Lassen Volcanic National Park contains seven campgrounds. Reservations are highly recommended July through early September and can be made only through recreation.gov. Southwest Campground is open year-round and changes to oversnow camping in the winter/spring snowy months. All other campgrounds are open approximately May/June through September/October. Opening and closing dates are dependent on snow depth and other conditions; changes will be reflected in the table below.
The quickest way to find answers about camping in the park is to review this webpage. The most common questions about camping in the park are answered below:
Learn more about each of the seven campgrounds in the table below. Click on each campground name to view its webpage.
Traveling with a RV or trailer? RVs and trailers are best accommodated at Manzanita Lake, Butte Lake, and Summit Lake Campgrounds. There are no hook-ups in the park. A dump station is available at Manzanita Lake.
Camping with 10 or more people? Learn more about group campsites.
Looking to camp outside a campground? Within Lassen Volcanic National Park, visitors must camp in an established campground. It is unlawful to sleep overnight in a vehicle along park roads. Dispersed camping opportunities may be found in the nearby Lassen National Forest.
Rough gravel road; low clearance vehicles and trailers not advised.
*Dry Camping Reduced Fee
Drinking water and flush toilets are not available when dry camping is in effect. The normal fee applies whenever water is available. The availability of water is generally dependent on overnight temperatures; water systems cannot function when temperatures are consistently below freezing level.
Lassen Volcanic National Park contains seven campgrounds. Summit Lake North Campground contains two sections (north and south).
Campsite Reservations
Most campsites in the park are available by reservation only between June and September. Juniper Lake (except Juniper Lake Group), Warner Valley and Southwest Walk-in Campgrounds do not accept reservations. Campsites are usually available on a first-come, first-served basis once water systems are turned off for the winter snow season, at which point each campground is open to "dry" camping until its closure date.
Campsite reservations are only available online at Recreation.gov or via phone at 877-444-6777.
Reservations can be made up to six months in advance of desired date. Group site reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance. Reservations usually fill by April and remain full thorugh early September.
Bring a copy of your campsite reservation including the campground name and campsite number with you to the park. We recommend taking a photo of it with your phone in case you misplace it. Please contact a campground host or entrance station staff if you are unable to locate your reservation information. Please note that a campground host is not available at every campground.
If you would like to request a cancellation or refund, please contact Recreation.gov through the link in your confirmation email. Park staff and campground hosts are unable to create or modify campground reservations.
First Come, First-Served Availablity
First-come, first-served (FCFS) sites are most easily obtained in late spring and early summer. Juniper Lake, Warner Valley and Southwest Walk-in campgrounds are first-come, first-served only. All group sites, including Lost Creek Group Campground are reservation-only. Park staff cannot predict if and when vacancies will be available the day you wish to camp.
FCFS campsites are usually more numerous before noon and on weekdays.
Sites that do not have a reservation placard on the campsite post may be used for FCFS camping for that night only; a reservation may begin the next day. You may check into a vacant, non-reserved campsite at any time; please note quiet hours and be respectful for your fellow campers.
Do not rely on campground hosts (if available) to assist with locating vacant sites. The best practice is to drive around the campground loops and look for empty sites without reservation placards (or a reservation placard for future dates).
You may wait for an occupied campsite that will become available after the noon check-out time. Be courteous to campers who are in the process of packing up and checking out of a site. You may not put a tag on the site until the current occupants are completely vacated.
Campground capacity status is available at Manzanita Lake and Summit Lake campgrounds and sometimes Warner Valley campground. Camp hosts update signs at these campground entrances when full. Capacity status is not reported or available for Butte Lake and Juniper Lake campgrounds.
Have an alternative ready for camping outside of the park in case all park campsites are full. The surrounding Lassen National Forest has multiple campgrounds with some FCFS.
How to Claim and Pay for a FCFS Campsite
Once you have a located a site that does not have a reservation placard for that night:
You may leave an item such as a camp chair at a FCFS site while you go to self-register. You may not hold a campsite for someone else who has not yet arrived.
Contact the camp host (if available) to confirm the site's availability. If not camp host as available, proceed to step 3.
Go to the kiosk at the entrance to the campground and read the instructions for FCFS registration posted in the bulletin case.
Pay for your site by self-registration. Grab a green envelope from the box and fill it out completely. Insert your payment into the envelope, secure and deposit it into the iron ranger; be sure to remove the receipt tag to post at your campsite. Credit card payment is accepted by filling out the slip inside the envelope.
Post your self-registration receipt tag at your campsite. If a campsite is still occupied up to the noon check-out time, you must wait to hang your receipt until the current occupants are completely vacated.
Amenities & Services
Campsite Amentities
All campsites are equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear-resistant storage locker. Store all food and scented items in the bear-resistant storage locker. These items may also be stored in a hard-sided vehicle. Storage lockers measure 4' x 3' x 2.5' (30 cubic feet). Group campsites are equipped with three picnic tables, three fire rings, and three bear-resistant lockers.
Campground Amenities
All campgrounds except Juniper Lake offer spigots and/or sinks for drinking water. Campgrounds with flush toilets also include one or more utility sinks for dish washing. All campgrounds have receptacles for trash and recyclables. Due to freezing wintertime temperatures, water may not be available at a campsite in early summer or late fall. If water is not available, a dry camping reduced rate applies (see dates and rates in the campground table).
Camper Services
The Manzanita Lake Area offers the most camper services. The Manzanita Lake Camper Store is located at the entrance to the Manzanita Lake Campground. Showers and a laundromat are available only at the Manzanita Lake Camper Store. Both take quarters; a change machine is located by the showers. The Manzanita Camper Store also offers camping supplies, food, and souvenirs mid-May through mid-October. The only dump station in the park is located on the road to Manzanita Lake Campground.
The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center is located adjacent to the Southwest Campground and offers food, souvenirs, and a small selection of camping supplies. There are no services at or adjacent to the Butte and Juniper Lake campgrounds. Drakesbad Guest Ranch, near Warner Valley Campground, offers reservation-only dining and a small gift shop with a few souvenirs and snacks. Showers and a laundromat are available in the town of Chester, which provides access to the Juniper Lake and Warner Valley Areas. A dump station is located south of Chester at the Lassen National Forest Almanor RV Dump Station. View all park goods and services.
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible campsites include Manzanita Lake A32 and B9, Butte Lake A6, and North Summit Lake A-1. All accessible sites are located near accessible restrooms. Accessible campsites are first-come, first-served only. At least one vehicle at an accessible site must display a valid disabled person placard or license plate. Manzanita Lake Camping Cabins 1,8,14, and 18 are accessible. Each cabin includes a bed, propane heater, lantern, bear box, fire ring, access ramp, stairs with handrails and an extended picnic table. Learn more about accessibility in the park.
