Lassen Volcanic National Park

Contact Information

Lassen Volcanic National Park
P.O. Box 100
Mineral, CA 96063-0100
Phone: 530-595-4444
E-mail: LAVO_information@nps.gov
www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm

Transportation

The best access to the park is by private automobile. Auto rental services are available in Redding, Red Bluff, Chico, Susanville, or Reno. Greyhound and Trailways bus lines serve cities within 60 miles of the park. Major airlines serve Redding, Chico, and Reno.

AMTRAK serves Redding and Chico. Airlines serve Redding, Reno, and Chico. Private planes may land at Chester, Redding, and Red Bluff. Redding and Red Bluff offer car rentals. Buses serve Mineral from Red Bluff and Susanville.

There are three access roads into other areas of the park: Butte Lake Road (six miles—gravel), Juniper Lake Road (13 miles—gravel), and the Warner Valley Road (14 miles of paved road, then three miles of gravel). The Warner Valley and Butte Lake roads are usually open June through late October. The Juniper Lake road is usually open early July to late October.

Lodging

One facility offers lodging in the park—Drakesbad Guest Ranch. Contact 530-529-1512 for information and reservations.

Camping

There are eight campgrounds in the park. Groups must camp in one of two group campgrounds (Lost Creek or Juniper Lake). Reservations for the group campgrounds are required and must be made in advance. Please contact 530-595-4444 ext. 5155 for information on group camping. A wilderness permit (free) is required for any overnight backcountry stay. Permits are issued for one trip at a time at park headquarters or contact stations. They can be requested two weeks before your trip by writing or calling the superintendent. Ask about closed areas.

All other park campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis; no reservations can be made. All campgrounds are above 5,650 feet; persons with problems aggravated by high elevation should consult their physicians.

Tips

Fires: Only self-contained stoves are permitted. No wood fires allowed.

Health: The park's high elevations may leave you short of breath. Take time to get acclimatized. Avoid exposed terrain during lightning storms. Tell a ranger your trip plans and expected return. Overnight backcountry use requires a wilderness permit.

Campgrounds

Southwest - Elevation: 6700', Location: Lassen Chalet parking area. East side, near Southwest Entrance Station. Facilities: Walk-in campsites, fireplaces, tables, piped water, comfort station w/ flush toilets, garbage collection. Lassen Chalet (open business hours in the summer) has food service and gift shop. RVs may park overnight in Chalet for a fee.

Summit Lake - Elevation: 6,695 feet, Location: 12 miles from Manzanita Lake, 17 1/2 miles from Southwest Entrance Station. Facilities: Swimming, fireplaces, tables, flush toilets (north campground) garbage collection, naturalist programs. Many trails begin in this area.

Crags - (Overflow only) Elevation: 5,700 feet, Location: 5 miles from Manzanita Lake. Facilities: Fireplaces, tables, piped water, chemical toilets, garbage collection. Will accommodate trailers to 35'.

Manzanita Lake - Elevation: 5,890', Location: Adjacent to and south of Manzanita Lake. Facilities: Fishing, swimming, fireplaces, tables, flush toilets, showers, electric razor outlets, piped water, garbage collection, trailer dumping station. Boating without motors. Will accommodate trailers to 35'. Pay telephone. Concession services, naturalist programs.

Warner Valley - Elevation: 5,650', Fee Location: 1 mile west of Warner Valley Ranger Station, via dirt road 17 miles out of Chester. Not recommended for trailers. Facilities: Stream fishing, hiking, fireplaces, tables, piped water, pit toilets, garbage collection. Nearest supplies in Chester.

Juniper Lake - Elevation: 6,792 feet, Location: On east shore of Juniper Lake Ranger Station via rough dirt road leading 13 miles north of Chester; not recommended for trailers. Facilities: Swimming in lake, boating without motors, fireplaces, tables, pit toilets, garbage collection. Boil, purify or bring your own water.