Hat Creek Campground Lassen National Forest California

Hat Creek Overview

Hat Creek Campground is in a scenic forested area of the Hat Creek Recreation Area within the Lassen National Forest of Northern California. It is about 1.5 miles south of the junction of Highways 44 and 89 in Old Station, CA.

It’s known for its classic riverside camping experience, excellent trout fishing, and access to unique volcanic landscapes and hiking trails. The clear, cold waters of Hat Creek also flow next to the campground.

The beautiful and well-maintained campground is generally open mid April through October. It is part of a larger recreation area (the “Hat Creek Recreation Area”) that includes multiple campgrounds along the creek.

There are 79 single-family (first-come, first-served) campsites and three (reservable) large group sites.  The spacious campsites are well-spaced and can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs.  Sites 61-74 are walk-to (about 50 to 350 feet uphill from the parking areas). Each campsite also has a gravel parking spur, table, fire ring and grill.  Group Site #1 can accommodate up to 10 vehicles and 50 people; group site #2 up to 12 vehicles and 50 people; and group site #3 can have up to 8 vehicles and 50 people. RVs (up to 40 feet) are allowed in the group sites.

Campground amenities include potable (drinking) water, vault toilets, flush toilets and trash collection. Firewood is also available to purchase from the camp host. Cell service is poor in the area.  A picnic / day use area is also nearby.

Hat Creek Campground – Area Recreation & Activities

Hat Creek and its surroundings offer a lot more than just a place to pitch a tent. It’s a great base for exploring volcanic geology, hiking, fishing — and more.  Subway Cave (lava tube) is just a short distance away (roughly a mile north), where you can explore on a short walk (bring a flashlight). Other activities include picnicking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing.  The iconic long-distance Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail also passes nearby too (accessible near Spatter Cones / Hat Creek Rim),

The campground is also about 12 miles east of the northwest entrance of Lassen Volcanic National Park. That makes it a handy base if you plan to explore volcano-shaped landscapes, fumaroles, boiling mud pots and other volcanic terrain in the park.

Other campgrounds in the area include Cave, Rocky, Bridge and Manzanita Lake campground in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Make a Reservation for Hat Creek

Amenities

• BBQ Grills
• Campground Host
• Campsite Tables
• Cell Service Poor
• Drinking Water
• Dumpsters
• Fire Pit
• Fire Rings
• Firewood Available
• Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
• Grills
• Pets OK
• Picnic Tables
• Trash Collection

Activities

• Backpacking
• Bird Watching
• Caving
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historic Sites
• Mountain Biking
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Spelunking
• Stargazing
• Wildlife Viewing