Coyote Hills to Lassen Peak Backdoor — Lassen Volcanic Backcountry via Butte Lake Road
Volcanic backdoor most Lassen visitors never find.
Most people enter Lassen from the southwest and never leave the pavement. Butte Lake Road — a 6.5-mile dirt spur off Highway 44 in the northeast corner of the park — puts you at the base of the Cinder Cone, one of the youngest volcanoes in the contiguous US, last erupting around 1666. The road crosses pumice flats and loose volcanic soil before dead-ending at the Butte Lake trailhead, where the Painted Dunes spread out in front of you in shades of rust, ochre, and black. It’s a short route, but the surrounding backcountry loop — pushing north through Caribou Wilderness on Forest Service roads FR 10 and FR 32N72 out of Chester — extends the run considerably and keeps you in the volcanic high country.
The road itself is passable for high-clearance 2WD in dry conditions, but the pumice surface gets deceptively soft after rain and the approach roads through Lassen National Forest can hold snowpack well into June. Best window is late July through September. No permit required for the drive, but overnight camping at Butte Lake Campground requires a reservation through recreation.gov. Fuel in Susanville or Chester before heading in — there’s nothing on the northeast approach. Cell service is nonexistent. Bring water. What you get is volcanic geology up close and a campsite that feels nothing like the crowds on the park’s main corridor.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 38 mi / 61.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6100 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD (4WD recommended) |
| Nearest town | Chester, CA |
| Land manager | Lassen Volcanic National Park / Lassen National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | NPS Butte Lake page Butte Lake Campground reservations |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Butte Lake Road, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 2WD truck can make it in dry conditions, but the road has washboard sections and occasional ruts that punish low-slung vehicles. 4WD isn't usually required, but you'll want it if there's been recent rain or if you're towing anything.
When does Butte Lake Road actually open after winter, and is early June safe?
The road typically opens late June to early July depending on snowpack — Lassen sits high and holds snow well into spring. Check current road conditions directly with the NPS before heading out; early June access is a gamble that often loses.
Do I need a permit to drive this route, and is there an entrance fee?
You'll need a Lassen Volcanic National Park pass once you enter park boundaries — standard America the Beautiful pass covers it, or pay the per-vehicle fee at the Butte Lake entrance kiosk. The Lassen National Forest portion outside the park boundary is fee-free. Butte Lake Campground requires a separate reservation through Recreation.gov.
What's the hardest section of this route and what should I actually be ready for?
The road is moderate, not technical — the challenge is sustained washboard, soft volcanic soil shoulders with little room to maneuver, and no bailout options once you're deep in. Airing down to 28-30 PSI makes the washboard manageable and keeps your fillings intact.
How far is the nearest gas from the Butte Lake trailhead, and is there water at the campground?
Chester is your last reliable fuel stop, roughly 30 miles from the Butte Lake area — fill up there, no exceptions. Butte Lake Campground has potable water available when the facility is staffed (July–September), but don't count on it outside that window.
Trail track
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