Clearlake sits at approximately 1,300 feet elevation in Northern California's Lake County, surrounded by oak woodlands and rolling hills. The lake itself is the largest natural freshwater lake entirely within California, covering about 68 square miles with 100 miles of shoreline. Camping spots near Clearlake, California range from waterfront sites with boat access to remote dispersed options in the surrounding hills and forests.
What to do
Kayaking on Cache Creek: The waterway connecting to Clearlake offers excellent paddling opportunities. At Clear Lake Campground, "Cute little store and boat rentals. Owners are super nice. Especially loved kayaking on the creek," notes Diane W.
Wildlife observation: The wetlands around the lake support diverse bird populations. "Lots of wildlife sightings across the creek in the state park reserve. Great birdwatching," shares a visitor to Clear Lake Campground. Another camper at Kelsey Creek Campground mentions "extensive nature trail system throughout the park" and "a visitors center with many displays of the animals that are found within the park."
Fishing: The lake is known for bass fishing. "Great fishing!" reports one camper, while another at Cache Creek Regional Park Campground shares, "I kept hearing splashing in the creek. I wasn't alone - there was a herd of Elk. Super cool."
What campers like
Uncrowded off-season camping: The less busy periods offer more solitude. At Cache Creek Regional Park, one reviewer noted, "I pulled in here for the night and found I was completely alone." Similarly, at Kelsey Creek Campground, a camper appreciated that "it was great for a mid-week stay. Beautiful campground, good space between sites."
Lake access: Direct water access ranks high for many visitors. The Aurora RV Park offers lakeside spots where "you can fish right from your camp spot if you get a spot right on the water," according to Tamera J. Another camper mentions the "beautiful lake view" and "FREE canoe/paddle boating" available to guests.
Clean facilities: Many campers comment on bathroom and shower quality. At Lakeview Dispersed Campground, campers found it to be "relatively clean," while at The Aurora RV Park, one guest noted, "Clean bathrooms, club house with games and a kitchen."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful planning. Lakeview Dispersed Campground has challenging roads, with one reviewer warning it's "not easy to get to," while another clarifies: "The drive up was full of breathtaking views, and even though the road was quite bumpy, dusty, and steep at times, our AWD Kia made it up no problem."
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuation requires proper gear. "It was windy in the evening, but that died down during the night and in the morning we had breakfast in the sun," reports Mo H. Another camper mentions, "can be extremely cold at night and morning so be prepared!"
Shower tokens: Several state park campgrounds use token systems. At Kelsey Creek Campground, one camper explains, "The showers are token operated. Outside the bathrooms is a machine for token exchange. It takes $1 and $5 bills. They are these cute, unique coins specific to the park... one token gets you 2 minutes."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Some campgrounds offer swimming areas. At Pine Grove Cobb Resort, "These serene year round cabins are perfect for everyone," notes Ashley F., and families particularly enjoy the comfortable accommodations.
Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing areas provide learning experiences. One camper at Kelsey Creek Campground described "a visitors center with many displays of the animals that are found within the park as well the cultural history."
Space between sites: Look for campgrounds with adequate separation for kids. At Kelsey Creek Campground, reviewers appreciated "good space between sites" and "a large sandy beach" for family enjoyment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose carefully based on rig size and preferences. At The Aurora RV Park, a camper notes, "Aurora has two sites that are across the road from each other. One is on the water with back up sites. It's very nice, certainly beautiful and worth the extra 10 dollars."
Hookup availability: Service levels vary significantly. Clear Lake Campground provides electric, water, and sewer connections, with one camper confirming "all of the hookups worked fine!" while mentioning "the RV park itself was in disrepair and in need of a lot of TLC when it came to some of the amenities."
Accessibility concerns: Road restrictions may limit larger rigs. One camper warns, "To get to clear lake from the west the road is very windy and only allows 34 feet and I think that is pushing it."
