Need to escape the city? Pack your bags and don’t forget the sunscreen, it’s time for an RV camping trip!

Destination: Lassen Volcanic National Park!

Set in beautiful northern California, Lassen Volcanic National Park offers clear mountain lakes, jagged peaks, thick evergreen forests, and numerous volcanoes to explore. 

If you’re ready to escape city life traffic and noise, follow along on this comprehensive guide to RV camping in Lassen Volcanic National Park!

Lassen Volcanic National Park Facts

Lassen Volcanic National Park was established in 1916 by President Theodore Roosevelt. Today, the park covers some 166 square miles of terrain and is home to an amazing diversity of life, history, and culture. 

Here are a few more Lassen Volcanic National Park facts to get you excited for your RV camping trip!

• Over 300 species of vertebrates are found in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The diversity of species is mainly found below 7,800 feet in the park. However, even in the mountain reaches, animals like Clark’s Nutcrackers and deer mice survive.

• The Lassen area was a meeting point for at least four American Indian groups: Atsugewi, Yana, Yahi, and Maidu. The thick winter snow in the area didn’t permit year-round living, but the tribes hunted mobile deer populations in Lassen for thousands of years.

• Due to Lassen National Park’s volcanic activity, it’s become a hotspot for scientists studying how planets form. The park has an Astrobiology Student Intern Program through NASA, and tons of great scientific work is done in the area.

• The tallest point in Lassen National Park can be found at Lassen Peak, which is 10,457 feet. The lowest elevation in the park is 5,275 feet at Hot Springs Creek.

• Lassen National Park is known for its beautiful flowering spring. In fact, the park has over 700 flowering plant species.

• The greater Lassen area has been, and remains, volcanically active for over three million years. The last volcano eruption in Lassen Volcanic National Park was at Lassen Peak from 1914 to 1916.

Photo Credit: Instagram User @lttmendonca

Best Lassen Volcanic National Park RV Parks and Campgrounds

If you’re looking for an escape, RV campgrounds in Lassen Volcanic National Park are secluded, beautiful spots to do just that.

Since not every campground within the park allows RVs, we’ve also included a few RV parks near Lassen Volcanic National Park on this list.

Manzanita Lake Campground

Amenities: Next to Manzanita Lake, inside Lassen National Park, lies Manzanita Lake Campground. If you’re looking for a spot to go swimming, fishing, or kayaking, this is it. Amenities include a camp store, gift shop, coin-operated showers, a coin-operated laundromat, kayak rentals, food storage, toilets, and more. Plus, pets are permitted!

Capacity: Manzanita Lake boasts 179 campsites, 20 cabins, and five large group sites. The max allowable length for RVs is 45 feet and 40 feet for trailers. Pull through sites are available, but make sure you reserve a spot in advance at recreation.gov.

More information: Manzanita Lake

Butte Lake Campground

Amenities: Butte Lake is one of the most remote, rustic Lassen Volcanic National Park RV campgrounds on this list. It has only necessities like toilets and bear-proof boxes for food storage. The nearest amenities are at Old Station or Hat Creek. The campground costs $22 a night and is in an amazing spot with almost zero light pollution, which makes for incredible stargazing. There aren’t any RV hookups, but there is a picnic table, fire grate, and parking area at each site.

Capacity: Butte Lake has 101 campsites and six group sites, the max length for RVs is 35 feet for loop A and 45 feet for loop B.

More information: Butte Lake Campground

Summit Lake North

Amenities: There are two campsites at Summit Lake, but only the northern site allows RVs. If you’re looking to hike the famous Cluster Lake Loop Trail, this is the campground. The trailhead starts at the ranger station nearby.

Summit Lake North features some of the best hiking, backpacking, fishing, swimming, and kayaking. Also, stop by to check out the ranger programs held at the amphitheater. Pets are permitted.

Capacity: Summit Lake features 94 campsites and allows RVs of up to 35 feet.

More information: Summit Lake North

Living Springs RV & Cabins Resort Campground

Amenities: Quiet and secluded Living Springs is one of the best options for RV camping near Lassen National Park. It’s a great spot for hunting and fishing, and there are clean mountain streams, a small lake, and a creek on the property. Plus, you’ll have the choice of 30 and 50 AMP full hookups and even EV/ Tesla 50A chargers. 

Capacity: Living Springs has dozens of campsites for RVs, tiny houses, cabins, cottages, and teepees if you want to try something new. Any size RV is allowed.

More information: Living Springs RV & Cabins Resort Campground

Rancheria RV Park

Amenities: Another top RV park near Lassen Volcanic National Park is Rancheria RV Park. The campground is about 20 minutes from the park entrance near the beautiful Burney Falls. Rancheria has amazing views of Lassen Peak. The park has all the amenities you could want—from 30 and 50 AMP full hookups and a restaurant to hot showers and satellite TV.

Capacity: Rancheria has dozens of RV sites with full hookups and cabins. Any size RV is allowed.

More information: Rancheria RV Park

Best Time to Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park for RV Camping

Did you know Lassen Volcanic National Park is open all year round!?

That’s right—if you’re willing to brave the weather, you can hit the slopes in the winter and come back in the summer and go for a swim in Manzanita Lake.

Every season is the best time of year to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park!

Winter

If you love winter wonderlands, you’re in luck. Lassen Volcanic National Park is covered with snow in the winter, making it a beautiful holiday getaway. From cross-country skiing and backcountry skiing/snowboarding to ranger-led snowshoe walks, there’s plenty to do in Lassen Volcanic National park in the winter.

You need to come prepared with chains for your tires and snow gear. If you have any questions about what to do or safety precautions, check out the Lassen National Park Winter Guide. And, as always, check the weather forecast and the status of park roads—safety first!

Spring

In many national parks, spring brings warm weather and the perfect opportunity for outdoor fun, but spring in Lassen Volcanic National Park usually means snowpack. It’s not until the end of spring when spring road clearing operations at the park begin. 

However, the cooler temperatures are perfect for hiking at elevations below 6,500 feet like Manzanita Lake (5,800 feet), Butte Lake (6,100 feet), and Warner Valley (5,600 feet).

Summer

Lassen National Park is beautiful in the summer. From May to September, the hundreds of wildflower species in the park bloom in unison, making for Instagram-worthy photo ops.

Check out Lassen National Park’s Summer Guide for more information. You’ll find cool tips like spots for backpacking. Backpacking options are limited in spring, fall, and winter, but summer is the perfect time to go backpacking. You can also learn about all the amazing summer ranger-led programs that are perfect for kids.

The summer has pleasant, balmy temperatures. The average summer high at 5,800 feet in Lassen Volcanic National Park is 82°F (28°C), but it will get chilly at night with average lows at 39°F  (4°C).

Fall

Fall is a quiet season in Lassen Volcanic National Park. It’s a great time to hike at lower altitudes as the deciduous trees and shrubs, including aspen, cottonwood, and alder, change color.

The cooler temperatures and lack of snowpack make fall the perfect time to attempt the Reach Higher Trail Challenge and earn a commemorative bandana. The Southwest Campground is open year-round and is a great fall landing spot, especially if the roads to Manzanita Lake close.

Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park

There are many things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park; it’s hard to keep count. From fishing and backpacking in the summer to snowboarding and ranger-led snowshoeing in the winter, it’s non-stop action!

The best outdoor activities include:

• Backpacking

• Biking

• Hiking

• Fishing

• Boating

• Stargazing & Astronomy

• Skiing

• Birdwatching

• Horseback Riding

• Swimming

Not to mention, there are some amazing spots to visit and witness the wonders of Lassen Volcanic National Park.

• Go down to Manzanita Lake for fishing and kayaking.

• Check out the Loomis Museum for park history.

• Wander at the steam vents and boiling mud of Bumpass Hell or Sulphur Works.

• Settle down at Butte Lake with beautiful views of Cinder Cone volcano.

• Head to the Warner Valley and visit the Boiling Springs Lake.

• If you’re looking for a breathtaking view, head to Juniper Lake’s Mount Harkness. It’s an old fire lookout that allows you to see for miles.

Thankfully, if you’re looking for things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park, you won’t be short of options!

Tips on Visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park 

Lassen Volcanic National Park is filled with natural beauty, but it also can be dangerous if you aren’t prepared. While you won’t have to worry about a volcano erupting, you should consider a few things when planning a trip.

• If you’re going hiking, despite the cold temperatures, the sun can be especially harmful at high altitudes. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Also, bring at least 20 ounces of water, along with a map, a first aid kit, and a flashlight. 

• Many of the most popular campgrounds within the park are seasonal and are open from June to September or October. That means there’s a lot of competition for RV spots, so reserve your spot early at recreation.gov.

• Cell service is limited in the area, so it’s the perfect opportunity to get away from those work calls!

• Stay on the trails! Visitors at Lassen have been injured by hydrothermal areas around the park in the past. Remember: this is an active volcanic zone!

• Sightings of bears and mountain lions are not uncommon in the park, but negative interactions are rare. Maintain your distance and respect wildlife. 

• Many Lassen visitors experience altitude sickness, especially when exerting themselves hiking. When at higher altitudes, be vigilant for symptoms of altitude sickness, including headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, confusion, pain behind the eyes and nausea.

Photo Credit: Instagram User @juergen_weginger

RV Rental for Lassen Volcanic National Park

Now that you know all about Lassen Volcanic National Park, it’s time to start planning your next RV adventure!

If you don’t have one already, Cruise America is the perfect spot to get an RV rental for the right price.

Plus, Cruise America RVs come fully equipped with showers, bathrooms, gas cooktops, and even a generator. Get your Cruise RV and start exploring the amazing national parks of America in style and comfort!