Bumpass Hell - Hiking in California
Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, Hat Creek, California, USA,California
40.466017137563036, -121.51443243026733
Address: Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, Hat Creek, California, USA
GPS: 40°27'57.7"N 121°30'52.0"W
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State: California

National Park

Hike

Bumpass Hell is the largest collection of hydrothermal features in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The overall 3 mile round trip hike takes visitors around some of the hottest and largest features in the park. When hiking through Bumpass Hell, visitors will be able to walk along boardwalk style trails and get close to the different features. None of the features in the area are safe for bathing, as the water is heated to extreme temperatures and is very acidic. There is a lot of steam present in the area, as well as boiling pools and mud pots. Big Boiler is the largest fumarole in the park as well as the hottest. Its water temperature has been measured at 322°F, making it one of the hottest in the world. 

The trail begins at the Bumpass Hell parking lot and is about 1.5 miles out. Be careful when descending into Bumpass Hell because the trail can be slippery during the winter or after rainstorms. Most visitors will be able to smell Bumpass Hell before they really see it and that is from the sulfur gases escaping from the boiling pools. 

Updated August 21, 2025
2.7K Edited by cteicheira

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Lassen Volcanic National Park Itinerary

This Lassen Volcanic National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Lassen Volcanic National Park.

https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/lassen-volcanic-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diin

Hiking Bumpass Hell: Lassen Volcanic National Park - California Through My Lens

When exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park and hiking Lassen Peak, we decided to also hike Bumpass Hell, one of the park’s most well-known attractions. Bumpass Hell was named after Kendall Vanhook Bumpass, who stumbled on this area in the late 1800s while he was hiking. It is called Bumpass Hell because he fell in one…

https://californiathroughmylens.com/2011/09/hiking-bumpass-hell-lassen-volcanic-national-park/
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Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

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  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

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Bumpass Hell courtesy of Tobias Haase Bumpass Hell courtesy of Tobias Haase↗
Bumpass Hell courtesy of Don Graham Bumpass Hell courtesy of Don Graham↗ Bumpass Hell courtesy of LassenNP Bumpass Hell courtesy of LassenNP↗ Hiking Bumpass Hell by Lassen Volcanic National Park Lassen Volcanic National Park in California (Bumpa by BavarianByNature Bumpass Hell Lassen National Park, CA by Beautiful Places

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