Howdy,I'm new here, but have signed up due to great results using other types of forums to get my questions answered.I plan to be trailering a 18 ft travel trailer through Lassen and the Redwoods with my family this summer. My wife and I have been to both areas as children. My son hasn't been to either. My wife wants to spend two nights at each park. We are going to drive from Klamath Falls to Lassen first and then to the Redwoods. I was planning on driving from Lassen to Eureka/Arcata as it appears to be the most direct route from Lassen to the Redwoods.I'm currently considering a private campground near Lassen for our two nights there and then staying at two separate locations in the Redwoods. For the first day in the Redwoods, I thought I'd drop the trailer off near Arcata and then drive down to see the Avenue of the Giants. For the second day, I thought I'd take the trailer up north somewhere to camp near Crescent City or so. I plan to drive to Coos Bay after that, so much of the last morning/afternoon could be spent in the northern Redwoods also. If you only had 2 nights in both Lassen and the Redwoods, what would be on your "must see" list? Any campground suggestions? Thanks for your advise,Jeff

I highly reccomend TREES OF MYSTERY . Can't miss the huge Paul Bunion & his big blue OX in the parking lot. We did the tram ride and also hoked the area. So beautiful. We also did the drive through tree. Kinda hokey but did it as a kid.

We did what you planned to do as a section of the long trip we were doing that year. We stayed at Manzanita CG in the park and it was excellent. But has no hookups at all of course. At Lassen in two days you probably won't have time for more than a drive all the way thru the park, stopping at the turnouts along the way. Do whatever Ranger talks/hikes that you can. We were there in late June and the park was still mostly snowed in. Trails were under the snow. The park is at 8000 ft so don't expect it to be clear of snow before mid July.I think we took 299 across to the coastal Highway and it was fine. We stayed at the Crescent City KOA and visited the Stout and Simpson groves. Both were great. There is a visitor center in Crescent City. The KOA was a standard KOA, fine for us.

Hike the Bumppass Trail in Lassen. Odd name but one of the best trails we have ever been on.

If you could come up with more time I would stop at Lava Beds National Monument just south of Klamath Falls in Ca. they have a nice campground, Google Lava Beds National Monument for some good info. X2 on Hiking the Bumppass Trail in Lassen NP.

Thanks for the great advise so far! We'll be staying for two days prior at the in laws in Klamath Falls. My 7 year son hasn't seen the lava tubes or the petroglyphs at the Lava Beds. I suggested to my wife we head down to the lava beds with Grandma and Grandpa on one of the days we'll be staying with them. It's not too far from their house.I have been considering Manzanita Lake at Lassen, but wasn't sure how many days my battery can last without charging. (We'll probably dry camp both nights in the Redwoods.) I'm new to trailer camping as of a year and a half ago and we have mostly used the trailer at campgrounds with hookups so far. The private campground I was looking at near Lassen is Hat Creek Resort 11 miles from the park. I did a Google Search on Lassen and Bumpass Hell is at the top most every "must see" list so we'll hike that for sure:). (I noticed there's a lava tube near Manzanita Lake. Is it worth seeing?) I do think we could spend more time at either park and have plenty to see and do, but I'm not sure how many days we can be away from home.As far as the drive to the Redwoods, I noticed Blue Lake Casino just east of Arcata allows dry camping in their parking lot. I was thinking that might be a good place to drop off the trailer before the drive down to the Avenue of the Giants? We'd have the rest of the day to explore and then dry camp at Blue Lake Casino that night. For the next day, I'd head north with the trailer stopping to see some sights along the way. Hopefully I'd be able to drop it off at a campground and have some daylight left to explore without the trailer in tow. The next day would be open for some exploration, but I'm not sure if I'd need to tow along the trailer or not.Thanks again for advise and suggestions!:B

Lassen & Redwoods Advise | Good Sam Community

vermilye
Explorer
Feb 11, 2015
2X on checking on whether the trails are open at Lassen. I was there on June 26, 2012, and the Bumpass trail was still closed because of snow (as was many of the campgrounds). Stopped again on June 30, 2014, and everything was open.

I also agree with Two hands - The Bumpass trail is well worth the hike.
YC_1
Nomad
Feb 11, 2015
Fun place

Very rustic. It has a restaurant if you don't want to cook. It is very close to the Entrance to the park. We have stayed there two or three times with our 40 footer. I would stay there again.
mtnbbud
Explorer II
Feb 12, 2015
Thanks for the advice so far! Have any of you camped at Prairie Creek State Park off of the Newton B. Drury Parkway? For Google Earth, it looks like it might a neat little campground.

Thanks sdianel for the recommendation for Howland Hill Road. I found that road mentioned on one of the National Parks Webpages and I was thinking it sounded pretty cool.
Tin-bender
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
Prairie Creek, in my opinion, is a must stop and stay. Older campground with smaller spaces generally, but with an 18 footer you should have no problems.
Check out on the web, several day trips are available from there, or just hike the trails in the park.
Tinbender
profdant139
Explorer II
Feb 12, 2015
Here's a blog post with info on several fun areas in the redwoods -- lots of photos:

Redwoods trip
JT
Explorer
Feb 12, 2015
Dan, your photos are a vacation in themselves; thanks. :B
profdant139
Explorer II
Feb 12, 2015
Thanks for the kind words, JT -- that is exactly why we have a blog -- to help take us back to those places, especially when (as now) I am stuck in town because of work. (I like my work, but I also like to travel!) Camping season will soon be here again . . . .

Returning to the OP's question about Lassen, be sure to bring either a telephoto lens or a small pair of binoculars to the Bumpass area -- you can get some great close-ups of the boiling mud pots:

Take your time on that trail -- it is at around 8000 feet, and pretty steep. Bring water, of course. It is very worthwhile -- the volcanic area is not only scenic, it comes complete with sound effects (roaring steam vents) and even "smell effects" (sulfur gas).

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