Campgrounds around Kelseyville, California include both established and dispersed options spread around Clear Lake, California's largest natural freshwater lake. Clear Lake State Park hosts multiple campground areas including Kelsey Creek and Cole Creek campgrounds with tent sites, RV spaces without hookups, and cabin rentals. Dispersed camping opportunities can be found at nearby Lakeview Dispersed Campground and High Valley Road Dispersed areas, providing free alternatives to developed campgrounds. The region includes several RV parks with full hookups, including Konocti Vista RV Park and The Aurora RV Park & Marina for those seeking more amenities.
Road conditions and access vary significantly between camping areas, with some dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. Summer temperatures can be quite warm, though many campgrounds offer shade trees. As one camper cautioned, "So pretty! HORRIBLE ROAD! Do not take CA-175 here. By the time I got to camp I was so nauseous I thought I was going to die!" Campground bathrooms typically feature flush toilets, though shower access often requires tokens purchased on-site. Fire restrictions may be implemented during high fire danger periods, limiting campfires to designated rings or prohibiting them entirely. Cell service is generally available but can be spotty in more remote areas.
Waterfront access represents a major draw for campers visiting the Kelseyville area, with several campgrounds offering direct lake access. "Great camping, hiking, boating. Lots of nature trails," noted one visitor about Kelsey Creek Campground. Visitors often report wildlife sightings including deer, turkeys, and various bird species. Clear Lake State Park provides interpretive programs and a visitor center with educational displays. Mid-week stays typically offer more solitude and better site availability, while summer weekends see campgrounds reaching capacity. Noise levels can vary significantly, with some reviewers noting issues with loud music from neighboring campsites during busy periods. Bugs and mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly during spring and early summer months near the lake and creek areas.
$30 / night
"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."
"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."
"Location to the river/ creek is great."
$22 - $75 / night
"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."
"Tow behinds/trailers not recommended; rough roads and can’t turn back once on the path."
"Had deer, butterflies, and humming birds all around us. Babbling brook, cool and comfortable in mid-October. Looking forward to a springtime visit."
$89 - $109 / night
"Love this spot for glamping it has a fishing pond, swimming pool, and a hiking trail! Very beautiful scenery! Very close to the town of Cloverdale about a 5-10 min drive!"
"Off the beaten path so if you plan to visit cities or wineries you need a tow vehicle."
$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."
$30 / night
"Once in a while a breeze will manage to pass through, but when its 100ºF outside...you'd wish it were breezy all day."
"It’s quiet around here. The casino is within walking distance. There’s a restaurant and a snack shop in the casino. There’s also a club in the casino. There’s a little general store as well."
ScoutWe came with a big group of 11 families and we have had a blast. Floated the river each day, movie night at the theatre, the kids loved the arcade, and the staff was awesome. We will return!
ScoutThis is a wonderful place to camp. Very peaceful and clean.
ScoutAgree with the other poster. Road is in bad condition and cars won't make it through.
GuidePros: Campground is on the beach (although only a few sites are literally on the beach—the others are set back). It’s on the small side, which I consider a big plus. You really can’t beat the location (just north of Jenner). Staff is helpful and friendly. Bathrooms (with flush toilets) are very clean. Beach is huge and beautiful—lots of pelicans and cool rock formations just offshore in the surf.
Cons: Sites are very close together, although privacy is somewhat maintained with thick, tall bushes between campsites. Gets windy, especially if you get one of the sites right on the beach.
ScoutLike to end trips at an RV park and this was what I was looking for. Easy to check in, to park, hookups worked. Near spectacular natural beauty.
I didn’t use any other amenities on site or go to the restaraunt, which seemed lively.
No privacy.
ScoutEnjoying this campground a lot. It’s a 10-15 minute walk down to Salt Point Trail head and it is STUN-Ning.
Could hear the sea lions barking from the campsite.
I moved from site 4 to 1.
4 had trees over it which was messing with the starlink.
1 is much better for starlink.
Another commenter mentioned the overflow parking lot and I agree that would be a nice option, I wasn’t able to find a staff member to ask to move there. It would be very cold and windy at night and no fire pits.
What I ended up doing was driving down to the Salt Point trailhead lot for the day to work and look at the view of the ocean then I’d come back up to the campsite for the night.
A very peaceful location!
There is pretty much nothing around here so need to come prepared.
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.
Camping near Kelseyville, California centers around Clear Lake at an elevation of 1,320 feet, making it the largest natural freshwater lake entirely within California borders. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F between June and September, with cooler nights dropping to the 50s. The volcanic soil in the region affects campground terrain, creating varied conditions from packed dirt to loose gravel at dispersed sites.
Fishing opportunities: Clear Lake Campground offers direct access to Cache Creek where anglers regularly catch bass, crappie, and catfish. "Great fishing! Lots of wildlife sightings across the creek in the state park reserve," notes one visitor about Clear Lake Campground.
Kayaking and boating: Rent watercraft at several campgrounds to explore the lake. "We did kayaking on the creek," reports a camper at Clear Lake Campground. The Aurora RV Park & Marina provides free watercraft options as mentioned by a reviewer: "They offer FREE canoe/paddle boating."
Hiking trails: Clear Lake State Park contains multiple short trails suitable for day hikes. "Extensive nature trail system throughout the park," explains a visitor to Kelsey Creek Campground. Some trails close seasonally due to maintenance or weather conditions.
Disc golf: Cloverdale/Healdsburg Campground maintains a disc golf course on-site, allowing campers to play without leaving the grounds. "The campground has disc golf," points out a reviewer, making it a unique recreational option compared to other facilities in the area.
Wildlife viewing: The region serves as habitat for numerous bird species and mammals. "We have seen tons of lizards, crows, and bluejay's. I did see however on our last night at the camp, a California Kingsnake," reports a camper at Lower Bayview Campground.
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas, though water levels fluctuate seasonally. "Beautiful campground with a large sandy beach," mentions a review of Lower Bayview Campground at Clear Lake State Park.
Lake views: Lakeview Dispersed Campground delivers on its name with several sites offering views across Clear Lake. "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 about the Lakeview Dispersed Campground.
Camping atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the social environment at certain campgrounds. "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, next to a lovely couple who I was able to share some beers with," notes a Kelsey Creek Campground visitor.
Road conditions: Access to dispersed camping areas requires careful driving. "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," explains a visitor to Lakeview Dispersed Campground.
Seasonal constraints: Fire restrictions frequently affect the Kelseyville area during summer and fall. "No Charcoal Grills, No Campfires, Only gas or propane grills. Due to an extreme risk of fire, there has been a ban," reports a camper about current conditions at Clear Lake State Park.
Campground amenities: Bathroom and shower facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "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," explains a camper at Kelsey Creek Campground.
Weather considerations: Summer heat impacts camping comfort significantly. "Great campground, not so great in the summer. There is barely any airflow. Once in a while a breeze will manage to pass through, but when its 100ºF outside...you'd wish it were breezy all day," notes a visitor to BLM Sheldon Creek.
Bug preparedness: Insects can be prevalent, particularly near water. "Be prepared for bugs in Spring! We had to pull out our bug screen! Dawn and dusk is their most active time," advises a Kelsey Creek Campground visitor.
Activity planning: Some campgrounds offer specific family-friendly amenities. "A little run down but my four year old did not care! Lots for kids to do. Pool, fishing pond, playground, hiking trails," explains a visitor to Cloverdale/Healdsburg Campground.
Site selection: Choose sites strategically based on bathroom proximity and noise considerations. "Campsite #99 is literally right next to the restroom. If you are expecting it to be quiet during the evening nearby the restrooms, these sites will not help," cautions a Lower Bayview Campground visitor.
Ground preparation: Many campsites require additional work before tent setup. "I do highly recommend to bring a rake and rake out where you are going to put your tent. Soo many twigs and rocks on the ground, ain't fun," advises a camper at Lower Bayview Campground.
Site access: RV drivers should assess campground roads carefully before arrival. "Coming into this Thousand Trails campground made us a little nervous at first. The entrance is a bit tight for bigger rigs. If you have a larger rig be very conscious of where the spots are that allow for them," warns a visitor to Russian River RV Campground.
Parking considerations: Some campsites present challenges for larger vehicles. "Spaces are all 30 amp with no sewer hookups. Many spaces are very narrow/tight and uphill from your neighbor. The asphalt of many spots is crumbling along the edges and the dirt eroding away. If you have stairs that come out a ways they may just end at a cliff," notes another Russian River visitor.
Site selection: Waterfront sites come with tradeoffs. "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," recommends a visitor to The Aurora RV Park & Marina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Kelseyville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Kelseyville, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 172 campgrounds and RV parks near Kelseyville, CA and 11 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Kelseyville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kelseyville, 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 Kelseyville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Kelseyville, CA.
What parks are near Kelseyville, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Kelseyville, CA that allow camping, notably Lake Sonoma and Mendocino Lake.
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