Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway - California
Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway - California is an All-American Road in California. Within California it covers roughly 360 miles. The map below shows its route. Use “Plan a drive” to open it in the Road Sorties route planner — already routing along Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway - California with scenic roads turned on, ready to add your own stops.
The California segment of this All-American Road links the volcanic landscapes of the southern Cascades, from the steaming fumaroles and lava country of Lassen Volcanic National Park north toward Mount Shasta and the Oregon line. It passes lakes, lava flows, and the great snow-capped cone of Shasta, one of the largest stratovolcanoes in the range. The byway continues north into Oregon toward Crater Lake.
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Mount Shasta
- lava flows & fumaroles
- Cascade volcanoes
- All-American Road
Designated for its natural and recreational qualities
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Places to stop along Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway - California
Lake Almanor
A large reservoir beneath Lassen Peak at the byway's southern end, popular for fishing and camping.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
A park with all four types of volcano, plus steaming fumaroles and mud pots at Bumpass Hell, around Lassen Peak, which last erupted in 1914-17.
WebsiteBurney Falls
A 129-foot waterfall fed by underground springs, so it runs full even in late summer, with water seeping out of the cliff face.
WebsiteMcCloud
A former company lumber town whose downtown is a historic district of 1890s-1960s mill buildings.
Lake Siskiyou
A reservoir with a seven-mile shoreline trail and classic reflections of Mount Shasta.
Mount Shasta
A 14,179-foot volcano that dominates northern California. Everitt Memorial Highway climbs partway up its slopes.
Lava Beds National Monument
More than 700 lava tube caves to explore with a flashlight and helmet, plus the stronghold where Modoc fighters held off the Army in 1873.
WebsiteLower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
The country's first waterfowl refuge, from 1908, with an auto tour through marshes that host huge migrations.
Where to Stay along Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway - California
25 campgrounds and RV parks sit within about 5 miles of Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway - California.
Campsite, lodging, RV rental and membership links are affiliate links — booking through them may earn Road Sorties a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Recreation.gov links are not affiliate links.
Photos of Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway - California
What is an All-American Road?
All-American Roads are the top tier of America's National Scenic Byways. To earn the title a road has to be a destination in its own right — offering features so exceptional, across several intrinsic qualities (scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archaeological or recreational), that they can't be found anywhere else.