Butte Lake Group

Show on map 530 595-6121 michelle_dulisse@nps.gov

LASSEN VOLCANIC NP PO BOX 100
MINERAL, CA 96063

Overview

Butte Lake Group Campground (elevation 6,100 feet) is located in the northeastern section of Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. It is fairly remote and within walking distance of Butte Lake, which is popular for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. Several hiking and backpacking trails are located nearby. The facility is 45 minutes from the main park road.

Recreation

Outdoor enthusiasts stay at Butte Lake Campground for its many recreation opportunities. The lake is popular for trout fishing, as well as non-motorized boating. Within the facility, hikers and backpackers will find the trailhead for the Cinder Cone Trail, one of the most popular trails in the park that ascends a nearby volcanic dome. The Painted Dunes, Snag Lake and Bathtub Lake areas are also nearby.

Facilities

Butte Lake Group Campground is located at the north end of Loop B, adjacent to the main Butte Lake Campground. This facility is more remote than other campgrounds within the park and campers must travel on a six-mile gravel road to get here. For more information visit Campgrounds of Lassen Volcanic.

A non-motorized boat launch is convenient for kayaks and canoes. Flush toilets and running water are turned on during summer; vault toilets are available outside of the peak season.

Natural Features

The campground has a pleasant atmosphere dominated by Ponderosa pines. It sits on soft volcanic soils, and several ponds dot the landscape. Butte Lake has a large black lava flow running into it that creates rocky shores and interesting areas for visitors in kayaks and canoes to explore.

The national park is known for its volcanic history, as well as its diversity of plants and animals. It contains 300 active volcanic domes and many hydrothermal features, such as mud pots and steam vents. Lassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascades, and the second-most recent volcano to erupt in the lower 48 of the United States before Mount Saint Helens in 1980.

Lassen National Park boasts over 700 species of flowering plants and 250 species of vertebrates, including birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. The park is at the junction of the Cascade Mountains, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin, thus providing many unique habitats.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors can explore Subway Cave, an underground tube created by lava flow, in the adjacent Lassen National Forest from late April through November. Free tours are offered every weekend during summer. Subway Cave, Lassen National Forest

Camp site features

Across 6 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 6 sites
Picnic table: all 6 sites
Pets allowed: all 6 sites
Group sites: all 6 sites
Longest RV: 45 ft
Largest party: 25 people

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest dump station: 13.6 mi

Directions

From Redding, drive 63 miles east on state highway 44 to Old Station. From intersection of state highway 89 and 44, continue east on state highway 44 for 11 miles. Watch for sign to Butte Lake Campground. Turn right and continue for 6 miles on a rough gravel road.

Stay Limit

Check in from 1 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

20 reviews

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1 stars

Bethany G

Loop:Butte Lake Group Sites

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

ulises r

Loop:Butte Lake Group Sites

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Nice and clean, the park rangers were nice, respectful, and helpful.

Andrea A

Loop:Butte Lake Group Sites

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Long 6-mile bumpy road to get here, but you don't need a 4x4. Huge site! More than enough room for our group of 13 with kids. The campsite is pretty spread out too, so noise doesn't really travel. About half the campsite has shade. There were quite a few mosquitoes at night, so definitely bring bug spray. We also saw several deer right next to the campground every evening, which was really cool. Bathrooms are very close. They are actual bathroom stalls with sinks, NOT pit toilets. After the first night they ran out of soap, so I'd recommend bringing your own just in case. There was no check-in, but rangers drive around throughout the day if you have any questions. The site came with 3 bear lockers, 2 fire rings, and plenty of parking for about 6 cars. Rangers told us the bears in this area usually don't get into cars, so we kept our extra food and scented items locked in our vehicles and didn't have any issues (we also didn't see any bears during our stay). The nearby lake was a great bonus! The drive to Lassen National Park is a bit far, but we had cell service for most of the drive.

James B

Loop:Butte Lake Group Sites

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Reviewed 4 months ago

We loved the site! It would be amazing if there were pathways through the center area to the restrooms. Also, the road in was extremely bumpy and could use a good scraping.

Adam J

Loop:Butte Lake Group Sites

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Reviewed 4 months ago

Great trip, stayed in group spots, restrooms clean, road to get in off hwy is awful on the trailer, water fill for anything is not threaded, no cell, long drive to anything else in the park, group had a great time

Kit Shan C

Loop:Butte Lake Group Sites

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

group camp sites are decently spaced apart.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve

Popularity: Busy

Busiest in November, when about 70% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 1 years of reservations.