Right now
Right now as of Nov 11, 2026
- Status Not reachable by car, as far as we can tell.
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: $30 per vehicle in summer (NPS).
Status note (Nov 11, 2026): Not reachable by car, as far as we can tell. Since Oct 30, 2026, the NPS has closed the park highway to through travel because of ice and fallen rock. The NPS listed the trail itself as "Unknown status" on Nov 11, 2026. What the status labels mean
Kings Creek Falls is in Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. The NPS lists the trail at 2.8 miles round trip and rates it moderate, with sun exposure and steep sections. Dogs are not allowed on park trails. On Oct 30, 2026, the NPS closed the park highway to through travel for ice and fallen rock, so check road status first.
About Kings Creek Falls
Kings Creek Falls is in the Southwest Area of Lassen Volcanic National Park, which the NPS describes as running from the Southwest Entrance to the Kings Creek area.
The NPS lists the trail at 2.8 miles round trip and rates it moderate. It flags limited parking and marks the trail as good for kids.
An NPS viewpoint page describes a 3-mile round-trip loop that "includes a steep climb up cascades above Kings Creek Falls." That page was last updated in June 2022.
We found no height for the falls on the NPS pages we read, so we list none.
About our map pin
Our map pin is the USGS GNIS point for Kings Creek Falls, in Shasta County. We have no trailhead pin; use the NPS parking notes below.
For other Northern California falls, see Burney Falls, McCloud Falls and Feather Falls, or browse all California waterfalls.
Getting there and parking
An NPS viewpoint page, last updated in June 2022, says the trailhead is a quarter mile south of the Kings Creek Meadow viewpoint.
The NPS trail table, updated Nov 11, 2026, also flags limited parking. The 2022 page says meadow turnouts often serve as overflow.
Road closure
On Oct 30, 2026, the NPS closed the park highway (Hwy 89) to through travel because of ice and fallen rock. Cars can go 10 miles from the northwest entrance to Devastated Area, or 1 mile from the southwest entrance to Sulphur Works.
The NPS says Bumpass Hell, also in the Southwest Area, is not reachable by car during this closure. We found no NPS line saying how to reach Kings Creek on foot this season.
Fees
The NPS lists a $30 entrance fee per private vehicle from April 16 to November 30, and $10 from December 1 to April 15. On foot or by bike, it is $15 per person in summer and $10 in winter.
Contact
Lassen Volcanic National Park: 530-595-6100. The NPS says its visitor phone line works only intermittently, and suggests emailing lavo_information@nps.gov.
Map and nearby falls
Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap
OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
Kings Creek Falls trail in Lassen: 2.8 miles round trip
The NPS trail conditions table lists Kings Creek Falls at 2.8 miles round trip, rated moderate on its four-level scale.
Its notes say the trail is sun exposed with steep sections. "Hiking poles are advised to aid in travel over steep sections," the NPS says.
An NPS viewpoint page from June 2022 describes a 3-mile loop climbing steeply up the cascades above the falls.
Fire-affected area
The NPS says the trail was affected by the 2021 Dixie Fire. "Standing dead trees can fall without warning," it warns, so use caution in burned areas.
Dogs
Leave dogs at home for this hike. The NPS says pets are not permitted on any hiking trail in the park. Pets may go where a car may go, on a leash under six feet.
When to visit
The NPS covers this trail on its May to October trail conditions page. It says trail conditions are most variable in spring and early summer.
Winter
The NPS says it must clear 30 to 40 feet of snow from the main park road every spring. Winter entrance fees, $10 per vehicle, run from December 1 to April 15.
Status checks
On Nov 11, 2026, the NPS listed the Kings Creek Falls trail as "Unknown status" and the park highway as closed to through travel. Check the NPS alerts page before you go.
| Trail | The NPS lists the Kings Creek Falls trail at 2.8 miles round trip and rates it moderate. It warns of sun exposure and steep sections. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | The NPS rates the trail moderate and advises hiking poles for the steep sections. |
| Entry fee | Lassen Volcanic National Park charges an entrance fee, per the NPS. It is $30 per private vehicle from April 16 to November 30, and $10 from December 1 to April 15. |
| Permit / reservation | No permit is needed for a day hike. The park entrance fee applies. |
| Parking | Limited parking (NPS) |
| Dogs | Not allowed. The NPS says pets are not permitted on any hiking trail in the park. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No official accessibility information found for this trail. The NPS warns of steep sections. |
| Best time to visit | The NPS lists this trail under its May to October trail conditions. It says it must clear 30 to 40 feet of snow from the main park road every spring. |
| Crowds | No official visitor figure found. The NPS notes limited parking at the trailhead. |
| Managed by | National Park Service, Lassen Volcanic National Park |
Safety and swimming
The trail has steep sections and full sun, the NPS says. Bring hiking poles, water and sun protection.
In the 2021 Dixie Fire area, the NPS warns that standing dead trees can fall without warning. Do not linger under burned trees.
The NPS closed the park road to through travel on Oct 30, 2026, for ice and fallen rock.
In an emergency, call 911. Our waterfall safety guide has more on staying safe near falls.
Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go.
Where to stay near Kings Creek Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls.
See places to stay nearbyAffiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Partners do not see or change our waterfall facts. Disclosure.
Photos
Kings Creek Falls FAQ
Is Kings Creek Falls open now?
As far as we can tell, it is not reachable by car (Nov 11, 2026). The NPS closed the park highway to through travel on Oct 30, 2026, and lists the trail as "Unknown status".
How long is the Kings Creek Falls hike?
The NPS lists the trail at 2.8 miles round trip and rates it moderate. An NPS viewpoint page last updated in June 2022 describes a 3-mile round-trip loop.
How tall is Kings Creek Falls?
We found no height for Kings Creek Falls on the NPS pages we read, so we list none.
Are dogs allowed on the Kings Creek Falls trail?
No. The NPS says pets are not permitted on any hiking trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Is there a fee for Kings Creek Falls?
Yes, the park entrance fee. The NPS lists $30 per private vehicle from April 16 to November 30, and $10 in winter.
Where do you park for Kings Creek Falls?
An NPS viewpoint page from June 2022 says the trailhead is a quarter mile south of the Kings Creek Meadow viewpoint. Parking is limited, and meadow turnouts often serve as overflow.
Nearby waterfalls
Burney Falls40 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen129FT
Feather Falls57 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen410FT
McCloud Falls62 mi straight-line, by our mathOpenUPPER END OF RANGE 50FT
Whiskeytown Falls66 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen220FT
Crystal Creek Falls66 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen
Hedge Creek Falls69 mi straight-line, by our mathOpenABOUT 35FT
City guides: Waterfalls near Redding, CA
Sources
- NPS: Lassen Volcanic Trail Conditions, May to October (Kings Creek Falls row; Southwest Area updated Nov 11, 2026)
- NPS: Lassen Volcanic Alerts & Conditions (highway closure posted Oct 30, 2026; read Nov 11, 2026)
- NPS: Kings Creek Meadow Viewpoint (trailhead, loop; last updated June 10, 2022)
- NPS: Lassen Volcanic Pets (last updated Apr 21, 2023; read Nov 11, 2026)
- NPS: Lassen Volcanic Fees (last updated May 12, 2025; read Nov 11, 2026)
- NPS: Lassen Volcanic Hiking (park phone; read Nov 11, 2026)
- USGS GNIS: Kings Creek Falls, feature ID 254853 (coordinates, Shasta County)
Last verified Nov 11, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with National Park Service, Lassen Volcanic National Park before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.