Earth houses in Lake Almanor with a private bathroom
Large, man-made lake is a hidden gem, a water recreation paradise, and gateway to Lassen.
- Lake Almanor
Popular camping styles for Lake Almanor
Earth houses in Lake Almanor with a private bathroom guide
Overview
Spanning 52 square miles, Lake Almanor is one of the largest man-made lakes in California. A popular destination for boating, paddling, swimming, and water sports, the lake is home to several public boat launches and marinas that make lake access easy. Anglers are also drawn to the excellent fishing, while several trails offer land-based fun and the area serves as a gateway to Lassen Volcanic National Park. Lassen National Forest surrounds the lake, offering a number of developed and dispersed campgrounds, while additional options can be found around the lakeshore in the form of private campgrounds, RV parks, and campgrounds run by PG&E.
Where to go
North Shore
Chester, the largest town in the region, can be found on the north shore of Lake Almanor. Camping options include private campgrounds and RV parks, the PG&E-run Last Chance Campground and forest service Warner Creek, Domingo Springs, and High Bridge campgrounds. Lassen Volcanic National Park is less than 30 miles away, and convenient overnight options include the Warner Valley and Juniper Lake campgrounds. Or find plenty of backcountry options in Lassen National Forest’s Caribou Wilderness nearby.
East Shore
The Lake Almanor Peninsula, which nearly bisects the lake, can be found on the east shore of the lake. Several small communities and residential developments can be found along the shoreline, including Almanor, Hamilton Branch, Bailey Creek, and Foxwood. Several private campgrounds and RV resorts offer overnight options in lakeside and forested settings. Further east inland, find the Mountain Meadows Reservoir, popular with hunters and birdwatchers.
South Shore
Aside from the small community of Canyon Dam, which offers private RV resorts and a boat launch, most of the south shore is undeveloped land or part of the Lassen National Forest. Further south is the Plumas National Forest, which operates several campgrounds near the south shore. PG&E also manages several campgrounds, including Rock Point Campground and Camp Conery. Further south, find the Butt Valley Reservoir and several PG&E-run campgrounds, including the Ponderosa Flat and Cool Springs campgrounds.
West Shore
The west shore is home to the small communities of Lake Almanor West, Almanor, and Prattville, which offer a range of lodging and amenities, including a golf course. A portion of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway also winds past Lake Almanor’s west shore. Camping options include several private RV resorts, PG&E-run campgrounds, like Rocky Point, and campgrounds within Lassen National Forest, including Almanor, Soldier Meadows, and Hole-in-the-Ground campgrounds.
