Best Dispersed Camping near Upper Lake, CA
Several free dispersed camping areas exist in the hills surrounding Upper Lake, California, primarily accessed via High Valley Road. Lakeview Dispersed Campground offers views of Clear Lake and multiple established sites, though access requires navigating steep, dusty dirt roads. A camper noted, "The road is bumpy and dusty, not a 4x4 needed road," though many reviews emphasize challenging terrain. Most vehicles can manage in dry conditions, with visitors reporting seeing "a Tesla and a Nissan Altima" at the sites, though AWD is recommended.
BLM Sheldon Creek provides a more developed dispersed option with picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets approximately 20 miles southwest of Upper Lake near Hopland. The site features 4-5 camping spots and a seasonal creek. Access involves "a winding dirt/gravel road" that most vehicles can handle, though trailers are not recommended due to limited turnaround space. Additional dispersed options include Cow Mountain Recreation Area near Lakeport, which features vault toilets and trash collection. The 14-day camping limit applies to all dispersed sites in the region.
