Manzanita Lake Campground Adventure | Camping in the Shadow of Lassen Volcanoes

Discover the natural wonders of Lassen Volcanic National Park through our camping adventure at Manzanita Lake Campground. Pristine lakes, geothermal wonders, and scenic trails await!
Camping at Manzanita Lake Campground in Lassen Volcanic National Park is a gateway to a world of natural wonder and outdoor adventure. Nestled in the shadow of the park's towering volcanic peaks, this campground provides a pristine and picturesque setting for nature enthusiasts and campers.
Situated beside the tranquil Manzanita Lake, the campground offers stunning views of Lassen Peak and the surrounding wilderness. The crystal-clear waters of the lake are ideal for kayaking, fishing, and swimming during the warmer months. The iconic Loomis Museum nearby provides valuable insights into the park's natural and geological history, enhancing the overall camping experience.
The campground itself features well-designed sites with a range of amenities, including picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms. Its pine-forested setting provides a peaceful ambiance and ample shade, making it an inviting place to relax and connect with nature.
From Manzanita Lake Campground, you're just a stone's throw away from numerous hiking trails that traverse the park's geothermal wonders, pristine lakes, and volcanic landscapes. The popular Devastated Area Interpretive Trail, Kings Creek Falls, and the Lassen Peak Trail are just a few of the many options that allow you to explore the park's unique natural features.
Camping at Manzanita Lake Campground is an opportunity to experience the beauty and geothermal wonders of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Whether you're hiking to summit Lassen Peak or simply enjoying the serenity of the lake, this campground is the perfect base for your outdoor adventures in this captivating volcanic landscape.
VIDEO FILMED: 09/10/2023
▬▬ L O C A T I O N I N F O ▬▬
⚪ MANZANITA LAKE CAMPGROUND - www.nps.gov/la...
⚪ Directions to MANZANITA LAKE CAMPGROUND - maps.app.goo.g...
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Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking, day trips, and campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

[@keith9875]

I think that you are really onto something here Glenn & Amy. Having the ability to scout out a vacation destination or campground ahead of time by watching one of your videos prior to vacation launch is a genuine useful information hack. Glenn, you do an excellent job narrating your videos and they continue to be very entertaining. Please continue. . .

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks! Our campground videos were born out of the need to see campsites when making reservations. We found the photos lacking so we set out to share our experience and what to expect. Glad they are useful! 😄👍

[@veronicah6959]

I love when you give campground reviews, and show the different sites. It helps me figure out the best places to stay when I go to certain NP, or wherever. You are by far my favorite KZbinr to watch. I live vicariously through your adventures! Thank you Glenn and Amy!

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh, thank you so much! We're so happy to help. We know what it's like trying to choose a site online. 😊

[@ChrisRoxDuhh]

Wonderful video!!! For some reason, I already know I'll be replaying it! So enjoyable!

[@MrMiyagi94]

The experience and the information make all of your videos a joy to watch. Sometimes finding a happy medium for these videos can be difficult. Your effort does not go unnoticed.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you so very much. We appreciate hearing that. 🙏

[@bamh1re318]

Great Video! My family is going there this Sept~Oct, before snow closure. Thanks!

[@CactusAtlas]

Awesome! We hope that you have a fantastic time exploring! 😊

[@anthonycruz5689]

I like the camping experience in each campsite.

[@jessicabonifacio]

Very helpful!!! I was planning to book C5 but thank goodness, I saw your video and how close it was to other sites - thank you!

[@CactusAtlas]

Glad it was helpful!! Hopefully you were able to find a better site available. 😄👍

[@Raptor-gd6sk]

Nice campground, lots of shade.. flushable toilets are always a plus.. Happy New Year both!!

[@CactusAtlas]

The shade is so very nice. Happy New Year to you and yours as well! 😄

[@shazart1111]

🥳 Happy New year Glenn and Amy...my what a lovely camp ground, my favourite part in this vlog has to go to the magnificent views of the Lake and Volcano and such friendly wildlife, beautiful 😍🥰 Thank you both and love always 💛✨💛

[@CactusAtlas]

Oh, many more views of Lassen to come soon! 😊

[@kelly60118]

Looks like I was at Manzanita the week before you! Lucky enough to get the far side of loop D where it's tents only and no generators, highly recommend. Your videos are great because you show a good mix of camp life and site selection and both are super helpful in planning future adventures. And Glenn just has such a pleasant disposition, truly a refreshing break from everything else going on out there. Thanks guys, happy new year!

[@CactusAtlas]

Aw, why thank you! Always appreciate tent only sections and we try to go for them when they are available. The trouble always crops up when there isn't a site available for multiple nights. 😅

[@gstiles7]

Happy New Year, Glenn & Amy! Wishing you health, happiness & prosperity in 2024!! Great tour of a very nice campground, regardless of type.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you so very much! We both wish you the best new year as well! 😊🎉

[@SwiftyTravels]

Very nice restrooms!!!! I’m sure the bear activity is the real deal out there!! Great choice of music Amy! Happy New Year to both of you!!😊🎉

[@CactusAtlas]

I can't take credit for this video. Glenn has been helping with editing a lot and the majority of the Monday releases has been his work. 😊 I remember him calling me the next day about those bears though. I'm convinced there is still part of my jaw on the floor. 🤣

[@SwiftyTravels]

@@CactusAtlas nice! 😀👍 you guys are such a great team! Have a great day!

[@kristenmilton4987]

"... to the almost world famous Cactus Atlas." 😂😂😂 Love your channel! And I'm also a pine tree sniffer.

[@CactusAtlas]

Yes!! Pine tree sniffers unite! 👍😂

[@safepetproducts]

Both are good. Cellular reports are good also.

[@RangelandRebel15]

Lots of shade out there but its all a bit to close together for my taste. I do enjoy yalls campground videos, yall got a great mix going!

[@CactusAtlas]

Agree. Unfortunately that's the way some campgrounds are so we try to make note when there's an ideal spot with a bit more privacy. So happy you're enjoying the campground videos though! 😄👍

[@21stCCorpsofDiscovery]

Nice to see you in California! I prefer to sleep indoors but still enjoy the campground videos for the views and the little extras you include. Who knew Lassen had such a great variety of T-shirts! If only Yosemite had similar choices. Speaking of Yosemite, they have the same strict requirements to remove all food and other scented items from your car overnight (regardless of whether it's a campground, cabin, or hotel). This goes way back; I remember a display 30 years ago showing how a bear had learned to pry open a car door from the top and get inside. California bears must be like Yogi: more intelligent than your average bear.

[@CactusAtlas]

For sure! We have a video coming out in a few weeks about camping on the CA side of Tahoe and some brazen bears searching for a picnic basket. Never seen bears that brave before.

[@tippin.turtle]

Happy New Year Glenn! Thanks as always for posting. 👍

[@CactusAtlas]

Happy new year! Thanks so much! 😊

[@nationalparksprincess3216]

Happy New Year, Atlas 🎉 I was happy to see the title of Manzanita Lake campground in the title! This is one of my favorite places to go, and the campground is pretty nice, even when it's full. Although we haven't camped there since 2015! I had to laugh when you said you found the spot, because indded you had 😅 😊 If you ever get back and want a more remote camping experience, check out the Juniper Lake campground.

[@CactusAtlas]

Awesome! Always love a recommendation! Thanks so much! 😄

[@RobinT-treehugger]

Beautiful video and nicely done all around. I miss watching your videos. We need to catch up on them. You do your videos for exactly the same reason we do ours so its cool to see similar interests and ideas. In fact, we are thinking of selling our 24' camper and either buying a Class-B van or going back to tent camping. Seeing you out with your tent makes me want to ask - Thoughts about tent camping? Would it be your first choice going forward for next 10 years? That's our current dilemma. Thanks.

[@abcsandoval]

You saved the best for last.

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you! 👍

[@sueanna_banana]

I prefer the scenic adventure format and don't care for the detailed campground episodes. Lassen Park, Lava Beds Nat'l Park and the McCloud Falls area are our most frequented camping areas as its only a days drive away for us...We've been there in late Spring or early Fall when everything is less crowded. I look forward to your take on these Parks Our 3 local coastal Mendocino County California State Parks received some damage from giant waves on Dec 28th. Nothing too bad.

[@CactusAtlas]

We know the campground videos aren't everyone's cup of tea. Some people don't really enjoy camping so we still have our Thursday releases which are the more scenic sort. Very lucky having those parks so close! We found them very enjoyable. 😊

[@ChrisRoxDuhh]

I watch it for both reasons, info and entertainment! Idk how u do it, but u suck us in. And we also have to credit Amy's editing. Such good stuff! I have a goal of camping in every national park that allows it (front country only), so these videos are awesome!

[@CactusAtlas]

Why thank you! THAT is a great goal you have. Sounds like a lot of fun! 😄

[@veronicah6959]

Glenn I know you had stated that the bears there were active. Did you happen to see any or have any encounters either in the campground, or around Lassen?

[@CactusAtlas]

Not at Lassen, but funny you ask, because Monday’s video is partially about that very thing, albeit in Lake Tahoe. All was quiet at Lassen. Only saw deer the whole time.

[@dragonflyphotography5854]

Happy New Year to you both! Follower since last year during some trip planning and a fellow Desert Rat at heart. Quick question about which camera do you use the most in your filming or rank the cameras that you use the most. How would you rank the Sony cameras you use? Sony A6000 user here, but ready to upgrade. Same on the GoPro model upgrade. Thank you for the awesome format, footage, and information you share!

[@CactusAtlas]

I’ve been pleased with my A6600 and now have a few lenses I switch between, but, I am ready to upgrade to a full frame sensor in the near future and try to up our game a bit there. I have been using a Sony ZV1 for most of what you see, on a motorized gimbal. I recently bought a new gimbal for my A6600 which I plan on using more. I have enjoyed my Sony cameras and they have not failed me yet, and I put my stuff through the wringer! For vlogging type stuff, I almost always use the ZV1 and would recommend it. I usually have the A6600 with me and switch to it when I want to do more landscapey stuff, or have low light situations, need wide angle, etc… I have been thinking about making a video about my stuff and process since folks express interest from time to time.

[@dragonflyphotography5854]

@@CactusAtlas Thanks so much for your response. Love my Sony gear but like you considering going up to full frame. I did review your gear link which is very helpful, but sure would enjoy a video as time permits. Looking at planning a trip for late Spring/early Summer and really enjoy the "extra" views in between the large parks. Thanks again for all you both do and share!

[@CactusAtlas]

We've been planning on doing a video on things like that actually. Just haven't found the time to actually sit and film it. 😅

[@Shaggydude2]

Be cautious when camping outside the national campgrounds system, AKA the BUSH, there are a lot of crazy people in the bush, also, especially in NORCAL, a lot weird shit happens out in the bush, go armed for sure, and have a powerful flashlight.

[@hooperbloop7625]

Red fir, western white pine, mountain hemlock, and lodgepole pine are the more common types of trees in Lassen NP.

[@CactusAtlas]

They're all wonderful and very welcome for the shade. Thanks for the information! 👍

[@CL-xk8iw]

FYI, several of those sites near B33, B34, B35 etc at that end of the loop are close to each other because they are designed so 3 sites can be rented together as a group site

[@CactusAtlas]

Ah. Makes sense! Thanks for the info. 👍