Southwest Campground
The Southwest Campground (elevation 6700FT.) is a first come first serve campground. It has 20 walk-in tent sites and 5 RV sites located in the parking lot adjacent to the campground. It is located within walking distance to the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.
More like this: first-come in California · pets allowed in California
Site mix
| Walk-in | 19 |
| RV, no hookups | 1 |
| Host/management | 16 |
Site map
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Tent sites are $16.00 and RV parking lot sites are $10.00. There is a $30.00 entrance fee for the park. Tent site are closed for the winter while snow is on the ground. |
Restrooms with running water and flush toilets are available 24/7 in the Visitor Center vestibule. Public WiFi is available around the Visitor Center. The park's dump station is located 30 miles north of Southwest Campground, at Manzanita Lake (additional fees apply).
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Walk-in tent campsites are located on the east side of the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center parking area. Camping in self-contained vehicles, RVs, or trailers is permitted in the adjacent parking lot.
| Area | Recreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 40.49° N, 121.41° W. Call the office before you drive. |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCy26 Elrd Understory Drake Unit 6 8 &10 Rx
18 mi from the campground
- PrescribedCy26 Elrd Underburn Drake Unit 7 & 9 Rx
19 mi from the campground
- PrescribedShf Rx
47 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Video
Drafty's Campground | Warren National Park | The Heart Of The Southwest | Where Do We
Natural features
The national park is known for its volcanic history, as well as its diversity of plants and animals. It contains 300 active volcanic domes, as well as many hydrothermal features, such as mud pots and steam vents. Lassen Peak is the southernmost active volcano in the Cascades, and the second most recent to erupt in the lower 48 of the United States before Mount Saint Helens. Lassen National Park boasts over 700 species of flowering plants and 250 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish. The park is at the junction of the Cascade Mountains, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin, thus providing many unique habitats.
Recreation
The park boasts more than 150 miles of hiking trails, a variety of which can be accessed from the campground, including family-friendly hikes as well as those for more experienced hikers
Nearby
- Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center
- Mill Creek Falls Trail
- Brokeoff Mountain Trail (1/2 mile south on Hwy 89)
- Sulphur Works (1 mile north on Hwy 89)
Guidebooks for Lassen Volcanic National Park
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Monitoring the American Pika in the Pacific West Region: Crater Lake National Park, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Lava Beds National Monument: Standard Operating ProceduresNational Park Service, 2013Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Southwest Campground?
No. Southwest Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: How first-come camping works
How much does it cost to camp at Southwest Campground?
Tent sites are $16.00 and RV parking lot sites are $10.00. There is a $30.00 entrance fee for the park. Tent site are closed for the winter while snow is on the ground.
What time is check-in at Southwest Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
How many sites does Southwest Campground have?
36 sites, including 19 walk-in sites and 1 RV site without hookups.
Source: Site mix
Can I bring an RV to Southwest Campground?
Southwest Campground is listed for tents only.
Are there showers or a dump station at Southwest Campground?
Restrooms with running water and flush toilets are available 24/7 in the Visitor Center vestibule.
Source: Amenities & rules
Are pets allowed at Southwest Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Southwest Campground. Leash rules apply.
Can I have a campfire at Southwest Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Which national park is Southwest Campground in?
Southwest Campground is a Lassen Volcanic National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Lassen Volcanic National Park