Lake County offers diverse glamping options close to Lakeport, California, situated on the western shore of Clear Lake at 1,355 feet elevation. The region features oak woodlands, volcanic hills, and a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Water levels in Clear Lake fluctuate seasonally, affecting beach access at lakeside camping areas.
What to do
Boating and fishing opportunities: At The Aurora RV Park & Marina, visitors can enjoy complimentary canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats with life jackets provided. "They offer FREE canoe/paddle boating. Bathrooms are kept clean and mike, the owner is amazing," notes camper Melissa C.
Hiking trails: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground offers extensive trail networks for explorers. One visitor shares, "From the campground you can easily hike 20 miles around the park. There are a handful of great loop options and a few great out and backs too." The park features both flat trails and challenging routes with significant elevation changes.
Stargazing: Several campgrounds offer dark skies for astronomy enthusiasts. "We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!" reports Syd D. about their experience at Sugarloaf Ridge, which houses the Robert Ferguson Observatory with scheduled astronomy programs.
What campers like
Private beach access: Many campers value lakefront properties with swimming areas. At Fuller Grove Group Campground, "The campground beach is beautiful, definitely recommend some late-night stargazing," says Marc A. The campground features spacious sites that provide privacy between neighbors.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high in positive reviews. "Every site had their own cleaned porta potty which was very nice. Make a donation to help keep it going!" mentions a visitor at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground, appreciating the maintenance standards during their stay.
Community amenities: Manchester Beach / Mendocino Coast KOA receives praise for its shared facilities. "This KOA has large tent sites and a HUGE kitchen with 3 electric stoves and several sinks and microwaves for camper use. They have movies each night and have lots of trees for shade," reports Kristen M.
What you should know
Road conditions: Several campgrounds require navigation on narrow or unpaved roads. A camper at Narrows Lodge Resort warns, "The road is a little tight to get into this resort (1 lane road with traffic going both ways with few pull offs) but the views are absolutely amazing!"
Fire restrictions: Fire policies vary by location and season. Many sites only permit propane fires or have complete bans during high-risk periods. One visitor at Narrows Lodge Resort noted, "Sidenote, there are no campfires, except for propane fire, which was kind of a bummer."
Seasonal considerations: Weather patterns affect camping comfort. "The weather was nice mid-April. Good amount of shade. Flat ground for tent," reports Brittney L. about Sugarloaf Ridge, while also mentioning, "The flying bugs/mosquitoes were out so come prepared."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Middle Creek Campground offers wildlife viewing opportunities for children. "You can hear the creek running along the camp, as well as the wild turkeys. There must be over 15 different species of birds as well," shares Donna M., highlighting natural exploration possibilities.
Safety considerations: Campgrounds vary in wildlife presence and terrain challenges. "Be careful of the poison oak, it is prevalent there as it is so anywhere in Northern California," warns a camper about Ritchey Creek Campground, advising parents to teach children plant identification.
Accommodation options: For families new to glamping close to Lakeport, California, cabin rentals provide comfort with outdoor access. "My wife's family has been going here for over 30 years. It's a family RV & cabin campground with a lot of great amenities," reports Zach P. about Narrows Lodge Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Clear Lake Campground provides full hookups but has space limitations. "This little campground RV park is very quaint and small. Driving into it, you got the impression that it was frozen in time," describes Bill M., noting that "All of the hookups worked fine!"
Privacy between sites: RV parks vary in spacing between neighbors. Julie H. notes about Aurora RV Park & Marina, "The lakeside spots are very tight together-and require backing in. If your neighbor has a slider you are wall to wall," suggesting site selection matters for privacy.
Local amenities: Locations near towns offer convenient access to supplies. One RVer at Manchester Beach KOA shares, "There is an ACE hardware/grocery store in town (who knew these 2 things go so well together), and there is beach access not far away."
