Restaurants

When you're this far into the wilderness, the question isn't which restaurant to choose, but whether there is a single restaurant at all. If bacon and eggs, sandwiches, steaks, chicken, burgers, pizza, and salads aren't part of your diet, you're in big trouble unless you packed your own grub.

Deciding where you're going to eat near Lassen Volcanic National Park depends mostly on which side you're on, north or south. At the south entrance to the park, the closest restaurant is the Lassen Mineral Lodge in the town of Mineral, which serves the usual uninspired American fare. The best approach, however, is to stay at a B&B or lodge that offers meals to its guests -- such as the Bidwell House or Drakesbad Guest Ranch -- or at least provides a kitchen to cook your own meals, such as the Mill Creek Resort . Food and camping supplies are available at the Lassen Mineral Lodge, on Highway 36 in Mineral, at the southern end of the park (tel. 530/595-4422). They also sell or rent just about every outdoor toy you'd ever want to play with in Lassen Park, including cross-country and alpine ski equipment.