Hat Creek
Lassen National Forest — fishing
Location: FALL RIVER MILLS, CA, CA
Price: From $16 per night
Price range: $16–$80 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (8 reviews)
Season: May through October
Hat Creek is one of six campgrounds available in the Hat Creek Recreation Area, home to some of the area’s best trout fishing. Scenic hiking trails and an active volcanic area can easily be accessed from the facility.Hat Creek offers three group campsites that can accommodate up to 50 people each. Individual sites are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/hat-creek to be notified when sites open up.
Hat Creek offers trophy trout fishing in cold creek waters and access to scenic hiking trails and volcanic areas. Campers praise the peaceful atmosphere, well-spaced sites, clean facilities, and affordable $16/night price.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear present in area — store food securely. Also: Ringtail, Steller's Jay, Lewis's Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Cassin's Finch, Desert Striped Whipsnake, and Sierra Garter Snake.
Insider tips for Hat Creek: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with only 12 sites. Soft ground at sites makes tent setup easy. Multiple water stations available throughout campground. Sites are well-spaced with adequate parking.
Skip Hat Creek if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available; only suitable for self-contained RVs.. You require year-round camping — seasonal operations May-October only.. Traveling November-April — campground is closed..
Best time to visit Hat Creek: May-October — Campground operates May through October only; summer offers refreshing creek swimming on hot days..
Nearby campgrounds: Lost Creek Group (MINERAL, CA), Butte Lake (MINERAL, CA), Manzanita Lake Camping Cabins (Ca) (Chester, CA), Summit Lake North (MINERAL, CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Hat Creek
Cell signal at Hat Creek (FALL RIVER MILLS, CA): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Hat Creek is one of six campgrounds available in the Hat Creek Recreation Area, home to some of the area’s best trout fishing. Scenic hiking trails and an active volcanic area can easily be accessed from the facility.Hat Creek offers three group campsites that can accommodate up to 50 people each. Individual sites are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with only 12 sites.
Soft ground at sites makes tent setup easy.
Multiple water stations available throughout campground.
Sites are well-spaced with adequate parking.
Campground operates May through October only; summer offers refreshing creek swimming on hot days.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Highways 44 and 89, go through Old Station and continue 1.5 miles west to the campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Lassen National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Lassen National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Hat Creek cost per night?+
What season is Hat Creek open?+
Does Hat Creek have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Hat Creek?+
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What is the cell service like at Hat Creek?+
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●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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