Mill Creek is a tiny town surrounded by big mountains. Use it as a jumping-off point to explore Lassen Volcanic National Park and the wilds of Northern California.
Scout out Lassen Volcanic National Park. Discover the rugged park’s lush conifer forest and surreal, lunar terrain. See boiling mud pots, steaming geysers and piping hot springs. Look for cinder cone, shield, plug dome and stratovolcanoes. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find all four types of volcano.
You can’t miss the hulking form of Lassen Peak, one of the world’s largest lava domes and the Cascade Range’s southernmost active volcano. Hike to its summit throughout the year, although snow can hinder your route in winter. Take the popular Lassen Peak Trail, a 5-mile (8-kilometre) round-trip hike that ascends to the summit.
Check out Mill Creek, which gives the town its name. Take a scenic hike along its banks or try to spot the elusive salmon and trout that glide beneath the surface. Experienced rafters and kayakers will enjoy its Class V rapids.
Take a picturesque drive along the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway. Along the 500-mile (800-kilometre) route, discover stunning volcanoes, sparkling lakes, green forests and friendly faces. Begin in the south at Lake Almanor. Drive less than 40 minutes to reach Mill Creek. Continue north through Lassen Volcanic National Park. Reach the northern terminus at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. As you drive, pass natural landmarks including the craggy peaks of Mount Shasta, the thundering walls at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park and the undulating magma conduits at Lava Beds National Monument.
The town of Mill Creek is home to little more than a post office and some scenic outdoor campsites. Stay in a rustic cabin at the woodsy Mill Creek Resort or Highlands Ranch Resort. Pitch a tent at Mill Creek Campground. As a base for your explorations of Lassen Volcanic National Park, you couldn’t pick a more scenic spot.
