Skip to main content
Formerly known as Sanidumps.
RVingLife.com

RV Parks In Hat Creek, California

40.8317° N, 121.5433° W

Quick Overview

Hat Creek is a small mountain community in the volcanic high country of far northeastern California, strung along the creek of the same name between Lassen Volcanic National Park and the high desert. For RVers it is a quiet, scenic base for fishing, lava-country exploring, and national park access, with camping that runs from one full-hookup resort to a cluster of creekside national forest campgrounds. The full-hookup option is Hat Creek Resort & RV Park in nearby Old Station, with full-hookup RV sites including water, electric, and sewer, plus showers, laundry, and a small grocery, right on Hat Creek. That little store and the hookups make it a comfortable anchor in an area where services are otherwise thin.

The public camping is the heart of the area. The Lassen National Forest runs several campgrounds along Hat Creek: Hat Creek Campground sits on the creek with flush and vault toilets and drinking water, opening late April; Cave Campground is near the Subway Cave lava tube with drinking water and vault toilets; and Bridge Campground is a creekside favorite with anglers in the Hat Creek Recreation Area. None of the forest campgrounds have hookups, so they suit self-contained RVers who want to dry camp by the water. Together with the resort, you get a clear public-plus-private mix: one full-hookup base plus a string of rustic creekside forest sites.

What brings people to Hat Creek is the volcanic landscape and the fishing. Hat Creek itself is a renowned wild trout fishery, drawing fly anglers from across the West. Lassen Volcanic National Park, with its hydrothermal features and peaks, is a short drive south, the Subway Cave lava tube is right there to explore, and the Pacific Crest Trail passes through. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, with its spectacular waterfall, is a nearby day trip. This is high country, so the season is short: the forest campgrounds open late April and wind down by late October, summer is the prime window, and winter brings snow and closures.

4.6 ★Avg Rating
3,132Reviews

Top Rated Dump Stations in Hat Creek

No rated stations yet. Be the first to leave a review!

Traveling to Hat Creek by RV

Hat Creek sits at the junction of mountain highways in far northeastern California, reached on CA-89, CA-44, and CA-299. These are real mountain highways with grades and curves as they wind through the volcanic high country, so take them at a measured pace with a big rig and use lower gears on the descents. The area is a small, spread-out community, so the campgrounds are strung along the creek rather than clustered in a town. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park in Old Station is the easiest full-hookup target, and the national forest campgrounds are short drives along CA-89 in the Hat Creek Recreation Area.

Services are limited up here, which is the main thing to plan for. The small grocery at Hat Creek Resort & RV Park covers basics, but for fuel, propane, full groceries, and any RV supply, stock up before you arrive, in Redding to the west on CA-299 or another larger town, since the mountain communities have little. At elevation the season is short and nights are cold even in summer, so pack layers, and confirm the forest campgrounds are open, since they generally run late April through late October. Snow closes roads and campgrounds in winter, so this is a warm-season destination.

Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials

Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Hat Creek, California, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.

Check your RV insurance coverage

A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.

Know your roadside assistance options

RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.

Decide about an extended warranty early

Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.

Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees

A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.

RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.

Dump Station Costs in Hat Creek

Hat Creek is an affordable mountain destination, mostly because the camping leans public. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park, the one full-hookup option in Old Station, prices in the moderate range for a rural full-hookup site, with the on-site store and laundry adding convenience worth the rate in an area this remote. The real value is the Lassen National Forest campgrounds along the creek: Hat Creek Campground runs about 16 dollars a night plus a small extra-vehicle fee, and Cave and Bridge campgrounds charge similar modest federal rates, with federal Senior or Access passes cutting those further. None have hookups, so you trade amenities for a creekside setting and a low price. The short season, roughly late April through late October, concentrates demand into summer, when sites fill on weekends. Since services are scarce up here, stock up on fuel and groceries in a larger town like Redding first, both to save money and because options are limited.

Free: 4 stations (80%)
Paid: 1 station (20%)

Contact station for pricing details.

Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.

What RVers Are Saying About Hat Creek

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!

Best Time to Visit Hat Creek by RV

❄️

Winter

Nov - Feb

24F - 44F

Crowds: Medium

Cold and snowy with road and campground closures; this is a warm-season destination, largely shut down in winter.

🌸

Spring

Mar - May

32F - 60F

Crowds: Medium

Cool and variable as parks gear up; the forest campgrounds open late April once snow clears, so early spring is quiet.

☀️

Summer

Jun - Aug

45F - 85F

Crowds: Medium

The prime season with warm days and cold nights; trout fishing, Lassen Park, and lava country are all in full swing.

🍂

Fall

Sep - Oct

35F - 68F

Crowds: Medium

Crisp and quiet with early color and cold nights; the season winds down and forest campgrounds close by late October.

Explore the Hat Creek Area

If you want full hookups and a small store on hand, Hat Creek Resort & RV Park in Old Station is the one full-hookup base in the area and a comfortable anchor given how thin services are up here. For creekside camping among the anglers, the Lassen National Forest campgrounds, Hat Creek, Cave, and Bridge, put you right on the water, but go in self-contained since none have hookups. Bridge Campground is especially popular with fly fishers working the wild trout water.

Hat Creek is a renowned wild trout fishery, so bring the fly rod and check current regulations for the catch-and-release sections. Don't miss the Subway Cave lava tube near Cave Campground, an easy and unique walk through volcanic rock, and day-trip south to Lassen Volcanic National Park and over to McArthur-Burney Falls. Stock up on fuel, propane, and groceries in Redding or another larger town before heading up, since mountain services are minimal, and confirm the forest campgrounds are open, as they run roughly late April through late October.

National Parks Nearby

Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Hat Creek

What are the RV camping options in Hat Creek, California?

Camping here runs from one full-hookup resort to a cluster of national forest campgrounds. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park in nearby Old Station has full-hookup RV sites with water, electric, and sewer, plus showers, laundry, and a small grocery, right on Hat Creek. The Lassen National Forest runs several creekside campgrounds: Hat Creek Campground on the creek with flush and vault toilets and drinking water, Cave Campground near the Subway Cave lava tube, and Bridge Campground popular with anglers in the Hat Creek Recreation Area. The forest sites have no hookups, so they suit self-contained RVers wanting to dry camp by the water.

Is there a full-hookup RV park in Hat Creek?

Yes, one. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park in Old Station is the full-hookup option, with water, electric, and sewer sites plus showers, laundry, and a small on-site grocery, all right on Hat Creek. That small store and the hookups make it a comfortable anchor in an area where services are otherwise very thin. It is the practical base if you want amenities and a sewer connection rather than dry camping. The other camping in the area is in the Lassen National Forest along the creek, which is creekside and scenic but has no hookups, so for full hookups, the resort is your choice.

Can I fish for trout in Hat Creek?

Absolutely, it is one of the main reasons RVers come. Hat Creek is a renowned wild trout fishery that draws fly anglers from across the West, with celebrated catch-and-release water in the Hat Creek Recreation Area. Bridge Campground in particular is popular with fly fishers working the creek. Bring your rod and check the current California fishing regulations, since sections have special wild-trout rules, gear restrictions, and catch-and-release requirements. The combination of quality trout water and creekside campgrounds makes Hat Creek a destination for anglers specifically, not just a stop, so plan your camping around access to the stretches you want to fish.

How close is Hat Creek to Lassen Volcanic National Park?

Quite close. Lassen Volcanic National Park is a short drive south of Hat Creek on CA-89, making the area a good base for exploring the park hydrothermal features, peaks, lakes, and trails. The volcanic landscape around Hat Creek, including the Subway Cave lava tube right in the area, is part of the same geology that makes Lassen special. Many RVers base at Hat Creek Resort or one of the forest campgrounds and day-trip into the park. Note that the main park road through Lassen is itself seasonal and snow-closed much of the year, so confirm it is open if Lassen is the centerpiece of your trip.

When are the Hat Creek campgrounds open?

The Lassen National Forest campgrounds along Hat Creek are seasonal, generally running from late April, once the snow clears, through late October. Hat Creek Campground, for example, opens late April. This is high country, so the season is short and tied to the snowpack, and the forest sites close for winter. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park may have a longer season, but confirm directly, as winter brings snow and closures throughout the area. Summer is the prime window, with warm days and cold nights, and early fall is lovely before things wind down. Plan a warm-season visit and verify dates before you go.

What is the Subway Cave near Hat Creek?

The Subway Cave is a lava tube near Cave Campground in the Hat Creek area, an easy and unique walk through a tunnel formed by flowing lava that later cooled and drained. It is a popular, family-friendly attraction that takes you underground through the volcanic rock, and it stays cool year-round, a nice break on a hot summer day. Bring a flashlight or headlamp and a jacket, since it is dark and chilly inside. The cave is right in the heart of the Hat Creek volcanic landscape, making it an easy addition to a camping trip, especially if you are staying at the nearby Cave Campground.

Are Hat Creek campgrounds good for big rigs?

It depends on the option. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park in Old Station, with full hookups, is the more big-rig-friendly choice, set up for RVs with sewer and amenities. The Lassen National Forest campgrounds, Hat Creek, Cave, and Bridge, are more rustic, developed but smaller, and better suited to mid-size and smaller self-contained rigs, with no hookups and tighter creekside sites, so check length limits before booking a big rig. Getting there involves mountain highways, CA-89, CA-44, and CA-299, with grades and curves, so take them slowly. For a large rig wanting hookups, the resort is the practical pick; the forest sites favor smaller setups.

What is there to do near Hat Creek for RVers?

The volcanic landscape and the water dominate. Hat Creek is a renowned wild trout fishery for fly anglers, the Subway Cave lava tube is a fun walk through volcanic rock, and Lassen Volcanic National Park to the south offers hydrothermal features, peaks, and trails. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through the area for hikers. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, with its spectacular spring-fed waterfall, is a popular nearby day trip. The high-desert and forest scenery, dark night skies, and quiet make it a peaceful base. It is a destination for anglers, hikers, and national park visitors rather than a place with developed in-town attractions.

Do I need reservations for Hat Creek camping?

For summer weekends, it is wise. The season is short, roughly late April through late October, which concentrates demand into the warm months, and the popular creekside forest campgrounds like Bridge and Cave fill on summer weekends, especially with anglers. Many of the Lassen National Forest sites are reservable through recreation.gov, while some operate first-come. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park, the full-hookup option, also fills in peak season, so book ahead if you want hookups. Midweek and shoulder-season stays are easier to walk into. For any summer weekend or holiday, reserve in advance to be sure of a creekside spot.

Where do I get fuel and groceries near Hat Creek?

Services are limited up here, which is the main thing to plan for. The small grocery at Hat Creek Resort & RV Park covers basics like snacks and last-minute items, but for fuel, propane, a full grocery run, and any RV supply, stock up before you arrive. Redding, to the west on CA-299, is the nearest larger town with full services, or load up in whatever sizable town you pass on the way in. The mountain communities around Hat Creek have very little, so we treat resupply as something to handle before heading up, and rely on the resort store only for small needs once we are there.

Is Hat Creek a good base for McArthur-Burney Falls?

Yes. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, home to a spectacular 129-foot spring-fed waterfall that flows year-round, is a popular day trip from the Hat Creek area, a short drive north and east. Many RVers camping at Hat Creek Resort or the Lassen National Forest campgrounds make the trip to see the falls, which Theodore Roosevelt reportedly called the eighth wonder of the world. The park also has its own camping if you prefer to stay there, but Hat Creek works well as a central base for the falls, Lassen Volcanic National Park, the trout fishing, and the lava-country attractions all in one trip.

How is the weather in Hat Creek for RVing?

Hat Creek is high country, so the weather is seasonal and the nights are cold even in summer. Summer, the prime season, brings warm days around 85 and cold nights in the 40s, ideal for fishing and exploring but requiring layers. Spring is cool and variable as the snow clears and the campgrounds open in late April. Fall is crisp and quiet with early color and cold nights before things wind down by late October. Winter is cold and snowy with road and campground closures, so this is firmly a warm-season destination. Pack for big day-to-night temperature swings any time you visit.

What are the RV camping options in Hat Creek, California?

Camping here runs from one full-hookup resort to a cluster of national forest campgrounds. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park in nearby Old Station has full-hookup RV sites with water, electric, and sewer, plus showers, laundry, and a small grocery, right on Hat Creek. The Lassen National Forest runs several creekside campgrounds: Hat Creek Campground on the creek with flush and vault toilets and drinking water, Cave Campground near the Subway Cave lava tube, and Bridge Campground popular with anglers in the Hat Creek Recreation Area. The forest sites have no hookups, so they suit self-contained RVers wanting to dry camp by the water.

Is there a full-hookup RV park in Hat Creek?

Yes, one. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park in Old Station is the full-hookup option, with water, electric, and sewer sites plus showers, laundry, and a small on-site grocery, all right on Hat Creek. That small store and the hookups make it a comfortable anchor in an area where services are otherwise very thin. It is the practical base if you want amenities and a sewer connection rather than dry camping. The other camping in the area is in the Lassen National Forest along the creek, which is creekside and scenic but has no hookups, so for full hookups, the resort is your choice.

Can I fish for trout in Hat Creek?

Absolutely, it is one of the main reasons RVers come. Hat Creek is a renowned wild trout fishery that draws fly anglers from across the West, with celebrated catch-and-release water in the Hat Creek Recreation Area. Bridge Campground in particular is popular with fly fishers working the creek. Bring your rod and check the current California fishing regulations, since sections have special wild-trout rules, gear restrictions, and catch-and-release requirements. The combination of quality trout water and creekside campgrounds makes Hat Creek a destination for anglers specifically, not just a stop, so plan your camping around access to the stretches you want to fish.

How close is Hat Creek to Lassen Volcanic National Park?

Quite close. Lassen Volcanic National Park is a short drive south of Hat Creek on CA-89, making the area a good base for exploring the park hydrothermal features, peaks, lakes, and trails. The volcanic landscape around Hat Creek, including the Subway Cave lava tube right in the area, is part of the same geology that makes Lassen special. Many RVers base at Hat Creek Resort or one of the forest campgrounds and day-trip into the park. Note that the main park road through Lassen is itself seasonal and snow-closed much of the year, so confirm it is open if Lassen is the centerpiece of your trip.

When are the Hat Creek campgrounds open?

The Lassen National Forest campgrounds along Hat Creek are seasonal, generally running from late April, once the snow clears, through late October. Hat Creek Campground, for example, opens late April. This is high country, so the season is short and tied to the snowpack, and the forest sites close for winter. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park may have a longer season, but confirm directly, as winter brings snow and closures throughout the area. Summer is the prime window, with warm days and cold nights, and early fall is lovely before things wind down. Plan a warm-season visit and verify dates before you go.

What is the Subway Cave near Hat Creek?

The Subway Cave is a lava tube near Cave Campground in the Hat Creek area, an easy and unique walk through a tunnel formed by flowing lava that later cooled and drained. It is a popular, family-friendly attraction that takes you underground through the volcanic rock, and it stays cool year-round, a nice break on a hot summer day. Bring a flashlight or headlamp and a jacket, since it is dark and chilly inside. The cave is right in the heart of the Hat Creek volcanic landscape, making it an easy addition to a camping trip, especially if you are staying at the nearby Cave Campground.

Are Hat Creek campgrounds good for big rigs?

It depends on the option. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park in Old Station, with full hookups, is the more big-rig-friendly choice, set up for RVs with sewer and amenities. The Lassen National Forest campgrounds, Hat Creek, Cave, and Bridge, are more rustic, developed but smaller, and better suited to mid-size and smaller self-contained rigs, with no hookups and tighter creekside sites, so check length limits before booking a big rig. Getting there involves mountain highways, CA-89, CA-44, and CA-299, with grades and curves, so take them slowly. For a large rig wanting hookups, the resort is the practical pick; the forest sites favor smaller setups.

What is there to do near Hat Creek for RVers?

The volcanic landscape and the water dominate. Hat Creek is a renowned wild trout fishery for fly anglers, the Subway Cave lava tube is a fun walk through volcanic rock, and Lassen Volcanic National Park to the south offers hydrothermal features, peaks, and trails. The Pacific Crest Trail passes through the area for hikers. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, with its spectacular spring-fed waterfall, is a popular nearby day trip. The high-desert and forest scenery, dark night skies, and quiet make it a peaceful base. It is a destination for anglers, hikers, and national park visitors rather than a place with developed in-town attractions.

Do I need reservations for Hat Creek camping?

For summer weekends, it is wise. The season is short, roughly late April through late October, which concentrates demand into the warm months, and the popular creekside forest campgrounds like Bridge and Cave fill on summer weekends, especially with anglers. Many of the Lassen National Forest sites are reservable through recreation.gov, while some operate first-come. Hat Creek Resort & RV Park, the full-hookup option, also fills in peak season, so book ahead if you want hookups. Midweek and shoulder-season stays are easier to walk into. For any summer weekend or holiday, reserve in advance to be sure of a creekside spot.

Where do I get fuel and groceries near Hat Creek?

Services are limited up here, which is the main thing to plan for. The small grocery at Hat Creek Resort & RV Park covers basics like snacks and last-minute items, but for fuel, propane, a full grocery run, and any RV supply, stock up before you arrive. Redding, to the west on CA-299, is the nearest larger town with full services, or load up in whatever sizable town you pass on the way in. The mountain communities around Hat Creek have very little, so we treat resupply as something to handle before heading up, and rely on the resort store only for small needs once we are there.

Is Hat Creek a good base for McArthur-Burney Falls?

Yes. McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, home to a spectacular 129-foot spring-fed waterfall that flows year-round, is a popular day trip from the Hat Creek area, a short drive north and east. Many RVers camping at Hat Creek Resort or the Lassen National Forest campgrounds make the trip to see the falls, which Theodore Roosevelt reportedly called the eighth wonder of the world. The park also has its own camping if you prefer to stay there, but Hat Creek works well as a central base for the falls, Lassen Volcanic National Park, the trout fishing, and the lava-country attractions all in one trip.

How is the weather in Hat Creek for RVing?

Hat Creek is high country, so the weather is seasonal and the nights are cold even in summer. Summer, the prime season, brings warm days around 85 and cold nights in the 40s, ideal for fishing and exploring but requiring layers. Spring is cool and variable as the snow clears and the campgrounds open in late April. Fall is crisp and quiet with early color and cold nights before things wind down by late October. Winter is cold and snowy with road and campground closures, so this is firmly a warm-season destination. Pack for big day-to-night temperature swings any time you visit.

Are there free dump stations in Hat Creek?

Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Hat Creek.