Manzanita Lake can be quite busy during the summer, particularly on weekends. Birding earlier in the morning will often be most productive compared to later in the afternoon when more people are about.

Wide range of notable species found at this location. Bufflehead, Pied-billed Grebe, and American Coot breed on the lake, and can often be seen with chicks at relatively close quarters. Occasional reports of Mountain Quail during the summer. Band-tailed Pigeon sporadic during the summer as well. Quite good for Common Nighthawk at dusk for Jun/Jul/Aug. Vaux's Swift is easy to find during the summer, often accompanied by a couple Black Swifts and White-throated Swifts. Both Tree and Violet-green Swallows are also common, so check birds of that nature carefully. Spotted Sandpiper is easy to find along the banks during the warmer months. Osprey and Bald Eagle are both usually hard to miss. There are occasional reports of Northern Goshawk, but bear in mind Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks are also present. Numerous woodpecker species are prominent, including Red-breasted Sapsucker, White-headed Woodpecker, Downy, Hairy, and the flicker. Williamson's Sapsucker, Black-backed Woodpecker, and Pileated are less common. Various flycatchers present in summer. A few reports of Canada Jay. Steller's Jay is common and much accustomed to people. Clark's Nutcracker is occasional. Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Brown Creeper are common. Dipper is largely resident on the streams into and out of the lake. Evening Grosbeak often is present. Cassin's Finch is common, but Purple and House are also present. Red Crossbill is sometimes seen. Summer brings several wood-warbler species.

Manzanita Lake is one of the few locations in Lassen Volcanic that is accessible year-round. It sits at roughly 5,890 feet of elevation, making it one of the lowest trails in along the Lassen Park Highway. This area is one if the easiest to access, being just inside the north entrance to the park. The Manzanita Lake Trail is approximately 1.7 miles roundtrip and circles the lake, keeping close to the shoreline and running through the forest. It is a fairly level trail with very minimal elevation change, though it is a dirt trail that is a bit narrow and/or rocky in some places. The trail affords several scenic views across the lake itself as well as of Chaos Crags and Lassen Peak in addition to good wildlife watching. Besides birds there it is usually easy to see deer, squirrels, and chipmunks; in a few places Rainbow Trout can be seen in the cold clear water.

There are numerous picnic benches near the lake parking lot, these are frequented by geese, Mallards, Steller's Jays, and squirrels looking for a handout.

Parking is paved, and is wheelchair accessible. On summer afternoons it is not uncommon to have a lot of difficulty getting a parking spot. If planning to spend a summer day visiting several areas of Lassen Volcanic for wildlife watching, you may want to do Manzanita Lake first and beat the crowds, then moving to less crowded areas.

Manzanita Lake is open to non-motorized watercraft, and there is a public boat launch. During the warmer months there is usually the option of renting a kayak, though availability is limited.

Lassen Volcanic National Park covers over 100,000 acres at the southern end of the Cascade Mountain Range. The park is most famous for its volcanic features - the dormant volcanos Lassen Peak and Cinder Cone, the boiling springs of Bumpass Hell, bubbling mudpots, and steam vents. The numerous lakes and various trails through the coniferous forest make this a popular area to get out in nature. Several campgrounds are available. 

There is an entrance fee - prices vary depending on time of year and vehicle type, see the Park website for details. There are a few days a year the park is free admission, they are listed on the park fees page. There are staffed entrance stations on both highway entry points.

Most of the park is closed during the winter due to snowfall. This usually spans around November to May, but varies with the amount of snowfall.

For navigating inside the park, using the park's map is recommended over trying to use Apple or Google maps. Cell service is patchy to non-existent in much of the park.

Note: The park website lists two recommended addresses for navigation to the park, which correspond to the two visitor centers. Apple Maps pins both at the LVNP designated point - Google Maps will take you to the visitors centers.

Manzanita Lake Trail - 1.7 miles roundtrip