The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App
Map showing campground location near Lassen National Forest, California
Camper submitted image from Crater Lake CampgroundView 14 Photos
RoadsMap showing campground location near Lassen National Forest, California

Crater Lake Campground

5 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Lassen National Forest is home to this small drive-in campground set alongside a 28-acre lake stocked with rainbow trout. The access road is an 8-mile forest service dirt road, and while some reviewers describe it as well-maintained, the route is classified as rough and warrants attention for lower-clearance vehicles. RVs are limited to 25 feet. The campground runs from May 15 through November 1, with drinking water, toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings on-site.

The 16 sites vary considerably in quality. Most sit on an incline, and reviewers note that only a handful are genuinely level. Sites 7 and 8 draw the most favorable mentions for their proximity to the lake, while site 16 trades water access for more separation from neighbors. The paved campground loop helps with dust. Cell service is not available at the campground itself, though a signal reportedly appears about a mile up the road. Anglers tend to do well here with fly fishing, and the lake is reachable on foot from most sites. Mosquitoes can be heavy in June, so bug protection is worth packing. Those traveling with dogs will find dog-friendly camping near Lassen National Forest at several other sites in the region as well.

SupTard calls it "already one of my favorite little lakes." Sites fill on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early on summer weekends gives campers the best shot at the waterfront spots.

Check AvailabilitySuggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

Pacific Coast Road Trip

19 Day Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip

Pacific Coast Road Trip Segment: Brookings, OR to San Francisco, CA

Brookings to San Francisco: 3 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Map & DirectionsCrater Lake Campground is located in California near Lassen National Forest

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

From Susanville, CA, take State Rt. 36 west 4.9 miles to State Rt. 44. Turn right onto Rt. 44 and go 22.3 miles to campground sign. Turn right after sign onto Forest Rt. 32N08 (gravel) and go 6.6 miles to campground.

Coordinates

40.62654573 N
121.04192282 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

Drive Time

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

California Contest

Enter to Win

Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Crater Lake Campground

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

60%
20%
0%
0%
20%

4.0

out of 5

5 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the spacious sites and solid facilities, but noted concerns about uneven terrain and limited level spots. Mosquito swarms can be problematic in summer months.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jun. 27, 2021

Cute Small Lake

This Campground is small with only 16 sites. There are really only 2 good sites, #7 and 8. #16 is nice because it is so far away from the other sites, but also farther from the water. The lake is only 28 surface acres, with planted rainbows. Fly fishing seems to be the way to go. Not to many level sites. Cell signal about a mile up the road from the campground.

Site7
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Crater Lake Campground by Susan R., June 27, 2021
  • Review photo of Crater Lake Campground by Susan R., June 27, 2021
  • Review photo of Crater Lake Campground by Susan R., June 27, 2021
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Dec. 5, 2020

Love!

Already one of my favorite little lakes, the camping did not disappoint. The sites are spacious and unique. The campground is paved which cuts down on the dust, but the road up is all dirt. We visited in mid-June. It got cool at night but was warm enough during the day to swim.

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2019

Worst nightmare

Crater lake campground, not to be mistaken by Crater lake NP, this campground has a a small amount of small spaces only available on a first come first serve basis. We had no knowledge that all the spaces would be on an incline or so teenie that one car would fit in the spot. We did find a spot way away from the lake that when I got out of the car was swarmed by pterodactyl mosquitos, I'm not talking 2 or 3 I'm talking a SWARM people, 30-50 blood suckers around us. That's when we decided this campground sucks. The lake is pretty but we've seen better. It's an 8 mile Forest service road that's well maintained so that was no issue but it's a long way out of the way to maybe get a spot that's semi flat that could fit a tent and a car... I didn't have enough time to take photos because I was busy fighting to keep my blood to myself... we visited in June and the temp was about 77 during the day and 42 at night. Perfect camping weather 😎

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2016

Clean and organized

This campground is well organized, fits a lot of people but there is a good space between tents. Bathroom nearby, picnic table, fire rings. Campsites have a good size for groups. This place is great as a base while you explore the amazing surroundings of Crater Lake during the day.

  • Review photo of Crater Lake Campground by Kalai L., July 30, 2016
  • Review photo of Crater Lake Campground by Kalai L., July 30, 2016
Showing results 1-5 of 5 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Crater Lake Campground?

Crater Lake Campground offers basic amenities including restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. The campground is well-organized with paved areas that help reduce dust. There are 16 total campsites, with good spacing between them, making them suitable for groups. Some sites (#7, #8, and #16 in particular) are more desirable due to their location or privacy. The campground provides access to the lake, which is stocked with rainbow trout for fishing opportunities.

Where is Crater Lake Campground located in California?

Crater Lake Campground is located in northern California, likely in the vicinity of Lassen National Forest. The campground is situated by a small 28-acre lake that shares its name. The location is accessed via a dirt road leading to the campground area. While the exact address isn't specified, it appears to be in a somewhat remote area that serves as a good base for exploring the surrounding natural attractions.

Are there photos of Crater Lake Campground to view before visiting?

Photos of Crater Lake Campground are available online through various camping websites and platforms. These images typically showcase the campground's layout, the small 28-acre lake, and the surrounding landscape. Photos can help prospective visitors understand the campsite arrangement, the paved campground area, and the natural setting. Viewing images beforehand is particularly helpful for seeing the terrain (some sites are on an incline) and visualizing the size of the camping spots to determine if they'll accommodate your setup.

Is Crater Lake Campground part of Lassen National Forest?

While specific administrative details aren't clearly stated, Crater Lake Campground appears to be associated with the Lassen National Forest area in northern California. Note that this is distinct from Crater Lake National Park (which is in Oregon). The campground's location, small size, and first-come, first-served policy are consistent with many Forest Service campgrounds. For definitive information about management and regulations, contact Lassen National Forest directly.

Keep Exploring