Summit Lake North, near Mineral, California, is a cozy campground tucked away in Lassen Volcanic National Park, perfect for those looking to unwind in nature. With two loops and around 40 sites, it offers a more intimate camping experience compared to larger campgrounds, making it a great spot for families and friends to gather.

The campground features picnic tables and fire grates at each site, allowing for classic campfire evenings under the stars. Visitors appreciate the clean restrooms with flush toilets and the availability of drinking water, which adds a touch of comfort to the rustic experience. As one camper noted, “The campgrounds are well maintained with bear lockers,” ensuring your food stays safe from wildlife.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the nearby Summit Lake provides opportunities for swimming and paddleboarding, although fishing can be hit or miss in the warmer months. The area is also a gateway to numerous hiking trails, allowing you to explore the stunning volcanic landscapes that the park is known for. Many campers have enjoyed walking around the lake and taking in the beautiful wildflowers that bloom in the area.

While the campground can get busy during peak season, the peaceful surroundings and friendly atmosphere make it a worthwhile destination. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Summit Lake North offers a refreshing escape into the great outdoors.

## Overview

 Summit Lake North 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 North is on the opposite side of the lake from Summit Lake South Campground.
## Recreation

 The campground is a hub for hiking and backpacking enthusiasts. 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 from 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.
## 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, providing many unique habitats.

Summit Lake North — Lassen Volcanic National Park

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Mineral

The Best Camping Near Mineral, California

In September of 2015, I hiked with two friends from school up to the summit of Mt. Lassen. We passed by several fellow travelers on our ascent. Reaching the top took just under three hours.

As I was the only one in my crew with legitimate hiking gear and experience, I carried the bulk of our supplies, including the tent. The final approach brought significant increases in wind gusts and a drop in temperature. The barren summit itself looked like the surface of Mars. We first unloaded and walked to the marker that designated the highest point on the ancient volcano - the last eruption being in the early 1900s.

We surveyed the area for our would-be campsite. Our final trek to the topmost part left us with little time to set up camp. 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. My solution to this was to leave the two side chambers on my tent collapsed and place on them and around the edge of the tent to hold it down.

We crawled inside and ate beef jerky and cold beans straight from the can. It was one of those meals that was eminently satisfying, regardless. The night rolled over us just as a very large (and day away from a lunar eclipse) moon dominated the clear air above us. As we didn't want our tent to have a sail in the high winds, we didn't use the tarp. To preserve the tent in these conditions, I placed myself on the inner edge of the tent where the winds were pushing hardest to keep it all in place.

We were awakened by stiff winds that had persisted through the night. My tent showed a few signs of minor straining from the rocks and wind. I loaded my pack as swiftly as I could manage. In tearing down the tent, we nearly lost it down the side of the mountain as one gust nearly took it away once the stakes were out. Our descent was swift and steady. Hungry stomachs drove us on, as did a sense of accomplishment. After all, we had just camped on a volcano.

Overnight on the summit

Great location to hit all the tourist spots, this campground is right on the main road. Easy access to trail to more remote areas as well. When the campground is full, it is too busy for my tastes. I would think nice for kids as the lake and trails are right there. Vault toilets (again on a busy weekend not so great), drinking water, campfire rings, picnic tables. There is a small ranger station here, and while I didn't go to any they are supposed to have educational programs at the amphitheater here.

Great location, when not full

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. There are two camping loops with tent sites and small RV trailer sports available. No hook-ups, but flush toilets and sinks nearby.

Sites can be further inland near the forest with a parking lot that separates you from the lakeshore. In the summer, the lake is great for swimming.

There is another campsite on the southern side of the lake that is very similar, but we prefer the north campground in that the sites are closer to the lake itself. Numerous hikes are available within the area.

Great National Park Campground

I like this campground a lot. Just the right size, maybe 40-50 camp sites total in two separate loops and it’s all very walkable. There’s a couple of pull-though spots for RVs and trailers and a decent mixture of small and medium RVs and tents.  

  

Camp sites aren’t huge, but enough room not to be completely on top of each other and lots and lots of trees. Some have more room behind them depending on whether they are facing in or out on the loop. Each spot has a fire grate and picnic table. Nice camp host when we were there and an amphitheater nearby.  

  

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. And Lassen in general is a lovely park.  

  

**Pros:** Best part is the awesome lake. Fairly shallow overall but plenty of fun.

  

**Cons:** Not many“extras” (like a store or playground), but I liked it just the way it is. Some spots better than others as far as privacy/space goes.

Lovely campground on a nice mellow lake

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! The water is shallow and warm, so not great for fishing in the late summer. Lots of algae, so swimming can be eh, too. Paddle board paradise, though. 

Mosquito Mahem in Summer

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 stayed at A5 for 2 nights in the north CG. Not the best site, but the place was full by night fall. We were near the helpful host and near the restrooms with flush toilets, no showers. The CG is about halfway point on the park road, so convenient for visiting the trails and vistas.  

  

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.

Nice - smaller campground than Manzanita Lake CG

Stayed 2 nights, August 17 and 18 in B22, Loop B.  This is a smaller campground that contains 2 Loops, A &amp; B.  We could see a bit of the lake from our site through the trees.  No hookups although drinking water is offered as well as restrooms.  Campgrounds are well maintained with bear lockers and rv sites ample.  Road into the park as well as rv sites can accommodate big rigs.  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.  Wonderful stay!  Definitely would come back - picked out our preferred site already!

Photos of Summit Lake North — Lassen Volcanic National Park

Real photos from real campers