The whiff of sulfur had grown to a definite stench. The boys pinched their noses and made faces, although we couldn’t help laughing. I’m not sure what it is about stinky smells that makes them so funny to us humans, but they always bring out the giggles.
Despite the intrigue of boiling mudpots and vapors rising up from the depths of the earth, the boys were glad to leave Bumpass Hell behind. You can only laugh at the stench for so long, it seems. We made our way back up the trail, only to find that the distant wildfire smoke had thickened. I was glad we’d taken the time to admire the view on our way out, as the mountain peaks were now sadly dulled with smoke.
View or no view, we could still enjoy our picnic. At the overlook we’d visited on the hike in, we found a large rock that made a perfect picnic table. Taking a break from turkey sandwiches, we feasted on cheese, salami, crackers, and veggies. Somehow, cheese and crackers always taste even better when eaten out-of-doors.
Once we packed up the remnants of our meal, it didn’t take long before we were back at the trailhead. All in all, it was a satisfying hike, and definitely one we’ll remember for a long time to come.
