Lassen Volcanic National Park Camping

Have you been looking for a new way to enjoy the great outdoors with your family?

Take your family on an incredible camping trip in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Yes, it is as awesome as it sounds interesting because this park offers stunning landscapes and numerous activities that everyone can enjoy. You’ll be surrounded by steaming fumaroles, vibrant meadows of wildflowers, crystal clear lakes, and towering volcanic peaks. It’s a great place to explore nature and make unforgettable memories.

As you hike through this spectacular landscape, let its unique history unfold around you. From hot springs to volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, these sights are sure to leave you in awe. At night spend time under a blanket of stars while enjoying warm campfires or try popular activities like fishing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing depending on what season it is. The possibilities of adventure are neverending when visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park with your family.

Our goal is to help you navigate the many sites and activities available. Let us help create lasting memories for you and your loved ones. Walk with us as we explore this incredible place to experience nature.

Get your free downloadable camping checklist here!

Lassen Volcanic National Park - A Brief History

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a great example of one of the stunning national parks located in Northern California, just east of Sacramento. Established in 1916 by President Theodore Roosevelt, it is the 16th National Park to be created and the only one devoted to a volcano.

Named after its famous peak, Lassen Peak rises to an impressive 10,457 feet above sea level and is still steaming with thermal activity. With its gorgeous meadows, wildflowers, and cooler temperatures, Lassen Volcanic National Park offers breathtaking views and plenty of activities and several campgrounds for all kinds of adventurers open year round.

The best time to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. If you are looking for snow activities such as skiing or snowmobiling then winter is the best time to go. The roads in the park open up during the summer months, allowing for more access and exploration.

With its gorgeous meadows, wildflowers, and cooler temperatures, spring and fall are great times to take long hikes through the park’s trails. Summer can be quite hot so if you plan on exploring the park during this season make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen!

Start Here! Visitor Center and Camp Store

Visitor Center

The Lassen Volcanic National Park Visitor Center, operated by the National Park Service is the main headquarters for all park activities. Located just off of Highway 89, it provides visitors with information on the park and its many attractions. Here you can pick up maps, purchase books and souvenirs, and watch short films about the park's history and ecology.

Camp Store

The camp store at Lassen Volcanic National Park offers a wide range of essential supplies for those camping in the park. From food to fuel to firewood, this convenience store has everything you need for a comfortable stay in the park. It is located next to the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitors Center just off Highway 89. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or need camping supplies for your camping trip, the camp store at Lassen Volcanic National Park has you covered.

What You Can See

When camping in Lassen Volcanic National Park, visitors can look forward to a wealth of sights and activities. From the jagged peaks of iconic Lassen Peak to the vast array of crystal-clear lakes, there's something for everyone in this picturesque park.

Butte Lake

At the Butte Lake area, visitors can explore its shoreline and discover several islands along its perimeter. This lake is especially well known for its abundant population of trout and other fish. It's also just up Butte Lake Road for a great spot for kayaking or canoeing when the weather cooperates. There are canoe and kayak rentals within the park.

Juniper Lake

Nearby, Juniper Lake is a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its deep blue waters, it's an ideal spot for swimming, fishing or simply soaking up some sun. Plus, there are plenty of spots to relax on the banks or take a leisurely stroll around its circumference.

Manzanita Lake

Explorers will also find Manzanita Lake near the northern edge of the park. With an abundance of wildlife and lush vegetation surrounding it, it's an ideal site for bird-watching or simply relaxing while taking in nature’s beauty at its finest.

Summit Lake

Word has even spread about Summit Lake which is known as one of the clearest bodies of water in all of California. With plenty of sandy beaches and trails to explore alongside it, this lake makes for a great day trip - whether you're into fishing or just want to take in more views from atop nearby hillsides.

Boiling Springs Lake

Boiling Springs Lake is another must-see attraction when visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park - thanks to its bubbling hot springs that feed directly into the lake itself. Not only does it offer some incredible geothermal activity but you can also get up close with beavers, mink and other aquatic animals that call this area home.

Warner Valley

Finally, Warner Valley is located just east of Manzanita Lake where visitors can marvel at two stunning lava beds that were created by ancient volcanic activity millions of years ago adding yet another interesting element to one's exploration experience in this incredible national park.

Where You Can Camp

Juniper Lake Campground

Lassen National Park offers a wide range of camping opportunities, from rustic tent  sites to picturesque backcountry areas. Juniper Lake Campgrounds is located at the foot of Lassen Peak and provides visitors with breathtaking views of the majestic mountain and its surrounding area. The campground offers both shaded and sunny campsites, as well as an array of activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating.

Summit Lake Campground

Summit Lake Campgrounds is also located near Lassen Peak, offering visitors access to some of the park’s most spectacular scenery. This campground features quiet and wooded campsites in addition to RV hookups for those looking for a little more comfort. Summit Lake North Campground is similar in many ways but also includes access to nearby hiking trails, picnic areas with a picnic table, and a boat launch for those interested in exploring the lake further.

Manzanita Lake Campground

Manzanita Lake Campground has been voted one of the best campgrounds in California due to its stunning location. Located on the western side of Lassen Volcanic National Park, Manzanita Lake area sits right next to Mount Lassen and offers panoramic views as well as convenient access to nearby fishing spots. The campground itself offers both shaded and sunny campsites that are ideal for all types of camping needs.

Warner Valley Campground

Warner Valley Campground is located 18 miles east of the Manzanita Lake entrance, so it offers a bit more privacy and seclusion than other campgrounds in the park. The campground has 70 sites which are spread out among open meadows and mature conifers. With breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and abundant wildlife, this is a perfect place to relax and take in all that nature has to offer.

Butte Lake Campground

Butte Lake Campground provides visitors with beautiful scenery while still being close enough to all the park’s main attractions. This family-friendly campground features RV sites along with plenty of shade trees that make it ideal for those seeking comfortable camping experiences near nature.

Southwest Campground

Southwest walk in campground is another great spot for those looking for peaceful surroundings without leaving behind amenities like fire pits or picnic tables. Reservations throughout the park are required but there is more availability here.

Backcountry Camping

Finally, there are numerous backcountry options available within Lassen Volcanic National Park, including several trails perfect for overnight hikes and exploration into some of California’s most unique landscapes. Other campgrounds can be found throughout the national park including Warner Valley Group Sites which offer larger groups additional space and amenities such as BBQ grills and horseshoe pits for added convenience during their stay.

RV Camping In & Around The Park

RV camping in and around Lassen Volcanic National Park is a great way to explore the beauty of this stunning area. The park itself offers plenty of recreational activities and stunning scenery to keep visitors entertained. There are over 150 miles of hiking trails, fishing, camping, skiing and snowshoeing opportunities available within the park.

For those wanting to camp closer to the park's boundaries, there are also several developed RV campsites located throughout Lassen Volcanic National Park. These areas provide full hookups for RVs along with beautiful views of surrounding mountains, meadows and forests.

Drakesbad Guest Ranch

For those looking for a unique experience, Drakesbad Guest Ranch offers luxury cabins that provide all the comforts of home with access to some of the best fishing in the area. In addition to cozy cabins, there are plenty of RV sites located right alongside Drakesbad's spectacular meadows and streams. With easy access to nearby attractions such as Mount Lassen and nearby lakes, visitors can enjoy an unparalleled outdoor experience while exploring all that Lassen Volcanic National Park has to offer.

Park Facilities

Lassen Volcanic National Park offers a variety of camping options for both tents and RVs. Tent camping is available at Butte Lake, Manzanita Lake, Summit Lake North, Juniper Lake, and Warner Valley campgrounds. Each of these campgrounds feature picnic tables and fire rings.

RV campers will find that Manzanita Lake and Summit Lake North have spaces that can accommodate their vehicles with up to 30 amp electric service available. There are also dump stations available at Manzanita Lake Campground. All campers will enjoy access to restroom facilities as well as nearby trails for exploring the park's breathtaking scenery.

Camping Wrap Up

No matter what type of camping you prefer, there is something for everyone near Lassen Volcanic National Park. With its breathtaking scenery and plethora of activities on offer, it’s no wonder RV campers and tent campers come back year after year to seek out new adventures in this truly magnificent corner of California.

What You Can Do

Families visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park can enjoy a wide variety of activities. From exploring the park's 10,000-year-old volcanoes and hot springs to enjoying picnics by the lake or hiking up to scenic lookout points, there is something for everyone.

Fishing in Manzanita Lake or nearby streams is a great way to spend a day outdoors and explore the area’s natural beauty. Visitors can also take part in informative talks and educational displays at the Visitor Center.

Adventurous travelers can challenge themselves with hikes up Cinder Cone or the summit of Lassen Peak for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. There is something for everyone to enjoy at Lassen Volcanic National Park!

Trails In The Park

• Bumpass Hell Trail: This 3-mile round trip trail is the most popular one in the park, as it leads hikers to steaming hot springs.
• Paradise Meadow Loop Trail: This easy 1.5-mile loop trail passes through lush meadows and groves of conifers.
• Kings Creek Falls Trail: This 2.3-mile round trip trail takes hikers up to a cascading waterfall with views of the rugged Sierra Nevada and Cinder Cone in the background.
• Devastated Area and Crags Trails: These two trails combine for a 4.8-mile loop that takes you through an area destroyed by the 1915 volcanic explosion.
• Summit Lake North Trail: A moderately difficult 3-mile round trip hike, this trail leads to an alpine lake surrounded by pristine wilderness.
• Lassen Peak Trail: For those looking for a challenge, this 5-mile round trip trail leads to the summit of 10,457' high Lassen Peak with rewarding panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
• Brokeoff Mountain Trail: This 3.5-mile roundtrip trail offers views of the park's dramatic volcanic landscape as it winds its way up to the summit of Brokeoff Mountain. Along the way, hikers can enjoy wildflowers, waterfalls, and other interesting sights. Hikers should be aware that this trail is marked as difficult due to its steep inclines and rough terrain so proper preparation is recommended before attempting this hike.

Final Thoughts

The great outdoors of nature is an excellent place to help bring our family together and reconnect with one another. A trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park can do just that as you take in all the breathtaking views and attractions this park has to offer like boiling springs, meadows packed with wildflowers, lakes, and a lot more.

Not only are you put on the path of adventure through a diverse landscape, but you can also educate yourself about the volcanic activities that have shaped the terrain. Education is an amazing benefit to adventure travel. To make sure your family vacation is both memorable and fun, then consider this precious land for your next camping expedition.

Whenever it may be, I'm sure Lassen Volcanic National Park will be sure to deliver in all aspects for everyone involved. And don't forget – keep an eye out for future posts of mine; where I'll be taking you on even further adventures through the incomparable world that nature has granted us. Consider subscribing now to be notified when I publish a new adventure!