Camping opportunities around Lassen National Forest extend from developed campgrounds to remote dispersed sites, with areas like Silver Bowl Campground and Butte Lake Campground offering access to scenic lakes and wilderness trails. The Lassen region contains several established camping areas catering to various preferences, from tent-only sites at Juniper Lake to mixed-use campgrounds with RV accommodations at Manzanita Lake. Several areas like Rocky Knoll Campground feature tent and RV sites alongside picnic tables and fire rings, though amenities vary significantly across developed and primitive camping areas.
Access to many Lassen camping areas depends on seasonal conditions, with most campgrounds operating from late May through October due to high elevation and snow conditions. Road quality varies considerably throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring travel on rough dirt roads. A visitor noted, "The last 6 miles will be on some pretty rough road, especially early in the season. There are cabins around Silver Lake and people tow boats up for the summer, so I'm sure as the season goes on the road gets easier." Many campgrounds lack cell service and have limited or no drinking water, particularly in dispersed areas. Campers should prepare for cool nights even in summer, as temperatures at higher elevations can drop significantly after sunset.
Waterfront camping locations receive consistently high marks from visitors, with Juniper Lake and Silver Bowl campgrounds mentioned for their proximity to fishing and paddling opportunities. Campgrounds in the Caribou Wilderness area provide access to multiple lakes and hiking trails while maintaining a more remote feel than sites closer to major park attractions. Several visitors note wildlife encounters and stargazing as highlights of their experiences. Bug activity, particularly mosquitoes, is frequently mentioned in reviews during late spring and early summer. As one camper warned, "Mosquitoes EVERYWHERE! We pulled in to the area around 6 PM on a Tuesday evening, not a single person around." Sites within Lassen Volcanic National Park tend to have more regulations but also more consistent management and maintenance than forest service campgrounds and dispersed areas.
$37 / night
"Located off a well maintained gravel road near beautiful Butte Lake. We had no problem towing our trailer to this location and neither did our friends whose trailer is 30+ ft."
"Stayed at Butte Lake for two nights in late June 2022. None of the campsites has an unobstructed lake view, but it’s a short walk to the day use area on the shore."
$35 - $80 / night
"Right on Eagle Lake in Lassen National Forest, this campground has a mix of electric and non electric sites with views of the lake. Clean bathrooms with mirrors, flush toilets but no showers."
"Our annual camping trip to Eagle Lake at the Merrill Campground in Lassen National Forest started as a family trip for a good friend about three generations ago."
$26 / night
"Great views and day hikes in the Lassen National Forest."
"We took an eight-day tour through Northern California and this was our first leg. Tent-camped three nights."
"Free site; vault toilets and some fire pits/ picnic tables; quiet, simple, close to hike extinct volcano and lake. Really perfect"
"Off the beaten path and limited cell reception. Clean natural sites and vault toilets. Basic!"
"Silver Bowl campground is located in the Caribou Wilderness of Lassen National Forest outside of Lassen National Park. It is about 35 miles from Susanville and 30 miles from Chester."
"The campsites are pretty large but you definitely can see and sometimes hear the people near you. Vault toilets, well for water. Maybe a quarter mile from the easiest place to get into Silver lake."
$24 / night
"Our decision for our final resting place -pun intended- was situated between two rocks on the flattest stony ground we could find. We had heard gusts could reach 70 mph at night."
"We stayed here two nights after spending one night at the larger Manzanita Lake CG. The are two loops and about 40 sites. There is also a South Summit Lake CG."
"We camp at Silver Lake every year. Absolutely beautiful place. Lake is a little walk from the campground. Primitive camping."
$22 / night
"Like its sister site to the north, this camp site is next to Lassen’s Summit Lake at approximately 7000 feet."
"Summit lake is a great place to hang. There are campgrounds on either side of the lake and this one is the more primate of the two - no flush toilets. "
"The smaller sites at Juniper Lake are first come first serve, unlike the group sites that can be reserved. "
"This site is amazing is right next to the lake I haven’t stayed at a more beautiful site. The only downside that I didn’t like was that there wasn’t a camp host."
"The main road to Bogard Campground had too much snow for us to be able to pass through, so we found this small clearing tucked away off of Forest Route 32N09 in Lassen Nat’l Forest to stay overnight instead"
"We pulled in to the area around 6 PM on a Tuesday evening, not a single person around. We originally pulled near the little bog."
GuideWe were very surprised how quiet the campground was at night considering how large it was. The only thing we didn’t like was having to book online when we showed up and there was no way to tell if a site was available until you went on line and we did not have internet service in the campground. We had to drive out to the visitor center to use their WiFi.
GuideThe tall trees are an amazing backdrop to this beautiful forest location. Near to 44 yet still quiet with only the occasional truck noise from the highway. The road in is well maintained and there are several established locations with multiple camps with fire rings. Some of them should easily accommodate big rigs even those towing large trailers. I had the south side of the road to myself near the pin for multiple nights with one or two campers across the road that came and left early. The night sky provides some excellent star gazing on clear nights! Some of the biggest pine cones I've ever seen!
ScoutWe paid for 5 nights, and left after four. The first day we were immediately approached by the host who rudely lectured about us leaving a phone number off of the pay envelope. The envelope had no designated spot for a phone number. She then handed us a list off rules: No dogs of leash, no generator off the blacktop, no outdoor showers, no chainsaw, and on and on. We were the only ones who kept our dog on a leash. She sold us two bundles of pine firewood the first night then proceeded to tell us the next day the water would be off and we couldn’t have a campfire. Friday night comes around and starting at 11 pm a woman is screaming and our tent is lit up by spotlights. She continues her drunken screams until 12:30 which we figure out she is calling a dog. The spotlights stayed on until 2am. The host lives way above the campground and there is no possible way she can hear the goings on at night. We also have no way of contacting her. Saturday morning we are told the water will be off and this time we are not allowed to use our stove or lanterns. We were forced to cut our trip short because we had no way to cook our meals or have adequate lighting once it got dark. I initially planned to stop payment on the check I wrote but felt that wouldn’t be right because we had a few good days. I contacted them and was told we were not forced to leave left on our own so we wouldn’t be getting a refund. The host was very overbearing she even knocked on our neighbors camper door accusing him of leaving the toilet seat up in the outhouse. Our vacation was ruined
TravelerSAFETY HAZARDS: So many trees cut down with branches and debris left over and not picked up by the contractor or the USFS that could cause injury or death. Imagine tripping or falling in a hole and being punctured by pointy branches. I am sure this was not inspected after the contractor left or prior to departure.
HEALTH: Womens bathroom was open on Saturday 12 Sep 26, but then it was locked on Sunday 13 Sep 26. Water spigots were also turned off outside. The RV dump station down the street was also closed too. Not sure what happening here as it is not the end of the season yet.
SITES: Images online are not current/out-of-date, don't trust it. Many sites including mine had a lot of trees and now it has 1 or 2, with many stumps and debris left behind. Many sites have zero trees now. Our 20ft campervan barely fit on the asphalt pad and many were only about 10-15 feet long and then others were over 50. I guess you take a chance on what is real and what is not.
SIDEBAR: Over at the North campground, I saw cleanup crews with chainsaws doing work within 10-15 feet of a family who was camping and eating breakfast at the table. I would think this would be a not only a noise issue but also flying debris issue. I guess the USFS does not care about safety of the paying public.
OVERALL: I understand fire prevention, but when you cut down living trees and leave behind the branches and such to dry out, now that is a new fire hazard along with the safety hazard. So sad to see such nice campgrounds being turned into such eyesores and hazards. If you have small children, senior citizens or pets, I would strongly urge you not to make a reservation here. If you just need to a place to park your camper(not tent) then it would be okay as long as you are away during the day as there is very limited shade now. Oh, I forget to say my parents raised me here and they lived here after I went in the Navy and this is an embarrassment to the Almanor Ranger District in Chester.
TravelerNot crowded, has two bathrooms, boat access, great selection of spots, and great views from the trees onto the lake. Great stargazing too. Easy access for our 17ft camper trailer
GuideRight on Eagle Lake in Lassen National Forest, this campground has a mix of electric and non electric sites with views of the lake. Clean bathrooms with mirrors, flush toilets but no showers. If you want a shower, bike, walk or drive down to the marina where they have private rooms for showers. Boating, kayak and paddleboard in addition to fishing (water is high alkaline which makes for big trout). Quiet campground with big sites.
GuideJust got here and parked next to a creek. Easy road to get a truck camper in. We will explore more tomorrow
TravelerThe forest road is super accessible with a bunch of different spots to choose from as you traverse down the road. There are some fire rings in some of the spots. No water, bathroom, etc. Road is fairly well maintained but drive with caution if no 4WD or AWD and low clearance. Only 3.5 miles from the entrance so it’s a perfect place to stay before or after going through Lassen NP.
TravelerSimply put, I am embarrassed to say that this one was opened with major safety issues. I was even told by a person at the Almanor Ranger Office in Chester that they were forced to open this campground.
Safety issues:
-Trees were fell and slash was left behind without cleanup by contractor.
-Boulders were moved and above mentioned slash was covering the holes left by the moved boulders creating major safety trip/fall hazards. These hazards could cause twisted and/or broken legs and feet and more.
-Fire Hazard: Above mentioned slash was left behind everywhere for it to dry out an become a major fire hazard. Yes, the camp site around the table and fire ring was cleared, but only by about 10-15 feet.
-Limited walking areas: As the slash was left behind, areas for walking or the kids playing was like walking in a minefield. Even on the paved drive path, there is holes and to move out of the way for trucks/campers requires movement onto the above ,mentioned slash that was not cleaned up.
I grew up in this area and after being gone in the military for over 30 years, I came home. This poor campground is a disgrace and I am deeply saddened by the condition the USFS and it's contractor left it in. If I was in charge, I would not have let it open for public use due to the safety issues.
What a shame.
Dispersed camping sites around Lassen National Forest range in elevation from 4,500 to 7,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions with cooler temperatures in higher areas. Most forest service campgrounds lack cell service, with many remaining open from late May through October due to snow conditions that can persist well into spring at higher elevations.
Hike to scenic lakes: The Caribou Wilderness area near Silver Bowl Campground offers multiple connecting trails to nearby lakes. "The Caribou Trailhead is close to the camp, which leads you into the Caribou Wilderness for backpacking or day hikes, and there is a network of fire/logging roads that you can use to explore other parts of the Caribou Wilderness," notes a camper who stayed in May.
Try trout fishing: Eagle Lake provides prime fishing opportunities for anglers at Merrill Campground. "Great campsite in a nice remote area to take in nature, go hiking, bike riding, and fishing for trout! This is a great place to get off the grid and electronic devices and have some fun," reports a visitor. The campground offers both full hookup sites and more primitive options depending on your preference.
Climb the Cinder Cone: This challenging but rewarding hike near Butte Lake Campground provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. A camper shares: "The Cinder Cone hike along the old lava flow behind the campsite is spectacular! Don't let the climb up the cinder cone dissuade you; the panoramic view from the top is well worth it! We did it with two 6 year olds."
Remote lake access: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting at Juniper Lake Campground. One visitor noted: "If you enjoy privacy and a very secluded campground this is it. We stayed at group site A. This site is amazing is right next to the lake I haven't stayed at a more beautiful site." This tent-only campground lacks amenities but delivers on seclusion.
Affordable forest service options: Free dispersed camping areas provide budget alternatives to established campgrounds. Butte Creek Campground offers basic amenities without fees. A visitor explains, "Free site; vault toilets and some fire pits/picnic tables; quiet, simple, close to hike extinct volcano and lake. Really perfect."
Spacious sites: Many Lassen National Forest campsites provide ample room between neighbors. At Rocky Knoll Campground, a camper noted: "Definitely a quiet campground. Only one other person was there. Nice creek runs by it. Two vault toilets, one on each side of the loop. Spacious campsites but would probably be challenging for larger tents."
Road conditions vary dramatically: Access to many campgrounds requires travel on rough forest roads. For Bogard USFS Dispersed sites, preparation is essential: "The main road to Bogard Campground had too much snow for us to be able to pass through, so we found this small clearing tucked away off of Forest Route 32N09 in Lassen Nat'l Forest to stay overnight instead."
Seasonal mosquito activity: Insect populations can be overwhelming in late spring and early summer. A visitor to Bogard reported: "Mosquitoes EVERYWHERE! We pulled in to the area around 6 PM on a Tuesday evening, not a single person around. We originally pulled near the little bog. When we got out we noticed TONS of mosquitoes."
Limited water sources: Many forest service campgrounds have minimal water facilities or none at all. Bring plenty of drinking water, especially for dispersed camping areas. At Butte Creek, a camper advises: "Clean natural sites and vault toilets. Basic! Off the beaten path and limited cell reception."
Consider swimming options: Summit Lake North Campground offers child-friendly swimming areas. "Totally awesome lake that's safely swimmable for kiddos that's also available for day-use. Flush toilets(always a plus). Enough to do either at the campground or nearby to keep kiddos busy for several days," reports one family who visited.
Check toilet facilities: Campgrounds with flush toilets tend to be more comfortable for families with young children. A visitor notes: "The south side has pit toilets. South is $2 cheaper than the North side, most likely because the North has the flush toilets vs the pit toilets on the South."
Pack for changing weather: Temperature swings can be significant even in summer months. Prepare for cool evenings and the possibility of unexpected weather. One camper at Juniper Lake shared: "Unfortunately the time we stayed it began to snow, and no other campers were staying in the sites. It was pretty much all to ourselves. We stayed there in late September."
Leveling considerations: Many Lassen National Forest campsites have uneven parking areas. A visitor to Manzanita Lake explains: "Many of the parking pads are at extreme angles, and would NOT be usable for folks with a roof-top tent. I got lucky and the spot I booked just happened to be one of the flat ones."
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited to select campgrounds. At Merrill Campground, an RVer reported: "We have a 30' travel trailer and there was so much availability, we did go mid Sept so kind of off season. Plenty of shade trees, full hook ups. A decent walk to the waters edge by reasonable."
Generator restrictions: National park campgrounds often have strict generator policies. An RVer at Summit Lake North noted: "Generator hours are a bit odd although the only time we needed it was briefly in the morning to fix meals. Clouds drifted in about 2:00 p.m. each day with some sprinkles for about 1/2 hour keeping temps cool."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Lassen National Forest?
Lassen National Forest offers several outstanding campgrounds for nature lovers. Merrill Campground at Eagle Lake is a favorite for families with spacious sites and lake access for fishing and water activities. For those seeking solitude, Yellow Creek Campground provides spectacular views of Northern California and fewer crowds than nearby Lake Almanor sites. Other excellent options include High Bridge Campground near Chester (convenient for supplies), Gurnsey Creek (first-come, first-served, close to Lassen Volcanic National Park's southern entrance), and Silver Bowl in the Caribou Wilderness (accessible via rough roads with cabins available). Many campgrounds in Lassen are open seasonally from late spring through early fall, with specific opening dates dependent on snow conditions.
When is the best season for camping in Lassen National Forest?
The prime camping season in Lassen National Forest runs from late May through September, with July and August offering the most reliable weather and access to all areas. Manzanita Lake Campground is typically open from late May through mid-October, with summer bringing opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking. Lower elevation campgrounds like Gurnsey Creek may open earlier in the season, while higher elevation sites often remain snow-covered until June. Early June offers good availability with fewer crowds, while September provides cooler temperatures and spectacular fall colors. Weather can change rapidly in the mountains, so always check conditions before your trip. Some campgrounds close in early fall when temperatures drop, though specific closing dates vary annually.
What amenities are available at Butte Lake Campground in Lassen?
Butte Lake Campground offers well-maintained, spacious campsites situated near beautiful Butte Lake. The campground is accessible via a well-maintained gravel road suitable for trailers, including those over 30 feet. Amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage lockers. There's no cell service, electricity, or RV hookups available. Potable water is provided via spigots throughout the campground. The campground's proximity to Butte Lake allows for excellent swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating opportunities. Hiking trails connect directly to the campground, making it easy to explore Lassen Volcanic National Park's natural features, including the unique Cinder Cone formation.
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