Lassen Volcanic National Park is the Yellowstone of California

A few weekends back, I found one of California’s hidden treasures, Lassen Volcanic National Park. With a few beautiful national and state parks right in our own backyard in the Valley, we often journey close for our camping and hiking. However, we do ourselves a great disservice.

I had never been to Lassen and wanted to share my experience with a hiking group I organize through Meetup software online. It was a lovely drive of some four or so hours.

We found California’s own Yellowstone National Park. We camped and shared our site with a small herd of bucks that ran through our campsites in the early evening and mornings. We hiked a real volcano, saw mud pots and boiling lakes, and we saw some of the most amazing landscapes.

Everyone at the park was friendly. The park rangers were attentive and cared deeply for the park – thanks, Ranger Joshua.

I have heard little of this national park and was so surprised at what I experienced. If you have never been there, go. You are sure to find a campsite, as few know about this park. However, as word gets out, this park will surely attract the crowds of Yosemite.

This story was originally published August 19, 2015 at 5:42 AM with the headline "Lassen Volcanic National Park is the Yellowstone of California."