Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in northern California, is a diverse park which is home to 4 volcano types, hydrothermal sites with steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots, and clear mountain lakes.  The park offers Starry Night ranger-led programs at various locations and also hosts Lassen’s Dark Sky Festival. There are a number of campsites and a network of 150 miles (240 km) of trails which connect with the Pacific Crest Trail in the north. The nearby Devastated Area is littered with lava rocks from the last eruption. Note that the park road, Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, is closed during winter and that there is no over-night camping except at campings and at the visitor centre, for a fee. A friend of the EarthSky community says of this place: “It is far removed from city lights, with an exquisitely dark sky and elevations ranging from about 6,000 to 8,500 feet (1,800 to 2,600 m) on the park highway (closed in winter) which make for crystal clear skies.”