Southwest Walk-In Campground

Southwest Walk-in Campground in Lassen Volcanic National Park is located off the parking lot from the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center

Lassen Volcanic National Park Alerts

The Main park road and the Bumpass Hell Trail close seasonally due to the amount of snowfall the area receives each year. Make sure to click here for current park closures.
Emergency closures continue from the 2021 Dixie Fire that affected almost 70% of the park including:
- Juniper Lake Campground
- Some Areas of the Dixie Fire Burn Footprint Remain Closed to Stock Use.

You will need to walk in all of your camping supplies to your campground. The path is dirt/rock so make sure you are prepared to carry everything in.

Don't miss our full Lassen Volcanic National Park Camping Guide!

Season: Open year-round, snow camping in winter

Number of Sites: 21

Location in the park: East side of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area of Lassen Volcanic NP

Campsite cost: $16 / $10 when the water is turned off

Payments accepted:

Reservations: First-come, first-served only

Elevation: 6,700 feet

Accessible Sites: N/A

Pets Allowed: Yes, pets must be on a 6ft leash, pets are not allowed on trails

Check out all of the epic things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Southwest Walk-In Campground Reservations

Are campground Reservations Available? No, First-come, first-served only

First Come, First Served? Yes

Southwest Walk-In Campground Amenities

Flush Toilets: Flush toilets available mid-May until mid-October

(Flush toilets available year-round in the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center 24-hour vestibule)

Payphone: Emergency phone in the visitor center

Is wifi available? No, WiFi in the visitor center

Is cellular Phone Service Available?

Is camp host available on site?

Is firewood available for purchase?

Amenities at each campsite:

Firepit in the site? Yes

Picnic Table in the site? Yes

Bear Box in site/area? Yes

Potable Water? Yes, Potable water available mid-May until mid-October (Water available year-round in the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center 24-hour vestibule)

Don't Forget to Pack

Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.

We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.

Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Bring your water bottleand plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!

Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!

Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.

RV Camping at Southwest Walk-In Campground

RV Length: RVs and trailers may park overnight in the campground
parking area

Dump Station: Closest dump station at Manzanita Lake

Generators: Generators may be used only from 8 am to 10 am; 12 pm to 2 pm; and 5 pm to 7 pm.

Hookups: There are no electricity, water or sewer hookups

Southwest Walk-In Campground Regulations

The maximum number of people in a campsite: 6 people and 3 tents per camp pad

Checkout time: 12 noon

Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Maximum Stay: limited to 14 days

Southwest Walk-In Campground Map

Lassen Volcanic National Park Entrance Fee

Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (April 16 through November 30) (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - $10.00 Per private vehicle (December 1 through April 15) (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle/snowmobile - $25.00 Per motorcycle (April 16 through November 30) (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $10.00 Per motorcycle (December 1 through April 15) (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors (April 16 through November 30) 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Per-Person Entrance Pass - $10.00 (December 1 through April 15) Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

$0.00 Education/Academic Group

$25.00 for commercial sedan with 1-6 seats

$50.00 for commercial van with 7-15 seats

$60.00 for commercial mini-bus with 16-25 seats

$150.00 for commercial motor coach with 26+ seats

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Photo of a 2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass that featured a winning photograph taken by photographer Paulette Donnellon at Wuptaki National Monument of a Eastern Collard Lizard.

Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.