The Lake Almanor Basin and surrounding area spread across a natural wonderland created by millions of years of geologic forces, a crossroad where the granite of the Sierra Nevada meets the lava of the Cascades.

Enjoy hours of pleasure on Lake Almanor with its 52 miles of shoreline, in Lassen Volcanic National Park which boasts the southernmost volcano in the Cascade range and in the 1.2 million acres that make up the Lassen National Forest and Caribou Wilderness area with over 300 campsites. This is a playground for all seasons, for all ages and any lifestyle.

The Basin and surrounding area offer world class fishing in lakes and streams, family fun on skis, wakeboards, tubes and jet skis, quiet mountain adventures in camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, birdwatching and championship golf.

Winter brings the quiet beauty of Lassen Peak keeping watch over pristine fields of snow and groomed trails for snowshoeing, cross-country sking and snowmobiling. With a cup of steaming coffee on an early winter morning one can catch the alpen glow on Lassen Peak and experience a moment of the quiet and beauty that make our paradise in the pines.

As the Gateway Community to Lassen Volcanic National Park, Chester and the Lake Almanor Basin host the largest and closest selection of lodging and accommodations available for visitors to the Park.

There are eight campgrounds within Lassen Volcanic National Park, and a large part of Lassen's wilderness is available for wilderness camping with a free permit.

The new Kohm Ya-mah-nee Visitor Center, the Mountain Maidu word for "Snow Mountain", is open year round and features an exhibit hall, indoor theater and outdoor amphitheater, bookstore, gift shop and café.