Backcountry Camping in Lassen's Wilderness
40.4996, -121.3463 · Park boundary: National Park Service
Overnight trips are allowed in the park’s backcountry year-round. There are no designated or official campsites, and no amenities like tent pads or picnic tables. There are areas closed to camping (see regulations for details). A wilderness permit is required for all overnight stays in the park outside of established campgrounds. Permits may only be obtained prior to your visit online at recreation.gov. In winter, backcountry camping is allowed on /near the main park road when it is closed due to snow.
- Every day
- All Day
Backcountry camping is allowed year-round. Access to much of Lassen's wilderness areas is limited when the park has deep snow, approximately November to May. When the main park road is closed, backcountry camping is allowed on or near the park road.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Per-permit, nonrefundable administrative fee. This fee is automatically added to your wilderness permit reservation on recreation.gov. Only one wilderness permit is required per trip, regardless of how many nights or zones you travel.
One-time fee charged for each person on your trip (backcountry camping groups are limited to 10 people maximum). Total fee will automatically calculate based on trip information you provide when reserving your Wilderness Permit on recreation.gov. There is no per-night fee for Wilderness Permits / backcountry camping, only an administrative fee ($6/permit) and this per-person fee. Please only reserve one Wilderness Permit per trip.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
A Wilderness Permit is required to stay overnight in the backcountry. There is no limit to the number of permits available each day or for each camping zone location. Wilderness Permits may only be obtained online via recreation.gov. Wilderness permit requests are not accepted by mail, email, or in-person. Please only reserve one permit per trip. Group size is limited to 10 persons maximum. Wilderness permit fees are calculated per person, not per night. Once you complete your purchase on Recreation.gov, you will receive an email including your permit. You must have a copy of this permit, either saved digitally or printed, on your person during your trip. You do not need to check in or out with park staff before or after your trip but be prepared to present your backcountry permit to a ranger upon request.
- Drinking water
- Water · but not potable
- Amphitheater
- No
- Camp store
- No
- Cell reception
- No
- Dump station
- No
- Firewood for sale
- No
- Food storage lockers
- No
- Host on site
- No
- Ice for sale
- No
- Internet
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Showers
- None
- Toilets
- No Toilets
- Trash & recycling
- No
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
- RVs
- Not allowed
- Trailers
- Not allowed
- Access roads
- No Roads
- Classification
- Primitive Camping Areas
There are no ADA accessible trails or facilities in Lassen's backcountry. Trails are unpaved, uneven, and may have obstacles like fallen trees and debris along them. Trails may not be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs. Backcountry campsites are not established and may be uneven or have obstacles. Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) are not allowed in wilderness areas.
Lassen's backcountry/wilderness areas have primitive trails, no amenities, and no services. Trails are unpaved, uneven, and may have obstacles like fallen trees and debris along them. Backcountry campsites at Lassen are uneven and offer no services like restrooms, firepits, or picnic tables. Backcountry areas range in elevation. Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) are not allowed in wilderness areas.
Only small, liquid or gas fuel stoves are allowed in the backcountry / wilderness. Fires are not allowed in the backcountry / wilderness.
Restrooms, a camper store, cell service, and internet connectivity may be available in the park's front country. There are no services or amenities in the backcountry.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Wilderness Permits may ONLY be obtained online via recreation.gov. Permit requests will not be accepted via mail, email, or in-person. There are no designated backcountry campsites and the park has over 75,000 acres of designated wilderness. Lassen's backcountry can be accessed from many points in the park; the largest network of trails is in the eastern part of the park. Backcountry trails are typically accessed from 4 trailheads: Warner Valley, Butte Lake, Juniper Lake, and Summit Lake.
The park receives very little precipitation between July and September. In winter, the park may receive up to 40 feet of snow. Snow can linger on peaks into July and August. Lassen's backcountry ranges in elevation; climate and precipitation will change with altitude. Please check weather forecasts before your trip and be prepared for rapidly changing and highly variable weather conditions.
A wilderness permit is required. Length of stay is limited to 30 days per calendar year. Group size is limited to 10 people maximum. Some areas closed to backcountry camping, such as near developed areas, bodies of water, and hydrothermal areas. Please see our website for full list of closed areas. In winter, when the park road is closed, you may camp on or near the road. Bear-resistant containers are required April 16 through November 30. Pets are not allowed in the backcountry. Stock use is not allowed overnight in the backcountry. Vehicles may be left in parking areas overnight for the period of time specified on your wilderness permit. Bicycles are not allowed in the backcountry. Deposit human waste in catholes; pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. Pack out all trash, food, and trash. Weapons (firearms) may only be carried in accordance with a valid CA Concealed Weapons Permit. Hunting is prohibited. Bear Spray is not permitted in the park.
- Butte Lake Campground101 sites
- Juniper Lake Campground18 sites
- Lost Creek Group Campground8 sites
- Manzanita Lake Campground179 sites
- Southwest Campground - Summer/Fall35 sites
- Southwest Campground - Winter/Spring15 sites
- Summit Lake North Campground46 sites
- Summit Lake South Campground49 sites
- Warner Valley Campground17 sites
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