Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Upper Lake? Find the best information on tent camping near Upper Lake, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your California tent camping excursion.
Old train Caboose for rent. New queen bamboo bed, hot plate, cold refrigerator. Outdoor hot shower and claw tub. Sweet deck open space. Star studded sky. Artesian well water, drink from the spigot and bring bottles to take some home. Glen Eden hiking trail abuts the land. Camp in a quiet field across the dry creek bed. We have 3 dogs that roam hills, will do our best to keep them away most of the time. Have rooster who does crow up the sun. We are 15 minutes to Safeway in Lakeport, 20 minutes to north side Ukiah and 10 minutes to Upper Lake. We are 2 miles from the pristine Blue Lakes, day pass there for swimming and boating rentals. Also Clear Lake State Park is not far and they also offer swimming and boating. Disney boat rentals will deliver craft to Clearlake for you. My personal favorite is Highland Springs Reservoir about 20 minute drive on country roads, and pass the small aircraft airport and restaurant. Boating, swimming, hiking and BBQ available at Highland Springs.. We are not ADA. Cell phone and wifi won't work in this canyon. Climb the hill maybe. We are not fancy, we are unique. Come for bird watching, the quiet and the stars. We have some coupons for wine tasting from a few of the nearby vineyards We offer a farm stand with fresh eggs and vegetables in season daily. Highland Springs Reservoir offers swimming, BBQ and Disk Golf, all free. Lakeport has a drive in theater, google Lakeport auto movies drive in. New Rule: if you are inviting guests they must be pre approved. PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY AND NOT RAISE DUST IN OUR NEIGHBORS DRIVEWAY TO OUR PROPERTY. We also have two big private campsites and one long term area.
Please read reviews here: https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/dashboard/land/34844/listings
$39 - $175 / night
This campground winds along beautiful Cole Creek. Cole Creek campground offers 26 well shaded campsites and 2 Hike and Bike sites. Each site has a fire ring, a table, and a food storage box. Nearby restroom facilities offer pay showers and flushable toilets.
$30 / night
No Day Use Area or General Parking.
The Wilderness Act of 1984 established 23 new wilderness areas including the 60,000-acre Snow Mountain Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest. The Snow Mountain Wilderness straddles the summit of the North Coast Range within Colusa, Glenn and Lake counties. The area is less than a four-hour drive from San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Sacramento. The central feature of this wilderness is the large broad topped Snow Mountain, which drains water toward the Sacramento River on the east and the Eel River Basin on the west. The wilderness also has the largest known waterfall on the forest. Elevations range from 1,800 feet in the gorge of the Middle Fork of Stony Creek to 7,056 feet on the summit of East Snow Mountain Peak. The deep canyons skirting the Wilderness compress ecological life zones creating a unique biological sky-island. Forty miles of trail are located in the wilderness. This leaves a vast amount of acreage very remote and highly conducive to cross-country exploration. The moderate hike to the top of East Peak affords visitors a magnificent view of the Sacramento Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east, Clear Lake to the southwest, the Coastal Mountains to the west, and the timbered mountains of the Mendocino National Forest to the North. Good drinking water is scarce in the Snow Mountain Wilderness during much of the summer. Plan ahead and refill canteens at every opportunity. Mountain streams may look inviting but they may not be safe for drinking. Treat all water for drinking and cooking by either processing through a portable water filter or by boiling over a portable cook stove.
Pine Grove is a majestic forest retreat of timeless natural beauty, blessed with abundant mountain spring water. In this oasis, bordered by spring fed year-round Kelsey Creek and overlooked by Cobb Mountain, you will discover a vast and personal connection with the natural world in any season. We invite you for a workshop, personal retreat, family reunion or just the day. Serene year-round cabins, all with inviting redwood decks overlooking Kelsey Creek, and camping give many options for your stay.
$40 - $210 / night
Closed for the 2023 season to repair storm damage. State Forest staff will be focused on repairing winter storm damage to roads and facilities throughout the State Forests in the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit.
Day use will continue to be permitted from sunrise to sunset.
Traveler
Cool little camping spot outside of Willits. Has a western themed town that hold little dances and ice cream parlor parties for kids. This KOA also has a mini waterpark as well. We camped in a tent site and our number pole did have an outlet. Perfect place for glamping or kids!
Legend
This is a haven for RV's and some sites are clearly meant for them. They can be sparse and open and right next to each other. But I am a tent camper so I look for those that have trees and coverage to get a sense of privacy. The virtue of Casini's is that it has some of the best direct access to the Russian River. That can be for fishing. canoeing, kayaking, or swimming - you name it. And if you pick your site right you have a great tent camping site.
ALso they have some great group tent sites if you want to go with friends.
With the store there if you forgot anything you are good.
Guide
Wasn't very private, but is good for tent camping in a safe family environment.
Legend
Sign says spacious sites but clearly a packed mobile home park with tent Camping.
Guide
Brought my trailer her for the first time as an adult after many times tent camping at nearby Gerstle Cove as a child. Had a FANTASTIC time. Woodside campground is BY FAR the more beautiful of the two Salt Point campgrounds. Plenty of flat parking pads for rv campers, yet sites are thickly wooded and appropriately spaced to have an awesome tent camping experience as well. Take note that many of the nearby beaches have dangerous rip currents and aren’t exactly great for swimming or water play.
Traveler
The tent camping is full of roots, and low privacy, but it’s okay for a quick overnight stop
Legend
Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're happy to welcome this property to our platform. This property is offering 2 lodging options, a Caboose & Tent camping under the Walnut trees. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love.
Guide
Always windy. Great scenery, and many of the tent sites are tucked away in little nooks and crannies for privacy if you don’t want the more open outer ring sites.
ScoutVery large, clean, well maintained campground. Sites range from tent camping to RV water and electric only to full hookups. It's centrally located halfway between Gurneville and Bodega Bay. Great place as a base for days at the beach, hiking at Armstrong Woods, or fishing.
Legend
I like this a little better than Van Damm down the road because of the small private beach which never appears crowded. You do have road noise but it really is not bad.
Great little tent camping spots and a fabulous group tent camping spot. From the small beach you can play in the waves and launch protected kayaks into the small bay. On the right day there are some tidepools (not a lot). A stream runs through camp and empties on to the beach.
Great Fern Canyon trail and waterfall trail back in the gorge.
You can explore all the Mendoconio Coast from here.
Sites are well spaced and protected. Tables, fire rings and food storage. Nice rest rooms with showers. I like the lower loop along the creek and thes sites at the end, near the beginning of the fern canyon trail are choice.
GuideThis KOA has large tent sites and a HUGE kitchen with 3 electric stoves and several sinks and microwaves for camper use. They have movies each night and have lots of trees for shade. No sprint cell signal but good WiFi.
TravelerI tent camped here on a September weeknight. The campground is very spacious on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Very few other campers so I had plenty of options for sites. It was cool, sunny, and no wind-perfect weather! Stunning views all around, with a trailhead to Stillwater Cove. Very quiet and relaxing stay here!
Scout
Nice state park north of Napa, the few car tent sites are nicely situated near a creek. Good space between sites. Easy and fun camping.
Yurts and cabins available. Close to road so a little noisy. Great for a less expensive stay. Saves money for wine tastings...
GuideClose to the ocean at Jenner. Campground is next to the Russian River. Family activities and games for kids (playground, volleyball). Some shaded site, a mix of sunny locations and partial shade. Full RV hook ups and tent sites. River access for swimming & boating. No sandy beach.
Ranger
Here's another promise NOT gonna happen. If you have any trailer at all, you must turn around at the bottom of the hill, then go UP the steep hill to your promised site. Yeah...that site...shorter than you need and SO unlevel, you can't level out. All this for dry camping. BTW, if you are tent camping, it's wonderful. You're welcome.
Legend
Small campground in the redwoods along the river. Connects to the estuary and then you are at the ocean. Path to the beach takes yo under the highway. Also hiking across the road is a park with a small visitor center.
County park so it is well maintained and frankly I have never seen it packed. Even when not camping there I always stop at the picnic area for a hike to the ocean and a secluded beach.
There are wlak in tent sites. You park, unlaod and then move your care. The photos are of theses sites. If you go and do not get a tent site, try to get a site along the river.
Sites are both drive in and some are walk in. No RV hook ups but I see them there ( I am always with a tent) Coin showers are a plus.
The downside is you do hear the car noise from the road but there is little traffic at night.
You can launch a kayak or canoe onto the river from the campgrounds.
Guide
We’ve been travel trailer camping twice to this campground and love it! Beautiful, large sites under the redwoods and along the Gualala River. The campground offers partial hook-ups with a dump service for a fee (dump station on site as well). There is a little camp store for basic camping / RV needs as well as bathrooms, showers, and laundry. The camp is great for RV and tent camping. We’ll definitely be returning many more times.
Guide
Fuller grove was a nice little campground on Lake Pillsbury (our rented minivan just weathered the dirt road in from the 101). It’s a small loop with great options for multi-tent camping. Some of the sites far from the entrance and along the water are very nice with multiple pads and tables. The campground beach is beautiful, definitely recommend some late-night stargazing. There’s only outhouses in decent condition. We were there with only a few other campers, so it was a peaceful stay.
GuideTent camped here several times before I got my trailer. Fantastically close to many great wineries, and minutes from Calistoga. The park has a great swimming pool that my kids enjoyed, and I heard there was a fun hike to the mill located elsewhere in the park. Heads up for RV campers- the park is hilly, and some of the parking spots aren’t flat, so make sure you check sites like campsitephotos first to make sure you get a spot that works for you.
GuideBeautiful spot to go camping. First time here, tent camped in a halfdome 2+. Second day was so windy one of the poles bent! Saw several tents mangaled and in the trash.
Know how to anchor your tent! Lots of RV's. Quiet at night.
Trails to the beach, and at low tide there was so much sea life for my son and I to explore.
We saw 1 shower building with 4 showers, $2.50 in quarters.
Boat launch for med to small boats. Fish cleaning station.
We came Fathers day weekend, didn't have problem getting a site late in the day. $35 cash $40 credit card price for tent with 1 vehicle. The store has a good selection. Firewood is light weight, but a big bundle is Cash only $9.
I'd go back.
Guide
We went during a month that only Self contained RVs were allowed. So we had two sites that were normally tent sites for our one camper. It was a lot of space and pretty quiet since the campers were spaced out. Bathrooms were all tied together so they couldn’t be used. Most of the sites are just a couple min walk to the beach front. Lake was warm and clear. Not a lot of upkeep, so there were some real janky stairs and stuff that I wouldn’t walk on. But the proximity to the lake makes up for it
LegendThis regional park campground ensures less competition for a site than state parks and is well worth it. Surrounded by thick redwoods, trails run off every campsite. Close proximity to neighboring sites, but numbers are so limited right now due to covid there were only two other parties staying here the night we stopped. Spacious coin operated showers, dark restrooms with flushing toilets, the highlight for us was definitely the sense of being submerged in nature while really only a short shoot off the main road. Curious raccoons come close at night and there are some very cool tent sites to walk out to.
LegendThis regional park campground ensures less competition for a site than state parks and is well worth it. Surrounded by thick redwoods, trails run off every campsite. Close proximity to neighboring sites, but numbers are so limited right now due to covid there were only two other parties staying here the night we stopped. Incredibly clean and well maintained grounds. Spacious coin operated showers, dark restrooms with flushing toilets, the highlight for us was definitely the sense of being submerged in nature while really only a short shoot off the main road. Curious raccoons come close at night and there are some very cool tent sites to walk out to that definitely get hit with the coastal breeze and road noise. The cool trees around those sites almost make up for that fact
Guide
The good: The private beach is great for kids (and adults). Easy swimming without a strong current. Lots of shallows but a deep swimming hole are for adults too. The camp store is cute and there’s a brewery next door if you want a meal out. There are several playgrounds which are fun for kids. And an arcade.
The bad: super expensive and the actual sites aren’t great. We camped in our van in the rv area and it’s really just a big parking lot right by the highway. I think the tent sites are a bit better.
Other info: there are cabins and camper vans to rent so could be a good place to go with friends or family who aren’t campers and want a nice river day but again it’s $$$.
LegendNice valley with great campsites - tent camping for me, but great for RVs as well. They are spaced well and have good tree canapy. The facilites are good and well maintained and even have showers scattered thoughout. At the moment I am referring tot eh site in the two lower loops along the creek.
The beach is great for sunsets and if you are a diver. Can do some limited tidepooling if the tides are right. Great place to explore the Mendocino Coast from.
There are great forest trails, a stream throughout, a waterfall to find and some choice hike-in sites back in the canyon.
Just was there again (9/2020) stayed in upper loop for the first time. These sites are very different Some are open in a meadow with no shade. Some are also not very private. They have recently done some tree work thee is thin things out which effect privacy and shade. Choose wisely.
ScoutKOA is awesome for campers who aren't ready to be completely off the grid, which most people in my group were. Their bathrooms are clean. Hot shower (!!) and hot tub (but you have to sign-up early or the spots run out quick, each party has 30 mins slot due to Covid restriction).
I took off a star because of the price. We ended up paying $66/night for 1 regular tent site (no electricity or water hook-up). Even though the site supposed to accommodate up to 6 people, there was a $5 extra charge per person after the first 2 guests.
It's ridiculous because they assumed we all will be using every amenities every day for that extra charge (which we didn't since we arrived very late on the first night and were out for most of the following day). I'd rather be charged individually for each shower use or kitchen use, etc.
Legend
This can get crazy in the summer but in the spring and fall it is still beautiful. I like the Gerstle Cove side (ocean side) camping area rather than the hillside area across the highway. Smaller loop. There is no better place to watch a sunset!
Good sites with tables, fire ring and privacy. The inside loop sites are open. More shade on the outside of the loop. Visitor center and small harbor type area to launch kayaks. Lots of abalone divers.
Great hiking trail along the bluff. Hear the ocean crashing the whole way. Great rock formations.
There is tidepool area which is fun to explore at low tide.
Great moutain biking nearby from the top of the mountain down to the sea.
Near the Rhododendron Grove which - if you hit it when they are blooming is spectacular. A whole grove hidden on the hillside in the redwoods you can hike through.
Good surf fishing at the picnic area at Stump Beach.
The group tent site is on a bluff away from the other sites at Gerstle Cove. A great place to gather.
Tent camping near Upper Lake, California, offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Upper Lake, CA is Old Train Caboose with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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