Summary:
Descend through meadow and forest to a beautiful cascade.

The trail follows the creek as it descends through picturesque forest and open meadow. Keep the creek to your right at all times by veering left at the trail fork and ignoring two subsequent side trails to the left, the second just before you reach the falls.

Kings Creek Falls is a lovely place to sit for a while. When you are ready to return to the trailhead, you have a choice: either retrace your steps alongside the creek, or take a higher path through the forest. For this alternative route, continue beyond the falls for a short distance and, as the trail veers away from the creek, turn left at the junction to return through the forest. Eventually you rejoin the main trail, where you keep the creek to your left as you head back to the trailhead.

Miles of trails give further options if you wish to explore the variety of scenery in the National Park. Other trails along Lassen Park Road include:

* Summit Lake Loop. A full day, 9 mile/15 km trail that loops through forest and past many of the lakes in the central area of the Park. Heading east from Summit Lake, the trail climbs 500 ft in the first mile to a junction that signals the start of the loop. Keep right and descend a total of 500 ft to reach firstly Echo Lake, and then Upper Twin and Lower Twin Lakes. Keep left at the trail junctions to loop back via the Cluster Lakes. Trailhead: east side of Summit Lake, accessed by a trail from the North or South campgrounds, which are almost midway between the NW and SW entrances.

* Terrace-Shadow-Cliff Lakes Trail. Descends 350 ft to Terrace Lake and Shadow Lake (ignore the side trail on the left early on). A further descent of 300 ft, and a spur trail to the right, leads to Cliff Lake. Total distance of this out and back trail is 3 miles/5 km. Trailhead: turnout 21 miles from NW entrance, 8 miles from SW entrance.

* Lassen Peak. A steep climb to the volcano’s 10,457-ft summit, where you can view lava flows from the 1915 eruption and a panorama stretching to Mount Shasta on a clear day. 5 miles out and back, total ascent of 1,994 ft/608 m. Trailhead: parking area 22 miles from NW entrance, 7 miles from SW entrance.

* Mill Creek Falls. 4.5 mile/7 km out and back trail leads through forest to the highest waterfall in the National Park. Undulating nature of trail means total climbing there and back of about 600 ft/180 m. Trailhead: Southwest campground, close to SW entrance station.

* Brokeoff Mountain. First part of the trail follows a stream as it climbs steadily 2,600 ft/790 m to the 9,235-ft summit. Out and back hike totals 7.5 miles/12 km. Trailhead: turnout 0.25 mile south of SW entrance.

Directions: Hwy 89 (Lassen Park Road) runs through the western half of the National Park, from the north-west (NW) to the south-west (SW) entrances. From I-5, take Hwy 44 east to connect with the 89 and the NW entrance. The SW entrance is reached via I-5 and Hwy 36 east.

Trailhead: Turnout 17 miles from the NW entrance, 12 miles from the SW entrance.

Length: 3 miles / 4.8 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: -700 ft / -213 m
Ascent on return.

Duration: 2 hours

Trail Condition: Easy to follow when snow-free. Snow may cover the higher trails into late summer – map and compass recommended in these conditions.

Features: Meadow and forest, stream and waterfall.

Climate: Hiking usually only possible June to October, as heavy snow in winter closes the Lassen Park Road. Some trails accessible in winter with snowshoes.

Accommodation: Five campgrounds along Lassen Park Road, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Outside SW entrance – motels and cabins at Mineral and Mill Creek, 9 miles west and 9 miles east respectively on Hwy 36. Outside NW entrance – B&B and cabins at Shingletown, 19 miles west on Hwy 44, and north on Hwy 89 at Old Station and Hat Creek.

Trail Notes: Be aware of altitude and possible snow on trails. Hiking maps available at both ends of Lassen Park Road – Loomis Museum visitor center at Manzanita Lake and the Southwest Information Station.