Widow Lake Trail
A nine-mile out-and-back trail in Lassen's least-visited area.
Plan Around Widow Lake Trail
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Widow Lake Trail Details
Not many people hike to Widow Lake, so if you choose to do so, be prepared for solitude. The nine-mile trail is definitely the road less traveled: it's located on the outskirts of the Caribou Wilderness, grazing the boundary of Lassen National Park -- the park's emptiest quadrant. You'll pass through a forest for the majority of the way to the lake, a fairly simple and straightforward hike. Once at the lake, you can either turn around or camp: the lack of visitors makes for almost guaranteed peaceful camping. The trail starts at the Butte Lake Campground and follow the northern and eastern shore of Butte Lake, offering great views of the Fantastic Lava Beds before ascending towards Widow Lake.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
9 miles
Estimated time
7-8 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Widow Lake Trail
Compare nearby parks around Widow Lake Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Widow Lake Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Widow Lake Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.1 mi away
Snag Lake Loop Trail
A 14-mile loop that visits Rainbow Lake and Snag Lake.
0.1 mi away
Prospect Peak
Hike Prospect Peak, one of the major peaks in Lassen.
0.1 mi away
The Fantastic Lava Beds
Miles and miles of solidified black lava are truly fantastic!
0.1 mi away
Cinder Cone Trail
See the Cinder Cone Volcano up close and personal!
