Drakesbad Guest Lodge and Warner Valley Campground in Lassen Volcanic National Park will stay closed for the 2024 season as repairs from the 2021 Dixie Fire continue. However, the Warner Valley Day-Use Area is open, allowing visitors access to all trails in the area.
Extensive damage to the guest lodge and campground has delayed repairs. Park leadership and Snow Mountain LLC, the park’s concessions operator, decided to postpone reopening to avoid negatively impacting visitors with ongoing construction.
The 2021 Dixie Fire affected 69% of the park and nearly a million acres in the region. Despite high severity impacts in some areas, much of the park experienced low to moderate burn severity. Efforts like weather, firefighting, and past fuel reduction helped slow the fire’s progression through the park.
According to a press release, both the National Park Service and Snow Mountain LLC are collaborating to restore the area and reopen it as soon as possible. This partnership aims to enhance the guest experience by 2025.
The lodge pool suffered further damage from a flood in 2021 after the Dixie Fire and had to be removed. Its restoration is a separate project from other construction at Drakesbad and will likely reopen later than other areas.
Last year’s record snowfall hindered access to the Drakesbad Guest Ranch. Once accessible, Snow Mountain focused on rebuilding and repairing cabins damaged or destroyed by the Dixie Fire. This year, Lassen Volcanic National Park staff is repairing the water system to restore potable water to the ranch and campground.
While the Warner Valley Day-Use Area and its trails are open, visitors are advised to exercise caution due to potential hazards like standing dead trees in burned areas. Additionally, increased vehicle and truck traffic is expected along the entrance road due to construction. Current trail conditions are available on the National Park Service website.
For those still hoping to experience the Lassen Volcanic National Park, alternative accommodations are available. The NPS suggests considering the Manzanita Lake Camping Cabins, which offer a rustic camping experience near Manzanita Lake Campground within the park.
