Clear Lake State Park near Kelseyville, California sits at an elevation of about 1,300 feet along the western shore of California's largest natural freshwater lake. The terrain features oak woodlands and marshland habitats that support numerous bird species and wildlife. During summer months, temperatures can reach the high 90s with cooler evenings around 60 degrees, making camping comfortable with proper preparation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Access Cache Creek directly from Clear Lake Campground, where campers report "great fishing" with "lots of wildlife sightings across the creek in the state park reserve."
Water recreation: Rent boats or bring your own at The Aurora RV Park & Marina which offers "FREE canoe/paddle boating" and lakefront sites. One visitor noted, "You can fish right from your camp spot if you get a spot right on the water."
Hiking trails: Explore nature paths at Kelsey Creek Campground which features "extensive nature trail system throughout the park" and a visitors center with "displays of the animals that are found within the park as well the cultural history."
What campers like
Scenic lake views: From Lakeview Dispersed Campground, campers enjoy elevated perspectives of Clear Lake. "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."
Wildlife watching: Many campgrounds offer excellent wildlife observation. At Lakeview Dispersed Campground, one camper mentioned, "very peaceful, good birdwatching, and abundant deer life."
Swimming spots: Cool off during hot days at facilities like Cloverdale/Healdsburg Campground which has "a nice and big pool" and additional water activities. A visitor with children noted that despite being "a little run down my four year old did not care! Lots for kids to do. Pool, fishing pond, playground, hiking trails."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some dispersed sites requires careful planning. At Lakeview Dispersed Campground, "The road is EXTREMELY narrow and windy on the edge of a cliff. There is no way to turn around once you start up it. It has deep ruts in the road."
Shower facilities: Token-operated showers are common but vary in quality. One camper at Kelsey Creek reported, "My only gripe is the hot water was inconsistent. My shower was hot as hell and my partner's shower was cold."
Seasonal considerations: Spring brings increased bug activity. At Kelsey Creek, "Be prepared for bugs in Spring! We had to pull out our bug screen! Dawn and dusk is their most active time."
Tips for camping with families
Best sites for children: Look for campgrounds with multiple activities. Cole Creek Campground offers "Lots of places to fish, hike and bike" making it ideal for families with varied interests.
Pet friendly options: For camping with dogs near Kelseyville, California, most sites welcome pets but have specific rules. At Kelsey Creek Campground, one visitor warned about certain hazards: "Campsites were overgrown with foxtails, not good for my dogs."
Budget considerations: Free camping is available at several dispersed sites. BLM Sheldon Creek offers no-cost camping with basic facilities. A visitor noted it has "picnic tables, fire pits, and bathrooms. I didn't get a chance to check out the bathrooms, but they looked decent."
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: For RV camping near Kelseyville, California, check specific amenities. At BLM Sheldon Creek, a camper advised "Tow behinds/trailers not recommended; rough roads and can't turn back once on the path."
Site specifications: RV sites vary in size and accessibility. The Aurora RV 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."
Dump stations: Plan for waste management as not all sites offer this service. At Russian River RV Campground, visitors noted "no sewer but they do have a dumping station and a honey pot service for $35 so we took advantage of that."
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