Butte Lake Campground

 

Closed

Basic Information

Butte Lake Campground is located in the NE corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The campground is a 45-minute drive from the Northwest Entrance and Manzanita Lake Area and is accessed via the 6-mile-long Butte Lake Road south of highway 44. This remote campground offers few amenities, but numerous recreation opportunities. Enjoy a hike up Cinder Cone or a paddle along Butte Lake's lava rock shores. Reservations are required.

TOTAL SITES: 101

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 0

Walk to/Boat to: 0

Group: 6

Horse: 1

Other: 0

Campground Features

Amenities

Cell Phone Reception

No

Internet Connectivity

No

Trash/Recycling Collection

Yes, Seasonal

Food Storage Lockers

Yes, Seasonal

Camp Store

No

Ice for Sale

No

Firewood for Sale

No

Staff On Site

Yes, Seasonal

Amphitheater

Yes, Seasonal

Laundry

No

Dump Station

No

Potable Water

Potable Water - Seasonal

Fire/Stove Policy

Fires allowed in provided fire rings only. Stoves permitted.

Toilet Types

• Vault Toilets - seasonal

Shower Types

• None

Operating Hours & Seasons

Closed today

Current Hours (Closed Fall through Late Spring)

October 15–May 26

• Every Day:Closed

Summer opening dates vary based on spring snow clearing operations on the park road.

Show Standard Hours

Standard Hours

• Every Day:Open 24 hours

Buttle Lake Campground (including group sites) is fully open through 9/2/2024. Loop B (including group sites) is open to dry camping (no drinking water or flush toilets) 9/3/2024 - 10/14/2024. Summer opening dates vary based on spring snow clearing operations on the park road.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Open For Dry-Camping Only

September 3–October 14

• Every Day:Open 24 hours

Loop B (including group sites) is open to dry-camping (no drinking water or flush toilets) 9/3/2024 - 10/14/2024. Summer opening dates vary based on spring snow clearing operations on the park road.

Closed Fall through Late Spring

October 15–May 26

• Every Day:Closed

Summer opening dates vary based on spring snow clearing operations on the park road.

Holidays

2025–2026

New Year's Day	January 1, 2026	Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.	January 19, 2026	Closed
Washington's Birthday	February 16, 2026	Closed
Memorial Day	May 26, 2025	Closed
Columbus Day	October 13, 2025	Open 24 hours
Veterans Day	November 11, 2025	Closed
Thanksgiving Day	November 27, 2025	Closed
Christmas Day	December 25, 2025	Closed
Holiday	Date	Hours

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Weather

The park receives very little precipitation between July and September. Snow can linger on peaks into July and August, although the campground is usually snow-free by June. Butte Lake Campground is located at 6,100 feet elevation. High temperatures range from 84°F to 68°F and lows range from 29°F to 39°F.

Fees

Campsite

Rate per campsite.

$22.00

Campsite (water off)

Single campsite when water is not available (early and late season).

$15.00

Group Campsite

Campsite for a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25 people and up to six licensed vehicles or one bus/RV.

$62.00

Group (water off)

Group campsite when water is unavailable (early and late season).

$35.00

Stock corral

The Butte Lake stock corral is located north of the campground via a short access road and is available by reservation only.

$37.00

Contact Information & Directions

Email Address

Send this campground an email
General email address for camping information.

Phone number (Voice)

530-595-6121
General phone line for camping information, but emails are preferred.

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 100
Mineral, CA 96063

Physical Address

Butte Lake Campground
Old Station, CA 96071

Directions

From Highway 44, turn south on Butte Lake Road. A park sign on the south side of the highway marks the turn. Continue six miles on the dirt road to the end.

Directions Details

Additional Information & Regulations

Additional Information

Boat ramp adjacent to campground.

Cell Phone Additional Information

Nearest cell service is on Highway 44.

Regulations

Leashed pets permitted. Drones prohibited in the park. Campsites cannot be saved and must be occupied upon payment. Camping fees are not refundable and stays are limited to 14 days per year. Checkout time is 12 pm. Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. Generators may be used only from 8 am to 10 am; 12 pm to 2 pm; and 5 pm to 7 pm. Do not run continually and please keep use to a minimum so other campers are not disturbed. Wash dishes at your campsite, not in restrooms or water spigots.

Do not cut, saw, or break any standing trees, dead or alive for firewood. You may gather dead wood that is down on the ground within 30 feet of the road and less than 4 inches in diameter. Chainsaw use is not permitted. Fires are allowed only in designated fire grates. Do not build rock rings or burn trash in the grate. Never leave fires or hot coals unattended and extinguish them completely before leaving.

More about regulations

Reservations

Reservations are required for all sites at Butte Lake Campground for the entire operating season. Reservations may be made a maximum of 6 months up to the time of arrival. It is best to reserve ahead of your arrival. Connection is limited to non-existent in the park. Park staff or campground hosts do not handle reservations. Between 9/3-10/14 only Loop B is open, and water is shut off for the season (no drinking water or flush toilets).

Image Gallery

A sandy boat launch area on the edge of a conifer-lined lake.

A map of a campground showing two loops.

A brown building with restrooms, a utility sink, and a water spigot out front.

The campground is a short walk from the Butte Lake boat launch.
NPS Photo

Butte Lake Campground contains two loops located near Butte Lake.
NPS Map

Three campground restrooms offer a water fountain and spigot and utility sink.
NPS Photo

Accessibility Information

ADA Information - Site A-6 is ADA.

Wheelchair Access - Site A-6 is ADA.

RV & Trailer Information - No RV/trailer specific sites.

RV Allowed - Yes

RV Max Length in Feet - 35

Trailer Allowed - Yes

Trailer Max Length in Feet - 35

Classification - This campground is a limited development campground.

 

Butte Lake Stock Corral

Butte Lake Stock Corral opens 6/28/2024 to 9/3/2024, Reservations available from Recreation.gov
Butte Lake Stock Corral is located uphill from the Butte Lake Campground. The corral area has two adjacent metal corrals with water troughs and spigots. A vault toilet is located next to the facility for the corral users. There is a limit of 8 animals, 10 people, and 6 licensed vehicles. Water is available at the facility when the Butte Lake Campground has water. Make a reservation for the Butte Lake Stock Corral or learn more about stock corrals in the park.

 

Butte Lake Group Sites

Butte Lake contains six groups sites (A-F) in the B-Loop. Reservations are required for all group campsites. Make a reservation for a Butte Lake group site or learn more about group campsites in the park.

 

Campground Map