Lassen Volcanic National Park Wilderness Permits

Overview

Itinerary-based wilderness permit for Lassen Volcanic National Park in northeastern California. 100,000+ acres of hydrothermal areas, volcanic peaks, alpine lakes, and meadows at the southern end of the Cascades. 26 wilderness zones -- you select which zone(s) you'll camp in each night of your trip. No designated campsites and no quotas; you choose where to camp within each zone (100 ft from water and trails). Permit required year-round for all overnight backcountry camping. Primary trailheads: Summit Lake, Butte Lake, Juniper Lake, Warner Valley, and Kings Creek.

Bottom Line

This is one of the easiest national park wilderness permits to get. There are no quotas and no lottery -- permits are available on a rolling 90-day FCFS basis year-round with no daily limits on the number of permits issued. If your trip is within 90 days, you can almost certainly book it immediately. The main constraint is planning, not availability. Summit Lake is the most popular and congested trailhead; the park recommends starting elsewhere. Summer season (July--September) offers the best access since trails are generally snow-free by late June/early July. The 2021 Dixie Fire burned significant portions of the eastern park -- check current conditions and be prepared for burned-area hazards on affected trails.

Reservations

Reservations available year-round on recreation.gov, rolling 90-day window:

• Permits release 90 days before entry date at 10:00 AM ET daily
• No quotas -- no limit on permits per zone per day
• One permit covers your entire trip (no need to book separate nights)
• Reservation confirmation email serves as your permit -- no in-person pickup required
• Permits are no longer available from the park directly; online only through recreation.gov

Fees

• $6 non-refundable reservation fee per permit
• $5/person/trip recreation fee (age 15 and under free)
• Separate park entrance fee required (or valid America the Beautiful pass)
• Cancellation: $5/person recreation fee refundable if cancelled before permit issuance/printing; $6 reservation fee never refunded

Rules

• Bear canisters required April 16 -- November 30 (NPS-approved hard-sided containers; hanging food not permitted)
• No campfires -- fires are prohibited throughout the wilderness
• Camp at least 100 ft from water and trails
• No pets on trails, at lakes, or anywhere in the wilderness
• Camp at least 1/4 mile from all hydrothermal areas
• Camping prohibited within 1/2 mile of roads open to vehicular traffic, developed areas, and campgrounds
• Camping prohibited within 1/4 mile of Cliff, Crags, Crumbaugh, Little Willow, Echo Lakes, Cascade Springs, Lassen Peak, Kings Creek Falls/Meadow, Mt. Harkness summit, Painted Dunes, Cinder Cone, and the Summit Lake to Echo Lake trail
• Winter camping: when the main park road is closed and snow-covered, camping is permitted on or near the road; pick the nearest zone
• Pack out all trash and human waste (or bury waste 6 inches deep; pack out toilet paper)
• Display permit on backpack throughout trip; place parking slip on vehicle dashboard