My family just finished with a whirlwind tour of several California national parks. This was a fantastic experience and we adored every single park we visited. That said, Lassen Volcanic National Park stood out from the rest, and since that visit, I have been recommending Lassen National Park camping to everyone.
Considering a visit to California and want to visit this park yourself? Here is everything you need to know to plan the perfect Lassen Volcanic National Park camping trip.
When to Go
First, it’s important to know that while this park is open year-round because it is at such a high elevation, this place sees tons of snow in the winter. The snow causes huge sections of the park to be closed in the winter and even well into the spring, as the large amounts of snow take a while to melt.
Because of this, we recommend visiting Lassen in the summer or early fall. This will ensure you get to see all of the park. It’ll also help ensure you have the best weather possible while you explore.
Where to Stay
While it is possible to drive an RV as you explore this park, we don’t actually recommend it. Parking lots can get really busy, and many are on the smaller side. On top of that, we found that there were some steep climbs that many rigs likely wouldn’t do so well with.
Instead, we recommend finding Lassen National Park camping spots to park your RV at before you go exploring. Not only will this make exploring easier, but it’ll also give you a chance to stay for a few days so you can see and do everything.
Manzanita Lake Campground
The first RV campground option we want to mention is the official Lassen National Park camping area: Manzanita Lake Campground. This one is run by the National Park Service and is quite nice.
It’s located right by Manzanita Lake, which is great for kayaking and fishing, and the sites are well-spaced and shaded. There are no hookups at the campsites, but potable water, pay showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, and a dump station are all available.
Mud Lake Trailhead
Hoping to boondock on your Lassen Volcanic National Park camping trip? You’re in luck! The park is surrounded by Lassen National Forest, meaning there are dispersed camping options nearby.
One of our favorite dispersed camping options near Lassen is Mud Lake Trailhead. This one is just up the road from Manzanita Lake Campground and is large enough for most RVs. No, it doesn’t include any amenities, but it is free and in a great location, so it’s a win in our book.
Hat Creek Resort and RV Park
If you need to have hookups, we recommend turning to Hat Creek Resort and RV Park. Unfortunately, this park can be a little tight, but overall it is a good home base for a few days.
The sites have full hookups and the staff is kind and helpful. There are sports courts and a game room onsite, and campers have access to the water. Other amenities include clean restrooms with showers, an onsite store, and laundry facilities.
What to Do
Once you figure out where to stay during your Lassen Volcanic National Park camping adventure, the next question is what to do. Honestly, there are so many things to see and do in this park that one could easily stay busy for a week or more.
Here are some of our favorites.
Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center
We highly recommend starting your visit at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Here, you can watch a very informative park video to orient yourself. There are also exhibits about the park, as well as a well-stocked gift shop, a water bottle refill station, and restrooms.
Sulphur Works
Sulphur Works is a quick stop but is one worth making. Check out bubbling mud up close and look out over several other geothermal features from the sidewalk. (Mind the signage about staying on the sidewalk too, because that boiling mud can and will burn you.)
Bumpass Hell
Bumpass Hell was the highlight of our trip to the park and is a must-do while visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park. To get there, you have to take a ~1.5-mile hike, mostly uphill. From there, you can see the incredible field of geothermal features from above.
For a closer look, continue walking down into Bumpass Hell and follow the boardwalk across the field, marveling at the steaming and bubbling happening all around you as you go.
Boiling Springs Lake
Another bizarre place that you really should visit if you have the time, Boiling Springs Lake is a lake of water that contains underwater steam vents. These vents cause the water temperature to sit right around 125 degrees (°F) and the steam rising off the water is otherworldly.
Manzanita Lake
Lastly, we highly recommend spending a bit of time out on Manzanita Lake. This lake is lovely, and as mentioned before, it is an ideal place for kayaking or fishing. Keep your eyes peeled for river otters, which are sometimes spotted here, but keep your distance, as otters can be aggressive.
Hopefully, this guide helps you get started as you plan your Lassen Volcanic National Park camping trip. We know you’re going to love it!
About the author: Chelsea Gonzales
Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.
You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.
Don H. ~ “You were able to fix my issue over the phone! amazing!”