Manzanita Lake Campground is one of the most popular places to stay in Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in Mineral, California. Because it typically opens earlier than the rest of the park, it’s a great option for early-season camping. Below is everything you need to know before booking your stay, from campsite details to amenities, activities, and pricing.
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Campsite Details
Manzanita Lake Campground is seasonal, generally opening from mid-May through mid-September. Exact dates vary each year based on snow and weather conditions. During early season, it’s possible for the campground to open while much of the park remains closed, so keep that in mind when planning your stay.
The campground allows both tents and RVs, with a maximum trailer length of 40 feet. Sites have paved, fairly level pads, including several pull-throughs site, which makes it easier for larger rigs to get settled.
Hookups & Dump Station
This is a dry campground, so there are no water or electrical hookups at any site. Even though there are no hookups at individual campsites, drinking water is available throughout the campground.
There is also a dump station available. And included at the dump station is a water fill where RV campers can fill their fresh tanks.
Campsite Layout & Amenities
Most of the campsites are arranged fairly close together with little privacy. This is somewhat common in national park campgrounds. It felt packed in during our stay, which we expected, but there are a few edge sites that offer a bit more space and seclusion if that’s a priority for you.
Every campsite includes:
- A metal fire pit
- A metal bear box
- A picnic table
Because bears frequent the area, the bear boxes are important and should be used to store food, toiletries, and scented items.
Facilities & Supplies
Manzanita Lake Campground offers flush toilets and showers, along with both trash and recycling services. There’s also a small camp store with basic supplies, firewood, snacks, and souvenirs. This is nice since there aren’t many options nearby.
Internet
If you’re hoping to stay connected, Manzanita Lake Campground is not the place to rely on your phone. We had zero Verizon service within the campground, and only picked up a weak signal once we started hiking and gained elevation. There is no campground Wi-Fi, so plan to disconnect during your stay.
Trees & Animals
The campground is surrounded by beautiful forests filled with Jeffrey Pines, Ponderosa Pines, and Aspen trees. It’s also a great place for wildlife viewing. Some of the animals you might see include:
- Deer
- Squirrels
- Chipmunks
- Bears
- Woodpeckers
- Eagles
And of course, Manzanita Lake itself is home to a variety of fish.
Activities
Manzanita Lake
The lake is the centerpiece of the campground and one of the most popular spots in the park. Fishing is a major draw here (catch-and-release only), and you’ll often see anglers spread out along the shoreline. The lake also allows non-motorized boats, so kayaking and paddle boarding are common. Kayak rentals are available, and you can also swim in the lake on warm days.
Visitor Center & Junior Ranger Program
Not far from the campground is the Lassen Volcanic National Park visitor center. This is also where you can get the information for the Junior Ranger program, which includes an activity booklet and the chance for kids to earn badges.
Hiking
There are plenty of trails in the area. We walked the Manzanita Lake loop, which is easy, scenic, and perfect for kids. We also tackled the Chaos Crags Trail, which is more challenging and likely the most difficult hike our kids have done, but the views made it worth the effort. Note that none of the nearby trails allow dogs.
Exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park
Because the campground sits inside the national park, it makes a great base for exploring iconic volcanic features. We hoped to visit Sulphur Works and Bumpass Hell which is Lassen’s largest hydrothermal area known for its bubbling mud pots. Unfortunately, during our mid-June visit, most of the park remained closed due to lingering snow. We plan to return another year when more areas are accessible.
Camping Costs
As of now, the cost to stay at Manzanita Lake Campground is $26 per night, plus the $30 entrance fee for Lassen Volcanic National Park (unless you have an annual pass).
The Best Campsites
- Site B20
- This is a nice large pull-through site. It’s on the edge of the camp so the site opens up to a spacious private area.
- Site B52
- This is a large pull-through site. This site has lots of tree coverage which makes it feel more private even though it is still near neighbors. It also does back-up to one of the main campground roads.
- Sites C19 and C20
- These two sites would work well together. The are both pull-through sites which would allow both rigs to be side by side and put the doors facing the main camp area.
- Site C22
- This was a large campsite with a huge log down the side of it. The log made a great play area for the kids to explore.
Recap
Manzanita Lake Campground is a beautiful, convenient place to stay, especially for families looking to enjoy hiking, fishing, and time in nature. While the sites don’t offer much privacy and cell service is limited, the lake views and national park setting more than make up for it. We hope this overview helps you decide whether Manzanita Lake is the right fit for your next camping trip.
Here’s a summary of the items you need to know before visiting Manzanita Lake campground:
| Tents Allowed | Yes |
| Trailers Allowed | Yes |
| Max Trailer Length | 40 Feet |
| Hookups | None |
| Drinking Water | Yes |
| RV Water Fill | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Flush Toilets | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Internet | None |
| Cost | $26/night |
Campground Details:
Manzanita Lake Campground
Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mineral, CA 96063
Can reserve online at recreation.gov. Reservations open 6 months ahead at 7am PST.
