Painted Dunes: Visit California’s Colorful Volcanic Dunes
In 1915, Lassen Peak in Northern California experienced a cataclysmic volcanic eruption. Ash and molten lava coated the surrounding landscape for several days. Glowing lava collided with patches of snow to create sweeping mudslides. In the wake of Lassen Peak’s dramatic explosion, the area became a National Park full of bubbling mud pots, jewel-toned alpine lakes, and sweeping views of colorful terrain shaped by centuries of volcanic activity.
Lukas Bischoff | Dreamstime.com
Lassen Volcanic National Park is remote and vast. One of the grand highlights of the unique landscape is the Painted Dunes, which are in the northeastern section of the park. The Painted Dunes are a rust-colored pumice field with vibrant splashes of orange and red. The bright color is a result of sizzling ash converging with molten lava. The dunes are quite delicate so you can only view them from a distance.
Ndiebold | Dreamstime.com
The best way to see the Painted Dunes is to hike the Cinder Cone Trail. The Cinder Cone Trail features a fairly steep gradient that is dusted with volcanic ash and pine needles. It is absolutely vital to pack ample food and water, as Lassen Volcanic National Park has very few amenities outside of two visitors centers and a handful of campgrounds.
Photo by DepositPhotos.com
The Cinder Cone Trail is not for beginners, but the summit is absolutely exquisite. Even if you don’t make it all the way to the top, you can still enjoy sweeping views of Lassen Peak and the Painted Dunes. Hiking through black piles of volcanic ash will make you feel as though you have journeyed to another planet. You may even spot a NASA researcher in an orange coat taking samples of volcanic rock in an attempt to determine if life could possibly exist on other planets with similar volcanic conditions.
ID 152658839 | Painted Dunes ©
Michal Balada | Dreamstime.com
Every July, waves of California Tortoiseshell butterflies flutter across Lassen en route to the Sierra Nevada range. You may be fortunate enough to view the vibrant tangerine hues of the Painted Dunes through an additional sea of pumpkin-colored butterflies.
© Kojihirano
| Dreamstime.com
If the massive crowds at National Parks such as Yellowstone and Zion are too much for you, a trip to Lassen is an absolute must. Lassen’s pristine lakes, rugged volcanic landscape, and year-round snowpack make for some dazzling hikes. On the remote outer edges of the park, you are more likely to spot a bear, a mountain lion, or a deer sauntering in the distance than a tour bus full of hikers.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Painted Dunes, south of Cinder Cone, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, USA
- Coordinates
- 40.54161, -121.31534
- Access
- The Painted Dunes are viewed from the Cinder Cone trail; NPS says the first views are about 1.2 miles from the Butte Lake trailhead. The trailhead is reached by a six-mile dirt road from Highway 44. Loose cinders and a steep 200-foot summit climb make the full hike strenuous; stay on designated trails to avoid damaging the dunes. Check current NPS road and trail notices before driving.
- Admission
- Lassen Volcanic National Park seven-day pass: $30 per private vehicle April 16–November 30, or $10 December 1–April 15. The pass covers the vehicle and passengers. Entrance stations are cashless; check current fees before travel.
- Time needed
- NPS estimates about 3 hours for the 4-mile round trip to the Cinder Cone summit. The first Painted Dunes views are about 1.2 miles from the trailhead; hiking only to that viewpoint takes less time.
- Best season
- No official preferred season is published. The snow-free season is generally more practical: the Butte Lake road is not maintained in winter and snow may make it unsuitable for vehicles, often November–April. The NPS Butte Lake trail-conditions page was last updated June 21, 2026; verify current road and trail notices before making the six-mile dirt-road approach.
- Opening hours
- No separate daily hours are published for Cinder Cone or the Painted Dunes. Lassen Volcanic National Park is open 24 hours year-round, but that does not guarantee this remote trail or road is passable. The Butte Lake access road is not maintained in winter; check the NPS road and trail status before driving the six-mile dirt-road approach.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-20
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-23
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