Backpacking is allowed year-round, but is most popular in the summer months when snow has fully melted.
Photo: NPS photo
About
Overnight trips are allowed in the park’s backcountry year-round. There are no designated or official campsites, and no amenities like tent pads or picnic tables. There are areas closed to camping (see regulations for details). A wilderness permit is required for all overnight stays in the park outside of established campgrounds. Permits may only be obtained prior to your visit online at recreation.gov. In winter, backcountry camping is allowed on /near the main park road when it is closed due to snow.
Location
38050 Highway 36 East
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Mineral, CA 96063
Fees
Hours
Backcountry camping is allowed year-round. Access to much of Lassen's wilderness areas is limited when the park has deep snow, approximately November to May. When the main park road is closed, backcountry camping is allowed on or near the park road.
Reservations
A Wilderness Permit is required to stay overnight in the backcountry. There is no limit to the number of permits available each day or for each camping zone location. Wilderness Permits may only be obtained online via recreation.gov. Wilderness permit requests are not accepted by mail, email, or in-person. Please only reserve one permit per trip. Group size is limited to 10 persons maximum. Wilderness permit fees are calculated per person, not per night. Once you complete your purchase on Recreation.gov, you will receive an email including your permit. You must have a copy of this permit, either saved digitally or printed, on your person during your trip. You do not need to check in or out with park staff before or after your trip but be prepared to present your backcountry permit to a ranger upon request.
Make a Reservation →Directions
Wilderness Permits may ONLY be obtained online via recreation.gov. Permit requests will not be accepted via mail, email, or in-person. There are no designated backcountry campsites and the park has over 75,000 acres of designated wilderness. Lassen's backcountry can be accessed from many points in the park; the largest network of trails is in the eastern part of the park. Backcountry trails are typically accessed from 4 trailheads: Warner Valley, Butte Lake, Juniper Lake, and Summit Lake.
Weather
The park receives very little precipitation between July and September. In winter, the park may receive up to 40 feet of snow. Snow can linger on peaks into July and August. Lassen's backcountry ranges in elevation; climate and precipitation will change with altitude. Please check weather forecasts before your trip and be prepared for rapidly changing and highly variable weather conditions.
Accessibility
There are no ADA accessible trails or facilities in Lassen's backcountry. Trails are unpaved, uneven, and may have obstacles like fallen trees and debris along them. Trails may not be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. Backcountry campsites are not established and may be uneven or have obstacles. Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) are not allowed in wilderness areas.
Only small, liquid or gas fuel stoves are allowed in the backcountry / wilderness. Fires are not allowed in the backcountry / wilderness.
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RVs and trailers are not allowed in Lassen's backcountry.
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Restrooms, a camper store, cell service, and internet connectivity may be available in the park's front country. There are no services or amenities in the backcountry.
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Lassen's backcountry/wilderness areas have primitive trails, no amenities, and no services. Trails are unpaved, uneven, and may have obstacles like fallen trees and debris along them. Backcountry campsites at Lassen are uneven and offer no services like restrooms, firepits, or picnic tables. Backcountry areas range in elevation. Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) are not allowed in wilderness areas.
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No Roads
Primitive Camping Areas