I should have researched more before booking a May holiday, (from Australia) and was hoping route 89 through Lassen Volcanic NP would be open anyway. But we go next week, and only the visitors' centers are open. So which one?North or South? Both? or none ? We'll be staying at Redding for a couple of nights, and I'm sure we can find other things to do, but I would like to see a bit of Lassen , if possible.

If you are looking for other places to visit, you can check out McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park http://www.burneychamber.com/falls.html

Utahtea

Yes, definitely -- Burney Falls -- here are some more pictures.

http://tinyurl.com/3w2dgjl

You can still go to Lassen (you aren't the only visitors to not know about the heavy snow and seasonal road closures - there is still more than 10 feet of snow in many areas.)

If you do decide to go to the park, use the NW entrance because they plow it long before the SW entrance. Check park's website when you get to Redding (or just ask in town) to see what progress they've made this week.

meant to add - also consider driving up to Mount Shasta/Dunsmuir/Castle Crags.

I would skip Lassen. The most interesting parts of it are at higher elevation: the drive through the park and the walk to Bumpass Hell.

You will pass by the NW entrance to Lassen on the way from Redding to Burney Falls. Manzanita Lake is close to that entrance and worth a visit - you can take an easy trail around the lake for some nice views and it is a good spot for a picnic.

It's only 200 miles/4 hours from Redding to Crater Lake National Park. I consider Crater Lake to be the most scenic of the "Volcanic" National Parks.
You should be able to get a room at the Crater Lake Lodge.
You will still see snow at Crater Lake but several great views are open.

One might not go to Lassen because the road is closed -- so one should instead drive 4 hours to Crater Lake where the rim road is . . . closed??

The lodge is open year round. At least part of the west Rim road is open. http://www.craterlakelodges.com/

The park service keeps the road open from the park headquarters up to the lodge all winter with a big rotary plow. As of today there is 12 feet of snow in some parts of the park.
I'm guessing that Lassen has a lot of snow and no lodging.

Thanks everyone - I actually wrote quite a long reply, but must have pressed the wrong button, as it'e not here. We're off tomorrow - to Crater Lake too. Thanks again.