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GuideRedwoods RV Resort
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This RV park has many types of sites with pool, kid playgrounds and very large sights
Camping near Clearlake Oaks, CA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Dispersed camping areas and established campgrounds surround Clearlake Oaks, California, providing a mix of lakefront and hillside options for campers. Lakeview Dispersed Campground offers free camping with views overlooking Clear Lake, while Clear Lake State Park provides developed options with Kelsey Creek and Cole Creek campgrounds featuring cabin accommodations. The broader area includes both tent and RV sites, with options ranging from primitive dispersed camping to full-hookup facilities at places like The Aurora RV Park & Marina, which also offers glamping and yurt options approximately 20 miles northwest of Clearlake Oaks.
Road conditions to dispersed camping areas can present challenges, particularly at sites like High Valley Road and Lakeview. "The road to this pin is completely impassable in any regular vehicle, this would require an ATV," noted one visitor about High Valley Road. Most dispersed sites require careful navigation on steep, dusty roads that may be difficult after rain. While AWD or 4WD vehicles are recommended for backcountry routes, some visitors report making it to Lakeview Dispersed Campground in standard vehicles during dry conditions. Clear Lake's climate typically allows for year-round camping, though summer brings high temperatures and potentially algae issues in the water. Many established campgrounds require reservations, while dispersed sites operate on a first-come basis.
Waterfront access represents a major draw for the region, though water quality varies seasonally. Clear Lake Campground sites along Cache Creek receive mixed reviews, with one camper noting it was "right on Cache Creek with great fishing and lots of wildlife sightings." Dispersed camping areas at higher elevations provide more isolation but require preparation for potentially windy conditions. According to visitor reports, the Lakeview Dispersed area can be particularly windy at night, with one camper reporting they "had to move to another spot around 4am because the wind was just too much." Cell service is generally available at most sites, including dispersed camping areas, making this region suitable for remote workers needing connectivity. Target shooting occurs in some areas, creating periodic noise that may affect the camping experience.
Best Campgrounds near Clearlake Oaks (161)
1. Kelsey Creek Campground — Clear Lake State Park
"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."
"Had a nice spot that was semi-shaded in the afternoon, next to a lovely couple who I was able to share some beers with. The place was at capacity, but many people leave during the day."
from $30 / night
Check Availability2. Lakeview Dispersed Campground
"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."
3. Clear Lake Campground
from $58 - $119 / night
Check Availability4. The Aurora RV Park & Marina
"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."
"This park has two parts: most is across the street from the lake but some spots are lakeside. The lakeside spots are very tight together-and require backing in."
from $22 - $75 / night
Check Availability5. High Valley Ridge
"The drive up was windy and a bit steep at points but well groomed and manageable in an SUV. I’m sure most cars can do the drive with a responsible person behind the wheel."
"Recent regrading of the southern road up made it a cake walk, it's like a runway."
6. High Valley Rd Dispersed
"There’s views of Lear Lake if you want to walk a bit. No water nearby. The road is very dusty on the way up!"
"Lots of little pullouts when you reach the top and then as you head down the north side more with beautiful views of the lake. Some private property on that end but nothing unusual."
7. Blue Oak Campground
"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."
8. Cache Creek Regional Park Campground
"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."
from $35 / night
Check Availability9. Letts Lake Campground — Mendocino National Forest
"National Forest pulled in officers from surrounding forests and Sheriff Depts. With a 35' Class A our options were limited. A Ranger suggested Letts Lake."
"The campground does not offer very much privacy between sites, but is right on Letts Lake, offering great views."
from $12 / night
Check Availability10. Cole Creek Campground — Clear Lake State Park
"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."
from $30 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 13 min from Yuba City, CA
- 1 hr 16 min from Santa Rosa, CA
- 1 hr 25 min from Napa, CA
- 1 hr 41 min from Vallejo, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Clearlake Oaks, CA
272 Photos of 161 Clearlake Oaks Campgrounds
Lisa
Clear Lake Campground
Stacy L.
Lakeview Dispersed Campground
Nicole P.
Kelsey Creek Campground — Clear Lake State Park
Chris P.
Cole Creek Campground — Clear Lake State Park
Jeremy F.
The Aurora RV Park & Marina
Joe S.
Pine Grove Cobb Resort
Julie D.
Harbin Hot Springs
Gabriella B.
Hidden Knoll Farm Glamping
Summer A.
BLM Sheldon Creek
Bruce P.
Letts Lake Campground — Mendocino National Forest
Melanie M.
Cache Creek Regional Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Clearlake Oaks, CA
630 Reviews of 161 Clearlake Oaks Campgrounds
Alan L.GuideLake Pillsbury Resort and Marina
Nice dirt road drive!
Enjoyed our time at pillsburry. Water was warm, but too much clay and some areas had algae. Camp site was very spacious with fire pit. We fit our vehicles perfectly. Water spigot at camp site and bathrooms were across. There’s a store and token showers
- Alan L.Guide
Upper Bayview Campground — Clear Lake State Park
Spacious camp site!
Very spacious camp site. We got invited here by a relative. Stayed in the upper area, so you had to drive down to the lake. Park rangers were present. Can’t remember the camp site we stayed in but if you don’t mind taking a 5 minute drive,book the upper campground. Lake water was 7/10. Great temperature, but I’m more of a Christal clear water person. There was some algae/ weeds. I heard a lot of negative comments about the water. Overall we had a good time Bathrooms and showers were next to our site.
- CCarley C.
Travelersmittle creek
Definitely not a spot
Tons of signs that say no camping no parking no trespassing. There was a fence and it was locked. Definitely don’t come here
- TTwindaddyGuide
Calso - Boggs Mountain Demo Forest - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Open to camping again!
Finally open again after a couple years of clearing storm damage.
https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/natural-resource-management/demonstration-state-forests/boggs-demonstration-state-forest
I was there the week prior to July 4 and expected a crowd. Instead I was one of only two campers until I left on the 3rd.
As in years past, the "no-see-ems" and bees get a bit thick. The bees absolutely LOVE water, so have a van with a shower on the rear door complicates things. Nonetheless, the stay was nice. The mountain biking, though tough, was super fun. I got lucky with the weather too - only hit about 82 at the warmest.
Vault toilets are reasonably well maintained. Don't be afraid to use them if you need to.
There continues to be a lot of forest recovery after the fire over a decade (wow!) ago.
The trees that were planted are now reaching an impressive height and providing shade on many of the trails. See the pic with the bike against the tree for a sense of scale.
Nice to have the option available again - I'll be back in the fall.
Oh... the pizza parlor in Cobb is also excellent. They have great pizza a great sleection of good beers on tap!
- DDaniel D.Guide
COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground
Unmaintained Free-for-all
Apparently this place has been closed for four years and is just re-opening. It definitely looks like it. Sections of the campground are still closed, and the parts that are open were ROUGH. This places does have potential- views of the lake are good, bathrooms have showers. By far the worst part of camping here is that there was no camp host and no park ranger. Saw unsafe fire practices, and experienced extremely loud music that went to 2:00 am and started again at 6:30 am. Did I ask for it by coming here on Fourth of July weekend? Probably. On the whole, the entire experience felt like trying to camp in a run down city park. Having no one to contact when things get out of control after the sun goes down invites campers to try to regulate other campers, which is always recipe for disaster. I’ve camped in all kinds of place - Nat’l park, state parks, county parks, BLM, National Forests, and have experienced the full range of camping experiences . I will never come back to this place again.
- EEllen C.
ScoutLakeview Dispersed Campground
Coyote Troubles
The good: Drive in was awesome. Beautiful view of the lake and sunset. Many spots to pull out into and choose from. Very quiet, minimal road noise.
The bad: pair of coyotes spotted stalking our campsite, did not respond to hazing and had to pack up dinner preparations quickly to ensure no bad encounters
*also note that cell service is okay for t mobile and barely existent for Verizon
Syd M.GuideWoodside Campground — Salt Point State Park
Salt Point Woodside Day1
Was a larger site and not very close to others, secluded enough. Bathrooms are well kept and they sell fire wood!!
Chris W.TravelerHigh Valley Rd Dispersed
These coordinates are on private land.
The coordinates for this location are located on property owned by Kevin S. Burdick and Mary Ann Jones. It is not National Forest or BLM land.
The parcel just to the South is also privately owned, by Marie Helen Pejcha.
All other adjacent properties are also privately owned. This location should be deleted from The Dyrt.
The nearest public lands where dispersed camping is actually allowed is a mile to the East along High Valley Road, in the Mendocino National Forest.
Guide to Clearlake Oaks
Camping spots near Clearlake Oaks, California include both primitive sites and established campgrounds within a 40-mile radius. The area sits at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,500 feet, creating microclimates that influence camping conditions. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at higher elevations, while summer daytime temperatures typically reach 90-100°F in lower areas.
What to do
Water activities at Cole Creek Campground: Located within Clear Lake State Park, this area offers water access and hiking trails. "Large campground with many great options for activities. This park has lake access from a large sandy beach. Extensive nature trail system throughout the park," notes one visitor to Kelsey Creek Campground.
Stargazing at higher elevations: The dispersed sites above the lake provide excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "Very beautiful and quiet, can be extremely cold at night and morning so be prepared!" advises a camper at Lakeview Dispersed Campground.
Wildlife observation: Camping near water sources provides opportunities for spotting local fauna. At Clear Lake Campground, one visitor reported: "Great birdwatching. Lots of wildlife sightings across the creek in the state park reserve."
What campers like
Fishing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer direct access to fishing. "Great camping, hiking, boating. Lots of nature trails. Super friendly staff," mentions a visitor about lake-front sites at Kelsey Creek Campground.
Privacy at Letts Lake: "Plenty of space to stretch out, even when more people showed up later in the evening. Nice walk around the lake, fishing wasn't the best but still fun," notes a camper about Letts Lake Campground.
Budget-friendly options: Free camping at BLM sites provides economical alternatives. "This is a BLM campsite up a winding dirt/gravel road. We drove a 4WD vehicle, but most cars should be able to handle the journey up. Signs will direct you in the right direction, and lead you to a campground with spots to pitch tents or park/hangout," reports a visitor to BLM Sheldon Creek.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Higher elevation dispersed sites require careful planning. "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," reports a camper about Lakeview Dispersed Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects both access and comfort. "We originally were going to Fouts Creek Campground but it was HOV weekend (Presidents). Lots of dirt bikes and law enforcement. National Forest pulled in officers from surrounding forests and Sheriff Depts," notes a camper at Letts Lake Campground.
Bathrooms and facilities: Amenities vary widely across camping areas. "Bathrooms are kept clean and mike, the owner is amazing. Real nice guy and very helpful. Only thing is the road along side of park. People speed way too fast on the corner," reports a visitor to The Aurora RV Park & Marina.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with activities: Select campgrounds with built-in recreation options. "Decent facilities. Bring cash and insect repellent. Shower tokens can be purchased at the boat launch facilities. Bathrooms stocked with toilet paper and seat covers. Rangers clean the bathrooms around 8 am," advises a camper at Kelsey Creek Campground.
Consider noise levels: Some areas experience periodic disturbances. "If your going camping here for peace and quiet think again. Popular spot just 1 mile up the road where people go to drink and shoot their firearms. Also constant atv/dirt bike activity," warns a visitor to Blue Oak Campground.
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Day-to-night temperature swings can be extreme. "Came back a year later on a whim and still found it to be a nice place, in spite of the heat. Had a nice spot that was semi-shaded in the afternoon," shares a camper at Kelsey Creek Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: RV sites vary in quality and access. "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," advises a visitor to The Aurora RV Park & Marina.
Watch for tight spaces: Many campgrounds have limited turning radius. "Tow behinds/trailers not recommended; rough roads and can't turn back once on the path. Otherwise 10/10 for our truck camper," reports a visitor about BLM Sheldon Creek.
Check connectivity: Cell service varies by location. "Decent cell coverage - enough that I was able to stream college football. The upper campgrounds were closed. Not sure how long this has been the case, but it made for a nice quite walk," notes a visitor at Kelsey Creek Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Clearlake Oaks, CA?
What camping is available near Clearlake Oaks, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Clearlake Oaks, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 161 campgrounds and RV parks near Clearlake Oaks, CA and 11 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Clearlake Oaks, CA?
Which is the most popular campground near Clearlake Oaks, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clearlake Oaks, CA is Kelsey Creek Campground — Clear Lake State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clearlake Oaks, CA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clearlake Oaks, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Clearlake Oaks, CA.
What parks are near Clearlake Oaks, CA?
What parks are near Clearlake Oaks, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Clearlake Oaks, CA that allow camping, notably Lake Sonoma and Mendocino Lake.
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