Hiking the Summit Lake Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Distance (Loop Only): 0.75 miles / 1.2 km
Distance (Full RT Trail): 1.6 miles (2.6 km)
The Summit Lake Trail—often called the Summit Lake Loop Trail—in Lassen Volcanic National Park is a beautiful, short, and easy day hike around one of Lassen’s many alpine lakes that can make for a great place to swim, paddle, and even fish!
That said, my favorite thing about Summit Lake is the short 0.75-mile (1.2 km) loop, because I think the trail makes for one of the best early-morning hikes in Lassen Volcanic, as this is typically when the wind is calm, the park is quiet, and first light can be enjoyed on Lassen Peak from the east side of the Summit Lake Loop.
This is exactly when the photo below was taken, which hopefully helps show just how calm and relaxing the short loop around Summit Lake can be at this time of day!
Summit Lake Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Summit Lake Trail is available in three locations.
First, hikers can park at either the North or South Summit Lake Campground for the shortest access to the loop around the lake, or there is the option to park near the Summit Lake Ranger Station to hike the full Summit Lake Trail, as outlined in this post.
Google Maps Directions: Summit Lake 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 Summit Lake Trail
As previously mentioned, the Summit Lake Trail can begin from either campground on the north or south side of the lake, but for the sake of this post I chose to begin at the true Summit Lake Trailhead, just past the Summit Lake Ranger Station.
From this trailhead near the ranger station, it’s a roughly 0.4-mile (0.6 km) hike each way to get to the loop, which can be avoided by simply parking at either campground.
After the boardwalk, the Summit Lake Trail traverses a few minor, easy hills before reaching the start of the loop.
These photos at the beginning of the Summit Lake Trail reflect the remnants of the devastating 2021 Dixie Fire, taken several years after the actual fire.
This is where the North Summit Lake Campground starts to become visible through the trees, which is a nice sign that Summit Lake is not far ahead!
Summit Lake Loop Trail
After 0.4 miles (0.6 km), the Summit Lake Trail reaches the start of the loop, located just east of the North Summit Lake Campground.
That said, I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to hike the loop from this junction, but if you’re most interested in reaching the best views of Lassen Peak first, go left at this split.
Regarding my thoughts above, I chose to go left to begin hiking in the clockwise direction around the Summit Lake Loop Trail.
Summit Lake Loop-Echo Lake/ Twin Lakes Junction
After just a few steps from the beginning of the loop, the Summit Lake Trail splits with the route that heads east toward Echo Lake and the Twin Lakes shortly thereafter.
At this point, go right to stay on the Summit Lake Trail around the lake.
This is where my favorite views of Lassen Peak can be found!
Summit Lake Loop-Summit Lake Amphitheater Junction
About 0.1 miles (0.2 km) past the Echo Lake junction, the Summit Lake Trail splits once again, with a short path that leads to the Summit Lake Amphitheater.
Here, it doesn’t matter which direction you decide to go, as both paths meet again shortly ahead.
However, to stay on the true Summit Lake Trail, go right to continue along the shoreline.
South Summit Lake Campground
Unlike the north side of the Summit Lake Loop, the south side—adjacent to the South Summit Lake Campground—is much easier to follow, as it remains on an actual trail along the water instead of the road, like the other side.
With that in mind, go right, then right again at the next split to continue hiking around Summit Lake.
This is the second right turn where the Summit Lake Trail leaves the South Summit Lake Campground.
Once on the west side of Summit Lake, the trail simply continues along the water until it reaches the campground on the north side.
While the views on the west side are still beautiful, they really pale in comparison to the views from the other side, with Lassen Peak in the background!
It’s worth noting that the plant species shown here is highly toxic to both humans and animals and should be avoided wherever it’s found—typically in wet, marshy areas like this and along other day hikes across Lassen Volcanic National Park.
North Summit Lake Campground
This is where the Summit Lake Loop returns to the North Summit Lake Campground.
Once here, hikers have the option to either parallel the shoreline through the picnic area or walk the campground entrance road to the loop junction on the right-hand side of the road, just a short distance ahead.
This is where the Summit Lake Trail regains the path once again, which is only a short walk away from the start of the loop.
Summit Lake Loop Junction
This is where the Summit Lake Trail returns to the beginning of the loop.
From here, go left to return to the Summit Lake Trailhead near the Summit Lake Ranger Station, about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) away.
