Lassen Lodging?

So we discovered today that the NPS concessionaire requires a minimum four-day advance for campsite reservations, which means we are one day short to get a campsite for this coming Saturday night.<br>Questions in search of answers would therefore be:<br>-- What campsites are likely to have the best availability?<br>-- Might we get shut out this weekend?<br>-- Any other nearby campsites? (USFS?)<br>-- Worst-case scenario, what are the nearest (or, probably more appropriately, least-far) motels?<br>thanks in advance for any feedback!

Yo Jonathon...<br><br>When TEO and I were there it looked like there was ample free camping just outside the park, in the surrounding National Forest. Basically if you see a "Permits Required" sign with a picture of a campfire on it you can camp wherever you want (permit for a fire, not to camp, although we were told even that is very loosely enforced). <br><br>This was just outside the Manzanita Lake entrance ... there looked to be lots of NF roads just west of there on 44. The situation may be the same at the south entrance, but I cant say for sure. <br> www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=10&n=4488555&e=616907&s=50

Also, we found a few nice sites near the town of Mt Shasta, (assuming you're headed there too) along the north side of the Sacramento River west of town. Right here:
www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=10&n=4571141&e=553494&s=50
Take the road along the north side of Lake Siskiyou and look for some small roads/paths (passable in a 2wd) leading down to the river on the left just past the the National Forest sign (ignore the no camping signs as you pass the lake, that's just for the county land you pass through getting there).

So we discovered today that the NPS concessionaire requires a minimum four-day advance for campsite reservations

<br>Is the SW walk-in campground not open? You don't need reservations for it. Per the home page of Lassen's website it is open, though you should call and confirm<br>

The Lassen Chalet and facilities (restrooms, water) are now closed due to the demolition of the Chalet. Portable toilets are available. The Southwest walk-in campground remains open.

<br> www.nps.gov/lavo/

I really don't think you'd have too much trouble just crashing by your car at either the devestated area parking lot or at the lot on the south side at 8400. Just zig when they zag, and you should have no problems. There are plenty of woods to camp at as well.

And survey sez:<br>- plenty of space in the Summit South car camping campground when we pulled in there (very) late Friday night.