Camping At The Lassen National Park

Campers at California's Lassen Volcanic National Park explore one of the major landmarks of the Cascade Range, a massive chain of volcanoes that extends from northern California to southern British Columbia. Lassen Peak at the far southern end of this long rampart was, until the 1980 cataclysm of Mount Saint Helens in southern Washington, the only volcano in the contiguous U.S. to erupt during the 20th century. Beginning in 1914, the mountain began a series of violent explosions that reduced its height and spread ash over a broad area.

Developed Campgrounds

Developed camping opportunities are plentiful in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Some of the developed campgrounds are quite large. Manzanita Lake, for example, situated in the northwest of the park, harbors 179 campsites, along with showers, laundry facilities, a camp store and other amenities. Butte Lake in the northeast has 101 sites. Other campgrounds are smaller: Juniper Lake, for example, in southeastern Lassen has 18 sites.

Reservations

Roughly half of Lassen's campsites can be reserved in advance during the summer, these in four campgrounds: Butte Lake, Manzanita Lake, North Summit Lake and South Summit Lake. Reservations are required at group-camping spots like the Juniper Lake Group Site and stock campsites like the Summit Lake Stock Corral.

Backpacking

Rougher, more remote camping is available via backpacking, which is allowed along many of Lassen's backcountry routes. A wilderness permit is required for such stays. Visit a visitor center, log onto the park website or call the park in advance to find out which parts of the park are off-limits to backpacking. In addition to within developed campgrounds, these include certain features and trails, as well as anywhere within a quarter-mile of a hydrothermal feature or within a half-mile of park infrastructure, roads and other developed sections.

Regulations

Check in at a park visitor center for up-to-date camping regulations. Fire restrictions may limit the use of campfires at certain times of year. Backcountry fires are not permitted; backpackers should cook with campstoves. Backpackers should stick to trails open for backcountry camping, pack out all trash and leave their pets at home.

Considerations

Stay aware of the weather. Winters see heavy snows, but the white stuff could fall at any time of year at higher elevations. Hiking and camping conditions are often very pleasant in the autumn, but thunderstorms and early snowfalls are possibilities. Black bears are not uncommon in the park, though they are unlikely to be seen. Keep a clean camp and follow all food-storage regulations; Lassen's developed campgrounds include bear-proof boxes. Pumas also inhabit the park, although, as with bears, campers rarely see them.