Southwest Walk-in Campground

California's Best Camping

Manzanita Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA
Manzanita Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA

Southwest Walk-in Campground

Lassen Volcanic National Park


Southwest Walk-in Campground

Southwest Walk-in Campground is at the southern entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the east side of the Kohm-Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. A short, paved path connects parking with campsites. The campground is for tent camping only. It is the only campground in the park open year-round. RVs may park overnight in the campground parking lot. The camping fee still applies.

Short day trips by car from Southwest Walk-in Campground take visitors to most of the main features of the park, including the trail to the summit of Mount Lassen, many of the thermal areas, and Manzanita Lake.

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Southwest Walk-in Campground Basics
Southwest Walk-in Campground Location: Highway 89 near southern entrance to Lassen NP
Elevation: 6,700 feet
Nearby Cities: 52 miles from Red Bluff
Number of Sites: 21
Camping Season: open year-round
Max. People per Site: 6 (including children), max. 3 tents
Vehicles per Site: 2
Pets: On leash, always attended
Operated by Lassen Volcanic National Park
Campground Office: (530) 595-6121

Reservations
No Reservations: All campsites at Southwest Walk-in Campground are first-come, first-served.
Wheelchair accessible Sites: None designated
Fees: $16 per night, $10 in late fall and winter
Check-in, check-out: 1:00 PM, Noon

Southwest Walk-in Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, food locker, fire ring, tap water (until mid_October, afterward water available in Visitor Center)
Campground: Restrooms with flush toilets until mid-October, afterward 24-hr. restrooms at Visitor Center
Showers and Laundry: No
Dump station: No
Campground Map: Southwest Campground Map
Nearby Facilities: Visitor Center, cafe, gift shop
Attractions near Southwest Walk-in Campground:
  • Attend one of the Visitor Center programs at amphitheater.
  • Try hiking trails to Mill Creek Falls, Brokeoff Mountain, and Ridge Lakes.
  • Drive to Sulphur Works and Little Hot Springs Valley.

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General Camping Information for Lassen Volcanic National Park

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on snow conditions.

Accessible Sites

Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate. For visitors who are temporarily disabled or do not have their permanent accessible parking placard with them, pick up a temporary placard at the entrance station or a visitor center.

    Check Lassen Volcanic National Park - Southwest Campground for any campground updates.




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Southwest Walk-in Campground, Lassen Volcanic National Park

Southwest Walk-in Campground


Lassen Volcanic National Park
Attractions and Activities

Campers at Lassen Volcanic National Park's Southwest Walk-in Campground are ready to begin exploring all the wonders of the park.

  • Start with the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center (just across the road from the campground). Tour the exhibits about the park's volcanic activity and plan your further adventures. The Visitor Center includes a cafe and a gift shop.
  • Make the exhilarating 5-mile hike to the summit of Lassen Peak.
  • Take advantage of in Ranger-led Programs, including nature walks, campfire programs, Starry Night ranger-led programs, astronomy programs, Lassen Dark Sky Festival and snowshoe hikes.
  • Drive around to Butte Lake and walk the 1.6-mile Cinder Cone Interpretive Trail or hike to the summit of Prospect Peak (3.1 miles one-way).
  • Make the Auto Tour of the park, stopping at sites such as Sulfur Works, Bumpass Hell Overlook, Devastated Area, and Chaos Crags.
  • Drop in to the Loomis Museum, which features historic photos of Lassen's last eruption.
  • Relax along the shores of beautiful Manzanita Lake. Try fishing and non-motorized boating.

Key Southwest Walk-in Campground Regulations

  1. Campfires are only allowed in provided fire rings.
  2. Collect only dead and down wood as firewood.
  3. Secure all food and similar items in bear-proof lockers.
  4. Generators are not allowed in Southwest Walk-in Campground.
  5. Quiet Hours run from 10 PM to 6 AM.

Nearby Campgrounds

Lassen Volcanic National Park Campgrounds


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