Motor Home Adventures in California with Volcano Camping

Don't worry - Lassen Volcanic National Park's volcanoes aren't going to explode and spill fiery doom all over you and your motor home. Although once a roaring caldron of magma, the volcanoes are now quiet and still. But, if you wander the park, you can still find among the pristine wilderness and pine forests some boiling pits of mud and steam hissing out of the cracks in the earth. These are just some of the attractions that make Lessen Volcanic National Park one of Northern California's greatest RV destinations.

The park is located about 50 miles west of Redding, California in the northeastern corner of the state. It is about 180 miles from Reno, Nevada. Its location puts it right in the middle of some of America's prettiest country, not far from the parks and wilderness areas of California, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

What is there to do at the park?

There are more than 150 miles of hiking trails, which means that you will never walk it all, and the wide range of different scenery makes each hiking trail a real journey. The park is close enough to the Cascades and Sierras that you can see great views of the mountain ranges from some areas of the park. There are beautiful mountain lakes, as well as hydrothermal attractions you won't find anywhere else. These include huge vents leading to the depths of the earth that discharge steam and volcanic gas; steam coming straight out of fissures in the ground; and boiling mud and water pools (they're a little too hot for a dip!). At Lassen, you can really get close to what's going on underneath the earth's surface.

And what about the eruptions?

Of course there is always a possibility of a volcanic "event", but there are a few things that should set your mind at ease. First off, although there was an eruption as recently as 1915, eruptions are few and far between at Lassen, occurring usually once every 10,000 years. Lassen is part of a volcanic corridor stretching from northern California up to Mount St. Helens, and there are occasionally small eruptions here and there. The other thing that should set your mind at ease is that there are a large number of scientists constantly keeping an eye on the park. They will definitely let you know well in advance if you shouldn't park your motor home nearby.

There are lots of places to stay around Lassen Volcanic National Park. One of the best motor home sites in the area is Lassen Pines RV Park, located in McArthur, California. Lassen Pines is located in the Fall River Valley among the tall pines and juniper trees. It is a friendly, family-oriented campground with lots of RV sites. They also offer fishing, golfing, hiking, biking and other activities. You can find them online.

If you want to add some great fishing and hunting to your volcanic hikes, try Rancheria RV Park located on Lunker Lake, 36 miles from the park. Rancheria puts you close to other northern California attractions such as Hat Creek, the Pit River Casino and Subway Cave, as well as the fishing and hunting activities around the lake. The park has tent camping, cabins and motor home sites, from very rustic to fully equipped. Check them out online.

Lassen Volcanic National Park makes a great RV destination, or a wonderful stop along the way to any of northern California's parks. It offers sightseeing and scenery that you won't find anywhere else.