National Park Service · California
Summit Lake South
National Park Service · California, United States · in Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Sites
- 48
- Hookups
- 45 no hookups
- Season
- June 26 to September 21
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Dump station
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 6,716 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Nearest town
- MINERAL
- Address
- LASSEN VOLCANIC NP P.O.BOX 100, MINERAL, CA, 96063
- Phone
- 530 595-6121
- Activities
- Amphitheater, Camping, Comfort Station, Fishing, Hiking, Museum, Swimming
48 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
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.
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.
Facilities
This facility has vault toilets, drinking water, campfire rings, picnic tables and a more secluded tent-only loop. There are no flush toilets. For more information visit Campgrounds of Lassen Volcanic.
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.
Fees
Campsite: $22. Single campsite for a maximum of 3 tents, 6 people, and 2 vehicles (including RVs).
Campsite (water off): $15. Single campsite when water is unavailable. Limited to 3 tents, 6 people, and 2 vehicles (including RVs).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37° | 24° | 12° | 51° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 38° | 24° | 4° | 53° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 40° | 25° | 5° | 67° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 45° | 28° | 15° | 60° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 58° | 38° | 23° | 70° | 6 of 11 |
| June | 69° | 46° | 31° | 86° | 2 of 11 |
| July | 81° | 56° | 41° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 79° | 55° | 47° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 72° | 47° | 37° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 63° | 39° | 27° | 74° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 45° | 31° | 12° | 63° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 37° | 24° | 11° | 57° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Summit Lake North · National Park Service · 0 mi · 46 sites
- Summit Lake Stock Corral · National Park Service · 0 mi · 1 sites
- Warner Valley Campground · National Park Service · 4 mi · 17 sites
- Southwest Campground - Winter/Spring · National Park Service · 7 mi · 15 sites
- Lost Creek Group · National Park Service · 7 mi · 8 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.