Recreation

Recreation is one of the premier opportunities for visitors to the Lassen National Forest. From springtime wildflower hikes to snowmobiling miles of freshly groomed trails in the winter, there is something for everyone! So go explore, camp, hike, kayak, fish, or just sit beneath the towering pines on a sunny afternoon and relax... the Lassen National Forest welcomes you!
Here are some of our favorite places on the Lassen National Forest. We hope that you enjoy them as much as we do! Please note that pets must always be restrained or on a leash while in developed recreation sites, and that pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas.
Popular Recreation Activities
Current Recreation Conditions
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
---|---|---|
Alder Creek Campground | Closed | Closed for the season. |
Almanor Beach | Closed | |
Almanor Campground | Closed | Almanor South Closed 9/22/2023. Until further notice, Almanor South will be closed for health and safety concerns. Please avoid entering, while we work to remove hazard trees throughout the campground and surrounding area. Hazard trees are trees that presents a hazard to people and property due to conditions that include deterioration or physical damage to the root system, trunk, stem or limbs, and the direction and lean of the tree. Visitor safety is very important to us. We appreciate your patience with this delayed opening as we work to mitigate these hazards. Almanor North closes 10/28/2024. Almanor North is generally open from late-May through early October. |
Almanor RV Dump Station | Closed | |
Ashpan | Closed | Closed for the season. (Restroom opens December 6, 2024.) |
Aspen Grove | Closed | . |
Battle Creek Campground | Closed | Closed for the season. |
Big Pine Campground | Closed | |
Black Rock Campground | Closed | When not under closure order: Generally, the dispersed area and trailhead is open to the public as access permits. The area is not maintained, use at your discretion. Trash service is not provided, please pack out your trash. |
Bogard Campground | Open | Generally, opens in Spring after snow melt & closes in Fall/Winter with the snow. |
Bogard Visitor Center | Closed | . |
Bridge Campground | Closed | |
Bridge Day Use Picnic Area | Closed | |
Bunchgrass Trailhead | Open | This trailhead is not maintained. Conditions may change rapidly. Be prepared for inclement weather. Road access to TH closed to wheeled vehicles December 26 - March 31. |
Butte Creek | Open | Generally, opens in Spring after snow melt & closes in Fall/Winter with the snow. |
Butte Meadows Campground | Closed | Winterizing and will close for the season 10/30/24. |
Canyon Dam Boat Launch | Open | Open year round with minimal services provided. Pack out your trash. |
Caribou Lake Trailhead | Unreachable | This trailhead is generally always open to the public. The area is not currently maintained, use at your discretion. Please pack in/pack out. |
Cave Campground | Closed | Regular season starts April 2025. North Loop Temp Closed. |
Cherry Hill Campground | Closed | |
Christie Campground | Closed | |
Christie Day Use | Open | |
Colby Meadows Winter Recreation Area | None | Open to non-winter public use |
Cold Springs | Open | This dispersed area is generally always open to the public. The area is not currently maintained, use at your discretion. |
Crater Lake | Open | |
Deer Creek Falls | Open | This dispersed area is generally always open to the public. The area is not maintained, use at your discretion. |
Deer Creek Trailhead North | Temporarily Closed | This dispersed area is generally always open to the public. The area is not maintained, use at your discretion. |
Domingo Springs Campground | Closed | |
Dusty Campground | Closed | Closed for the season starting October. |
Eagle Campground | Open | |
Echo Lake Campground | Closed | Likely closed for multiple season due to fire damage. Unsafe to occupy due to hazardous trees. |
Elam Campground | Closed | Closed for the season. |
Elam Creek Picnic Area | Open | Elam Picnic Area will close during snowfall and inclement weather. |
Eskimo Hill | Closed | Closed for the season. (Restroom opens December 6, 2024.) |
Fredonyer Parking Area Snowpark | Open | The restroom is open and being serviced and maintained. |
Gallatin Beach | Closed | |
Gallatin Marina | Open | |
Goumaz | Open | |
Gurnsey Creek Campground | Closed | Winterizing and will close for the season 10/28/24. |
Hat Creek Campground | Closed | |
Hat Creek Group Camp | Closed | Regular season starts April 2025. To make 2025 reservations go to: recreation.gov. |
Hat Creek Rim Overlook | Closed | |
Hay Meadows Trailhead | Unreachable | |
Heart Lake Recreation Trail | Closed | Logs and debris on trail |
High Bridge Campground | Closed | Likely closed for multiple season due to fire damage. Unsafe to occupy due to hazardous trees. |
Hole-in-the-Ground Campground | Closed | |
Honn Campground | Closed | |
Ishi Wilderness | Temporarily Closed | The area is not currently maintained, use at your discretion. |
Legacy Campground | Closed | Winterizing and will close for the season 11/01/24. |
Locherman Canyon | Closed | The Locherman Canyon restroom facility has been damaged by gunshots. Anyone with information regarding the person(s) responsible for the damage may call the Almanor Ranger District at 530.258.2141. Locherman Canyon is closed for the winter. |
McCarthy Point Lookout | Closed | McCarthy Point Lookout will close on October 3, 2022. |
Merrill Campground | Closed | |
Mill Creek Trailhead/Black Rock Campground | Temporarily Closed | This dispersed area is generally open to the public Spring through Fall. The area is not maintained, use at your discretion. |
Moak Trailhead | Temporarily Closed | This dispersed area is generally always open to the public. The area is not maintained, use at your discretion. |
Mud Lake Trailhead | Closed | The Mud Lake Trail Head for the Pacific Crest Trail is open for the season. |
Old Station Day Use Picnic | Closed | |
Old Station Visitor Information Center | Closed | Closed for season. Seasonal opening April 2025. |
Panoramic Point | Closed | |
Potato Patch Campground | Closed | Winterizing and will close for the season 10/28/24. |
Rocky Campground | Closed | |
Rocky Knoll Campground | Closed | |
Roxie Peconom Campground | Open | |
Silver Bowl Campground | Closed | Water is not available at this time pending pump repairs. Price reduced to $6 per night. |
Soldier Meadows Campground | Closed | |
Spatter Cones Nature Trail | Closed | |
Subway Cave | Closed | Visitor donations can be made at the Old Station visitor center. |
Swain Mountain Snowmobile Park | Open | |
Thousand Lakes Wilderness | Open | Thousand Lakes Wilderness is generally open June to October depending when roads become driveable after snow has melted in the spring and in the fall when roads are not driveable due to snow and ice. The area is not currently maintained, and when it is open it is use at your discretion. |
Warner Creek Campground | Closed | |
West Eagle Campground | Closed |