Hiking the Kings Creek Falls Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Distance: 2.7 miles / 4.3 km
The Kings Creek Falls Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park is a relatively easy out-and-back day hike that follows the Lower Kings Creek Meadow down to a beautiful 30-ft. (9 m) waterfall—the second-tallest waterfall in the park!
Before visiting, know that Kings Creek Falls is the most popular waterfall hike in Lassen Volcanic, which is why I recommend visiting first thing in the morning to enjoy the trail before the crowds that typically arrive by mid- to late morning.
Furthermore, I also recommend visiting Mill Creek Falls—the tallest single-drop waterfall in Lassen Volcanic—which makes for a great follow-up hike after Kings Creek, as the trail often sees far fewer visitors in comparison!
Kings Creek Falls Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Kings Creek Falls Trail is located directly alongside Lassen Peak Highway, about 5.1 miles (8.2 km) down from the road summit near the Lassen Peak Trail.
Before hiking, be aware that the Kings Creek Falls Trailhead is one of the more challenging places to find a parking spot, given the trail’s popularity—behind only Bumpass Hell and Lassen Peak.
Google Maps Directions: Kings Creek Falls Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Lassen Volcanic
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
That said, bear spray is purposefully excluded from this list because, while the park is home to Black Bears, bear spray is not allowed in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Hiking the Kings Creek Falls Trail
The Kings Creek Falls Trail is an almost entirely downhill hike, descending roughly 475 ft. (145 m) from the trailhead off Lassen Peak Highway to the overlook above Kings Creek Falls.
One of the most interesting things about the Kings Creek Falls Trail in recent years is how it quite literally zigzags its way across the fire line from the devastating 2021 Dixie Fire.
That said, other hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park, such as the Devil’s Kitchen Trail in Warner Valley, navigate through some of the worst of the impacts, while others, like the Brokeoff Mountain Trail, saw nearly no effects at all.
All that to say, don’t forget to hike with a quality hooded sun shirt in Lassen Volcanic, which is especially useful now more than ever!
Lower Kings Creek Meadow
This is the Lower Kings Creek Meadow, which is often less known compared to its counterpart just up the road.
By this, I mean that sitting back and relaxing in the Upper Kings Creek Meadow is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park—especially early in the morning around sunrise!
However, don’t overlook the lower meadow, as locals often see it as the better place to fish—due in large part because it’s farther from the highway and the crowds that make their way to the upper meadow as the day goes on.
Kings Creek Falls-Sifford Lakes Junction
Just a short distance past the meadow, the Kings Creek Falls Trail splits for the first of four times before the waterfall.
At this first junction, go left to stay on the Kings Creek Falls Trail toward the start of the Upper Cascades Loop.
After the Sifford Lakes junction, there are only 0.2 miles (0.3 km) left to hike before the start of the Kings Creek Falls Loop Trail just ahead.
Kings Creek Falls Loop Trail (Upper Junction)
This is the start of the Kings Creek Falls Loop, often called the Upper Cascades Loop.
That said, the loop is designed to be a one-way, clockwise hike, with hikers descending a slightly longer, more gradual trail to the falls and returning on a slightly shorter but steeper trail to get back to this point.
While that might not sound ideal, the shorter but steeper return hike is a great place to take a lot of breaks, as it follows the beautiful Upper Kings Creek Cascades above Kings Creek Falls.
All this to say, go left at this split to begin hiking the one-way loop trail.
The upper half of the Kings Creek Loop doesn’t get steep until about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) after leaving the junction shown above.
This is the view looking south toward Warner Valley and Lake Almanor.
This is where the Kings Creek Falls Loop abruptly begins descending back down to Kings Creek, and the waterfall shortly thereafter.
Some hikers may want to carry trekking poles for the steeper sections on both sides of the Kings Creek Falls Loop.
Lower Kings Creek Falls Loop Junction
After 0.5 miles (0.8 km), the Kings Creek Falls Loop reaches the lower junction where the two sides become one again for the rest of the hike to the waterfall.
Once here, go left to continue hiking to Kings Creek Falls, about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) away.
Kings Creek Falls-Bench Lake (Warner Valley) Junction
This split right before Kings Creek Falls is the connection to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and all the day hikes out of Warner Valley, like Boiling Springs Lake and the Terminal Geyser Trail.
At this point, go left to complete the remaining 0.1 miles (0.2 km) to Kings Creek Falls.
Kings Creek Falls (Corral Meadow Junction)
After 1.5 miles (2.4 km) the trail reaches this overlook above Kings Creek Falls, a roughly 30 ft. (9 m) tall waterfall and the second-highest named waterfall in Lassen Volcanic National Park!
Lower Kings Creek Falls Loop Junction
Once back at the lower junction, go left to continue clockwise around the Kings Creek Falls Loop Trail and begin the section that parallels the upper cascades.
This is the short but steep ascent along Kings Creek to reach the upper loop junction.
In my opinion, the cascades above Kings Creek Falls are, in a way, just as beautiful as the actual waterfall below.
Upper Kings Creek Falls Loop Junction
After a short 0.2-mile (0.3 km) ascent, the loop returns to the flatter sections of the Kings Creek Falls Trail.
Here, go left to continue hiking back to the trailhead off Lassen Peak Highway, about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) away.
