Established Camping
Butte Lake Campground — Lassen Volcanic National Park
About
National Park Service
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Overview
Butte Lake Stock Corral (elevation 6,100 ft.) is located in the northeastern section of Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. It is fairly remote and within walking distance of Butte Lake, which is popular for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. Several trails are located nearby. The facility is 45 minutes from the main park road.
Recreation
Outdoor enthusiasts stay at Butte Lake Stock Corral for its many recreation opportunities. The lake is popular for trout fishing, as well as non-motorized boating. Trailheads within the facility include the hike to Snag Lake, trails leading to the interior of the park, and the Cluster Lakes loop. Longer trails nearby will take you to Juniper Lake and Summit Lake. The Pacific Crest Trail can also be accessed from Butte Lake and runs through the park.
Facilities
The stock corral area has two adjacent metal corrals with water troughs and spigots. A vault toilet is located next to the facility for the use of those reserving the corral. This facility is remote and you must travel on a six-mile gravel road to access the facility.
Natural Features
The area is dominated by Ponderosa pines and surrounded by soft volcanic soils. Extending into Butte Lake is a large black lava flow, creating rocky shores and interesting views for visitors in kayaks and canoes to explore. Trails suitable for horses are easily accessed from the corral and numerous forest roads just outside the park boundary. 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 Volcanic National Park boasts over 700 species of flowering plants and 250 species of vertebrates, including birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. The park is at the junction of the Cascade Mountains, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin, thus providing many unique habitats.
Nearby Attractions
The Caribou Wilderness area is managed by the Forest Service has numerous trails that are suitable for stock use and can be accessed directly from the park via the Widow Lake trail.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Great out of the way lake!
It's a great place to camp out of the way from all the other campgrounds in Lassen Park. Just beware of the 5 mile gravel road into camp. The lake is close to the campground, quiet and peaceful. No motor boats. You must wear a life preserver if you put your boat in the water.
- (10) View All
Peaceful visit in a National Park
This was a very peaceful campground, given it was in a popular National Park. The setting is very open, with tall pines and no undergrowth, but the sites are far apart. There is no cell service, no dump site, nor any grey water dump pits. The latrines are very nice with running water and toilets. The toilet houses are the only place you can get drinking water and there are only about four locations. There is no way to hook up a hose, even with a water robber, so you have to fill jugs and carry from the sink. There is a campground host, but we had no interaction.
I was there in late July and the lake was great (cold, not numbing) for swimming. Several people launched kayaks and lots of people did the many hikes around the area. Not really a place for riding bikes.
The campground is at the end of a six-mile gravel road. Not too dusty or bumpy. Maybe that is why it wasn't so populated.
For those looking for boondock sites, the first five miles are National Forest with several side roads.
Nice and quiet with big campsites
Large campsite with fire pit and large trees. There are toilets but I didn't see any showers. If you visit after the summer season it is dry camping meaning there is no drinking water available so keep that in mind. The campground is near the lake, and cinder cone trailhead.
Location
Butte Lake Campground — Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in California
Directions
From Redding, California, drive 63 miles east on state Highway 44 to Old Station. From the intersection of Highway 44 and State Highway 89 , continue east on Highway 44 for 11 miles. Watch for sign to Butte Lake Campground. Turn right and continue for six miles on a rough gravel road. The stock corral road is located directly left of the Butte Lake self-registration entrance station. Turn left up the hill and take the immediate road to the right. Continue up the hill to the campsite and the corrals.
Address
P. O. Box 100
Mineral, CA 96063
Coordinates
40.565 N
121.3052778 W