Primitive camping near Guinda, California offers several dispersed sites within the Cache Creek and Clear Lake vicinity. The region sits at elevations ranging from 1,300-2,800 feet with oak woodlands and chaparral ecosystems dominating the landscape. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F between July and September, creating challenging conditions for unprepared campers.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Cow Mountain Recreation Area features extensive trails for equestrians. "Love taking our Rock crawler up to cow. Lots of obstacles. Camping is awesome. Few sites and vault restrooms. Still a good time," notes a visitor to Cow Mountain Rec Area Dispersed.
Paddle boarding: Clear Lake provides water recreation opportunities just a short drive from camping areas. "This sweet little spot is a paddle boarding and fishing dream. Primitive site where Smittle Creek flows into Lake Berryessa," reports a camper who stayed at smittle creek.
Hiking: Multiple trails surround the dispersed sites, ranging from easy walks to more challenging terrain. "We tried to get to the pinpoint from another way and ran into another closed gate," warns a visitor about trail access issues at High Valley Rd Dispersed.
What campers like
Solitude: Quieter camping areas allow for peaceful experiences away from crowds. "Quiet stop, but I wouldn't call it the most beautiful stop I've ever stayed. Camping spots are to the left and the right of the day use. Pit toilets. No garbage," reports a camper at Cowboy Camp.
Creek access: Several sites feature seasonal water access. "It's not too bad of a road up there. Had deer, butterflies, and humming birds all around us. Babbling brook, cool and comfortable in mid-October. Looking forward to a springtime visit," writes a visitor to BLM Sheldon Creek.
Multiple camping options: The area offers various sites depending on your needs. "There are about 4/5 sites, only 2 with actual fire pits. Please keep it amazing by keeping it clean," notes a camper at BLM Sheldon Creek.
What you should know
Road conditions vary drastically: Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles, especially after rainfall. "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 visitor at Lakeview Dispersed Campground.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack basic amenities. "Only 2 spots up here, maybe 3. But we had it to ourselves on a weeknight. The Bathroom (vault toilet) had toilet paper. There was some water in the creek, but it wasn't super easy to access," notes a camper at BLM Sheldon Creek.
Seasonal closures: Some areas close without notice. "The camp area is closed, as of 2/9/2024. No indication of that on the BLM website," reports a visitor to Cowboy Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Check insect conditions: Some areas experience heavy insect activity. "No trees just dry open land inhabited by an unusual amount of flies. It was crazy how thick they were. An almost dry creek runs alongside the open field of camping pads," warns a camper at Cowboy Camp.
Bring adequate water: No potable water exists at most sites. "Very nice spot with multiple places to pull over and camp. There's views of Clear Lake if you want to walk a bit. No water nearby. The road is very dusty on the way up!" notes a camper at High Valley Rd Dispersed.
Consider wildlife encounters: Local wildlife includes deer and various bird species. "Had deer, butterflies, and humming birds all around us," reports a visitor to BLM Sheldon Creek.
Tips from RVers
Vehicle limitations: Many dispersed camping areas have significant access restrictions. "Absolutely not! Nowhere to camp and a terrible road. As soon as I started going up an extremely steep hill and saw a sign that said not a through street, I should have turned around but it was impossible with my 30-foot car and trailer," warns an RVer at Clear Lake View Point Dispersed.
Site selection: Scout potential sites before committing to a location. "There was only one other person here when I was. They got the prime spot, early bird and all. Very nice view. You have to drive up to right as you enter and then turn toward the lake to find the really nice spots," advises a camper at Lakeview Dispersed Campground.
Weather preparation: Dramatic temperature changes occur between day and night. "Very beautiful and quiet, can be extremely cold at night and morning so be prepared! We did not got many bugs which was great," notes a camper at Lakeview Dispersed Campground.
