Southwest Campground

• Winter/Spring Camping
• Summer/Fall Camping

The Southwest Walk-in Campground is CLOSED for the 2025 season due to hazardous conditions from the Dixie Fire. It is normally open year-round.

Camping in self-contained vehicles is OPEN and permitted in the adjacent parking area year-round with a camping fee.

• No tent camping is permitted anywhere near the southwest area including the parking area or Southwest Walk-in Campground in 2025.
• Visitors interested in tent camping in this region must follow backcountry camping regulations.

 

Winter/Spring Snow Season Camping

Approximately November to May

• No tent camping is permitted anywhere near the southwest area including the parking area, Southwest Walk-in Campground, or oversnow camping area south of the lot in 2025.
• Visitors interested in tent camping must follow backcountry camping regulations.

Self-contained camping is still allowed in the SW parking area, fees apply, no tents. Fires and fire pans including portable gas fire pits are prohibited in the winter.

• Water is not available in the campground; water and restrooms are available inside the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center 24-hour vestibule.
• The winter/spring camping fee is $10 per night for each self-contained vehicle. Please self-register and pay for camping at the entrance station. The camping fee is in addition to the park entrance fee and must be paid separately.
• Overnight vehicles must park between islands to allow for snow plowing operations.
• Fires and fire pans are not permitted in the winter. Self-contained barbecues and gas stoves are allowed in the paved parking area.
• See the Southwest Area winter map below for more details.

 

Southwest Area Winter Map including overnight parking locations. Note the Oversnow Tent Camping area shown on map is not open.

 

Summer/Fall Camping

Notice: 2024 Season Closed Due to Dixie Fire
The summer walk-in campsites will remain closed in 2024 due to impacts from the 2021 Dixie Fire. There is no estimate for when the campsites will be available, however the Southwest Campground is a high-priority for post-fire rehabilitation.

Approximately June through October
Walk-in tent campsites are located on the east side of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. A short walk along a paved walkway provides easy access to each of the 21 sites. The Mill Creek Falls Trail begins from the north side of the campground, below the amphitheater.
Use caution when recreating through burned areas. Standing dead trees can fall without warning. Learn more about burned area safety.

 

Closed

Basic Information

The Southwest Walk-in Campground is located on the east side of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. A short walk along a paved walkway provides easy access to each site. When snow is on the ground (approximately Nov-May), the location of the Southwest Campground changes to an over-the-snow area south of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. Winter camping registration is located at the fee booth located south of the parking area.

TOTAL SITES: 21

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 21

Walk to/Boat to: 21

Group: 0

Horse: 0

Other: 0

Campground Features

Amenities

Cell Phone Reception

No

Internet Connectivity

Yes, Year-Round

Trash/Recycling Collection

Yes, Year-Round

Food Storage Lockers

Yes, Seasonal

Camp Store

Yes, Seasonal

Ice for Sale

No

Firewood for Sale

No

Staff On Site

No

Amphitheater

Yes, Seasonal

Laundry

No

Dump Station

No

Potable Water

Potable Water

Fire/Stove Policy

Fires and firepans are not permitted in the winter. Self-contained barbecues are allowed in the paved parking area. 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.

Toilet Types

• Flush Toilets - year round

Shower Types

• None

Operating Hours & Seasons

Closed today

• Every Day:Closed

The Southwest Walk-in Campground is closed due to Dixie Fire repairs. There is no opening date yet.

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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 late-June. Southwest Walk-in Campground is located at 6,700 feet elevation. Summer/Fall high temperatures range from 65 to 81°F and lows range from 26 to 36°F. Winter/Spring high temperatures range from 50 to 61°F and lows range from 13 to 23°F.

Fees

Campsite

Single walk-in campsite limited to a maximum of 3 tents, 6 people, and 2 vehicles (including RVs).

$16.00

Campsite (water off)

Single campsite when water is not available. Limited 3 tents, 6 people, and 2 vehicles (including RVs).

$10.00

Camping in vehicle

Camping in a self-contained vehicle in the adjacent parking area only. Please park between islands.

$16.00

Camping in vehicle (no water)

Camping in a self-contained vehicle in the adjacent parking area only when water is not available. Please park between islands.

$10.00

Contact Information & Directions

Email Address

Send this campground an email
Email address for general 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

21820 Lassen National Park Highway
Mineral, CA 96063

Directions

Campground is adjacent to the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center Parking Area, which is located one mile from the Southwest Entrance.

Directions Details

Additional Information & Regulations

Additional Information

Flush toilets and an industrial sink is located in in-campground restroom, which is available in the summer/fall season only. Flush toilets, sinks, and a water bottle filling station are available inside the 24-hour vestibule of the adjacent visitor center. Staff in the adjacent entrance station and visitor center are available to assist campers when open. The oversnow camping area is located on the south end of the parking area, near the entrance station. Do not camp in the summer campground as plow operations through snow into this area in the winter.

Cell Phone Additional Information

Cell service is extremely limited in this area.

Internet Additional Information

Free WiFi is located inside the adjacent Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.

Regulations

More about regulations

Reservations

Southwest Walk-in campsites are first-come, first-served only.

Image Gallery

A green tent, two blue chairs, and a brown bear box

Two people walk along a paved pathway toward a small brown building.

A parking area with vehicles parked on the edges and a building at the far end.

A map of the campground indicating sites of a walkway to the right of a large parking area.

A map of a parking area, campground, and visitor center indicating closures and routes for snow.

All campsites are accessed by a short walk from the parking area.
NPS Photo

A registration area and restroom are available in the summer and fall seasons.
NPS Photo

The campground is adjacent to the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area.
NPS Photo

Southwest Walk-in Campground is adjacent to the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.
NPS Map

Oversnow tent camping is located south of the parking area in the winter months, approximately November through May.
NPS Photo

Accessibility Information

ADA Information - No sites meet ADA standards. Site located nearest the restroom are also closest to the parking area and are easiest to access.

Wheelchair Access - No

RV & Trailer Information - Campsites are walk-in only. RVs and trailers may park in adjacent parking lot (between islands) with camping fee.

RV Allowed - Yes

Trailer Allowed - Yes

Classification - This campground is a developed campground.

 

Southwest Walk-in Campground Map