GETTING THERE
Lassen Volcanic National Park is about five hours north of San Francisco; it's accessible from mid-June until early October. The entrance fee is $10 per vehicle for seven days. From the Bay Area, take I-5 north to Red Bluff, then take State 36 east. Four miles east of Mineral, go north on State 89, the main route through the park. You can also enter through the north gate from State 44. Lassen's first visitor center, with interactive exhibits and a park shop, is scheduled to open October 2. More info: 530/595-4444.
WHERE TO STAY
The park has five main campgrounds off State 89. Reservations are recommended, but half of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Our favorite sites in Summit Lake South include D9 and D10, which have nice views and good lake access. For fewer neighbors and a little more elbow room, try C9. The E loop is tents-only. More info and reservations: recreation.gov or 877/444-6777.
ON LASSEN PEAK
We're off to see the bubbling mud pots at Bumpass Hell when we get sidetracked by a field of lupines so lush and alluring, we're drawn in like Dorothy to the poppies. It literally has us frolicking ― even my brother, who lives in New York and is not, as a rule, much of a frolicker.
