Best Tent Camping near Clearlake, CA
Clearlake, California offers a diverse range of tent camping options amid oak woodlands and mountainous terrain. Clear Lake State Park provides established tent sites at Cole Creek Campground, Lower Bayview Campground, and Upper Bayview Campground, all located on Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville. Boggs Mountain Demonstration Forest, approximately 15 miles southwest of Clearlake, features primitive tent camping with walk-in access, though portions remain in recovery from the 2015 Valley Fire.
Most tent campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities for primitive camping experiences. Sites typically include picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets but limited access to potable water. Campers should bring their own drinking water and supplies. Clear Lake State Park's tent sites offer showers and flush toilets, while outlying areas like Lower Hunting Creek Campground provide more rustic accommodations with vault toilets only. During summer months, fire restrictions may be implemented, particularly in the drier forest areas surrounding Clearlake. Several campgrounds permit pets on leash, though regulations vary by location.
The tent camping experience near Clearlake varies significantly by location and elevation. Forested sites provide moderate shade, while lakeside areas offer water access but less tree cover. Areas in higher elevations like Red Mountain provide expansive views and greater seclusion for tent campers. Walk-in tent sites typically offer more privacy and natural settings compared to drive-in locations. A visitor commented that Red Mountain Campground features a "million dollar view of the mountain range and Clearlake" and allows free 14-day stays, though campers must bring their own water supplies. Tent sites in the Buckhorn area provide more solitude but fewer amenities, creating an authentic backcountry camping experience popular with hikers seeking quieter alternatives to the busier lakefront campgrounds.