The visitor center had a surprisingly nice little gift Shop…read morewith plushies, local artisan clothing, books and some local guide books.

This place is wonderful. We had read about Quincy and the Fall foliage in AAA's Via Magazine and…read moresent away for a travel packet. They sent it by super jet---it arrived a couple of days later! We stopped in for some more info. They gave us a "Leaf Peeper" bag which included a "Leaf Peeper" sign to put in our rear window (so other drivers would know we were looking for fall colors) with some ticky-tacky gum to affix it o our window; a small bottle of glass cleaner rand several paper towels; more maps and more brochures. This has got to be one of the best visitors centers we've been to. There are pamphlets for every interest possible (wildlife viewing, birding, museums, historical sites, trains, Native American sites, etc. etc) The staff there is so warm, friendly and helpful. Carrie spent a lot of time answering our questions. And they have two resident cats----two large tabby brothers named Mowgli and Balloo (ie from The Jungle Book by Kipling). They are so laid back. We didn't notice them since they were lounging around on the bench and blended in.

What a great visitor center! Was honestly surprised to find one so large here…read more Located at the southwest entrance to Lassen National Park, you'll find so much here - clean bathrooms, a water-bottle refill station, free Wi-Fi. There's also some wonderful displays about the park, rangers to help plan your day, some souvenir shops, and a little restaurant. Definitely stop and take advantage because you won't find anything like this again until you're near the Manzanita Lake entrance. Plenty of parking. A great stop while visiting the park!

By far the biggest building in the park and with the most amenities. You'll find a huge souvenir…read morearea inside along with a café. There's also a park film that plays inside and very nice flushing restrooms. There's a back area where you can eat if the incredibly deep snow has melted.

We hiked Taylor Creek Trail with our two kids and a stroller, and it was a great, very easy walk…read moreoverall. The trail is mostly flat and well-maintained, making it totally stroller-friendly and perfect for families with little ones. We arrived around 10:30 AM and finished by 11:30 AM, so it's a nice, short hike that doesn't take up your whole day. Parking was easy, with plenty of spots available. We visited in July (summer), and the mosquitoes were intense, especially near the swampy areas definitely wear mosquito repellent. Also worth noting: the swamp area has a strong smell, so if you're sensitive to odors, that's something to be aware of. We'd recommend avoiding lingering near the water. Overall, a great, low-effort trail for families or anyone looking for a relaxed walk just come prepared for bugs and smells in the summer.

Super nice and easy stroll on a wooden bridge walkway along a creek with some pretty scenic views…read more -usually way better this time of year w/ Kokanee Salmon flooding the creek with shades of RED as they swim - not this year, water level to low. -bear sighting are very common when the fish are in (i can confirm- saw a family of bear 2 years ago - had a pack of BACON just in case - LOL).....J/K....... - Verdict: check this place out when heading up to South Lake Tahoe....it's cool....

What a hidden gem! This visitor center has a "free" interactive museum showcasing how the dam was…read moreengineered; the history of the native Yahi Indian culture and of Ishi, Oroville, and the local fish and wildlife. My favorite exhibit was the story and photos of Ishi. The center also has a viewing tower which is accessible by stairs or elevator. You can see the dam. Don't worry if you are afraid of heights. The tower is not very tall. Plus it has coin operated telescopes. But I put a quarter in one of the telescopes...it didn't work. I suggest bringing your own binoculars, if you have one, because the center is on top of the ridge overlooking the dam with pretty nice views. The center also is the starting point to several easy 1-1.5 mile round trip hikes. To boot the parking is free and the lot is paved. So come on and visit the center, soak up nature and a bit of fun facts...all free. Oh by the way, the road to the dam is off limits to the public still due to repairs. Per the center docent, there is no ETA on when it will open back up.

I'll keep this very nice and simple: The folks at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center are SO NICE!…read more Basically, a few weeks ago my friends and I were planning a perilous trip to Feather Falls and Oroville. The only reason why we were so hesitant about going was because of the raging fires happening throughout NorCal. We decided to go anyway, because we weren't going to pass up on the opportunity. A week before, I called the Lake Oroville Visitor Center because I wanted to see whether it was possible to head down to the Oroville Damn, or at least what's remaining of it. If you haven't been living under a rock, you'll know that the damn spillway cracked in half in 2017 because of the extreme flooding and they've been repairing it since then. Well, a lovely park ranger on the phone told us that we could definitely drive NEARBY the damn and grab pictures. She also recommended we stop by the visitor's center for recommendations around the area. And that's exactly what we did. After surviving an intense, 8 mile hike to and from the gorgeous Feather Falls (https://www.yelp.com/biz/feather-falls-trail-oroville), we made a pit stop the next day at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center. It was only about 45 or so minutes from where we stayed in Marysville and all we had to do was drive up Highway 70 and then east on Highway 162. The visitor center had a pretty big parking lot, there was a large picnic area, and we saw deer roaming around! Not knowing what to expect, we bravely went inside the visitor's center. I honestly believe that the woman who approached us was the same as the one who talked to me on the phone because this lady was SUPER NICE. She eagerly ushered us into the theater room and showed us a zoomed-in image of the Oroville Damn. She discussed the history of the damn and then proceeded to walk us through how to drive to the road nearest the damn that just opened up! Afterwards, she suggested we check out the tower structure that's at the visitor's center. I highly recommend it because that 3 story tower provided AMAZING 360 degree views of the surrounding area. Before we left, we asked if she had any other places we should go to and she also directed us to Bidwell Bridge - supposedly the oldest suspension bridge in the U.S.? We would eventually go there, and had a really fun time! Need to give a major shout-out to the people at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center because they gave us a few awesome things to do for our Sunday morning in the Butte County area. We could have totally just gone home after our hike, but instead had some fun exploring! I give the folks here an "Omg, I'd travel 2 hours for this" rating. have fun and prosper,

A challenging hike around 2 hours from EG/Sacramento. It's nearly 9 miles round trip but has a…read morebeautiful view of Feather Falls from the viewpoint deck. We went in March when the weather was unusually warm this year and the water was f l o w i n g. There isnt much tree cover as there used to be after the fires in this area, so if you're coming on a sunny day, be well prepared with sun protection and water. The majority of the hike is uncovered if you start after the morning hours. Parking lot is decent sized, on the day we came there were hardly any cars at 9am, but we saw more people when we finished around 1pm. There's also vault toilets at the trailhead

How amazingly gorgeous it is here!!! Full of sweet sweet serenity…read more.. For Easter, my daughter & I decided to go here for our hike!! First, the directions on Google maps suck. You need to keep going down the freeway passed Coal Canyon Road We parked in a large rocky parking lot. At this point, you need to use the bathrooms because there aren't any along your path or trail. I found it hard to stay hydrated because since there aren't bathrooms along the way. I didn't want to drink too much water in case it makes me have to go. We started our hike at 1:15pm. The first part of the hike is a very rocky dirt path. No shade. So wear your sun screen! It was beautiful along the way with beautiful green grass, gorgeous flowers. There were free range cows roaming around. This hike can be very challenging to someone who doesn't work out or get their heart rate up daily. There were a couple large Oaks trees offering us some shade just before you approach the quarry. It's a good resting point but we kept on. For this part, we were climbing down into a quarry, surrounded by trees and bushes, over the rocks, down the path, going back and forth... to come to the first waterfall. It was refreshing and rewarding! Being able to feel the water coming down over you after hiking down from the sun was exhilarating! Now, you have to climb your way up the other side. This is where a big challenge comes in. Up the other side, walking up a very vertical hill, over the rocks... really takes your breath away and makes your legs burn.. we loved every minute of it. When you get to the top, there are no trees up here, just more hills to walk up with rocks below your feet. So wear some good shoes! Getting to the top of that part was another waterfall. It was only visible from far away, but even more gorgeous! The sun was hitting it just right to make a rainbow in the mist. It took us 2 1/2-3 hours to get to that particular part of the hike (we spent quite a bit of time at the previous waterfall). At this point we decided to go back... but you need to go back the way you came. We were pretty out of shape for this hike but we love challenges. So up and back over the hills, back down the steep quarry full of trees, down the rocky path, back to the first waterfall (and we spent time down there again, lol) and then climbing out of that quarry, we decided to stop at those big oak trees to make a sandwich to share. After our long rest, getting some fuel in our bodies, and getting nice and hydrated, we started out way down the rocky path. Again, the rocky path made it very challenging. Our legs were really worked from all the climbing up the hills we did so we've smaller hill after that made us feel the burn! Oh... there nothing like the motivation of seeing that parking lot, lol. It was indeed time to get into the air conditioned car and into a comfy seat in the car. Oooh and finally!!! Bathrooms!!! Lol My daughter & I had a blast on our hike for Easter. There were so many families that day who had the same idea. The weather was perfectly sunny with a slight breeze. It was 6 p.m. by the time we sat in the car and turned on the air conditioning. Great timing since I didn't have to drive in the dark on our way home!

As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six week road trip. I…read morehave a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and truly experience it. On this trip, we visited 14 national parks, and Lassen Volcanic National Park was one of the biggest surprises. The drive into the park was beautiful, and despite evidence of recent wildfires in parts of the forest, the landscape is recovering and remains absolutely stunning. Nature has an incredible ability to heal, and seeing young trees growing alongside older burned areas was a reminder of how volcanic landscapes are constantly changing. Lassen is one of the few places in the world where you can experience all four types of volcanoes: shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome. That alone makes it geologically fascinating, but what really impressed us was how much variety the park offers. One moment we were standing beside steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots that reminded us of a smaller, quieter version of Yellowstone. The smell of sulfur, the hissing steam, and the boiling earth beneath your feet make you appreciate that this landscape is still very much alive. The next moment we were hiking around peaceful alpine lakes with spectacular reflections of Lassen Peak mirrored in the crystal clear water. Manzanita Lake was especially beautiful, and seeing the volcano reflected on its calm surface was one of the highlights of our visit. We also loved exploring quieter trails to places like Lily Pond, where we could hike for long stretches while seeing only one or two other people. There is something special about having so much natural beauty almost entirely to yourself. For those who enjoy being on the water, the lakes are perfect for kayaking or simply sitting quietly and taking in the scenery. The combination of volcanic landscapes, mountain forests, meadows, lakes, and wildlife makes every part of the park feel different. We stayed in the nearby town of Chester, which turned out to be a charming little base for exploring the park. It has several good restaurants, friendly people, and everything we needed after long days of hiking. Lassen Volcanic National Park may not receive the attention of some of California's more famous parks, but it absolutely deserves it. It combines dramatic volcanic features with peaceful alpine beauty in a way that feels both exciting and calming at the same time. If you enjoy hiking, geology, photography, or simply discovering places that are a little less crowded, Lassen Volcanic National Park is a hidden gem that should be on every national park lover's list.

We had an amazing trip here! Arrived in a Yhursday and enjoyed exploring about 1/2 of the park,…read moremostly the western half.

We love this state park for camping, hiking, biking, fishing, and especially for the history! It is…read morean old gold mining town, and home to America's first downhill ski races! We love the museum and the volunteers who work there.

I don't want to be the one to spoil the secret, but I recently camped here, and it was incredible…read more I think this will probably be one of my favorite places to camp from now on. I stayed at Upper Jamison Creek, and loved it. I made reservations about a week ahead of time on Reservecalifornia.com My site was very spacious, private, and well shaded. There were lots of redwoods on my site, some purple irises, and even some snow plant. There are a few lovely short trails that run throughout the park, like the one mile hike from the campground to the Visitor Center, or an extra mile to Camp Lisa or the Jamison Mine Complex. From the historic mine complex, the PCT is just three miles away. Or, you can also drive to the trail head and park there. In the other direction, the Trail carries on to a series of alpine lakes and waterfalls. Like other reviewers have said, it was very cold at night. Even in June, I needed both sleeping bags. There are several other amazing hikes within driving distance. If you look carefully, there are some free campgrounds, too. The only time this state park charges fees is to camp at the nicer campgrounds. All parking is free. Showers are free. Plumas Eureka is more accessible than some state parks. They Reserve disabled sites for people with disabled passes, which is something to keep in mind if you have a pass and are looking for a site at the last minute. Lots of gorgeous lakes and opportunities for kayaking, too. Pretty much as good as it gets for a state campground.

This is a beautiful park and we had a great location (127) with water at our site and bathrooms…read morejust yards away. But, Hwy 80 is probably less than 200 yards away and there's a train track above the camp. I remember lying in our tent thinking, "what is that noise? It's just constant." No Doppler effect of approaching traffic, just a solid din. Sorry to say we decided to visit the town (beautiful) and enjoy a shop or two (loved Cornerstone Bakery; stop in and grab a few things, as their pastries are superb) and decided to break camp early and enjoy a quiet night sleep. I don't mind clanging pots to keep the bears away, but incessant freeway traffic noise was just miserable. We'll return, but visit another site (there's lots to see here).

July 8, 2026 - I still consider this one of the best campgrounds in CA, especially if you choose a…read morenice camping site. Lots to do here, kayaking, swimming, cycling and hiking. Beautiful forest setting with large lake. We did not have any interaction with staff, and most of the time that is a good thing. One star down, though, because the token machine for the showers was out of order, and if there are camp hosts, we didn't see them. I always research the sites before I reserve, some are much nicer and secluded than others. Lots of people come for day use also, so if you are headed to the lake from your campsite, go early to choose your beach spot for the day.

- There's a wealth of information provided to ambitiously curious travelers who happen to stumble…read moreupon this quaint visitor's center in the N. Lake Tahoe area. While, as a previous reviewer mentioned, we can simply thumb the need for quick advisable bits of info online, there's something a little more refreshing when one comes face to face with staff willing to make a road trip such a pleasure as the one my brother and I took a few weeks ago. Generally, I'm the kind of guy who tends to sight see locations of interest whenever I hop in my car and go. While the usual suspect tourist traps pull us in, there's something to be said of taking the road less traveled, and on this particular day, it was definitely worth the side venture. The woman working behind the counter was as friendly as can be. She started up a conversation with both my brother and I, engaging him even further personally in small talk as I wandered about the center taking the kitschy only in Tahoe merch laid about in well organized fashion. Thanks to her bubbly personality, my brother was able to learn about an overlook area allowing these breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe from high the windy above. I never thought to go further along in our travels that day, but such an opportunity to see nature in such grandeur was too hard to pass up. All in all, it was a great experience - a few minutes alone was well spent invested in this short road trip that my brother and I will take as a memorable part of the journey. I highly encourage others who may trek the same road we did, to also stop in and make themselves feel at home. You'll be so glad you did.

The visitor's center is a quaint, country cabin filled with lovely postcards, photographs of the…read morelake, books on the history of the region, the Comstock lode, and first settlers to Lake Tahoe! Franny Ramirez, the gift shop manager, was chock full of suggestions on the best views, walks, and hikes around Lake Tahoe. She has lived in the area for over 25 years, she said, and it shows in her knowledge of the region. From Incline Village to Sand Harbor, to Zephyr's Cove, to entertainment and gaming at South Shore, Fran had tips on what to see and do and covered Lake Tahoe in a very pleasant and conversant way. She sure helped us plan our week long trip. Thanks Fran!

The North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center is a great place to get more information and pick up souvenirs,…read moreetc. This surrounding area is so pretty and scenic!

Nice and helpful visitor center. Maps and tourist information. Bathroom. Keurig machine. Souvenirs…read more(magnets, ornaments, postcards, t-shirts, etc). Located close to hiking/biking trails. Tesla and EV chargers available.