Manzanita Lake Campground is one of the most popular camping destinations in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Campsites are within walking distance of Manzanita Lake. Visitors enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. Kayak, canoe, paddle board, and cataraft rentals are available.
Manzanita Lake Campground's 179 campsites can accommodate tents, RVs, and trailers. Half of the campsites may be reserved ahead of time, the other half are available for first-come, first served. Manzanita Lake also has a Group Campground. Read vehicle limitations on the reservation site carefully before making a reservation.
Reservations can be made for Loops A and C only, from late May until mid-October.
At other times when the campground is open, campsites are first-come, first-served.
Reservation Window:
reservations are available from 4 days to 6 months in advance of arrival date
Prime reservations can fill quickly during the busy summer season, but with half the spaces open for first-come, first served, many campers prefer to take their chances and usually find a site at Manzanita Lake.
To improve your chances of obtaining a reservation, be poised online, already on the Reservations.gov site (linked above) at precisely 7:00 AM. Begin filling in the form before 7:00 AM. If you have 6 or fewer in your party, leave the Occupants space blank. You may only make 2 reservations per call or online visit. For more reservations, call or link again.
Phone reservations: (877) 444-6777, or (877) 833-6777 for TDD, or (518) 885-3639 from outside the US & Canada.
Regarding First Come, First Served Campsite in Summer
Previous campers suggest arriving by 8 AM or earlier in order to get a favored campsite at Manzanita Lake Campground during peak times.
Manzanita Lake Group Campground
Manzanita Lake Group Campground has 5 sites located at the west end of Loop B for groups from 10 to 25 people. The group sites have picnic tables, campfire rings, and food storage lockers along with flush toilets, showers, and tap water. Four vehicles may be parked at each campsite. Pets are allowed. A camp host in on site.
From the July 4 weekend through Labor Day weekend the campsites are turned over as first-come, first-served family sites and are not available to groups. As a result, the group sites are most often used by school groups during the shoulder seasons (Late-May through late-June, early-September to mid-October). Reservations may be made up to 12 months in advance.
Lassen Volcanic National Park Attractions and Activities
It is no wonder that so many visitors choose Manzanita Lake Campground. The scenery is spectacular and the lake is a wonderful place to relax.
Relax along the shores of beautiful Manzanita Lake. Try fishing and non-motorized boating.
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,
August 2-3, 2019, 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.
Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center has great exhibits about the park's volcanic activity. The Visitor Center includes a nice gift shop and a cafe.
Key Manzanita Lake Campground Regulations
Campfires are only allowed in provided fire rings.
Collect only dead and down wood as firewood.
Secure all food and similar items in bear-proof lockers.
Generators may only be operated from 8 AM to 10 AM, Noon to 2 PM, and 5 PM to 7 PM.
