Camping in and Around Lassen National Park

All campgrounds have some first-come-first-served sites, but they fill early. Reservations are available at the Summit Lake, Manzanita Lake and Butte Lake Campgrounds, check with http://www.recreation.gov/.

There are no RV hook-ups in the park, but there are RV campsites. Generator use may be limited to certain hours.

Manzanita Lake Campground- There are 179 sites in this campground, and has more amenities than any other campground in the park. It has flush toilets, a boat launch, laundry and even a general store. There are separate loops for tents and RVs. It is located near the northwestern entrance of the park.

Juniper Lake Campground 13 miles from the town of Chester (and the last 6 miles are pretty rough). There are 18 primitive sites, with no water, and only vault toilets. The lake is nice for swimming.

Summit Lake North and South Campgrounds Located in the center of the park, it has RV and tent sites, a boat launch and flush toilets. The opening can be delayed by snow.

Butte Lake Campground This campground is found 6 miles down a dirt road in the northeastern part of the park. You can make reservations... and it might be a good idea. There is a boat launch, and the campground is walking distance from the lake. There are group sites, and RV sites. This is a great campground if you plan to hike the Cinder Cone.

Southwest Walk-in Campground Found in the southwestern section of the park right next to the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, this walk-in campgound has only 20 sites. There are flush and vault toilets. You can take a nice hike up the Mill Creek Falls trail.. a 3 mile hike to a nice waterfall.

Warner Valley Campground There are only 18 campsites in this campground , and no reservations are taken. You will find it 17 miles down a rough road near Drakesbad... don't even think about taking a bus or large RV down this road. The campground overlooks Hot Springs Creek, and is a great jumping off spot for hikes to Devils Kitchen, Boiling Springs Lake and Terminal Geyser.

Crags Campground Just off the mail road near Manzanita Lake. It is a primitive campground with just a picnic table, a fire ring, and vault toilets. There are 45 beautiful campsites.

Lost Creek Group Campground Reservations only. 4 miles south of Manzanita Lake on National Park Road. There are 7 sites that can hold 10 to 25 people.

Ever since I was a young girl, my family has taken trips to Lassen National Park and the surrounding area. This meant packing up the family's green 1970 Monte Carlo with supplies and heading north. It was a 10 hour drive, and dad insisted on all of us getting in to the car at 3am to get "an early start".

My sleepy eyed sister and I were shoved in to the back seat... no leg room (the wells were filled with Dad's beer and the extra cooler of food and drink), but we sort of stretched out on our designated half as well as we could. 10 hours later, after a million rounds of "she's touching me" and "she's on my side" and "quit fighting or I will stop the car right NOW!" we'd arrive.

And we were free!

2 weeks of staying at The Black Forest Lodge, a "German" hotel, eating German food (lots of schnitzel and brat kartoffel) with a load of other German families that we knew. There was no TV, and personal computers were still years away, but there was serious fun to be had.
Every morning at breakfast we kids ask the kitchen how many fish would be needed for dinner. The hotel/restaurant had stocked fish ponds in the back... and we could catch the days dinner quota.

Once that was done we'd build dams in the streams, push each other in to the river, and catch snakes. I once caught 20 snakes and put them in a burlap sack (these were harmless racer snakes). BOY were they mad. When it was time to cut them loose... we ran!

We would take day trips in to Lassen National Park to visit the Volcano and do some hiking. Of course we'd walk through the sulpher pots and giggle at the nasty smell. Some years there would still be snow in JULY! Dad would take us on the rough drive to Drakesbad, and we'd have picnics. One day we went to Juniper Lake and watched dad spend an entire day not catching a single fish... joke was on him... no fish in that lake.

The families would travel together to Butt Reservoir and spend the day playing in the water. Inflatable boats would be pumped up, and all of us kids would have to spend the day with swimmy rings on our arms. We'd swim and play, build forts with washed up logs, and get serious sunburns.

Once or twice a week we'd go in to Chester and see a movie. The theater changed films every 3 days, so there was always something new. Next to the theater was a 5 and dime with a soda fountain. We'd get ice creams, and buy comic books.

Mom always packed games, and we'd spend hours playing gin rummy, monopoly, quartet, and the memory game.

And at night... there was Stargazing. The sky was so clear, and the Milky Way looked close enough to touch.

It was so good... I had to go back. I went as a young twenty something and camped, and did a load of hiking. Now, every few years, I go back with my kids and camp. We stay in Lassen National Park, or in the areas around it.

A few years ago we even went back to The Black Forest Lodge... I wandered around back with the kids to show them the ponds, and there were the old owners. I introduced myself... and I was amazed to find out that they actually remembered my family and their friends. Don't know if I should feel flattered or nervous that we were so memorable...

I love Butt Reservoir... when I was I kid we laughed our head off at the name.... Hee hee. Now I just see it for what it is. A lovely lake, surrounded by trees, far away from crowds and nuttiness.

You will often find large downed trees or logs on the shore... leftovers from the logging industry. They make lovely places to sit, sun yourself, fool around or play on. We'd even float them out into the water as boats.

When I was younger we would go for day trips. The reservoir was great for swimming and boating. Then, as an adult, I began overnight camping on the lake. The sites are all first come first served, and if you are lucky, you can be right on the water.

Be warned... sunset is mosquito time... bring your bug spray and citronella candles. It's just for a few minutes.... then they go away.

Ponderosa Flat Campground North end of East Shore... 63 sites, RV's and tents, boat ramp, vault toilets, piped water.

Cool Springs Campground On the East side of the Reservoir...25 sites, 5 walk-in sites, tents and RV's, vault toilets, piped water, boat ramp.

Yellow Creek Off Highway 89...11 sites, tents and RV's, vault toilets, piped water.

I love Burney Falls... I remember being so surprised the first time I saw them. Like most Falls... you hear them before you see them. They are in a canyon, and there are hiking trails all around. Despite the heat of the day, it felt cool by the water. Hiking there is not strenuous, and the kids can manage it too.

The campground is in the pines near the creek. There are 128 campsites, and they fill up fast so make reservations in advance www.reserveamerica.com. RV's are ok, but there are no hook ups, there is a dump station.

I love the unexpected by the side of the road.

Giant Balls of Yarn!

Cave of Wonders!

And giant creations made by bored construction guys.

Driving around the area near Burney Falls, we couldn't believe our eyes!! Giant Statues made of Found Materials. Looks like some people have too much time on their hands...
Thank goodness.

Keep your eyes open, and maybe, you'll get lucky and spot the unusual.

STOP

Enjoy it.

Because the vacation is not just the destination.... it's the giant dinosaur you see along the way.

Lake Almanor has 3 campgrounds.

Campground 1 is away from the lake.... what's the point? We didn't know this... and that's where we camped the first time.

Campground 2 and 3 have beach front. Perfect. There are 131 sites, and you can call for reservations. 916-385-5164

There are boat launches, and loads of people jet ski or water ski on Lake Almanor. There is a small resort village with snack foods, sodas and beer... basically, the basics

I enjoyed camping here with the kids. We took long walks along the water, and did a little fishing... My kids loved camping there because we caught a snake (want to impress your kids? catch a snake barehanded... not bad for a suburban mom) After naming it Sally, we set it free.

The city (well town) of Chester is close by should you decide it's time to restock or see civilization.

Ok... you don't feel like camping... you firmly believe in walls and showers. That's OK

For you there is the Drakesbad Guest Ranch. A ranch inside Lassen Volcanic National Park with cabin accommodations. There are full or half baths in every cabin.

All meals are included in the price.

You can horseback ride, play ping pong, swim, hike, participate in activities, or find a place to just sit and do nothing in a beautiful setting.