Butte Creek Campground, near Susanville, California, is a solid choice for those looking to escape into nature without breaking the bank. This spot offers free camping with spacious sites that come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for roasting marshmallows and sharing stories around the fire.

The campground is tucked away along a creek, providing a serene backdrop for your stay. Visitors have noted the clean pit toilets and the peaceful atmosphere, with many enjoying the quiet, especially during busier weekends when nearby campgrounds are packed. One camper mentioned, “Very quiet and serene,” which sums up the vibe here nicely.

If you’re up for some adventure, Butte Creek is just a short drive from Lassen Volcanic National Park, where you can explore stunning landscapes and unique geological features. The area is also known for its wildlife, with deer often wandering through the campground, adding to the natural charm.

While there’s no drinking water or trash service, this campground is ideal for those who are self-sufficient and ready to enjoy a back-to-basics experience. Just remember to bring your own supplies and be prepared for a bit of a rustic feel. Whether you’re in a tent or a small RV, Butte Creek Campground offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of California’s wilderness.

Butte Creek Campground

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Old Station. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Old Station camping trip.

Old Station

The Best Camping Near Old Station, California

Nice little no fee campground run by the U.S. Forest Service.  Sites are fairly well spread out so you are not on top of your neighbor.  We stayed for 3 nights and the campground was never full and most people were just staying 1 night.  All the sites are along the creek and deer came through our camp.  The only draw back is the toilets are not well maintained, make sure you bring your own toilet paper.

Nice sites along the creek. 

Good spot if you are self sufficient. Free too.

There are fire rings and picnic tables and tons of shade.

We were there on Labor day weekend, and butte lake campground down the road in the National Park Proper was PACKED... but this little spot just a 10 min drive away was almost abandoned. We saw I think two other sites occupied, out of maybe 10 or more. Very spacious, lots of room. The site we got had one table and fire ring, but maybe 6 or seven flat areas for a tent and a parking area big enough for like 5 cars. Tons of space!

Although I would assume that it is unpopular because it wasnt full on a holiday, that may also be because it was 90 degrees that day, maybe people cancelled their plans? It was quite pleasant at night dropping to about 55deg though.

There is a creek, but in the summer when we were there it was a bubbling muddy rut in the ground. Probably amazing in spring.

I would definitely stay here again.



Great primitive campground

Trash everywhere, water disgusting. Horrible what people do. Need high clearance or 4wd messed up my little car. I wouldn't even let my dog out the car

Gross

Nice spot

Awesome site on n. Side of Lassen.

Forestry service!  Off the beaten path and limited cell reception.  Clean natural sites and vault toilets.  Basic!  

Simple and clean

Lovely spot near a creek where you can get filtered water.

But, it was very buggy, really horribly buggy on labor day 2022.

You can drive up to Butte Lake and eat there if you like, too where it seemed less buggy.

Lovely spot otherwise and was "free" in an otherwise very busy weekend.

Nice spot, very buggy on labor day 22

This campground has many spaces available. I had a 21’ travel trailer and wouldn’t want anything bigger. Tight driving around all the trees. Vault toilets.  3 miles from Lassen northeast parking lot.  Cinder cone.  No water, garbage or dump. 

Close to Lassen 

Hidden gem out by Butte Lake. Stayed here two nights while visiting Lassen NP. This CG is on a well maintained gravel road on the way to Butte Lake and the Cinder Cone hike (sooo cool). Area has had some fire damage but clean up and recovery are well on the way. Big open sites with plenty of room. Picnic tables and fire rings at every site (prob 10 sites total) 2 bathrooms, pit toilets that were clean and stocked with tp. Saw one other camper while we were there. Very quiet and serene. Continue past the first sites and go over the bridge. There are several more sites back further near the creek. 

Awesome USFS CG near Butte lake

We stayed the night here before exploring the volcanic park . Very remote . Had bathrooms . No water . Stayed in a camper van 

Lassen 

Free site; vault toilets and some fire pits/ picnic tables; quiet, simple, close to hike extinct volcano and lake. Really perfect

Photos of Butte Creek Campground

Real photos from real campers