Hat Creek Campground

California's Best Camping

Lassen peak from Hat Creek, CA
Lassen peak from Hat Creek, CA

Hat Creek Campground

Lassen National Forest


Hat Creek Campground

Hat Creek Campground is located in the Lassen National Forest north of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The campground will not win ribbons for aesthetics, but it is a popular destination for anglers who know the nearby streams are rich with trout. It also serves as a convenient overnight stopping place for travelers. Look for a trail marker indicating that the Nobles Trail, a Gold Rush era emigrant wagon route, passed through the campground along the bank of Hat Creek.

All the campsites at Hat Creek Campground are first-come, first served. There is a Group Campground at the south end of the campground which requires reservations. Supplies are available only a mile away in the town of Old Station.

The popular Pacific Crest Trail passes the campground just 0.2 mile out a trail that begins across the highway from the entrance to Hat Creek Campground. Subway Cave is 2½ miles north on the PCT. Thru hikers on the PCT sometimes stop for the night at Hat Creek. (Use the PCT button to find information about the Pacific Crest Trail at Hat Creek Campground.)

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Hat Creek Campground Basics
Hat Creek Campground Location: Hwy. 89/44, 12 miles north of Lassen Volcanic National Park
Elevation: 4,480 feet
Nearby Cities: Redding - 60 miles, 1:04
Number of Sites: 75
Camping Season: Open year-round
Max. People per Site: 8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 1 ($5 per night for 2nd vehicle)
Pets: On leash, always attended
Operated by Lassen National Forest
Hat Creek Ranger District: (530) 336-5521

Reservations at Hat Creek Campground
No Reservations Available: All standard campsites at Hat Creek Campground are first-come, first-served.
Camping Limit: 14 nights
Max. RV/Trailer Length: 30 feet
Wheelchair accessible Sites: None designated
Fees: $16
Check-in, check-out: 3:00 PM, 2:00 PM

Hat Creek Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring, tap water
Campground: restrooms with flush toilets (vault toilets in off-season)
Showers and Laundry: no showers, laundry in nearby Old Station
Dump station: in Old Station
Nearby Facilities: Basic supplies in Old Station, Old Station Visitor Center, more in Burney, 26 miles north
Attractions near Hat Creek Campground:
  • Hike the Splatter Cones Trail.
  • Fish along Hat Creek.
  • Walk a portion of the famous Pacific Crest Trail.
  • Discover the wonders of Subway Cave.
  • Spend days in Lassen Volcanic National Park.




Hat Creek Group Campground

Hat Creek Group Campground has 3 sites, each of which can accommodate up to 50 people and 10 vehicles. Both tent and RV/trailer (up to 40 feet) camping are available at the group sites. Reservations are required. Check-in and check-out times are 12:00 PM.

Picnic tables, fire rings with grills, drinking water, flush and vault toilets, and utility sinks are provided.

Reservations: Hat Creek Group Camp
Fee: $80 per night

Other Lassen Group Camps

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Pacific Crest Trail Information

Turn west on a side trail at Spatter Cones trail junction.

Trail Miles Northbound from Hat Creek Campground

  • Highway 44 - 2.1 miles
  • Subway Cave - 2.3 miles + 0.4 mile from trail (possibly last water for 29 miles)
    Cave Campground across the highway
  • small creek - 31.6 miles
  • Crystal Lake Fish Hatchery - 32 miles
  • Canada Border - 1,277.2 miles

Trail Miles Southbound from Hat Creek Campground

  • Badger Flat spring trail junction - 11.8 miles
  • Twin Lakes trail junction - 17.7 miles
  • Warner Valley Campground - 25 miles
  • Mexico Border - 1,372.8 miles

Nearest Town

Old Station - 0.3 mile west of PCT at mile 1370.9
  Post Office, mini-mart, JJ's Cafe, Hat Creek Resort & RV Park with lodging and camping

Always confirm mileages and directions with a reliable PCT source such as the Pacific Crest Trail Association's The Pacific Crest Trail: Exploring America's Wilderness Trail.


Hat Creek Campground, Lassen National Forest

Hat Creek Campground

Lassen Volcanic National Park
Attractions and Activities

Visitors to Hat Creek Campground are close enough to Lassen Volcanic National Park to take in all of its great attractions.

  • Fish along Hat Creek.
  • Drive north and make an Auto Tour of nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park, stopping at sites such as Sulfur Works, Bumpass Hell Overlook, Devastated Area, and Chaos Crags.
  • Hike 5 miles up to the summit of Lassen Peak.
  • Participate in Ranger-led Programs at the park, including nature walks, campfire programs, Starry Night ranger-led programs, astronomy programs, and snowshoe hikes.
  • Tour Loomis Museum, which features historic photos of Lassen's last eruption.
  • Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center has wonderful exhibits about the park's volcanic activity. The Center includes both a cafe and a gift shop.
  • Venture into Subway Cave, located just north of the park. The cave is less than a half-mile long and reveals the underground world of a lava tube. Don't forget your flashlight.

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Key Hat Creek Campground Regulations

  1. Off-road Vehicles may not be operated in the campground
  2. Avoid spreading pests by purchasing firewood locally.
  3. Dogs must be kept on leash and attended at all times. Dogs are not allowed on National Park trails.

    Check Lassen National Forest - Hat Creek Campground for any campground updates.