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Best Dispersed Camping near Lassen Volcanic National Park

35 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities surround Lassen Volcanic National Park on adjacent National Forest lands. Several free primitive sites exist within a short drive of park entrances, including 31N17N North Manzanita, Christie Hill Basecamp, and Big Pine Dispersed Camping. These areas provide basic camping with no amenities. Most sites feature established fire rings and flat areas suitable for tents or small recreational vehicles. According to reviews, 31N17N North Manzanita offers convenient access just one mile from the northwest entrance, with several spots to park vans, trailers, or smaller RVs.

No services are available at these dispersed sites. Campers must bring all water, pack out all trash, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Fire restrictions vary seasonally; always check current regulations before your visit. Many sites have thick pine needle ground cover requiring careful fire management. Several campers noted that "due to the number of pine trees, the ground is covered in a thick layer of pine needles — make sure you sweep at least a 20' fire ring down to dirt around the rock pit before making a fire." Bear activity has been reported in some areas, so proper food storage is essential.

Road conditions vary significantly between sites. Christie Hill Basecamp requires navigating gravel roads but remains accessible to standard vehicles. Big Pine Dispersed Camping offers creek-side spots that can accommodate larger rigs, including 38-foot fifth wheels. The Hat Creek Dispersed area requires traversing a rough road section before reaching expansive meadows suitable for camping. Cell service is extremely limited or nonexistent at most locations. The 14-day stay limit applies throughout the region. During peak summer months, mosquitoes can be prevalent, particularly near water sources.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Lassen Volcanic National Park (24)

    1. Big Pine Dispersed Camping

    7 Reviews
    Old Station, CA
    10 miles

    "Best dispersed camping near Lassen. Area is clean w/ amazing creek side sites, fire pits, and plenty of space between."

    "Right next to the creek and big spots! Our motorhome drove down here just fine. Caught a bunch of trout in the creek and had an absolute blast. Quiet and safe and lots of shade."

    2. 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 257-2151

    "We found this spot based on advice of the rangers in LVNP. Overall a great place to camp if your looking for a free option to camp/boon dock very close to the park."

    "Arrived late Friday night on Labor Day weekend and found a spot right at the beginning of the dirt road - coming from Redding direction, turned right off of 44 onto the dirt road then took the first right"

    3. Christie Hill Basecamp

    5 Reviews
    Mineral, CA
    6 miles

    "No water or outhouse. If you have a low clearance vehicles, pick your pins carefully."

    "Just off the main highway. Gravel road in. We had a Ford van that had no problem driving over the dirt and gravel road. There are sites with fire rings and relatively flat ground."

    4. 29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP

    2 Reviews
    Mineral, CA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 258-2141

    "Lovely quiet remote dispersed camping spot. No services. On a very nice gravel road marked for winter cross country skiing. Saw a few others in the area."

    5. Hat Creek Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Old Station, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 335-7517

    "As one reviewer wrote, just a short run of slightly rough road to get to expansive meadows of boondocking."

    "Take creek trail. Bathrooms, garbage, water available at main campground. 1 bar lte AT&T."

    6. Lassen National Forest

    1 Review
    Mineral, CA
    8 miles

    7. Butte Creek

    2 Reviews
    Old Station, CA
    14 miles

    "There are several very good campsites along Butte Lake Road as you approach the national park boundary. Many of these are just off the road and experience a fair bit of dust from cars passing by."

    "We arrived late, and pulled into the first spot we found just to be safe. Woke up this morning and it's beautiful, quiet and no one else near by."

    8. Bogard USFS Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Lassen National Forest, CA
    21 miles

    "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 met a very kind older woman who had been there a while & said that not many people know this place exists, so it doesn’t get very busy. The campsite was well kept."

    9. Willow Creek

    Be the first to review!
    Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA
    8 miles

    10. Morgan Summit Sno-Park

    Be the first to review!
    Mineral, CA
    8 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Lassen Volcanic National Park

10 Photos of 24 Lassen Volcanic National Park Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Lassen Volcanic National Park

35 Reviews of 24 Lassen Volcanic National Park Campgrounds

  • Aliza N.
    Nov. 1, 2022

    29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP

    Dispersed camping near Lassen NP

    Lovely quiet remote dispersed camping spot. No services. On a very nice gravel road marked for winter cross country skiing. Saw a few others in the area. Most camp spots are right on the edge of the road but lots of room and plenty of privacy. Leave no trace. Pack in, pack out.

  • Sadie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 24, 2025

    Perry Riffle Trailhead

    Ok for a parking lot

    The good. Managers are there daily. Dumping trash and cleaning the pit toilet.

    The bad. Managers are there daily being passive aggressive in reminding you they can kick you out, walking around looking in the same vehicles (even yours as you stand there) and writing down plate numbers. They like to remind you of the 14 day in 365 day limit for the region, not just here. They like to talk about their database and what will happen if you try to camp somewhere else and they love complaining about tent campers outside the parking lot. Also, no fires, ever.

    That being said. Blm law enforcement they claim to have in their pocket reminds everyone that tent camping is allowed outside the parking lot.

    It is clean though, the rivers is blah and turkey hunters might fire off next to you but walk the road. Plenty of trails, beautiful meadows, horseback riders seen regularly. Quiet at night usually to. If not tell the managers, they’ll get right on that lol.

    I won’t go again but that’s not because of the CG.

    Details: Law Enforcement does visit, they are nice Locals are a problem Be prepared for management complaints, not camper complaints Town is 20 minutes away Free stay with a weird 14 day regional rule, inquire with management

  • Al L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2025

    Perry Riffle Trailhead

    Overnight @ Perry Riffle

    Easy access via paved road. Very bucolic area. Lots of trails. Sacramento River is within walking distance. Pit toilet, no water or other services.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2023

    Hat Creek Dispersed

    Great Camping

    As one reviewer wrote, just a short run of slightly rough road to get to expansive meadows of boondocking.

  • Salvatore F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2023

    31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping

    Great dispersed spot near Lassen Volcanic NP

    We found this spot based on advice of the rangers in LVNP. Overall a great place to camp if your looking for a free option to camp/boon dock very close to the park.

    Right when you turn off 44, go up a small hill, maybe 100m, then there is a clearing on the west side of the road. There is a perpendicular dirt road at the clearing (running west/east) with several spots to park a van, trailer, or even smaller RV. We saw four distinct sites where people had made fire rings—however due to the number of pine trees the ground is covered in a thick layer of pine needles— make sure you sweep at least a 20’ fire ring down to dirt around the rock pit before you make a fire. You can also hear noticeable road noise from 44 in the front spots so not super secluded.

    Many of the sites we checked (near the entrance and deeper into the woods) had bumble bees coming out of holes in the ground so be careful picking your site, particularly at night so you don’t wake up to an unpleasant surprise.

    Going further south down the main road you can find many other more hidden camping spots deeper in the forest, but the road is rougher and only suited for a 4x4.

  • Nick C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2023

    29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP

    Limited Option Near Lassen NP South Entrance

    This is a small flat area near the base of Christie Hill. The turn off of the Hwy 89 is at the McGowan SnoPark area (really just a logger's staging area). There are a handful of very rough roads one could pull off the road and camp in a tent on (or 4x4 van). For a larger RV or travel trailer, we found only one spot (40.390996,-121.540748) that was large enough to accommodate our 32 foot travel trailer. It is right along the road, but there is virtually no traffic here, so we found it acceptable. 

    I do not believe there are any good spots further down the road. A word of caution as well - the lake just beyond here (McGowan Lake) - is privately owned and gated. It is not available for camping.

  • Claire D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2024

    31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping

    Convenient dispersed site near Lassen

    Same experience as the other reviews. Arrived late Friday night on Labor Day weekend and found a spot right at the beginning of the dirt road - coming from Redding direction, turned right off of 44 onto the dirt road then took the first right. The turnoff is on Google maps and was easy to find even in the dark. Nobody else around that we saw, even given the busy weekend! Agreed with others on the road noise but it was fine. Just a few minutes from Manzanita lake. Great find!

  • Bruce E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Big Pine Dispersed Camping

    Absolutely amazing camping area!!

    Best dispersed camping near Lassen. Area is clean w/ amazing creek side sites, fire pits, and plenty of space between. Nice and quite, other than the beautiful sounds of the babbling creek & birds. Definitely coming back!!

  • aThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2024

    Antelope Mountain Dispersed Camp

    One good area

    We only found one good area and it already had 2 people at it. It had level sites and nice tall trees. It also tucked in out of the wind. We some for other sites but they were windy, rough road to reach them, and not level so we moved on

Guide to Lassen Volcanic National Park

Dispersed camping near Lassen Volcanic National Park offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without the crowds. With various options available, campers can enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while taking advantage of free camping spots.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

  • Arriving early can help you secure a good spot, especially during busy weekends. Many campers have successfully found places at 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping even on holiday weekends.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Bogard USFS Dispersed offers no drinking water or toilets, so plan accordingly.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles to keep these beautiful areas pristine, as emphasized by visitors to Hat Creek Dispersed.

Dispersed campers should check out Christie Hill Basecamp

  • Located just minutes from the southern entrance of Lassen, Christie Hill Basecamp provides a quiet setting for tent camping with fire rings available.
  • The access road is manageable for most vehicles, making it easy to reach this well-reviewed spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • Keep in mind that there are no facilities, so campers should bring their own supplies and be ready for a true back-to-nature experience.

Enjoy wildlife encounters while free camping near Lassen Volcanic National Park

  • Campers at 29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP have reported hearing coyotes in the distance, adding a thrilling element to the camping experience.
  • Be cautious of wildlife; visitors to Big Pine Dispersed Camping have noted the presence of chipmunks and other small animals, so securing food is essential.
  • The area is rich in natural beauty, with opportunities for hiking and exploring the diverse ecosystems surrounding the campsites, particularly near Butte Creek.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Lassen Volcanic National Park?

Several excellent dispersed camping options exist near Lassen Volcanic National Park. 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping is highly recommended by park rangers and offers good spots right off Highway 44. The turnoff is easily visible on Google Maps, and sites are available even on busy holiday weekends. Butte Creek provides multiple good campsites along Butte Lake Road as you approach the park boundary, with particularly nice spots along Butte Creek itself just off Pole Spring Road. Both areas offer privacy and convenient access to the park without fees.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in Lassen National Forest?

In Lassen National Forest, dispersed camping follows standard Forest Service regulations. Camping is generally limited to 14 days in a 30-day period. At 29N22 Dispersed near Lassen NP, you must practice Leave No Trace principles—pack in and pack out all trash. Most sites are primitive with no services or facilities. Campfires may require permits depending on the season and fire danger level. Some areas have specific restrictions, so check with the ranger district office before your trip. Camp at least 100 feet from water sources and 150 feet from roadways. Camping spots are typically first-come, first-served, and many are located along forest service roads.

Is free camping allowed in Lassen National Forest?

Yes, free camping is allowed throughout much of Lassen National Forest. Big Pine Dispersed Camping is considered one of the best free options in the area, offering clean creekside sites with fire pits and good spacing between campers. Hat Creek Dispersed provides expansive meadows for boondocking after a short stretch of slightly rough road. Free camping areas typically have no amenities, so come prepared with all necessary supplies including water. The standard stay limit is 14 days within a 30-day period. Always check current regulations and fire restrictions before your trip, as these can change seasonally.

What BLM land is available for camping near Lassen National Park?

While Lassen National Park is primarily surrounded by National Forest land rather than BLM land, there are some BLM camping options in the broader region. Rocky Point Dispersed Camping offers free camping with lake views and basic toilet facilities. The area is somewhat barren but provides good distance from roads and residences. Perry Riffle Trailhead offers easy access via paved roads in a scenic area with trails and proximity to the Sacramento River. It has a pit toilet but no water or other services. BLM sites typically allow 14-day stays and require Leave No Trace practices. Check with the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office for the most current regulations.

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