MINERAL, CA — Reservations will be required for all campsites at Butte Lake Campground in Lassen Volcanic National Park in 2024. All campsites are reservation-only and can be made through Recreation.gov. First-come, first-served sites will not be available.
Before visiting this beautiful and remote northeast section of the park, accessed via a six mile drive on Butte Lake Road south of Highway 44, save time and purchase a park digital pass through Recreation.gov to pay the required park entrance fee. Backcountry campers will need to obtain a backcountry permit online via Recreation.gov. Permits are only required for overnight stays and not for day hikes.
Advance planning and reservations are highly recommended because of the spotty, unreliable, or nonexistent cell service in and around the park. Cell service may be available at the Hat Creek Rim overlook located on Highway 44, three miles east of the junction of Highway 89/44 near Old Station. Park staff will not be able to help with obtaining a site. Stock corral is closed for the duration of the 2024 season due to the Dixie Fire.
Recreational Opportunities from Butte Lake
This remote campground offers few amenities, but numerous recreation opportunities. Paddle along Butte Lake’s lava rock shores or hike Cinder Cone, gain 750 feet of elevation, and gaze upon the Painted Dunes!
Trails and loops to consider when at Butte Lake
- Cinder Cone Trail. Hard•
- Summit Lake to Cluster and Twin Lakes Loop. Hard•
- Butte Lake, Snag Lake and Cinder Cone Loop. Hard•
- Prospect Peak Trail. Hard•
- Butte Lake to Snag Lake Loop. …
- Butte Lake to Widow Lake. …
- Bathtub Lake and Butte Lake Big Loop. …
- Emigrant and Snag Lake Trail Loop.
For additional information about Lassen Volcanic National Park, please visit us at www.nps.gov/lavo, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LassenNPS, Twitter at www.twitter.com/LassenNPS, and YouTube at www.youtube.com/LassenNPS.
