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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.