Camping near Nice, California offers locations around Clear Lake that range from waterfront spots to secluded forest sites. The region sits at approximately 1,300 feet elevation with oak woodlands surrounding the lake basin. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F during daytime hours, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with cooler nights around 50°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Kelsey Creek Campground provides direct lake access for anglers. According to one camper, "Large campground with many great options for activities. This park has lake access from a large sandy beach. Extensive nature trail system throughout the park."
Paddling on Clear Lake: Narrows Lodge Resort offers equipment rentals for water exploration. A visitor noted, "We rented a motor boat for a few hours to explore the beautiful lake. Pet friendly. Great little beach. A dock to fish from."
Hiking trails: Clear Lake area has several walking paths, particularly at Letts Lake Campground where you'll find a loop trail. One reviewer mentioned, "There is an easy trail that loops around the lake that's just over a mile long and a place to put in a boat in the lake."
What campers like
Solitude in off-seasons: Visiting during weekdays or shoulder seasons offers quieter experiences. A camper at Kelsey Creek Campground shared, "Nice and quiet off season and mid week...Beautiful campground, good space between sites. Staff was great...Very peaceful, good birdwatching, and abundant deer life."
Stargazing: Higher elevation sites offer excellent night sky viewing, particularly at dispersed camping locations above Clear Lake. A visitor to High Valley Rd Dispersed noted, "Very nice spot with multiple places to pull over and camp. There's views of Clear Lake if you want to walk a bit."
Swimming access: Many campsites around Nice provide lake access for cooling off. At Narrows Lodge Resort, campers appreciate the beach area: "They had a little dock for jumping off of. The water is crystal clear and there's a little dock for jumping off of. They bring in sand for the beach which makes it a really nice experience."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful driving on unpaved roads. At High Valley Rd Dispersed, a camper warned, "The road to this pin is completely impassable in any regular vehicle, this would require an ATV...The road is EXTREMELY narrow and windy on the edge of a cliff."
Fire restrictions: Check current regulations as fire bans are common, especially in summer months. At Deer Valley Campground, a visitor advised, "Note: there are fire restrictions- bring your propane stove / gas fire pit."
Bathroom facilities: Amenities vary widely between established and dispersed sites. One camper at Sheldon Creek reported, "You might want to be prepared to dig your own toilet though as the toilet set up was completely infested with spiders."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer nature programs. One visitor to Kelsey Creek Campground mentioned, "There is also a visitors center with many displays of the animals that are found within the park as well the cultural history."
Child-friendly swimming: Look for sites with gradual water entry for kids. A camper at BLM Sheldon Creek found that "This is a beautifully wooded area with a flowing creek, would've been a lovely place to camp!"
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to see local animals. A Kelsey Creek visitor shared, "Very peaceful, good birdwatching, and abundant deer life. We would come back."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many campgrounds have limited large rig access. A visitor to Middle Creek Campground advised, "Camped in Site 11, pull through, no hook ups, nice picnic table, grill and fire pit. Vault toilets, no showers. There is potable water close to the campsites."
Water access: Potable water availability varies by location. One camper at Letts Lake noted, "The water was turned off during our stay but all the 4 pit toilets were open, no hand sanitizer."
Dump station availability: Plan accordingly as not all sites offer dump facilities. A reviewer at The Aurora RV Park & Marina confirmed, "Each site has its own water sipget and two electrical outlets that work well. There was plenty of space at the site to setup two 4-person tents."
