Lassen Volcanic contains eight campgrounds. Juniper Lake and Southwest Walk-in are first-come, first-served only. The other six
campgrounds offer both reservation and first-come, first-served sites. Group campsites are available within three campgrounds (Manzanita, Butte, and Juniper Lake) and Lost Creek Group. Reservations are available through www.recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777; reservations are required for group sites and stock corrals. View individual campground pages for direct links to reservations for that site. Campsites fill by Friday afternoon on holiday weekends; Manzanita Lake, Summit Lake, and Juniper Lake are generally the first to fill. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring equipped with grill, and a metal bear box for food storage. There are no hookups in the park. A dump station is located near Manzanita Lake.
"Dispersed Camping" is not permitted inside Lassen Volcanic National Park. Dispersed camping includes "boondocking", camping along the road, or sleeping in your vehicle. You must camp within an established campground or obtain a backcountry permit. If you'd like to inquire about where you may disperse camp, please contact the nearby Lassen National Forest.
Summer/Fall 2020 Information
New! Park-wide Campfire Restriction
Campfires are prohibited in all park campgrounds as of September 10, 2020. This includes charcoal or any other open flame with an ignition source that cannot be turned off. Gas stoves, lanterns, and generators are permitted. The restriction is in response to severe fire conditions in the park and the limited resources available or wildfire response due to the number and size of existing wildfires. View related news release.
New! Butte Lake, Juniper Lake, and Warner Valley Campgrounds Closed for Season
Due to severe fire danger, these three outlying campgrounds are closed for the remainder of the summer/fall season. The early closure occured on September 14, 2020. Existing reservations for after the closure have been canceled and refunded through recreation.gov. All three areas remain open for day use only. View related news release.
New! Reservations Highly Recommended
Reservations are highly recommended for park campsites. Demand is higher than normal due to a temporary closure of dispersed camping (camping outside of developed campgrounds) on all National Forests in California on 9/21, including Lassen National Forest, which surrounds the park.
All Sites at Manzanita and Summit Lake Campgrounds Reservable
To facilitate pre-planning and reduce cash handling, reservations may be made for all campsites at Manzanita Lake and Summit Lake Campgrounds.
First-Come, First-Served Limited
All sites in Southwest Walk-in Campground (all sites) are first-come, first-served. Reservable sites that are not reserved (there is no placard posted to indicate a reservation) in other campgrounds may be used for first-come, first-served camping for a single night only; a reservation may begin the next day.
Restrooms
Park restrooms are cleaned daily with a disinfectant. There are no limitations on the number of people in shared restroom spaces. We highly encourage social distancing and the use of face coverings when social distancing cannot be maintained. Most campgrounds offer both shared restrooms (with flush toilets) and single-occupancy pit toilets (no water).
**See information about early closure due to severe wildfire danger in section above.
F
Flush toilets
S/L/S
Pay showers/laundry services nearby
V
Vault toilets
DS
Dump station
RV
RV sites available
A
Accessible sites available
R
Partly reservable
B
Boat launch
RR
Reservations required
N
No Reservations
W
Drinking water
*Reduced fee when water is unavailable:
- Full rate fee applies when water is available, regardless of using campground water or not.
- Spigots are not at each campsite, but located throughout the campground.
- Water won't be available with threat of freezing temperatures.
All sites are provided with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear proof storage locker.
Southwest Walk-in Campground special winter regulations: when snow covers the campground, fires and fire pans are not permitted. Self-contained barbecues are allowed in the paved parking area; please dispose ashes properly.
Campground Information & Regulations
Administrative Site Use
The park may post reservation cards on non-reservable sites for park-sponsored users such as researchers or volunteers.
Capacity
Campsites are limited to three tents, six people, and two vehicles (including RV or trailer) per site. Group sites are limited to between 10-25 people and six vehicles, or 1 RV or trailer.
Campground Fee Discounts
Senior and Access pass holders are entitled to a 50% discount on camping fees. Other passes including the Interagency and Military do not entitle holders to a discount. Learn more about park fees and passes here.
Food Storage This is bear country; deer, squirrels and chipmunks are also year-round residents. Store all food and other scented items in the bear proof box provided at your campsite, including pet food, deodorant, toothpaste, lotions, etc. It is illegal to feed, harass, 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. Food storage boxes measure 4'x3'x2.5' (30 cubic feet). Food and scented items can also be stored in hard-sided trailers or RV's. Soft-sided tent trailers must store items in the bear proof box.
Quiet Hours and Generators
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.
Campfires
You may gather downed, dead wood. Do not cut, saw, or break any standing trees, dead or alive. Wood brought into the park from outside of the local area may introduce invasive insects. The Camper Store and the Lassen Cafe and Gift sell bundled firewood. Fires are allowed only in designated fire rings. Do not build rock rings outside of the established ring or burn trash in the ring. Never leave fires or hot coals unattended and extinguish them completely before leaving.
Sanitation
Wash dishes at your campsite, not in restrooms or at 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 & 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.
Dump Station
A dump station is located near Manzanita Lake Campground. Fee. Open late May through mid-October.
Camper Store, Laundry, and Showers
A store, showers and laundry machines are available near the Manzanita Lake campground. Showers and laundry machines take quarters; a change machine is located by the showers. Your quarters maintain the wastewater treatment system in the park and help return clean water to the park environment. Open late May through mid-October.
Vehicles and Bicycles
We encourage visitors to enjoy the campground. To help ensure the safety of all visitors, vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, and bicycles must stay on paved areas at all times.
Pets
Pets are welcome in park campgrounds, however they must be attended and physically restrained on a leash not longer than 6 feet at all times. It is the owner's responsibility to clean up after them. Read more about Pets in Parks.
