In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
Steaming fumaroles, a cone volcano above the horizon, lava tubes and a crater lake 600 metres deep: a volcano route through Northern California and southern Oregon.
The spirit of the route
If you follow the Cascades volcanoes, you drive through a landscape that has never quite settled down. In Lassen Volcanic National Park, mud pots bubble and fumaroles hiss, and you can still smell sulphur in the car park. Then Mount Shasta grows in the frame of the windscreen, snow-covered above pastures and pine forests, even in high summer. Further north-east, black tunnels open in the ground at Lava Beds National Monument, to be explored with a head torch, and the basin landscape of the Modoc plateau stretches flat to the horizon. At the end stands Crater Lake: a blue that does not look natural, framed by cliffs. The route demands planning, above all because of snow, wildfire smoke and closures; if you travel in the right season, you sleep under pines and a wide sky.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Redding to Lassen Volcanic National Park (approx. 100 km)
- The drive
- From Redding, take Hwy 44 east through pine and oak forests to the north-west entrance of the park at Manzanita Lake, then on over the Lassen Park Road (Hwy 89) up to Lassen Peak. The road climbs to about 2,600 m (8,512 ft) and is closed by snow in winter and spring; depending on snow conditions, it opens between May and June (early May in 2026) and closes again in October or November. Check the status and length restrictions for motorhomes on nps.gov. Pure driving time is about 1.5 to 2 hours to the park entrance.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Bumpass Hell: the park’s largest geothermal area; a circular trail of around 3 miles (just under 5 km) leads over boardwalks past fumaroles and hot pools. Stay on the boardwalks, as the ground is thin and boiling hot. The trail can be closed because of snow until summer.
- Lassen Peak Trail: a hike up one of the largest lava domes on Earth (3,187 m), only in good weather and with adequate equipment; snowfields in early summer.
- Manzanita Lake and Loomis Museum: the lake lies at the foot of Chaos Crags, with reflections early in the morning; the museum has exhibitions on the eruption of 1914 to 1917.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Manzanita Lake Campground (Lassen Volcanic NP, near the north-west entrance, reserve via Recreation.gov, check status and opening times on nps.gov). Summit Lake North and South Campground are in the park on the Lassen Park Road, with basic facilities; Butte Lake Campground in the north-east is reached by a gravel road, so observe vehicle lengths according to the NPS. In Redding there are private RV parks with electric hook-up and waste disposal.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Lassen Volcanic National Park, free camping is prohibited. In Lassen National Forest (for example along Hwy 44 and the forest roads east of Old Station) and on BLM land, dispersed camping is mostly allowed, with a California Campfire Permit; wildfire areas (Dixie Fire) can be restricted. Forest roads are partly unsuitable for motorhomes.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up, fill with water and shop in Redding; in the park there are only small shops. The Sundial Bridge in Redding and the Turtle Bay Exploration Park are right on the route. Wildfire season July to October: smoke and road closures are possible, so check CAL FIRE and nps.gov the day before.
2Stage 2: Lassen Volcanic National Park to Mount Shasta (approx. 160 km)
- The drive
- From Lassen, take Hwy 44 west to the junction with Hwy 89, then north through Hat Creek Valley, past Burney Falls, through pine forests and orchard country, then up to McCloud and on to Mount Shasta. The road is mostly two-lane and well built, speed 55–65 mph. Pure driving time is about 2.5 hours; with stops, a whole day.
- Highlights & must-sees
- McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park: the waterfall plunges about 129 ft (39 m) into a small lake, and a circular trail of about 1.3 miles leads down; the water level is constant because spring water emerges from the rock. An entrance fee (day use) is charged.
- Subway Cave (Lassen National Forest): a walkable lava tube, about 1/3 mile long; bring a torch; open seasonally, so check the status with the Forest Service.
- McCloud Falls: three waterfalls on the McCloud River (Upper, Middle, Lower), with short trails and swimming spots; Mount Shasta itself is visible from many roads.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park Campground (reserve via ReserveCalifornia, check length limits and opening times). Fowler’s Camp and Cattle Camp at McCloud Falls (Shasta-Trinity National Forest) are basic sites with toilets; McBride Springs Campground on the Everitt Memorial Highway is higher up and narrow for large vehicles. Lake Siskiyou Camp-Resort (private site) offers hook-ups near Mount Shasta.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Shasta-Trinity National Forest, dispersed camping is mostly allowed, with a California Campfire Permit; keep away from water and roads. On Mount Shasta (Everitt Memorial Highway), restrictions apply to overnight stays at the wilderness access; Bunny Flat Trailhead offers parking but no camping. Note wildfire areas.
- Insider tip for campers
- Mount Shasta City has supermarkets, shops with mountain sports equipment and restaurants. For climbs to the summit, a Summit Pass is needed, with an obligation to carry waste bags. The Everitt Memorial Highway is steep and winding, and combinations should avoid it.
3Stage 3: Mount Shasta to Lava Beds National Monument (approx. 150 km)
- The drive
- From Mount Shasta via Weed, take the US-97 north through plateau and pasture land, past Macdoel, then east on Hwy 161 to Tulelake and south to Lava Beds National Monument. The route is mostly straight, speed 55–65 mph; the plateau lies at about 1,200 to 1,500 m. In the park, the roads are narrow but paved. Pure driving time is about 2.5 hours.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Lava Beds National Monument: more than 800 lava caves, many with a ladder or steps; Mushpot Cave is lit and suitable for beginners. In other caves, a head torch, sturdy shoes and a helmet are needed. The visitor centre provides information on caves and bat protection (decontamination because of white-nose syndrome).
- Captain Jack’s Stronghold: the scene of the Modoc War (1872–73); a circular trail leads through natural lava fortresses with information boards.
- Petroglyph Point: rock carvings on a cliff above the former Tule Lake; on visits, stay on the paths and touch nothing.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Indian Well Campground (Lava Beds National Monument, near the visitor centre): around 43 sites with water and flush toilets, without hook-ups and showers, on a first come, first served basis; motorhomes up to about 30 ft, but not every site is that long; the B loop closes in autumn, so check opening times on nps.gov. Medicine Lake Campground (Modoc National Forest) lies higher up in the Medicine Lake Highlands. Private RV parks in Tulelake and Klamath Falls offer electricity and waste disposal.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Modoc National Forest, especially in the Medicine Lake Highlands (forest roads from Hwy 89 or from Lava Beds), and on BLM land, dispersed camping is mostly allowed; forest roads are partly stony, so check their condition beforehand. In Lava Beds National Monument itself, free camping is prohibited. Observe wildfire and fire bans.
- Insider tip for campers
- Bring a head torch, spare batteries and gloves for the caves; for some caves, registration at the visitor centre is required. Tulelake and the Tule Lake Unit of the World War II Valley of Honor National Monument are on the way; check opening times. In summer it is hot on the plateau and cold at night.
4Stage 4: Lava Beds National Monument to Klamath Falls (approx. 85 km)
- The drive
- From Lava Beds, go north via Tulelake and Hwy 39 to Klamath Falls (Oregon). The route leads through farmland and wetlands, speed 55 mph. Pure driving time is about one hour; with stops, half a day. In the winter months, many migratory birds are in the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges (Lower Klamath, Tule Lake): a driving tour through waterfowl areas, with hundreds of thousands of migratory birds in spring and autumn and bald eagles in winter; bring binoculars, and check the condition of the loop roads at the visitor centre.
- Tule Lake Unit, World War II Valley of Honor National Monument: a memorial to the camp where Japanese Americans were interned; check access and opening times beforehand.
- Link River Trail and Upper Klamath Lake in Klamath Falls: a riverside path with birdwatching; Upper Klamath Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Oregon.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Collier Memorial State Park (Oregon, on the US-97 north of Klamath Falls) with a logging museum and campground; reserve via Oregon State Parks, and check vehicle lengths and opening times. In Klamath Falls, private RV parks offer electricity and waste disposal. Alternatives in Fremont-Winema National Forest (e.g. Gerber Reservoir, Lake of the Woods).
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Fremont-Winema National Forest, dispersed camping is mostly allowed, away from water and roads; observe fire bans. In Oregon and California, a limit of 14 days usually applies on BLM land. In towns and on car parks, sleeping in the vehicle is not allowed.
- Insider tip for campers
- Shop, fill up and empty in Klamath Falls before heading into the mountains. Oregon charges no sales tax; in Oregon, self-service fuelling has been allowed in recent years, but at some filling stations staff still serve, so follow the signs.
5Stage 5: Klamath Falls to Crater Lake National Park (approx. 100 km)
- The drive
- From Klamath Falls, take the US-97 north, then Hwy 62 west to the south entrance of Crater Lake National Park, and on to Rim Village. The route climbs to around 2,150 m and is often snowy in winter; the Rim Drive (33 miles) is fully open only in summer. Pure driving time is about 1.5 hours. Chains or winter tyres in autumn; check the weather.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Crater Lake and Rim Drive: at 594 m, the lake is the deepest in the USA, formed after the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama about 7,700 years ago; several viewpoints on the Rim Drive, best in the morning.
- Cleetwood Cove Trail: the only way to the water (about 1.1 miles down, steep); in 2026 it is closed for the whole season because of construction work, so the boat trips from Cleetwood Cove are also cancelled; check the status on nps.gov.
- Phantom Ship and Pumice Castle Overlook: rock formations in the lake and viewpoints on the east side; car parks small.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Mazama Campground (Crater Lake National Park, near Mazama Village, seasonal about June to September, reservable via Recreation.gov in peak season, in autumn 2026 only first come, first served): RV sites without hook-ups, dump station and showers nearby; observe vehicle lengths according to the NPS. Lost Creek Campground is more basic and better for small vehicles, and was already closed in September 2026. Diamond Lake Campground (Umpqua National Forest) north of the park is an alternative.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Crater Lake National Park, free camping is prohibited. In Fremont-Winema and Umpqua National Forest, dispersed camping on forest roads is mostly allowed, away from water; observe fire bans. Snowfields can block access roads until July.
- Insider tip for campers
- Get fresh water, fuel and food in Klamath Falls or Chiloquin beforehand; in the park there are only a few shops. The weather changes quickly, and frost and snow are possible at night even in summer. The surcharge for visitors without US residence (since 2026) applied at the start of the year only in eleven heavily visited parks, not here; check current rules on nps.gov.
6Stage 6: Crater Lake National Park to Redding (via Medford and Interstate 5) (approx. 320 km)
- The drive
- From Crater Lake, take Hwy 62 to Medford, then the I-5 south over Siskiyou Summit (1,313 m), Ashland, Yreka, Weed and Mount Shasta, on past Lake Shasta to Redding. The interstate is well built, speed up to 65 mph for motorhomes; climbs with a crawler lane, and chains are mandatory in snow. Pure driving time is about 4.5 hours.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Lake Shasta and Shasta Dam: the largest reservoir in California; the visitor centre at the dam offers views and tours, so check opening times.
- Lake Shasta Caverns: a stalactite cave by the lake, visited only on a booked tour; boat trip included.
- Ashland, Oregon: a small town with a plaza and Lithia Park; parking for motorhomes in town is limited.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area near Redding: Oak Bottom Campground (lake side, reserve via Recreation.gov, check vehicle lengths). Further sites on Lake Shasta (Shasta-Trinity National Forest, e.g. Hirz Bay) and private RV parks in Redding.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Shasta-Trinity National Forest and on BLM land, dispersed camping is mostly allowed, with a California Campfire Permit; in Redding and on car parks, sleeping in the vehicle is not allowed. Check access restrictions due to wildfires.
- Insider tip for campers
- Empty and fill up before returning the vehicle in Redding. When crossing the border into California, you may be asked about fresh fruit and vegetables at the agricultural checkpoint (California Agricultural Inspection Station); use them up beforehand.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- Free camping is prohibited in national parks (Lassen, Crater Lake) and in Lava Beds National Monument; viewpoints, car parks and roadsides are checked at night, and fines are high. In Oregon and California, towns and municipalities are restrictive.
- Dispersed camping is mostly allowed in National Forests (Lassen, Shasta-Trinity, Modoc, Fremont-Winema) and on BLM land, for up to 14 days in one place, at already used spots and away from water. In California, a California Campfire Permit is needed for stoves and fires; in Oregon, fire levels apply. Get maps (MVUM) from the Forest Service.
- Wildlife: black bears live in all forest areas, and pumas are rare; store food bear-proof. In Lava Beds, rules to protect bats apply; do not enter caves without permission.
- Apps and sites: Recreation.gov (NPS and Forest Service), ReserveCalifornia, Oregon State Parks, iOverlander, Campendium; Caltrans QuickMap and TripCheck.com (Oregon) for road conditions. Check wildfire status on CAL FIRE and InciWeb.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Waste disposal: dump stations in Redding, Mount Shasta, Klamath Falls and at Mazama Village (Crater Lake); sanidumps.com lists locations. Empty chemical toilets only there.
- Drinking water: tap water in towns is drinkable; in the national parks there are taps at visitor centres and campgrounds, and spring water should be filtered. Carry 20-litre containers.
- Fuel: filling stations in Redding, Burney, Mount Shasta, Weed, Tulelake, Klamath Falls; in the uplands they are sparse. In Oregon, staff still serve at some filling stations; watch for signs.
- Shopping: supermarkets in Redding, Mount Shasta, Klamath Falls. Propane at filling stations and dealers; European gas cylinders need an adapter.
- Power: most national park sites have no hook-ups; generators are restricted in hours.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits in mph: on Hwy 44, 89 and US-97 mostly 55–65; in the park 25–45; with a trailer, a maximum of 55 mph in California (CVC 22406), mostly 55 mph in Oregon. Slow vehicles must use turnouts.
- Heights and lengths: Lassen Park Road and Crater Lake Rim Drive have length restrictions for motorhomes and trailers; check beforehand on nps.gov. Legal maximum height 14 ft (4.27 m).
- Fees: admission to Lassen, Lava Beds and Crater Lake is charged; the surcharge for visitors without US residence (since 2026) applied at the start of the year only in eleven heavily visited parks, not here; check current rules on nps.gov. The America the Beautiful Pass is valid on federal land, not in State Parks.
- Season: snow closes Lassen Park Road and Rim Drive in winter and spring; peak season July to September. Wildfire season July to October, smoke possible.
- Emergency: 911; mobile reception fails in the parks.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Head torch with spare batteries, gloves and sturdy shoes: for the lava caves in Lava Beds.
- Warm clothing and winter equipment: Crater Lake and Lassen lie above 2,000 m, and snow is possible until July.
- Snow chains or winter tyres in autumn and spring: passes such as Siskiyou Summit and Hwy 62 can be icy.
- Binoculars for the Klamath Basin Refuges and Crater Lake.
- Containers (20 l) and water filter: many basic sites have no drinking water.
- Respirator masks (N95) for the wildfire season: smoke can persist for several days.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
