MINERAL, CA –Lassen Volcanic National Park invites you to find your park with free admission Saturday, April 16 to Sunday, April 24 in honor of National Park Week, National Jr. Ranger Day and Earth Day. “This year’s national park week is special as 2016 is the centennial year for Lassen Volcanic National Park and the National Park Service,” stated Park Superintendent Steve Gibbons. “This is a great time of year to visit, whether you would like to hike around Manzanita Lake or backcountry ski on Lassen’s high elevation peaks, spring presents the unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy both winter and spring activities.”
Monday, April 18 the Lassen National Park Highway will open the ten miles from the Manzanita Lake entrance to the Devastated Area. Next week the road crew will begin plowing operations from the Southwest Entrance Station. Currently the highway remains closed to vehicles beyond the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.
On April 16, National Junior Ranger Day, kids can pick up a National Park Service Centennial Junior Ranger booklet to earn a commemorative Centennial Junior Ranger badge at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. The Lassen Astrobiology Intern Recognition and Public Lecture featuring Red Bluff High School Students and scientists from NASA Ames Research Center will be held at the Red Bluff High School Library Conference Room on April 21 from 6-8:00 p.m. As part of Earth Day the park will present Mineral Movie Night showing “Forever Wild: A Celebration of America’s Wilderness” narrated by Robert Redford at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center which begins at 6:00 p.m.
Although warmer temperatures have already arrived in the valley, the park can still experience winter-like weather this time of year. Check the forecast before your visit and come prepared for the conditions. It is recommended you wear layers and bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Even on overcast days, sun exposure is greater at higher elevations.
The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information about centennial celebrations and general park information, please visit the website www.nps.gov/lavo or contact the park at 530-595-4480 or lavo_information@nps.gov.