A gravel road winds through fire-scarred forest toward Butte Lake, and Butte Creek Campground sits along that route before the pavement of Lassen National Park begins. The roughly ten sites spread out along the creek, with enough separation between them that neighboring campers rarely feel close. Deer pass through regularly. Cell service is limited or absent, which contributes to the low-distraction atmosphere that repeat visitors mention.
The sites themselves are large and flat, several with room for multiple tents and parking for more than one vehicle. Fire rings and picnic tables appear at each site. Vault toilets are on-site, though conditions vary by season and visitation; at least one reviewer found them well-stocked, while another did not. Bring your own toilet paper to be safe. Mark R. notes the campground was "very spacious, lots of room" even on Labor Day weekend, when Butte Lake Group down the road inside the park was full. That pattern holds: this Forest Service site tends to stay well under capacity when the adjacent national park campgrounds are packed.
The creek is the defining feature of the layout, and reviewers recommend continuing past the first cluster of sites, crossing the bridge, to reach additional spots set closer to the water. In late summer the creek runs low, described by one camper as little more than a shallow channel, but it carries more volume in spring. Bugs can be significant in warm months, particularly around Labor Day. No potable water is available on-site; filtered creek water is an option for those equipped to treat it.
Campers using Butte Creek as a base tend to be there for the Cinder Cone hike or general exploration of campgrounds around Lassen National Forest. The site is also dog-friendly camping around Lassen National Forest, with pets welcome throughout. Nearby dispersed options include Butte Creek Dispersed — Lassen NF (Cinder Cone) for those who want even more space. A spring visit, before summer heat and insects arrive, tends to offer the most favorable conditions.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsButte Creek Campground is located in California near Old Station
Coordinates
40.61100071 N
121.29700018 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Butte Creek Campground needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 16 min from Redding, CA
- 2 hrs 6 min from Reno, NV
- 2 hrs 51 min from Yuba City, CA
