Cinder Cone at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcano Cinder Cone | Lukas Bischoff Photograph

Cinder Cone is one of the most remarkable volcanic landscapes in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Rising from the remote northeastern corner of the park, this nearly symmetrical volcano towers above dark lava fields, colorful volcanic dunes, pine forest, and the blue waters of nearby Butte and Snag lakes.

Unlike Lassen Peak, which is a massive lava dome, Cinder Cone is built primarily from loose volcanic fragments that accumulated around an erupting vent. Its steep slopes and prominent summit crater give it the classic volcano shape many people imagine when they hear the word “volcano.”

Visitors can hike all the way to the summit, walk around the rim, and even descend into the crater. From the top, panoramic views stretch across the Fantastic Lava Beds, Painted Dunes, Snag Lake, Prospect Peak, and distant Lassen Peak. The scenery is extraordinary, but reaching it requires one of the more unusual hikes in the park—a steep climb through loose volcanic cinders where each step can slide backward beneath your boots.

For hikers interested in geology, unusual scenery, and a memorable physical challenge, Cinder Cone is one of the best destinations in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

⚡ Cinder Cone Fast Facts

Location: Northeastern Lassen Volcanic National Park
Trailhead: Butte Lake Day Use Area
Round-trip distance: About 4 miles
Typical hiking time: Around 3 hours
Elevation change: About 850 feet
Cinder Cone height: About 700 feet above the surrounding landscape
Difficulty: Strenuous
Trail surface: Forest trail followed by very loose volcanic cinders
Summit features: Crater, rim trail, and panoramic viewpoints
Nearby features: Painted Dunes, Fantastic Lava Beds, Butte Lake, and Snag Lake
Eruption: Approximately the mid-1600s
Best season: Summer through early fall, depending on road and trail conditions
Shade: Limited once you reach the cone
Services: Very limited in the Butte Lake area

🌋 What Is Cinder Cone?

Cinder Cone is exactly what its name suggests: a cinder cone volcano.

This type of volcano develops when gas-rich magma erupts explosively from a relatively small vent. Lava is thrown into the air in blobs and fragments, where it cools into pieces of porous volcanic rock called scoria. These fragments fall back around the vent, gradually piling up into a steep-sided cone.

Compared with large composite volcanoes, cinder cones can form remarkably quickly. Cinder Cone at Lassen appears to have developed during a relatively short eruptive period rather than through thousands of years of repeated eruptions.

The result is one of the best-preserved examples of its volcanic type in the region. From a distance, Cinder Cone looks almost artificially symmetrical, with steep gray-black slopes rising to a broad crater rim.

Its slopes are still sparsely vegetated compared with the surrounding forest, making the volcano especially easy to recognize from nearby viewpoints.

🔥 When Did Cinder Cone Erupt?

For many years, the age of Cinder Cone was surprisingly controversial.

Historical stories once suggested that the volcano might have erupted during the 1800s, possibly during the California Gold Rush era. Later geological research showed that these accounts were incorrect.

Modern studies of tree rings, radiocarbon dates, volcanic deposits, and the magnetic properties of the lava indicate that the eruption occurred during the 17th century. The U.S. Geological Survey identifies 1666 as the likely date for the eruptive sequence, while broader dating places the activity between approximately 1630 and 1670.

Geologists believe the primary eruptive sequence may have lasted only a few months.

During that relatively brief period, eruptions constructed the cone, spread volcanic ash across the surrounding landscape, and produced several lava flows. Those lava flows now form the rugged terrain known as the Fantastic Lava Beds.

This makes Cinder Cone geologically young. Its eruption occurred only a few centuries before Lassen Peak’s much more famous eruptions of 1914–1917.

🪨 How Cinder Cone Formed

The eruption that produced Cinder Cone involved several different volcanic processes.

Explosive activity blasted gas-rich magma into the air, creating showers of scoria, ash, and other volcanic fragments. Much of that material fell close to the vent and gradually constructed the steep cone hikers see today.

Lava also escaped from vents near the base of the cone. Instead of building the cone itself, these thicker lava flows moved outward across the surrounding landscape.

Some of those flows spread northeast toward Butte Lake, while others traveled south toward what is now Snag Lake.

The combination created a compact outdoor geology lesson: a steep cinder cone, summit crater, extensive lava beds, volcanic ash, and colorful oxidized deposits are all visible within a relatively small area.

🥾 Hiking the Cinder Cone Trail

The Cinder Cone hike begins near the boat ramp at the Butte Lake Day Use Area.

The first portion of the trail is deceptively gentle. Hikers follow a sandy path through Jeffrey pine forest while the jagged Fantastic Lava Beds rise nearby. For approximately the first mile, the walk feels more like a pleasant forest trail than the approach to a strenuous volcano climb.

As Cinder Cone becomes visible through the trees, its steepness becomes increasingly obvious.

At approximately 1.2 miles, the trail reaches a junction near the base of the cone. From here, hikers get their first good views toward the Painted Dunes.

This is also a good place to rest before beginning the hardest portion of the hike.

The summit trail climbs directly up Cinder Cone’s loose volcanic slope. The distance is not great, but the surface makes progress slow. Feet sink into the cinders, and some of the elevation gained with each step disappears as the loose material slides downhill.

The final climb can feel considerably more difficult than its mileage or elevation gain suggests.

😅 How Difficult Is the Cinder Cone Hike?

The National Park Service classifies the Cinder Cone hike as strenuous, and the steep summit climb earns that rating.

The complete trail is only about four miles round trip, which might sound moderate to experienced hikers. The challenge is concentrated into the climb up the cone itself.

Loose volcanic cinders behave somewhat like deep sand. Instead of pushing against solid ground, hikers often sink or slide backward slightly with each step. This turns what would otherwise be a short ascent into a demanding climb.

The cone is also exposed. Once hikers leave the forest, there is virtually no shade, and dark volcanic material can make the trail feel especially hot under bright summer sun.

High-topped hiking boots or shoes that help keep volcanic cinders out can make the climb more comfortable. Trekking poles may also help with balance, especially during the descent.

Take your time. Frequent short breaks are often more effective than trying to rush directly to the rim.

👟 What Is the Trail Surface Like?

Cinder Cone has one of the most unusual trail surfaces in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

The approach begins on relatively ordinary forest trail, but the actual cone consists of loose scoria and volcanic ash. The material ranges from fine grit to larger rough pieces of volcanic rock.

Going uphill, your feet can sink with nearly every step. Going downhill is faster but requires care because the same loose surface that makes climbing difficult can make footing unstable.

High-topped footwear is especially useful because small volcanic stones easily work their way into low-cut shoes.

Avoid leaving the established trail in search of firmer ground. Footprints can scar the fragile volcanic landscape and remain visible for years.

🏔️ Reaching the Summit

Eventually, the steep trail reaches Cinder Cone’s crater rim.

The change in perspective is immediate. After spending much of the ascent staring up the loose volcanic slope, hikers suddenly find themselves surrounded by enormous views.

Lassen Peak rises in the distance. Prospect Peak dominates another part of the horizon. Far below, Butte Lake and Snag Lake add blue patches to a landscape otherwise dominated by dark lava and green forest.

The Painted Dunes appear particularly impressive from above, where their colors and patterns become much easier to appreciate.

Visitors can continue around portions of the crater rim for different viewpoints. The rim is broad enough in many places to explore comfortably, although the terrain remains loose and exposed.

For many hikers, standing on the rim is the highlight of the entire excursion.

🕳️ The Cinder Cone Crater

Cinder Cone’s summit contains a large volcanic crater roughly 900 feet across and about 200 feet deep.

Rather than a single simple depression, the summit has evidence of nested crater rims created as eruptive intensity changed during the volcano’s formation.

A trail descends into the crater for visitors who want an even closer look.

Walking into a volcanic crater is an unusual experience. The walls rise around you, blocking much of the surrounding landscape and revealing the loose scoria from which the cone was constructed.

Remember that every foot of elevation lost while descending into the crater must be regained before beginning the hike back to Butte Lake.

If your legs are already tired after reaching the rim, enjoying the crater from above may be the better choice.

🎨 The Painted Dunes

The Painted Dunes are one of the most beautiful features surrounding Cinder Cone.

From the summit, patches of red, orange, rust, tan, and brown appear across the landscape below the volcano. The colors contrast dramatically with the nearly black Fantastic Lava Beds nearby.

These unusual colors formed during Cinder Cone’s eruption.

Volcanic ash fell onto lava flows while portions of the lava were still extremely hot. Heat oxidized iron within the ash, essentially altering the volcanic material in a process somewhat comparable to the formation of rust.

The result is a colorful landscape that looks almost painted when seen from above.

The dunes are also fragile. Visitors should stay on established trails rather than walking across them, as footprints and erosion can permanently damage the surface.

The best overall view comes from Cinder Cone itself.

🖤 The Fantastic Lava Beds

The Fantastic Lava Beds form another extraordinary part of the Cinder Cone landscape.

These rough, dark lava flows spread outward during the same eruptive episode that constructed the cone. Today they create broad fields of broken volcanic rock extending toward Butte Lake and surrounding areas.

From ground level, the lava beds look chaotic and almost impassable. Massive blocks of jagged black rock are piled together, with trees gradually colonizing cracks and sheltered pockets.

From the summit of Cinder Cone, their full scale becomes much clearer.

The contrast is striking: colorful Painted Dunes on one side, black lava on another, blue lakes beyond them, and green forest gradually reclaiming the edges.

The Fantastic Lava Beds are a vivid reminder that this peaceful-looking landscape was created by eruptions only a few centuries ago.

🌊 Butte Lake

The Cinder Cone trailhead is located at Butte Lake, making the lake an ideal addition to the hike.

Butte Lake is one of Lassen’s most distinctive bodies of water because volcanic lava reaches directly toward portions of its shoreline. Dark volcanic rock, blue water, and evergreen forest create an unusual combination of landscapes.

Nonmotorized paddling, fishing, and swimming are popular during summer.

After hiking Cinder Cone, spending time beside the lake can be especially appealing. The cool water and shaded forest feel dramatically different from the exposed volcanic slope.

Visitors staying overnight can also use Butte Lake Campground as a base for exploring the northeastern section of the park.

🌊 Snag Lake

Snag Lake lies south of Cinder Cone and is clearly visible from the summit.

Its existence is closely connected to the area’s volcanic history. Lava flows from Cinder Cone altered the local landscape and drainage, helping shape the lakes and waterways visible today.

Snag Lake is much less accessible than Butte Lake and generally requires hiking to reach. That relative remoteness gives it a quieter wilderness character.

Longer trails through this portion of the park connect Cinder Cone, Butte Lake, Snag Lake, and other backcountry destinations.

Visitors interested in Lassen’s many bodies of water can find more destinations in our guide to Lassen Volcanic National Park lakes.

🌲 The Trail Through the Forest

Although the summit receives most of the attention, the lower Cinder Cone Trail is interesting in its own right.

Jeffrey pines shade sections of the route, providing a pleasant contrast with the barren cone ahead. The forest has gradually established itself around older volcanic deposits, illustrating how vegetation eventually returns even to landscapes dramatically altered by eruptions.

Parts of the Butte Lake area also show effects of the 2021 Dixie Fire. Visitors may encounter burned trees and changing forest conditions along trails in northeastern Lassen.

These disturbances are part of the continuing evolution of the landscape. Volcanoes, wildfire, weather, erosion, and plant succession all play roles in shaping what visitors see today.

🛤️ The Nobles Emigrant Trail

Part of the route to Cinder Cone follows the historic Nobles Emigrant Trail.

This trail was one of the routes used by emigrants traveling through northeastern California during the 19th century and is now recognized as part of the California National Historic Trail.

That history adds another dimension to the hike.

Long before visitors arrived with lightweight hiking boots and water bottles, travelers crossed this rugged volcanic region while moving wagons, livestock, supplies, and families toward settlements farther west.

The landscape around Cinder Cone therefore tells both a geological and human story.

🚗 Getting to Cinder Cone

Cinder Cone is located in the Butte Lake area in the northeastern corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park, far from the main park highway.

The Butte Lake area is reached from Highway 44. From the highway, visitors travel approximately six miles on an unpaved road before reaching the lake, campground, day-use area, and trailhead.

Road conditions can vary. The road is generally suitable for ordinary passenger vehicles when dry and maintained, but it may be rough, dusty, or washboarded.

Driving slowly is wise, both for comfort and to reduce the chance of damaging a tire.

Because Butte Lake is separated from Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway, visiting Cinder Cone requires deliberate planning. It is not a quick stop between Manzanita Lake and Bumpass Hell.

Give the northeastern portion of Lassen at least half a day, and preferably longer if you also want to paddle or explore trails around Butte Lake.

⛽ Services Near Cinder Cone

The Butte Lake area is remote, and services are extremely limited.

When the campground is operating, drinking water may be available in the area, but visitors should not rely on finding food, fuel, or extensive supplies nearby.

Fill your gas tank before heading into this part of the park and bring enough food and water for the entire outing.

Cellphone service is limited or nonexistent throughout much of Lassen, particularly in remote areas such as Butte Lake.

Downloading maps and important information before arriving is a good precaution.

☀️ Best Time to Hike Cinder Cone

Summer through early fall is generally the best period for hiking Cinder Cone.

Snow can linger in Lassen’s higher and more remote areas well into spring, and the Butte Lake access road is subject to seasonal conditions.

July, August, and September usually provide the most dependable access.

Within the summer season, time of day matters. The upper cone is completely exposed to the sun, and the dark volcanic surface can feel very warm during midday.

Starting early in the morning provides cooler climbing temperatures, better chances of finding parking, and softer light over the Painted Dunes.

Late afternoon can also be beautiful, although hikers must allow plenty of time to return before dark.

💧 How Much Water Should You Bring?

Bring more water than the four-mile distance might suggest.

The climb is strenuous, the upper trail is exposed, and summer conditions can be hot and dry. Loose cinders also require considerably more physical effort than a normal packed trail.

For many hikers, carrying at least two liters of water per person is reasonable during warm weather, with more appropriate during particularly hot conditions or for those who drink heavily while exercising.

Do not count on natural water sources along the hike.

Snacks containing carbohydrates and salt can also be useful after the demanding summit climb.

🌞 Sun and Heat Safety

The final climb and summit have virtually no shade.

Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, and consider lightweight clothing that provides sun protection.

Dark volcanic material absorbs sunlight and can make the slope feel hotter than surrounding forested areas.

If temperatures are unusually high, an early start becomes even more important.

Thunderstorms can create a different hazard. Cinder Cone’s summit is completely exposed, so hikers should not remain on the rim when lightning threatens. Check the weather forecast and descend promptly if storm clouds begin developing nearby.

🌬️ Wind on the Summit

Wind is common on exposed volcanic summits, and Cinder Cone is no exception.

Conditions at Butte Lake may feel calm while the crater rim is breezy or surprisingly cool. Carrying a lightweight layer is worthwhile even on warm summer days.

Strong wind can also blow fine volcanic dust into the air.

Sunglasses provide useful eye protection, while a neck gaiter or similar covering can be helpful in especially dusty conditions.

🐕 Are Dogs Allowed on Cinder Cone Trail?

Pets are not permitted on Lassen Volcanic National Park hiking trails, including Cinder Cone.

The restriction protects wildlife, other visitors, and pets themselves.

This landscape would be particularly difficult for dogs anyway. Loose volcanic rock can be abrasive on paws, the upper trail is extremely exposed, and summer surface temperatures may become very hot.

Visitors traveling with pets should review the park’s current pet regulations before planning their day.

👨‍👩‍👧 Is Cinder Cone Good for Kids?

Cinder Cone can be a memorable family hike, but whether it is appropriate depends more on a child’s hiking experience than age alone.

The approach through the forest is straightforward. The climb up the cone is much more demanding and may frustrate younger hikers because every step through loose cinders takes extra effort.

Children accustomed to longer hikes may find the volcano exciting, particularly because the destination is visible and the summit provides a crater to explore.

Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and snacks, and allow extra time.

Families do not necessarily need to reach the summit to enjoy the area. Walking partway along the trail provides views of lava flows and Cinder Cone without committing to the steep climb.

🎒 What to Bring

Good preparation makes the Cinder Cone hike considerably more comfortable.

Sturdy hiking shoes or boots are recommended, and high-topped footwear can help prevent loose cinders from filling your shoes. Trekking poles may help with balance on both the ascent and descent.

Carry plenty of water, food or snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A lightweight jacket is useful for windy conditions on the summit.

Because cellphone coverage is unreliable, carry or download a trail map before beginning.

A camera or binoculars are also worthwhile. The summit provides some of the most unusual panoramic views anywhere in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

🧭 Cinder Cone Hiking Tips

Do not judge this hike by distance alone. Four miles can sound easy, but the loose volcanic climb substantially increases the effort required.

Start early during warm weather and take a good break in the shaded forest before beginning the steep section.

Maintain a steady pace rather than trying to climb quickly. Short steps generally work better than long strides in loose material.

Once you reach the rim, give yourself time to explore. The views of the Painted Dunes and Fantastic Lava Beds are the reward for the climb and deserve more than a brief glance.

Stay on established trails, particularly around the Painted Dunes. The volcanic surfaces are easily scarred, and footprints can remain visible for a surprisingly long time.

🏛️ Cinder Cone National Monument

Cinder Cone also played an important role in the creation of Lassen Volcanic National Park.

On May 6, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt established both Cinder Cone National Monument and Lassen Peak National Monument. These protected areas recognized the extraordinary volcanic landscapes surrounding two of Lassen’s most distinctive features.

Nine years later, in 1916, the national monuments and surrounding lands became part of the newly established Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Cinder Cone therefore helped inspire federal protection of this landscape even before Lassen Peak’s eruptions had completely ended.

Today, the former national monument remains one of the park’s finest demonstrations of volcanic geology.

🌋 Cinder Cone vs. Lassen Peak

Visitors with time for only one volcano hike may wonder whether to choose Cinder Cone or Lassen Peak.

The two experiences are quite different.

Lassen Peak is considerably taller and offers a longer mountain climb to the summit of a large lava dome. Its elevation and panoramic views make it one of the park’s premier summit hikes.

Cinder Cone is shorter, but its loose volcanic surface makes the final ascent unusually strenuous. The surrounding scenery is also more intimate and visually distinctive, with the Painted Dunes and Fantastic Lava Beds immediately below.

Cinder Cone provides the more obvious classic-volcano experience because hikers can see the symmetrical cone, walk around the crater, and descend into it.

Ideally, serious hikers should experience both.

🌊 Combining Cinder Cone With Butte Lake

One of the best ways to plan a Cinder Cone visit is to spend most of the day in the Butte Lake area.

Arrive early and hike Cinder Cone before temperatures rise. After returning, have lunch beside the lake and spend the afternoon swimming, fishing, or paddling.

The combination works particularly well because the environments feel so different. The morning is dominated by dust, volcanic rock, exposed slopes, and steep climbing, while the afternoon can be spent beside cool blue water and forest.

Visitors staying at Butte Lake Campground can explore even more of the area’s trail system or simply enjoy a quiet evening beside the lake.

🏞️ Other Places to Explore in Lassen

Cinder Cone shows only one side of Lassen Volcanic National Park’s extraordinary geology.

Along the main park highway, visitors can see beautiful alpine waters such as Lake Helen and explore the many lakes of Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Near the Northwest Entrance, Manzanita Lake offers one of the park’s classic views of Lassen Peak and an easy shoreline trail.

For an entirely different volcanic experience, the Bumpass Hell Trail leads into the park’s largest hydrothermal basin, where boiling pools, steam vents, and mud pots reveal the heat still present beneath Lassen.

Exploring several of these areas makes it easier to appreciate why Lassen is so geologically diverse.

🌋 Is Cinder Cone Worth Visiting?

Cinder Cone is absolutely worth visiting for hikers who have enough time to explore beyond Lassen’s main park highway.

The hike is challenging, but it provides an experience unlike almost anything else in the park. Visitors walk beside massive lava flows, climb the loose flank of a young volcano, stand on a crater rim, and look down upon vividly colored volcanic dunes.

The summit view alone makes the climb memorable. Lassen Peak rises in the distance while Snag Lake, Butte Lake, the Painted Dunes, and Fantastic Lava Beds spread across the landscape below.

Its remote location also helps Cinder Cone feel different from some of Lassen’s busier attractions. Reaching it requires extra driving and effort, but that isolation is part of its appeal.

For anyone fascinated by volcanoes, Cinder Cone should be near the top of a Lassen Volcanic National Park itinerary.