Glamping near Lower Lake, California provides a variety of accommodations from safari-style tents to wooden yurts nestled in a region characterized by volcanic soil and Mediterranean climate. The area sits at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,100 feet and experiences summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F from June through September. Most glamping sites operate year-round with peak rates during grape harvest season in August through October.
What to do
Kayaking on Cache Creek: Clear Lake Campground offers water access where visitors can explore the creek and observe local wildlife. "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," writes Diane W. in her review of Clear Lake Campground.
Hiking nearby trails: Several hiking options exist within short driving distance of glamping accommodations. "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. My personal favorite hike in this park is at the bottom of the hill from the campground, but can be accessed by trails and a short road walk," notes Michael I. about Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground.
Stargazing experiences: Some campgrounds offer structured astronomy programs for guests. "You can walk to the Robert Ferguson Observatory as well! We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!" shares Syd D. about their experience at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
What campers like
Lakefront access: Many visitors appreciate sites that offer direct water views. "We stayed in the Lakeview spot and had the entire place to ourselves during the week. It's definitely more of a summer stay but we enjoyed it in the fall just as much," notes Raven P. in their review of Narrows Lodge Resort.
Diverse accommodation options: Beyond traditional tent camping, the area offers multiple glamping styles. "We rented a camping yurt and we were so surprised how big it is! We received a key to our own bathroom and shower! They had a sink to wash dishes in and a place to clean our fish," shares Jessica R. about Narrows Lodge Resort.
Camp amenities: Visitors appreciate facilities that make extended stays comfortable. "The womens shower was so-so clean but there was hair left in the drains and on the walls (ick). One shower in the mens bathroom had no hot water. Laundry room was clean and the machines worked well but the dryers cost .25 for three minutes," notes Julie T. about The Aurora RV Park & Marina.
What you should know
Road access limitations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. "The road to get into the campground is very sketchy. It is extremely narrow and there is no where to pass along it. So make sure you abide by the check in check out times, which are significantly far apart, to ensure that nobody meets each other on the road," warns Erika L. about their experience at Narrows Lodge Resort.
Site proximity concerns: Several glamping locations have sites positioned close together. "They really packed too many tents into the area. Large groups dominate the areas. Loud and crowded. I will not be back. They need to have basically half the tents they have to make it pleasant," cautions Dan S. about Wildhaven Sonoma.
Seasonal conditions: The creek water conditions can vary dramatically by season. "This little campground RV park is very quaint and small. RV is situated next to the main water outlet of Clear Lake which is across from a wilderness and wildlife preserve which is very cool to see all of the wildlife," explains Bill M. about Clear Lake Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for sites with specific facilities for children. "This KOA also offered all sorts of amenities for families including a small petting zoo, a pool, playground areas, and more. Sites were fairly close together and offered little privacy but overall it was a great place to recharge and get organized," advises Kelsey L. about San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA.
Nature activities: Several sites offer guided programs specifically for younger visitors. "They have everything you need for a great weekend! We had a ton of shade and enough sun to warm up, it was cooler this time of year then we expected. Bring layers! You can walk to a trail to check out a waterfall from there (pretty darn steep!)," recommends Syd D. about their experience at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
Pool access: During summer months, swimming options provide relief from heat. "This place is clean. We were greeted by the camp host with a smile! Very friendly! She answered all our questions and showed us around. You can fish right from your camp spot if you get a spot right on the water," shares Tamera J. about The Aurora RV Park & Marina.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for varied terrain at some locations. "RV Campsites are nothing fancy and close together. But the park itself is nice...hiking trails, views, nature, and close to Napa," notes Rich J. about Skyline Wilderness Park.
Hookup availability: Connection options vary widely between campgrounds. "Clean showers and bathrooms, some trees, close to Raley's Grocery store. Easy drive to the wineries of Napa Valley, a little further to Sonoma but a nice drive. Picnic table, some full hook-ups and some partial," advises Lori H. about Skyline Wilderness Park.
Internet access considerations: For those needing to stay connected, research connectivity options. "My fiancée and I both work remotely using hotspots on Verizon, and found no trouble at all. Data speeds wavered between 10 - 25 mbps depending on where we were on the property, but we could video conference and stream with no issues," shares Moriah M. about their stay at Skyline Wilderness Park.
