Camping near Lower Lake, California offers access to year-round outdoor activities within the oak woodlands and lakeside environments of Lake County. The surrounding landscape features elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,500 feet with summer temperatures typically reaching 85-95°F during the day and cooling to 55-65°F at night. Local campgrounds vary from no-fee dispersed sites on BLM land to fully-equipped RV parks with electric hookups and cabin rentals.
What to do
Fishing along Cache Creek: Cache Creek Regional Park Campground provides good creek access for anglers, with one visitor noting, "We stopped here on our way home from Mt. Shasta. It was very quiet. Bathrooms were clean. There were 4 other people pulled over for the night. Plenty of space for everyone."
Wildlife viewing at dawn: Lakeview Dispersed Campground offers opportunities to spot deer, birds, and other local wildlife. A camper described, "We drove here from the north. All wheel drive is helpful, but we saw some people with a prius up there. Small individual places with self-built fireplaces. It was windy in the evening, but that died down during the night and in the morning we had breakfast in the sun in a clearing."
Mountain biking on forest trails: Despite past fire damage, Calso - Boggs Mountain Demo Forest offers rebuilt trails for mountain biking enthusiasts. One reviewer shared, "I used to be a Boggs regular, so it's sad to see what remains after the fires five years ago. None the less, I still come here to enjoy the new growth, the impressive new trails and the new views of the valleys below."
Kayaking on creek waterways: Many campgrounds provide direct water access for paddlers. A visitor to Clear Lake Campground mentioned, "What a lovely peaceful campground right on Cache Creek. Great fishing! Lots of wildlife sightings across the creek in the state park reserve. Great birdwatching. Especially loved kayaking on the creek."
What campers like
Affordability of dispersed camping: Free camping at Lakeview Dispersed Campground appeals to budget-conscious visitors who don't mind minimal amenities. A camper reported, "Super easy to find coming up from the lake. A lot of spots to choose from. There were around 4 or 5 people here already but we were able to find a secluded spot that overlooks the lake."
Reliable cell service in remote areas: Despite the rural setting, many campsites maintain usable coverage. At Kelsey Creek Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "Decent cell coverage - enough that I was able to stream college football."
Clean facilities despite high use: Many campgrounds maintain serviceable bathrooms even during busy periods. A Kelsey Creek Campground visitor noted, "Rangers clean the bathrooms around 8 am. Decent facilities. Bring cash and insect repellent. Shower tokens can be purchased at the boat launch facilities. Bathrooms stocked with toilet paper and seat covers."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region supports diverse animal populations visible from campsites. One camper at Cache Creek Regional Park Campground shared, "The elk come in the early morning."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. A visitor to Lakeview Dispersed Campground cautioned, "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."
Insect activity changes seasonally: Spring and early summer camping requires preparation for bugs. A Kelsey Creek visitor advised, "Be prepared for bugs in Spring! We had to pull out our bug screen! Dawn and dusk is their most active time. There weren't many mosquitos at this point. The other bugs don't bite but there were a lot."
Weather extremes require preparation: Temperature variations can be significant between day and night. A Lakeview Dispersed Campground camper noted, "Very beautiful and quiet, can be extremely cold at night and morning so be prepared!"
Shower systems vary by location: Many campgrounds use token systems for shower access. At Kelsey Creek Campground, a camper explained, "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. Apparently lots of California state parks use tokens and you can 'collect them all.' It's 50¢ per token and one token gets you 2 minutes."
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water access for children: Blue Oak Campground provides safer water areas for families with young children. A visitor mentioned, "We went to this campground to hike the San Juan trail and ended up staying the night as well. Such as beautiful campsite. It was a quiet night with not such noise from people. Tons of birds in the area to listen to."
Educational opportunities at visitor centers: Kelsey Creek Campground offers learning experiences for children. A camper highlighted, "This park has lake access from a large sandy beach. Extensive nature trail system throughout the park. There is also a visitors center with many displays of the animals that are found within the park as well the cultural history."
Cabin options for easier family stays: For families who prefer not to tent camp, several locations offer cabin rentals. One visitor at Pine Grove Cobb Resort shared, "Four of us stayed in the Glamping Tent for two nights and it was perfect- very comfortable and relaxing. We also had access to our own private bathroom and shower a short walk away which was great."
Noise levels vary by location: Some campgrounds provide quieter environments for families. At Cache Creek Regional Park, a camper noted, "I mean We have been going to this campground for 21 years now, every year is a different experience, meaning the camp hosts, they can make it a great experience or not, besides that it's a beautiful campground to stay."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: RV campers should check space limitations before arrival. At Clear Lake Campground, a visitor observed, "This little campground RV park is very quaint and small. All of the hookups worked fine!"
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections are limited to specific campgrounds. A camper at Hidden Valley Lake Campground reported, "Great place to stay. The campground was clean and quiet. Full hook ups for RV sites."
Dump station locations: Some campgrounds provide on-site sanitary dump facilities. A Kelsey Creek camper mentioned, "Dump station? - Yes, Water fill? - Yes, Clean site? - Yes, Clean bathroom? - Yes, Flush toilet? - Yes, Showers? - Yes, token operated, Laundry? - No, Dish washing sink? - No."
Road access challenges: Larger rigs may struggle on certain access roads. A visitor to Lakeview Dispersed Campground warned, "Not a easy campground to get to had a RV road is horrible no nearby water."
