Butte Lake Campground is located in the northeast corner of the park, six miles south of highway 44 at the end of the Butte Lake Road. The campground has 101 first-come, first-served campsites in the A-Loop and six reservable, group sites in the B-Loop. This remote campground offers a few amenities, but numerous recreation opportunities. Enjoy a hike up Cinder Cone, a dip in Bathtub Lake, or a paddle along Butte Lake's lava rock shores.
*Due to severe fire danger, Butte Lake Campground will close early for the remainder of the 2020 summer/fall season. The early closure will occur Monday, September 14 at noon. Existing reservations for after the closure have been canceled and refunded through recreation.gov. The Butte Lake Area remains open for day use only.
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Region
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Butte Lake
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Elevation
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6,100 feet
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Season
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6/5 - 9/14*
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Reservations
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Sites in loop B are reservable
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Fee
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$22 ($15 when water is off)
Group sites: $62 ($35 when water is off)
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Number of sites
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101 campsites
6 group sites (sites A-F in B-Loop)
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Maximum RV length
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35 feet A-Loop
45 feet B-Loop
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Maximum trailer length
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35 feet A-Loop
45 feet B-Loop
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Accessible Sites
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A-6
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Restrooms
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Vault and flush toilets
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Water
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No water after 9/10
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Food storage
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Metal food locker
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Dump station
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No
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Amenities
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Closest amenities at Old Station / Hat Creek
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Pets
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Permitted (more about pet regulations)
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Ranger-led programs
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Scheduled programs are offered at Manzanita Lake
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Phone
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No
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Recreation
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Hiking, backpacking, stock use, swimming, non-motorized boating, night-sky viewing
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Reservations
Reservations may be made up to six months in advance or twelve months in advance for group sites online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Reservations may be made a maximum of 6 months and a minimum of 4 days of your arrival date.
Fees
- A-Loop sites are $22 per night when water is on and $15 per night when off.
- B-Loop, group campsites are $62 per night when water is on and $35 when water is off.
- B-Loop, group site capacity is limited to a minimum of 10, and a maximum of 25 people, and up to six licensed vehicles or one bus/RV.
- Campsites cannot be saved and must be occupied upon payment.
- Camping fees are not refundable and stays are limited to 14 days per year.
- Clip your camping permit stub to your site post to show occupancy. Camping fees must be paid within thirty minutes of occupying a site. Checkout time is 12 pm.
Amenities
Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, fire grate, bearproof box and parking area. Electric and water hookups are not available, though potable water spigots are available in the campground. Campsites are limited to 3 tents, 6 people, and 2 vehicles (including RV) per site. Group sites are limited to between 10 and 25 people and 6 vehicles. Help protect park resources; please do not trench or level your site or put nails in trees.
Quiet Hours and Generator Use Hours
Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. Generators may be used only from 8 am to 10 am; 12 pm to 2 pm; and 5 pm to 7 pm. Do not run continually and please keep use to a minimum so other campers are not disturbed.
Food Storage and Wildlife
This is bear country and deer, squirrels, and chipmunks are also year-round residents. Store all food in bear proof box provided at your campsite, including pet food. It is illegal to feed, frighten, or disturb any wildlife. All resources such as wildflowers, plants, animals, and artifacts are protected by law in national parks. Please leave them for others to enjoy.
Recreation
Be sure to check the schedule of ranger-conducted activities. Visitor centers have exhibits, maps, videos, publications, and hiking information. The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center is located approximately 61 miles from Butte Lake at the southwest entrance to the park; Loomis Museum is located approximately 32 miles from Butte Lake at the northwest entrance to the park.
Campfires
Do not cut, saw, or break any standing trees, dead or alive for firewood. You may gather dead wood that is down on the ground within 30 feet of the road and less than 4 inches in diameter. Chainsaw use is not permitted. Fires are allowed only in designated fire grates. Do not build rock rings or burn trash in the grate. Never leave fires or hot coals unattended and extinguish them completely before leaving.
Sanitation
Wash dishes at your campsite, not in restrooms or water spigots. Please do not wash clothes, hair or bathe at water spigots or industrial sinks. Strained dishwater must be disposed of in the grates located in front of each restroom or industrial sinks. Dispose of food particles in trash bins, not in the sink drains or grates. Gray water from RVs and trailers must be contained and may be disposed of at the Manzanita Lake dump station. Water is a precious and limited resource; use it wisely. Please sort and place all trash and recyclables in the appropriate bins.
Camper Store, Laundry, and Showers
A camper store, showers, and laundry are available at Manzanita Lake. Showers and laundry machines take quarters. There is a change machine located by the showers.
Vehicles and Bicycles
All roads in the campground are one-way and the speed limit is 10 mph. All vehicles, including RVs, motorcycles, and trailers, must park on paved areas at all times. Bicycles are permitted on paved areas only. Additional parking is available in the day use area.
Pets
Pets must be attended and on a leash not longer than 6 feet at all times. It is the owner’s responsibility to clean up after them. Pets are not permitted on trails or inside park facilities.
