170 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Middletown, California range from developed state parks to private resorts with cabins and RV facilities. The region includes Bothe-Napa Valley State Park's Ritchey Creek Campground, which accommodates tents, RVs, and cabins, as well as Pine Grove Cobb Resort, featuring tent sites and cabins with electric hookups. Clear Lake State Park offers lakeside camping options with Kelsey Creek Campground providing tent, RV, and cabin facilities approximately 20 miles north of Middletown. Several campgrounds in the area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and drinking water, while amenities like showers and electric hookups vary by location.
Road conditions and campground access throughout the region vary by season, with some areas requiring advance reservations. Many sites within state parks remain open year-round, including Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground and Ritchey Creek Campground. "Some sites are very tight and close to each other. Some are spacious enough," noted one camper about Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Campgrounds near Clear Lake offer water recreation opportunities but can become crowded during summer months. Fire restrictions may apply during dry seasons, and travelers should check current conditions before planning trips, especially during California's fire season from late summer through fall.
Campers report varying experiences with privacy and amenities at campgrounds throughout the area. Some visitors mentioned the natural setting and access to hiking trails as key highlights at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground, where 48 sites accommodate both tents and RVs. Clear Lake campgrounds receive mixed reviews, with some noting the need for facility improvements. One visitor described Clear Lake Campground as "very quaint and small" with "the impression that it was frozen in time," though noted all hookups worked properly. Tent campers seeking more seclusion may prefer the forest settings of Boggs Mountain Demonstration Forest, while those wanting full amenities might choose private resorts like Clear Lake Campground or Pine Grove Cobb Resort, which offer electric hookups and shower facilities.
"We just stayed here for 2 nights, great location very close to Calistoga and not to far from Saint Helena! Next time i would love to try out a cabin or yurt."
"Good access to wineries close by. Only real downside was that because of the dry conditions we could not have a campfire."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"We love to visit Harbin Hot Springs near Middletown after wine tasting in Napa Valley, but Harbin doesn’t allow dogs. We discovered this great campground on private land."
"We were close to a small splash pool for floating on in pool rings and pool noodles that the host provided and there is also a galvanized soaking tub for two with an amazing view and we enjoyed it underneath"
from $45 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Easy access to a lot of trails. The view from the campground is nice and relaxing. Some sites are very tight and close to each other. Some are spacious enough."
"There are certainly some that are better situated than others regarding size, shade, and other amenities--but the entire campground is nice."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"None the less, I still come here to enjoy the new growth, the impressive new trails and the new views of the valleys below. It’s Labor Day weekend and I’m one of maybe a half dozen campers."
"The trees that were planted are now reaching an impressive height and providing shade on many of the trails. See the pic with the bike against the tree for a sense of scale."
"We also had access to our own private bathroom and shower a short walk away which was great. Would stay here again, highly recommend!"
from $25 - $210 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $58 - $119 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $89 - $109 / night
Check Availability"Be aware that you can’t use the lake because it’s for owners only."
"There are plenty spots so we had our privacy, toilets were clean and it’s next to a road but there isn’t much traffic. Really calm and nice!"
"The site in in a valley between a small creek (that runs right next to the roadway) and a small mountain “range” on the opposing side."
from $35 / night
Check Availability
GuideEnjoyed our time at pillsburry. Water was warm, but too much clay and some areas had algae. Camp site was very spacious with fire pit. We fit our vehicles perfectly. Water spigot at camp site and bathrooms were across. There’s a store and token showers
GuideVery spacious camp site. We got invited here by a relative. Stayed in the upper area, so you had to drive down to the lake. Park rangers were present. Can’t remember the camp site we stayed in but if you don’t mind taking a 5 minute drive,book the upper campground. Lake water was 7/10. Great temperature, but I’m more of a Christal clear water person. There was some algae/ weeds. I heard a lot of negative comments about the water. Overall we had a good time Bathrooms and showers were next to our site.
TravelerTons of signs that say no camping no parking no trespassing. There was a fence and it was locked. Definitely don’t come here
GuideFinally open again after a couple years of clearing storm damage.
https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/natural-resource-management/demonstration-state-forests/boggs-demonstration-state-forest
I was there the week prior to July 4 and expected a crowd. Instead I was one of only two campers until I left on the 3rd.
As in years past, the "no-see-ems" and bees get a bit thick. The bees absolutely LOVE water, so have a van with a shower on the rear door complicates things. Nonetheless, the stay was nice. The mountain biking, though tough, was super fun. I got lucky with the weather too - only hit about 82 at the warmest.
Vault toilets are reasonably well maintained. Don't be afraid to use them if you need to.
There continues to be a lot of forest recovery after the fire over a decade (wow!) ago.
The trees that were planted are now reaching an impressive height and providing shade on many of the trails. See the pic with the bike against the tree for a sense of scale.
Nice to have the option available again - I'll be back in the fall.
Oh... the pizza parlor in Cobb is also excellent. They have great pizza a great sleection of good beers on tap!
GuideApparently this place has been closed for four years and is just re-opening. It definitely looks like it. Sections of the campground are still closed, and the parts that are open were ROUGH. This places does have potential- views of the lake are good, bathrooms have showers. By far the worst part of camping here is that there was no camp host and no park ranger. Saw unsafe fire practices, and experienced extremely loud music that went to 2:00 am and started again at 6:30 am. Did I ask for it by coming here on Fourth of July weekend? Probably. On the whole, the entire experience felt like trying to camp in a run down city park. Having no one to contact when things get out of control after the sun goes down invites campers to try to regulate other campers, which is always recipe for disaster. I’ve camped in all kinds of place - Nat’l park, state parks, county parks, BLM, National Forests, and have experienced the full range of camping experiences . I will never come back to this place again.
ScoutThe good: Drive in was awesome. Beautiful view of the lake and sunset. Many spots to pull out into and choose from. Very quiet, minimal road noise.
The bad: pair of coyotes spotted stalking our campsite, did not respond to hazing and had to pack up dinner preparations quickly to ensure no bad encounters
*also note that cell service is okay for t mobile and barely existent for Verizon
TravelerIt's a popular campground in the northern california that's relatively easy to book. We book 1-2 weeks before and still got a spot.
GuideWas a larger site and not very close to others, secluded enough. Bathrooms are well kept and they sell fire wood!!
ScoutThe coordinates for this location are located on property owned by Kevin S. Burdick and Mary Ann Jones. It is not National Forest or BLM land.
The parcel just to the South is also privately owned, by Marie Helen Pejcha.
All other adjacent properties are also privately owned. This location should be deleted from The Dyrt.
The nearest public lands where dispersed camping is actually allowed is a mile to the East along High Valley Road, in the Mendocino National Forest.
Middletown, California sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation in Lake County, surrounded by volcanic mountains and thermal features. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F with cool winters that rarely drop below freezing. Camping options range from creek-side platforms to lakefront sites with varying levels of shade and access to water recreation.
Hiking at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park: Explore extensive trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "There are nice hiking trails in the park though they are closed currently (Dec 2020) due to the fire in the area. There was no damage to the campground even though the fire burned into the grounds," reports one visitor at Ritchey Creek Campground.
Wine country exploration: Many campgrounds serve as affordable bases for vineyard visits. "Camping here leaves lots of money for food and wine splurges!" notes Susan H. about Ritchey Creek Campground. Another camper mentions, "Small, cozy campground located in the heart of wine country... Good option if you're doing Napa on a budget!"
Swimming opportunities: Cool off during hot summer months at select campgrounds. "There's a pool for warm summer days and some awesome trails," explains a visitor at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground. The park also features seasonal water features: "Wish I got more hiking done on our first day since it rained the rest of our trip... I wish I got to do was the Bald Mountain hike and the Waterfall hike."
Astronomy and night sky viewing: Several parks offer stargazing opportunities. "We went on a night hike for a star gazing tour and had a great time!" shares a camper about their experience at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground. The Robert Ferguson Observatory within the park hosts regular astronomy events.
Natural wildlife encounters: Campgrounds often provide close access to wildlife viewing. "We're listening to the bullfrogs singing and wondering why they don't eat all of the mosquitoes," notes one camper at Kelsey Creek Campground. Another mentions, "Very peaceful, good birdwatching, and abundant deer life."
Proximity to towns: Many sites offer convenient access to nearby communities. "It's close enough to the wine country aspects of Napa to be an easy overnight without the excruciating Napa Valley hotel prices," writes a visitor to Ritchey Creek Campground. Similarly, Clear Lake Campground is "right as you come into clear lake, nice and convenient."
Creek-side camping: Several campgrounds feature water-adjacent sites. "There are platforms that are right on the creek where you can pitch your tent," explains a visitor to Harbin Hot Springs. "Lots of shade and decent space between platforms. Close to the parking area, though the creek is between the parking and the camping platforms."
Hot springs access: Some camping areas include natural thermal features. At Harbin Hot Springs, "The camping fee includes use of the hot springs too, which are amazing... The trail to the hot springs is right by the camping area, and a nice little hike."
Fire impacts: Many campgrounds show evidence of previous wildfires. "Beautiful and close to downtown Calistoga however the campgrounds were infested with poison oak. Maybe just the time of year and because of so much rain this year? Not sure but it was thick and lush everywhere," reports a camper at Ritchey Creek Campground.
Poison oak awareness: This hazard appears frequently in visitor reviews. "Be careful of the poison oak, it is prevalent there as it is so anywhere in Northern California," warns another Ritchey Creek visitor.
Insect preparation: Depending on season, insects can affect camping comfort. "Be prepared for bugs in Spring! We had to pull out our bug screen! Dawn and dusk is their most active time," notes a camper at Kelsey Creek Campground.
Varied site quality: Campsite conditions differ significantly within the same campground. "I haven't actually been there for 3 years, but the reason for that is that we felt like we were being hemmed in by other campers and swarms of screaming children on every side.... we left after the 1st night," shares one visitor to Ritchey Creek Campground.
Limited cooking options: Some campgrounds restrict cooking methods. At Pine Grove Cobb Resort, tent sites include electric hookups for alternative cooking methods, while at Harbin Hot Springs, "One downfall (though very understandable) is not being able to have campfires or camp stoves, even in the winter. You cant really cook any food, BUT the cafe onsite had very tasty food if you want a hot meal or coffee."
Campground amenities: Select sites with appropriate facilities for children. "We have rented at this campground many times. Never had any trouble getting a reservation in spring or fall," notes a visitor about Ritchey Creek Campground. Another family camper mentions, "Traditional campground, yurts and a seasonal pool make this a fun place to go with the kids."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many camping areas offer child-friendly nature experiences. "We saw a rabbit, turkeys, lizards, deer, & quails! Seems they have lots of hikes available," reports a visitor to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. "I was awoken (as is the norm in NorCal) to gobbling turkeys at dawn," mentions a Ritchey Creek camper. Another notes about Clear Lake Campground, "The traffic noise was noticeable but not annoying. Everyone in the campground was friendly and another tent family came to camp next to us."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with built-in entertainment options. "This place had many sites and super family friendly. Very easy to find. There was lots of deer/wildlife which was cool to see up close," says a visitor about Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. For Clear Lake Campground, "This friendly locally owned campground is right as you come into clear lake, nice and convenient."
Site size limitations: Many campgrounds have restricted space for larger vehicles. "The ground is volcanic rock and super hard in the dry weather. I broke a couple tent poles and couldn't pull the rest out of the ground," notes a camper at Ritchey Creek Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects camping comfort throughout the year. "The weekends usually are full, it clears out Sunday evening so during the weekdays it is really nice," advises a visitor to Ritchey Creek Campground.
Hookup availability: Services vary widely between campgrounds. At Cloverdale/Healdsburg Campground, "Bathrooms and clubhouse are a little dated. Clubhouse is closed (covid) as well as hot tub. I think the pool is open but it's been too chilly to go see." One camper described Clear Lake Campground as having "all of the hookups worked fine!"
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Middletown, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Middletown, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 170 campgrounds and RV parks near Middletown, CA and 11 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Middletown, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Middletown, CA is Ritchey Creek Campground — Bothe-Napa Valley State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 32 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Middletown, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Middletown, CA.
What parks are near Middletown, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Middletown, CA that allow camping, notably Lake Sonoma and Mendocino Lake.
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