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Searching for a perfect spot to car camp in California? The Dyrt can help you find the best drive-in campsites for your next trip. Find our top-rated drive-in campsites from other campers like you in seconds.

California

The Best Car Camping in California

Looking for the best place to go car camping near Lassen National Forest? Simply drive up to the campsite, set up your tent, and you're good to go. Find our top-rated drive-in campsites from other campers like you in seconds.

Lassen National Forest

The Best Car Camping Near Lassen National Forest, California

Juniper Lake Group Campground (elevation 6,800 feet) is a remote, rustic facility in the southeastern part of Lassen Volcanic National Park. It is on the eastern shore of Juniper Lake, a popular swimming spot, and offers a fantastic view of Lassen Peak, the largest volcano in the park, towering at 10,457 feet. Recreation The main trailheads for Horseshoe Lake, Snag Lake and the interior of the park are within the facility. The Mount Harkness Trail ascends to a historic fire tower that is still in use. Juniper Lake is popular for canoeing, kayaking and swimming; Motorized boating is not permitted. Facilities This is a tent-only facility with two group sites. Drinking water is not available. It is connected to the rest of Juniper Lake Campground, which is all first-come, first-served. Access is via a 13-mile road (seven miles gravel, six miles roughly paved). For more information visit Campgrounds of Lassen Volcanic. Natural Features The national park is known for its volcanic history, as well as its diversity of plants and animals. It contains 300 active volcanic domes and many hydrothermal features, such as mud pots and steam vents, some of which are close to the campground. Lassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascades, and the second-most recent volcano to erupt in the lower 48 of the United States before Mount Saint Helens in 1980. Lassen National Park boasts over 700 species of flowering plants and 250 species of vertebrates, including birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. The park is at the junction of the Cascade Mountains, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin, thus providing many unique habitats. ADA Access: N

Juniper Lake - Group Sites

Butte Lake Group Campground (elevation 6,100 feet) is located in the northeastern section of Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. It is fairly remote and within walking distance of Butte Lake, which is popular for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. Several hiking and backpacking trails are located nearby. The facility is 45 minutes from the main park road. Recreation Outdoor enthusiasts stay at Butte Lake Campground for its many recreation opportunities. The lake is popular for trout fishing, as well as non-motorized boating. Within the facility, hikers and backpackers will find the trailhead for the Cinder Cone Trail, one of the most popular trails in the park that ascends a nearby volcanic dome. The Painted Dunes, Snag Lake and Bathtub Lake areas are also nearby. Facilities Butte Lake Group Campground is located at the north end of Loop B, adjacent to the main Butte Lake Campground. This facility is more remote than other campgrounds within the park and campers must travel on a six-mile gravel road to get here. For more information visit Campgrounds of Lassen Volcanic. A non-motorized boat launch is convenient for kayaks and canoes. Flush toilets and running water are turned on during summer; vault toilets are available outside of the peak season. Natural Features The campground has a pleasant atmosphere dominated by Ponderosa pines. It sits on soft volcanic soils, and several ponds dot the landscape. Butte Lake has a large black lava flow running into it that creates rocky shores and interesting areas for visitors in kayaks and canoes to explore. The national park is known for its volcanic history, as well as its diversity of plants and animals. It contains 300 active volcanic domes and many hydrothermal features, such as mud pots and steam vents. Lassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascades, and the second-most recent volcano to erupt in the lower 48 of the United States before Mount Saint Helens in 1980. Lassen National Park boasts over 700 species of flowering plants and 250 species of vertebrates, including birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. The park is at the junction of the Cascade Mountains, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin, thus providing many unique habitats. Nearby Attractions Visitors can explore Subway Cave, an underground tube created by lava flow, in the adjacent Lassen National Forest from late April through November. Free tours are offered every weekend during summer. Subway Cave, Lassen National Forest ADA Access: N

Butte Lake Group

Almanor Campground is a large family-friendly facility for individuals and large groups alike. It provides direct access to beautiful Lake Almanor and a variety of recreational opportunities in the area. Recreation The 28,000-acre lake provides ample boating, swimming, water skiing and sailing opportunities. A boat ramp can be found next to the north campground. The adjacent beach is mostly rocky, but contains some sand. Fishing in the lake or nearby streams, is a popular activity. Anglers will find a variety of trout, bass, salmon and catfish, among other species. The Lake Almanor Recreation Trail can be accessed from within the campground. The trail winds through the forest, providing spectacular views of the lake, nearby Dyer Mountain and Lassen Peak. The trail stretches approximately 11 miles along the west shore of the lake. It is a non-motorized trail, open to all non-motorized activity. Facilities The campground offers numerous single-family campsites, as well as a group site. Campsites are available for tent and RV camping, however, no hookups are provided. Many sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Limited parking is available at the campground. An amphitheater is located on-site. Natural Features The campground sits on the west shore of Lake Almanor at an elevation of 4,540 feet. A scenic mixed conifer forest covers the area. Parts of the campground are shaded, while other sections have grassy meadows that often contain wildflowers. Nearby Attractions The campground is located 12 miles outside of the town of Chester, California. ADA Access: N

Almanor

Located near the shores of Silver Lake, Silver Bowl is a developed campground with 18 designated sites. There is a maximum of 8 people per site. Silver Lake offers a boat launch ramp, and a nature trail encircling the lake and two picnic areas provide a variety of recreational pursuits. Caribou Wilderness trailheads are located nearby.

Silver Bowl Campground

ATTN:  Trailers/RVs not recommended

18 campsites
2 group sites (tent camping only)

Juniper Lake Campground is located in the southeast corner of the park. The campground has 18 first-come, first-served campsites and two reservable, group sites. The Juniper Lake Campground is located on the east shore of Juniper Lake via a 13-mile paved/gravel road. From the town of Chester on Highway 36 East, look for signs to Drakesbad and Juniper Lake. About halfway through town, turn onto Feather River Drive. After about a half mile, bear right and follow signs to Juniper Lake. The last 6 miles is rough dirt road not suitable for buses, motorhomes, or trailers.

*Due to severe fire danger, Juniper Lake Campground will close early for the remainder of the 2020 summer/fall season. The early closure will occur Monday, September 14 at noon. Existing reservations for after the closure have been canceled and refunded through recreation.gov. The Juniper Lake Area remains open for day use only.


    Campsites are $12 per night; group sites are $32 per night.
    B-Loop, group site capacity is limited to a minimum of 10, and a maximum of 25 people, and up to six licensed vehicles or one bus/RV.
    Campsites cannot be saved and must be occupied upon payment.
    Camping fees are not refundable and stays are limited to 7 days per year.
    Clip your camping permit stub to your site post to show occupancy. Camping fees must be paid within thirty minutes of occupying a site. Checkout time is 12 pm.


Juniper Lake Campground

Summit Lake South Campground (elevation 6,700 ft.) is conveniently located on the main road of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The campground is within walking distance of the small but scenic Summit Lake and eight miles from the 10,457-ft. Lassen Peak, the largest volcano in the park. Hikers will find one of the park's major trails only 1/4-mile away from the campground and many more within a close proximity. Summit Lake South is on the opposite side of the lake from Summit Lake North Campground. Recreation The campground is a hub for hiking and backpacking trails within the park. Campers can access many of the park's 150 miles of hiking trails from the Summit Lake area. The Cluster Lakes loop trail--a major trailhead into the park's interior that bypasses several alpine lakes and is popular among birders--is located a short walk away at the Summit Lake Ranger Station. This is the closest campground to the Lassen Peak Trail and within 10 miles of the hydrothermal area, Bumpass Hell. Educational programs are presented at an amphitheater within the facility. Facilities This facility has vault toilets, drinking water, campfire rings, picnic tables and a more secluded tent-only loop. There are no flush toilets. For more information visit Campgrounds of Lassen Volcanic. Natural Features The national park is known for its volcanic history, as well as its diversity of plants and animals. It contains 300 active volcanic domes and many hydrothermal features, such as mud pots and steam vents. Lassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascades, and the second-most recent volcano to erupt in the lower 48 of the United States before Mount Saint Helens. Lassen National Park boasts over 700 species of flowering plants and 250 native species including birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. The park is at the junction of the Cascade Mountains, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin, thus providing many unique habitats. ADA Access: N

Summit Lake South

## Overview

Merrill Campground is located in the Eagle Lake Recreation Area of the Lassen National Forest. This recreation area has five campgrounds, three designated day use areas and a marina on the south shore of Eagle Lake. All of these recreation facilities are connected by a 5.2 mile paved hiking/bike trail. The Osprey Overlook, another day use area in the recreation area, can be hiked or driven to for a scenic view of the southern end of Eagle Lake and the surrounding forest basin.   
  
The Lassen National Forest offers a variety of lakes, streams and wilderness areas for recreational opportunities. The forest offers miles of trails that are used for hiking, mountain biking, off-highway vehicle riding and in the winter months, snowmobiling. 

## Recreation

Fishing for the Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout, a California Heritage Trout, is the primary recreational activity on Eagle Lake, but the 3rd largest natural lake in California (22,000 acres), provides for plenty of room for swimming, kayaking, skiing and all other boating activities by motor or sail. There are no 2-cycle restrictions for outboard boat motors or PWCs.

## Facilities

Merrill Campground is a unique US Forest Service facility. Totally rebuilt in the early 2000s, it is the prototypical RV park in a Forest Service campground. With 57 full hook-up sites, 64 partial hook-up sites and 51 standard, no hook-up sites, Merrill offers whatever type of site you prefer. Partial hook-up sites have water and electric, no sewer. All electric hook-up sites have a 50, a 30 and two 20 amp outlets provided.   
  
All site camping/parking spurs are at least 45 feet, but most are 55 to 75 feet in length, and are essentially double wide. Each site is equipped with a table and a campfire ring with grill. The campground has flush toilets, potable water points, grey water dumps, limited WIFI and firewood is available for purchase. An RV Dump Station Facility is conveniently located just outside the campground with a $5 dump fee.   
  
Forty-five sites, #15-#42 and #57-#75, are designated walk-in sites, the other 125 are reservation sites.   
  
The paved bike path runs through the campground. The Eagle Lake Marina store with gas, propane, fishing and camping supplies, rental boats, shower and laundry facilities and the South Shore Grill with hot food prepared to your order, and boat launch are located 2.5 miles from the campground. 

## Natural Features

Eagle Lake is located where the Sierras meet the Cascades at the southwestern end of the lake, and the Modoc Plateau of the Great Basin at the northeastern end. This unique location offers diverse landscapes, geology, wildlife and vegetation.   
  
Merrill Campground is located in a mature conifer forest of pines and firs on the southern shoreline of Eagle Lake, at an elevation of 5,100 feet. 

## Nearby Attractions

The Lassen National Forest has many other recreational opportunities and the Lassen Volcanic National Park is an easy day's drive to and from Eagle Lake Recreational Area.

Merrill Campground

Developed campground with 12 available sites. Maximum of 8 people per site.

High Bridge Campground

Quiet and tucked away from the beaten path. Pine creek adjacent to campground, beautiful aspens in and around campground. Located 1.75 miles off Highway 44. No Fees. 10 sites. Hand pumped water. Vault toilets, Maximum trailer length 25 feet.

Bogard Campground

Summit Lake Stock Corral (elevation 6,700 ft.) is conveniently located on the main road of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The stock corral is within walking distance of the small but scenic Summit Lake and seven miles from the trailhead to Lassen Peak, the largest volcano in the park (elevation 10,457 ft.). Riders will find one of the park's major trails only 1/4 mile away from the stock corral. A convenient horse trail leads to the Summit Lake Ranger Station where the trailhead is located. Many more trails are in close proximity with access to Juniper Lake, Snag Lake, and Butte Lake. The Pacific Crest Trail, which runs through the park, is also accessible from the Summit Lake Stock Corral. Recreation The Summit Lake area is a hub for hiking and horse riding enthusiasts. Many of the park's 150 miles of trails can be accessed from this area. Located a short distance from the stock corral is the Cluster Lakes loop trail, a major trailhead into the park's interior, bypassing several alpine lakes and popular among birders. Evening programs are presented at an amphitheater within the Summit Lake Campground area. Facilities The facility has two metal stock corrals with water troughs and water is furnished for the horses. There is no potable water so campers must bring their own water or go into the Summit Lake Campground to obtain drinking water. There are two campsites with tables, fire rings and bear lockers available. There is a vault toilet available near the site for the use of campers at the stock corral. Natural Features The national park is known for its volcanic history, as well as its diversity of plants and animals. It contains 300 active volcanic domes and many hydrothermal features, such as mud pots and steam vents. Lassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascades, and the second most recent volcano to erupt in the lower 48 of the United States before Mount Saint Helens. Lassen Volcanic National Park boasts over 700 species of flowering plants and 250 native species including birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. The park is at the junction of the Cascade Mountains, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin, providing many unique habitats. ADA Access: N

Summit Lake Stock Corral

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The Best Camping Near San Jose, California

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San Francisco

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THE BEST Car CAMPING NEARLassen National Forest, California

About Lassen National Forest Car Camping

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