Near Mill Creek, California, camping options range from primitive sites to upscale glamping at 4,000-7,000 feet elevation. The area experiences warm summer days with temperatures reaching 80-90°F and cool nights dropping to 40-50°F. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October due to winter snow conditions.
What to do
Fishing at Hat Creek: Multiple fishing spots available within walking distance of Hat Creek Resort & RV Park, where you can fish directly from your campsite. "We caught trout all morning. Wonderful place convenience store was great too!" notes Frank P.
Hiking to volcanic features: Trails connect to Lassen Volcanic National Park from Summit Lake North Campground, where campers can walk around the lake to see wildflowers. "We walked around the lake one evening and saw some interesting wild flowers. Drove the road to the visitor center near the south entrance a couple times to see all the volcanic features," shared MARY K.
Water recreation: Swimming and paddleboarding opportunities at several lake campgrounds. "Paddle board paradise, though," notes Kate A. about Summit Lake, adding that "The water is shallow and warm, so not great for fishing in the late summer."
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Battle Creek Campground provides easy access to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Isabel R. mentions, "The sites are first come, first serve and it was $18/night. We came on Fri 7/28 at 6pm and there were still sites available."
Peaceful water settings: Campsites near creeks and lakes offer relaxing soundscapes. Julie D. at McCumber Reservoir Campground shared, "Our site was right on the river, so we had the peaceful sounds of rushing water to hear. The site (3) was also pretty decent size, and in my opinion the best site."
Small, quiet campgrounds: Less crowded options provide more solitude. "This was a great campground, managed by PG&E. It's pretty small, which made it much more quiet than other campgrounds," notes Julie D. about McCumber Reservoir.
What you should know
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require driving on rough forest roads. At Silver Bowl Campground, "The road in is dirt and pretty long but my Toyota Camry made it no problem," according to august M.
Seasonal limitations: Many facilities close during winter months and early season access can be challenging. Darin D. notes about Silver Bowl, "Even though the FS website said it was open, the campground was not yet open for the season on May 26. In big snow years, it may not open until July."
Bug considerations: Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially near lakes and in summer months. "There's a beautiful view here, and a lot of peace and solitude—as long as you're willing to share the space with mosquitos!" warns Kate A. about Summit Lake.
Bathroom facilities: Toilet options vary widely between campgrounds, from flush toilets to vault toilets or portable options. At Battle Creek, Isabel R. reports, "The bathrooms were portable bathrooms. The regular vault toilets were locked."
Tips for camping with families
Lake access for kids: Almanor Campground offers lake access suitable for families. "If you just have a paddleboard or kayak, you can just walk to the water by just waking down the road and launch at the edge of the lake," suggests Kurt T.
Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with room for kids to play. Corinna B. says about Summit Lake North, "Just the right size, maybe 40-50 camp sites total in two separate loops and it's all very walkable," and "Nice camp host when we were there and an amphitheater nearby."
Nearby conveniences: Some campgrounds offer access to stores and restaurants. "There is a General Store within walking distance and restaurant/bar right on the lake too. I highly advise reservations for dinner on the deck," notes Kurt T. about Almanor.
Educational opportunities: Check for ranger programs at national park campgrounds. "While I didn't go to any they are supposed to have educational programs at the amphitheater here," Patricia O. mentions about Summit Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: Plumas Pines Resort offers special features for RVs. "This place is amazing for trailer camping. The sites are close to each other, but every site has a small balcony you can back up next too," notes Susan R.
Beginner-friendly options: Some glamping in Mill Creek offers easier RV experiences for newcomers. "As a beginner RV-er/camper this site was great. Great staff, easy to get to and find your spot, and convenient spots with decks and hookups," shares Gilad S. about Plumas Pines Resort.
Generator restrictions: Check rules about generator usage, as they vary between campgrounds. Rhea M. from Summit Lake notes, "Generator hours are a bit odd although the only time we needed it was briefly in the morning to fix meals."
Big rig accessibility: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. Rhea M. explains that at Summit Lake, "Road into the park as well as rv sites can accommodate big rigs," while many forest service campgrounds cannot handle larger vehicles.
