Summit Lake South
Summit Lake South Campground (elevation 6,700 ft.) is conveniently located on the main road of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The campground is within walking distance of the small but scenic Summit Lake and eight miles from the 10,457-ft. Lassen Peak, the largest volcano in the park. Hikers will find one of the park's major trails only 1/4-mile away from the campground and many more within a close proximity. Summit Lake South is on the opposite side of the lake from Summit Lake North Campground.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 32 |
| Standard, no hookups | 13 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
45 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C01 | Loop C | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | |
| C02 | Loop C | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| C03 | Loop C | Tent only | Pull-through | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | |
| C04 | Loop C | Tent only | Pull-through | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | |
| C05 | Loop C | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| C06 | Loop C | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | |
| C07 | Loop C | Tent only | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | |
| C08 | Loop C | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| C09 | Loop C | Tent only | Pull-through | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | |
| C10 | Loop C | Standard | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 59 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This facility has vault toilets, drinking water, campfire rings, picnic tables and a more secluded tent-only loop. There are no flush toilets.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Redding, California take State Highway 44 east approximately 48 miles to the Manzanita Lake entrance of the park. The campground is 14 miles south of the entrance on the main park road.
| Nearest town | Mineral, California |
| Coordinates | 40.4903° N, 121.4236° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCy26 Elrd Underburn Drake Unit 7 & 9 Rx
19 mi from the campground
- PrescribedCy26 Elrd Understory Drake Unit 6 8 &10 Rx
19 mi from the campground
- PrescribedShf Rx
46 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Reliable RV ↗ | 42.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Camping World ↗ | 46.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
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Video
Summit Lake South Campground, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Worth a stop
- 11.2 miBrokenshire Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 13.1 miOld Station Day Use Picnic ↗Day use
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Lassen Volcanic Wilderness, which overlaps Lassen National Forest.
- inLassen Volcanic Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 79,061 acres
- inLassen National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,488,712 acres
- 7.8 miCaribou Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 20,839 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Summit Lake Ranger StationBuilding · Mineral · 0.6 mi
- Twin Lakes Fire Tool CacheBuilding · Mineral · 3.7 mi
- Warner Valley Ranger StationBuilding · Chester · 4 mi
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 and 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 volcano 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 native species including 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 campground is a hub for hiking and backpacking trails within the park. Campers can access many of the park's 150 miles of hiking trails from the Summit Lake area. The Cluster Lakes loop trail--a major trailhead into the park's interior that bypasses several alpine lakes and is popular among birders--is located a short walk away at the Summit Lake Ranger Station. This is the closest campground to the Lassen Peak Trail and within 10 miles of the hydrothermal area, Bumpass Hell. Educational programs are presented at an amphitheater within the facility.
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 Summit Lake South?
Sites at Summit Lake South are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Summit Lake South?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Summit Lake South have?
48 sites, including 32 tent-only sites and 13 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Summit Lake South?
The longest site here provides 59 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Summit Lake South?
There are no flush toilets.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Summit Lake South?
Yes, pets are allowed at Summit Lake South. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Summit Lake South?
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
What is there to do at Summit Lake South?
The campground is a hub for hiking and backpacking trails within the park. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Summit Lake South?
Mineral, California.
Source: Getting there
What if Summit Lake South is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Summit Lake North (0.3 mi), Summit Lake Stock Corral (0.4 mi), and Warner Valley Campground (3.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Summit Lake South in?
Summit Lake South is a Lassen Volcanic National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Lassen Volcanic National Park