Butte Lake

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Butte Lake Campground (elevation 6,100 feet) 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 hiking and backpacking trails are located nearby. The facility is 45 minutes from the main park road.

This facility is more remote than other campgrounds within the park. Campers must travel on a six-mile gravel road to access the facility. For more information visit Campgrounds of Lassen Volcanic.

A non-motorized boat launch is convenient for kayaks and canoes. Flush toilets and running water are turned on during summer; vault toilets are available outside of the peak season.

Need to Know

• There is no electricity/water/sewer site hook-ups at this campground.

• Campsites are limited to 3 tents, 6 people, and 2 vehicles (including RV) per site.

• Campers must have valid entrance permit/pass before camping.

• An entrance fee of $30 per vehicle is required at the entrance to Butte Lake. We highly recommend visitors purchase the park's digital 1-7 day entrance fee or the parks annual pass throught recreation.gov prior to visiting park.  

• No motorized boats permitted on the lake.
• Pets must be on a 6' leash at all times.

• Pets must not be left unattended and are not allowed on park trails.

• Please have a printed copy of your reservation with you.

Natural Features

The campground has a pleasant atmosphere dominated by Ponderosa pines. It sits on soft volcanic soils, and several ponds dot the landscape. Butte Lake has a large black lava flow running into it, creating rocky shores and interesting views for visitors in kayaks and canoes to explore.

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 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

Visitors can explore Subway Cave, an underground lava tube, in the adjacent Lassen National Forest from late April through November. Free tours are offered every weekend during summer. Subway Cave, Lassen National Forest

Recreation

Outdoor enthusiasts stay at Butte Lake Campground for its many recreation opportunities. The lake is popular for trout fishing, as well as non-motorized boating. Within the facility, hikers and backpackers will find the trailhead for the Cinder Cone Trail, one of the most popular trails in the park that ascends a nearby volcanic dome. The Painted Dunes, Snag Lake and Bathtub Lake areas are also nearby.

Contact Information

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LASSEN VOLCANIC NP PO BOX 100 MINERAL CA 96063

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 530 595-6121

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Redding, California drive 63 miles east on State Highway 44 to Old Station. From the intersection of 44 and State Highway 89, continue east on 44 for 11 miles. Watch for sign to Butte Lake Campground. Turn right and continue for six miles on a rough gravel road.

Available Campsites

• Site B21, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B26, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B53, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A31, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B16, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site B13, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A24, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B45, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B41, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A42, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B34, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B49, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B46, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A05, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A41, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B48, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A30, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B06, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B44, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A26, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B52, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A39, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B18, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B07, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A35, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B17, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A19, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A17, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A10, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B05, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A22, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A14, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A33, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B38, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
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• Site B03, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
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• Site B55, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A01, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B11, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B09, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A04, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A23, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A12, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A02, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A36, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B50, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site A32, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B12, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A29, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A08, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B15, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B39, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A07, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A34, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A15, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B02, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B10, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A20, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B08, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B37, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A13, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A18, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A37, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B35, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B54, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B14, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B43, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A38, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A25, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B51, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A03, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A11, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B47, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B01, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A21, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A16, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site A27, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site B04, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric

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