Where To Camp With Your RV in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Exploring the steam vents, lakes, and volcanoes of Lassen Volcanic National Park can be an overwhelming task.  Instead, plan on staying for a while to take the time needed to hike through meadows of wildflowers, past fumaroles, and up rugged peaks.  Listed below are eight campgrounds that will provide a home base for your adventures.  Take a look at Lassen Volcanic National Park camping options here:

Butte Lake Campground

Located in the northeastern section of the park, Butte Lake has 101 campsites that are first-come, first-serve.  There are no hookups in the campground, but you will find flush and vault toilets.  Water fixtures are located throughout the camp, but they are turned off after September 10.

Each site is equipped with a picnic table, fire grate, and a bear box, as this is bear country.  Stays are limited to 14 days per year.

Manzanita Lake Campground

Just one mile past the Manzanita entrance to the park is a tremendous campground perfect for families.  With 200 campsites scattered around five loops, campers will find picnic tables, fire grates, and bear boxes at each site, but no hookups.  There are potable water spigots available until October, however.

The campground is situated on Manzanita Lake’s edge, with a boat launch, theater, and general store close by.  Coin-operated showers and laundry facilities are also available, and kayak rentals are on site.  The campground can handle RVs up to 40 feet in length.

North Summit Lake Campground

Located on the north end of Summit Lake, North Summit Lake campground has 46 sites that are RV-accessible (up to 35 feet long).  There are no hookups, but water is available, and each campsite has a picnic table, fire grate, and a bear box.

There are flushable toilets and an amphitheater in the campground, but all other amenities are located 17 miles away at Manzanita Lake.

South Summit Lake Campground

The south end of Summit Lake has a campground with 49 sites that are more amenable to tents and popup trailer camping.  Pit toilets are available, and each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, fire grate, and bear box.  

There are potable water spigots throughout the campground, but other amenities are located at Manzanita Lake.  Campers can enjoy fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating in Summit Lake.

Volcano Country Camping and RV

It’s a 9 mile trip from Lassen to the Volcano Country Camping and RV Campground, where 25 wooded sites are available to handle any size motorhome or travel trailer.  Each site has a picnic table and barbeque, along with full hookups. 

The campground has hot showers, flush toilets, and a laundromat, and it is open during “tourist season,” roughly from April 15 through October.  

Hat Creek Resort & RV Park

Situated in Old Station, California, 11 miles from the park entrance, is Hat Creek Resort.  This upscale RV park sits on the banks of Hat Creek, where campers are encouraged to fish and relax.  Each of their RV sites comes complete with full hookups and can handle any size RV.

The resort offers hot showers, laundry facilities, a convenience store, a propane station, and a dinette for campers’ use.  It is located adjacent to the Pacific Crest Trail and McArthur Burney Falls Memorial State Park.

Mud Lake Trailhead

For a tremendous boondocking experience on the Pacific Crest Trail, head to the Mud Lake Trailhead, located 17 miles from Lassen Volcanic National Park.  There is plenty of turnaround space for any size vehicle here, including horse trailers, and there are 4 to 5 spots available for overnight camping.

The road to the trailhead is easily accessible, and it’s located only about half a mile from the highway.  A pit toilet is available, but no other amenities exist.  It is a lovely, relatively quiet place for camping on a budget!

Butte Creek Campground

From May through October, Butte Creek is located a little further from the park at 37 miles out.  It offers excellent forested campsites for tenters and those in vehicles no longer than 22 feet.  There is a creek running through the area, but no amenities are available.

There is easy access into the ten campsites, and you are guaranteed quiet in this spot, with a 40-minute drive to Lassen for more exploration.