Title: Emerald Lake in California - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca

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# Emerald Lake Tours and Activities

![Emerald Lake](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635922700883/37605bf2-58bd-44ec-ae89-510c03dd31fb.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Emerald Lake](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635922700883/9b723815-c2aa-4e39-ab10-b26d2880290d.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Emerald Lake](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635922700883/f0b67ee8-eeea-4f99-ad4f-c06adc12d9aa.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Emerald Lake](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635922700883/07baaa2f-533d-4545-9008-5acbb4ec558a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![Emerald Lake](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635922700883/dd141783-0fee-4483-90d8-cba652a8bf68.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

## Visit Emerald Lake

Activities

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#### Hike the scenic trail connecting the larger Lake Helen to this charming basin, which is cold for much of the year and sometimes covered in ice.

Emerald Lake is the smaller counterpart to neighboring Lake Helen in a scenic area surrounded by the mountains of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Surrounded on all sides by forested hills, the lake and its reflected rock formations create a spectacular sight. Sit on the pebbly shore and set up a picnic with your family in the serene spot.

Work on your tan on a sunny day or take shelter in the shade of a tree. The lake covers a glacial bowl at the foot of Ski Heil Peak. Read the plaque at the side of the lake to get an idea of the natural history, ecology and geology behind its formation.

On warmer days, go for a swim in the clear, calm and very cool water. Notice the bright colors beneath the surface of the water. The greenish hues are an indication of how shallow the lake is. Sit on one of the boulders perched over the water and enjoy the views. You can also climb to the top of the surrounding hills for an excellent vantage point from which to view the lake.

Enjoy a hike with your family along the Bumpass Hell Trail. The loop runs for about 3 miles (5 kilometers) and typically takes 2 hours to complete. Visit the lake in winter to see it covered in a thick layer of ice and snow.

Walk east for 10 minutes to reach the larger Lake Helen, which has a much darker shade of blue. Due to the high altitude, both lakes are cold and even frozen for a large part of the year.

Emerald Lake is a little north of Mill Creek in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Drive between the two in about 30 minutes, passing landmarks such as Brokeoff Mountain, Sulphur Works and Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Park your car at the Bumpass Hell Trailhead. Winter access to the lake is limited to snowshoeing or skiing from the visitor center.

## Plan a trip to see Emerald Lake

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.

![Encore Inn Inglewood ](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/119000000/118100000/118098300/118098292/41a368f2_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### Encore Inn Inglewood 

Lockhaven

CA $582

per person

Jun 19 - Jun 21

found 1 day ago

Roundtrip flight included

Edmonton (YEG) to Los Angeles (LAX)

6.4/10 (144 reviews)

Clean room w/ a shower.

Reviewed on Jan 2, 2026

![SIRTAJ - Beverly Hills](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/7000000/6120000/6117200/6117111/1ab57535_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### SIRTAJ - Beverly Hills

South of Wilshire

CA $1,275

per person

May 25 - May 30

found 1 day ago

Roundtrip non-stop flight included

Toronto (YTO) to Los Angeles (LAX)

8.2/10 Very Good! (1,012 reviews)

Everything was great just could have used better lighting in the bathroom was a little dull, not as bright to do makeup

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2026

![Parker Palm Springs](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/22000000/21430000/21429700/21429628/b4eaca8f_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### Parker Palm Springs

CA $2,189

per person

May 16 - May 23

found 5 hours ago

Roundtrip non-stop flight included

Edmonton (YEG) to Los Angeles (LAX)

8.8/10 Excellent! (327 reviews)

Bottom line -- Parker Palm Springs is a boutique resort with many attractive aspects -- room quality/comfort, restaurant quality, lovely grounds, and very pleasant staff. However for $2k/night, it falls way short. Parking/valet is poorly designed (constantly jammed up and car wait time is 10+ min), bathroom infrastructure is terrible, water runs hot and cold with no warning, TVs are not smart TVs so even though we were there, as many other guests were, for the Indian Wells Tournament, we couldn't watch the matches at the hotel, gym is woefully inadequate and small, and pool staff are poorly trained. Our food order took 40 min while other guests who ordered their food after us got served. We cancelled the order but the bill read "comped" food, how deceptive! Really wanted to like this place but won't be staying here again.

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2026

### Popular places to visit

![Lake Helen](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635919602927/182c9a13-9530-4ef9-b06a-b5c36ca1bc76.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Lake Helen

Lassen Peak, Bumpass Mountain and Ski Heil Peak are among the rocky behemoths that frame the deep blue water of this scenic lake.

[](https://expedia.ca/Lake-Helen-California.d553248635919602927.Vacation-Attraction)

![Lassen Peak Trail](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635923089613/15aba112-b6cc-4da6-b060-008b6d9114c1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Lassen Peak Trail

Notice the rotten egg smell as you perch over the dome at the end of a trail that loops around the Cascade Range’s southernmost active volcano.

[](https://expedia.ca/Lassen-Peak-Trail-California.d553248635923089613.Vacation-Attraction)

![Sulphur Works](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635922700536/64138d80-36c9-463c-82ae-2a47007b8e55.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Sulphur Works

The remnants of an ancient volcano release sulfuric steam into the air in this eerie world of fumaroles and bubbling mud pots, where a mine and spa once stood.

[](https://expedia.ca/Sulphur-Works-California.d553248635922700536.Vacation-Attraction)

![Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635922700492/18dbc489-ec86-4017-91bc-5df43efe86ff.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center

With a gift shop, café and audiovisual presentation, this informative center serves as the perfect base before exploration of the volcanic park.

[](https://expedia.ca/Kohm-Yah-Mah-Nee-Visitor-Center-California.d553248635922700492.Vacation-Attraction)

![Upper Meadow](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635810264145/758d5128-2cfc-4be9-a0bd-64ed47636715.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Upper Meadow

Colorful wildflowers and grasses decorate this vast, open meadow, where you’ll see mule deer grazing along the meandering Kings Creek.

[](https://expedia.ca/Upper-Meadow-California.d553248635810264145.Vacation-Attraction)

![Kings Creek Meadow](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635185410935/23e1ca64-7f2b-4535-ada2-23b7af7ef351.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Kings Creek Meadow

In the shadow of Mount Lassen, this gorgeous meadow provides access to a waterfall and views of the Milky Way and even the aurora borealis.

[](https://expedia.ca/Kings-Creek-Meadow-California.d553248635185410935.Vacation-Attraction)

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## Best Lodging Options Near Emerald Lake

## Check availability on hotels close to Emerald Lake

[Tonight

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14423 Chester Warner Valley Road Chester CA

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41500 Hwy 36E Mill Creek CA

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![2 bedroom cabin in mineral](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/96000000/95770000/95767700/95767641/3a640541_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150)

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2 bedroom cabin in mineral

 Mineral CA

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Lassen Creekside Cabin, 9 miles to Park. Snowshoes, EV Charger!

 Shingletown CA

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![Creekside Escape w/ Private Hot Tub in Shingletown](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/124000000/123360000/123352100/123352094/79f818a0_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150)

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Creekside Escape w/ Private Hot Tub in Shingletown

 Shingletown CA

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Modern-Chic Lassen cabin. 10 miles to Lassen. Snowshoes, EV!

 Mineral CA

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![Upscale Mountain Retreat • 9 Miles to Lassen National Park • EV Charging](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/88000000/87820000/87814500/87814438/w1238h814x0y0-655594d4_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150)

### 

Upscale Mountain Retreat • 9 Miles to Lassen National Park • EV Charging

 Shingletown CA

[](https://expedia.ca/Shingletown-Hotels-Upscale-Mountain-Retreat-9-Miles-To-Lassen-National-Park-EV-Charging.h87814438.Hotel-Information)

![Top 12 Destinations 2009 - Lassen](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/39000000/38430000/38426100/38426068/7c6d0abf_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150)

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Top 12 Destinations 2009 - Lassen

 Shingletown CA

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### 

Mt Lassen and the great outdoors

 Shingletown CA

[](https://expedia.ca/Shingletown-Hotels-Mt-Lassen-And-The-Great-Outdoors.h78238695.Hotel-Information)

[See all 315 properties in Emerald Lake](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package&regionId=553248635922700883)

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