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Hat Creek
FSU.S. Forest Service — FALL RIVER MILLS · California · Lassen National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Lassen National Forest |
| Location | FALL RIVER MILLS · California · Lassen National Forest · 40.66778, -121.44556 · Map |
| Sites | 12 public sites counted from the federal listing — 9 standard nonelectric; 3 group standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 12 sites Water hookups at 0 of 12 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 12 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 12 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 45 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 13 sites · 30 ft: 13 sites · 35 ft: 13 sites · 40 ft: 13 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 0:00 AM · Out 0:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 530-336-5521 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview Hat Creek is one of six campgrounds available in the Hat Creek Recreation Area, home to some of the area's best trout fishing. Scenic hiking trails and an active volcanic area can easily be accessed from the facility. Recreation Hat Creek is popular for its trophy trout fishing. The cold waters of the creek allow for a refreshing play on hot summer days. Other popular activities in the area include wildlife viewing, hunting, backpacking, hiking and caving.
A variety of day hikes are available in the area, including the Spatter Cones Nature Trail, which is located just across the highway from the campground. The 1.5-mile loop trail provides hikers with a unique opportunity to explore craters, cones and crevices, as well as other geologic features left by the Hat Creek Lava Flow.
Nearby, visitors can take a self-guided tour of Subway Cave. The trail is less than a half-mile long and explores the underground world of a lava tube. Visitors are encouraged to bring flashlights for hiking through the cave. Facilities Hat Creek offers three group campsites that can accommodate up to 50 people each. Individual sites are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Picnic tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are accessible flush and vault toilets, utility sinks and drinking water. The RV dump-station is located 1.5 miles north of the campground behind the Old Station Visitors Center. Natural Features The campground is situated next to Hat Creek in a mixed conifer forest at an elevation of about 4,390 feet. Pine needles, grasses and volcanic rocks cover the forest floor. Sites are widely spaced for privacy. Nearby Attractions The campground is located about a mile west of the town of Old Station, and 12 miles east of the northwest entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park, where active, hissing fumaroles and boiling mud pots are continually shaping the landscape.
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail can be accessed near the Spatter Cones Nature Trailhead.
Directions, from the listing
From Highways 44 and 89, go through Old Station and continue 1.5 miles west to the campground.
Nearest federal campgrounds
8 mi straight-line · MINERAL CaliforniaNPSNational Park ServiceButte Lake
10 mi straight-line · MINERAL CaliforniaNPSNational Park ServiceButte Lake Group
10 mi straight-line · MINERAL CaliforniaNPSNational Park ServiceButte Lake Stock Corral
10 mi straight-line · Mineral CaliforniaNPSNational Park ServiceManzanita Lake Camping Cabins (CA)
11 mi straight-line · Shingletown California
Trip Card — Hat Creek
FALL RIVER MILLS · California · Lassen National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | FALL RIVER MILLS · California · Lassen National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 45 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 12 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232248 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.