Manzanita Lake Campground stands at an elevation of approximately 5,890 feet within Lassen Volcanic National Park's northwestern region, offering both tent and cabin accommodations where summer temperatures average 75°F during the day and drop to 40°F at night. The park maintains strict bear management protocols, requiring all food and scented items to be stored in provided bear-resistant containers rather than in vehicles. Winter closures typically begin in mid-October and last through late May due to heavy snowfall that can exceed 30 feet annually.
What to do
Fishing at dawn: Hat Creek Resort & RV Park provides access to prime fishing spots right from your campsite. "We caught trout all morning. Wonderful place convenience store was great too!" notes Frank P., who appreciated being able to fish "10 steps from our Trailer."
Hike to volcanic features: Summit Lake North Campground connects to several park trails. "Lassen is without a doubt an amazing and underappreciated NP. Great hiking!" says Michael K., who stayed at Manzanita Lake Campground. The Cinder Cone trail near Butte Lake is particularly notable with "sooo cool" views according to Aliza N.
Explore lava tubes: Located a short drive from most campgrounds, Subway Cave provides an interesting geological side trip. "The campground is close to other fishing, the Subway Cave (ya gotta go there) Lassen National Park entrance and much more," explains Outdoordude D. from Hat Creek Resort.
Swimming in alpine lakes: Summit Lake offers summer swimming opportunities when temperatures rise. "We spent a full week here and enjoyed it immensely," reports Christopher H., who stayed at Mt. Lassen-Shingletown KOA, noting "the bathrooms and showers were always clean and well maintained."
What campers like
Creek-side relaxation: Big Pine Dispersed Camping offers free sites along a flowing creek. "Absolutely amazing camping area!! Best dispersed camping near Lassen. Area is clean w/ amazing creek side sites, fire pits, and plenty of space between," says Bruce E., adding that it's "nice and quite, other than the beautiful sounds of the babbling creek & birds."
Mountain views: From Summit Lake North at 7,000 feet elevation, campers enjoy sweeping vistas. "Another great campsite within the gorgeous (and uncrowded) Lassen Volcanic National Park, this one is on the northern shore of a Summit Lake, a blue, pristine lake near 7000 feet," writes Brian C.
Seclusion options: For those seeking quiet, 31N17N - North Manzanita Dispersed Camping offers free dispersed sites. "We've been on the road for about a month now and this might take the cake for our favorite dispersed spot," reports Brock S., who appreciated "the sounds of the flowing water" and "nice smooth road to access."
Night skies: The park's remote location allows for excellent stargazing. "Waking up to the sound of the wind in the braches of the tall pines, while feeling nothing more than a breeze down below, is a pleasant experience," writes Celina M., who enjoyed the natural setting at Manzanita Lake.
What you should know
Bear activity: All park campgrounds require proper food storage. "Each site has a bear box, and use of it for all food and food prep, as well as toiletries is expected—campers cannot use their cars," explains Celina M. from Manzanita Lake Campground.
Seasonal limitations: Most park facilities have limited operating seasons. "The Loomis museum which chronicles the eruption is closed during the week days" due to staff shortages, notes Kim G. at Manzanita Lake. Many campgrounds close entirely from October through May.
Water availability: Butte Creek Campground and other dispersed sites lack potable water. "Free site; vault toilets and some fire pits/picnic tables; quiet, simple, close to hike extinct volcano and lake. Really perfect," writes Nina M., though she notes the primitive facilities.
Weather fluctuations: Mountain conditions can change rapidly year-round. "It got real cold, like 27 degrees at night in early sept there!" warns Michael K. about overnight temperatures at Manzanita Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: "The pool is awesome, the playground is so fun, and the on-site laundry is really handy for our super long stays," writes Erika L. about Volcanic Country Camping & RV, adding, "It's only 15 minutes to Mount Lassen national Park."
Kid-friendly sites: "I really liked this campground, and the convenience of being inside the park was great," says Jason G. about Summit Lake South, though he cautions about site spacing: "The spots are decent sized, but are very close together and there isn't much for vegetation to separate the sites."
Recreational options: "This is a nice, solid National Park campground. The volcanic soils make for a dusty camping experience, but the sites are spread out so that it feels more private than most," notes Sunshine S. about the diverse camping opportunities at Manzanita Lake.
Creek exploration: "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," shares Christine M. about Big Pine Dispersed Camping, highlighting its appeal for families with children and pets.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: "Many of the parking pads are at extreme angles, and would NOT be usable for folks with a roof-top tent, such as myself. I got lucky and the spot I booked just happened to be one of the flat ones," cautions Jason G. about Summit Lake campgrounds.
Limited hookups: "Simple but beautiful campground. Keep in mind that there is no water available. Need to bring your own," advises marcus K., who stayed at Manzanita Lake, adding, "Also, no cell service but campground is sparsely tree covered. We were able to use Starlink just fine at our site."
Dump stations: "Water, dump, and trash are available at Old Station Visitor Information Center just north (RV sewer dump closes mid October)," notes Stephanie I. about services near Big Pine Dispersed Camping, valuable information for extended stays.
Dog-friendly sites: Mt. Lassen-Shingletown KOA welcomes pets of all breeds. "The entire campground is super clean and well-maintained," reports Erika L., mentioning amenities that make longer stays comfortable for families traveling with pets.
