The shores of Clearlake in Northern California draw campers year-round with several good options for overnight stays. Clearlake City Park Campground works well for anyone wanting to stay near town while still having lake access. If you're looking for better hiking, Clearlake Area State Park connects campers with trails while still keeping the lake close by. Some campers head to the national forest land instead, where dispersed sites give you more space but fewer amenities. Clearlake Recreation Area has room for both tents and RVs with decent spacing between sites. Families tend to like Clearlake County Park Campground because of its picnic areas and playgrounds. Most campgrounds have roads that any car can handle, though some of the forest sites need vehicles with better clearance. You should make reservations if camping between May and September when the lake gets busy. Many local campers prefer April-May or September-October when there are fewer people and the weather stays mild. Winter camping works too, but bring rain gear and warm sleeping bags. Different campgrounds have different booking timeframes, so check ahead. The main roads to Clearlake stay in good shape, but sometimes close seasonally. The area has enough camping variety that most people can find something that fits what they want.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$30 / night
"This is the perfect time of year to visit Clear Lake. There’s just a few boats on the lake. The campground is less than half full. The bathrooms are clean, and our site is paved and fairly level."
"Having visited Lake County many times, I wasn't expecting much from this camp ground. I had intended to camp at Boggs Forest - my usual hangout for mountain biking when in the area."
"First time camping and going somewhat off road. If you’re worried about your vehicle making it up we saw a tesla and a nissan altima up there. My subaru made it up perfectly."
"Beautiful spot with some views of the lake. No services, but had cell service (CC). I drove in from the south access to High Valley rd. The road was challenging."
$35 / night
"There are plenty spots so we had our privacy, toilets were clean and it’s next to a road but there isn’t much traffic. Really calm and nice!"
"The site in in a valley between a small creek (that runs right next to the roadway) and a small mountain “range” on the opposing side."
$22 - $75 / night
"A picnic bench behind the RVs and looking out to the water. Large group cooking and gathering areas. The other side is a standard RV park. It’s a medium size park."
"It’s a cute little campground, conveniently located right on the lake. There are a few sites directly at Lake side and Moore across the street. Generally well kept looks a little older."
"We went to this campground to hike the San Juan trail and ended up staying the night as well. Such as beautiful campsite. It was a quiet night with not such noise from people."
"None the less, I still come here to enjoy the new growth, the impressive new trails and the new views of the valleys below. It’s Labor Day weekend and I’m one of maybe a half dozen campers."
$25 - $210 / night
"We also had access to our own private bathroom and shower a short walk away which was great. Would stay here again, highly recommend!"
$236 - $364 / night
"You can't ask for a more picturesque place to glamping, surrounded by the fields of the ranch & winery, while also within driving distance of San Francisco, this is a spot to check out!"
$30 / night
"We had just bought a motor home and wanted to go somewhere close to home to try it out. Nice clean camp sites close to restrooms and showers. Lots of places to fish, hike and bike."
RangerWe had hoped to stay at another campgrpund about an hour west of here, but it was closed. Being from Connecticut, I knew nothing about this place, but I called the campground and was able to make a same-day reservation. We absolutely loved it here. Wish we could have stayed longer. It had all the amenities of most state campgrounds. No cell service at the campsites, but wifi was available at the camp office/store.
GuideI'm not a big fan of campgrounds because I usually want peace and quiet, but I really enjoyed my one night here. I was surrounded by huge rigs that dwarfed by truck camper, but everyone was quiet and respectful, leaving me to enjoy the sounds of the wind, rain, and seagulls that I came to enjoy. If you're sound sensitive, you might not enjoy the foghorn that goes off 24/7, but I loved it. All and all, the campsites are clean but small with not a lot of privacy, but the Cove/Gull/Shell campsites have almost private harborside beaches behind them and a large oceanside beach across the road. All in all, a reasonable tradeoff for me.
GuidePeople here are so friendly. We live a couple of hours away. We come here and do our monthly Costco runs and sometimes stay the night here. On our long vacations, this is our first stop, we stock up on groceries, lots of grocery stores, Costco, Walmart, restaurants in the area. The campground is clean and well maintained. Sites are a little close but for $37.00 with senior discount and full hookups, you can’t complain.
TravelerThis site is okay. It's fairly full on a Tuesday night in April. I haven't used pay showers before, but $2 for 3 minutes of hot water seems very expensive. I use a Cricket phone, which uses AT&T cell phone towers, and I have absolutely no signal. Luckily, Starlink is working very well in drive-through RV space 15, and I can turn on WiFi calling.
TravelerWe three generations, grandfather, mother and son, only had one night. We wanted awe inspiring and not too far from the Bay Area. Hendy Woods was a perfect match. The campground is well maintained and the sites are smallish but the layout and forest provide a lot of privacy. Trails go directly from the campground and are easy to walk. Take your map because there are a lot of crossings. Little Hendy Grove is a good one: a half mile or so to The Trees. There are some magnificent mature redwoods there.
GuideThis was an awesome campsite that was right near the lovely town of Bodega Bay. Plenty of amenities and very accessible. Gorgeous views of the waterfronts.
TravelerStayed at bodega dunes. Our site was the worst one in the loop, but we had great neighbors who were quiet
ScoutWent there in a van with my mom. Amazing views. There’s a park right next to it and a store across the street for supplies. We went in June so it was a bit cold. Pack layers.
ScoutVery bad experience. Place was a mess.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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.
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best times of year to camp at Clear Lake, California?
The ideal camping season at Clear Lake runs from late spring through early fall (April to October). Spring offers mild temperatures and blooming wildflowers, while summer provides perfect conditions for water activities. Fall brings cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Deer Valley Campground, about 45 minutes from Nice, CA near Clear Lake, makes a great alternative when seeking solitude during peak summer months. For those seeking year-round options, Stony Gorge Reservoir - USBR provides accessible camping with fewer restrictions during off-peak seasons. Be aware that some campgrounds may have seasonal closures, particularly in winter.
Is tent camping available at Clear Lake?
Yes, tent camping is widely available at Clear Lake. Spring Lake Regional Park offers tent camping with newer bathroom and shower facilities, plus easy access to water activities and hiking trails. While tent camping is possible at Clear Lake Campground, sites are quite close together, so RVs might be more suitable there. Clear Lake State Park also welcomes tent campers across its multiple campgrounds. For more secluded tent camping options, Blue Oak Campground near Clearlake Oaks offers tent sites with more privacy. Most tent sites include fire rings and picnic tables, though be aware of seasonal fire restrictions that may be in place.
Where are the best campgrounds in Clearlake, CA?
Clear Lake offers several excellent camping options. Kelsey Creek Campground — Clear Lake State Park is a popular choice with level paved pads and access to water activities. The park actually contains four campgrounds: Upper Bayview, Lower Bayview, Cole Creek, and Kelsey Creek. For a smaller, family-owned option, Clear Lake Campground offers a quaint setting with friendly management and convenient location as you enter Clearlake. For those seeking more solitude, consider venturing to nearby areas like Cache Creek Regional Park Campground which offers more secluded sites while still being within driving distance of Clear Lake.
What RV facilities are available at Clear Lake?
The Aurora RV Park & Marina offers premium RV facilities with two distinct areas - one directly on the water with back-in sites (for an additional fee) featuring picnic benches overlooking the lake, and another across the road with standard amenities. The waterfront section includes large group cooking and gathering areas. Kelsey Creek Campground in Clear Lake State Park provides level sites with paved pads suitable for RVs. Most RV parks around Clear Lake offer water and electric hookups, with some providing full hookups including sewer. Dump stations are available at several locations. Many sites accommodate larger rigs, though it's always advisable to check specific length restrictions when booking.
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