Best Tent Camping near Upper Lake, CA

Tent campsites surrounding Upper Lake, California offer proximity to Clear Lake and the Mendocino National Forest. Penny Pines Campground provides tent accommodations year-round with basic amenities in a forested setting. Bear Creek Campground offers additional tent camping options with toilet facilities and picnic tables, while the Snow Mountain Wilderness presents more primitive backcountry camping opportunities for those seeking seclusion.

Most tent sites in the Upper Lake area feature dirt pads with picnic tables and fire rings. Bear Creek and Penny Pines campgrounds provide vault toilets but lack drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supply. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, particularly during California's dry summer months when complete fire bans may be enforced. Walk-in tent sites are available at several locations, though most campgrounds also offer drive-in access. Pets are permitted at most established campgrounds, but restrictions apply in wilderness areas. Penny Pines charges approximately $6 per night, making it an affordable option for tent campers.

The tent camping experience near Upper Lake varies significantly by location. Penny Pines primarily serves OHV enthusiasts, with one camper noting it's "beautiful and very affordable at $6 per night. But, the camp spots are fairly small and close together." Areas in the Snow Mountain Wilderness provide greater solitude for tent campers seeking to escape motorized recreation. These backcountry tent sites require more self-sufficiency but reward visitors with pristine natural settings. The higher elevation campsites offer cooler temperatures during summer months when lower elevation areas near Clear Lake can become quite hot. A visitor to the Snow Mountain Wilderness described it as an "easy to reach, great in beauty backpacking trip" with "wildflowers plentiful in the spring."

Best Tent Sites Near Upper Lake, California (40)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Upper Lake, CA

561 Reviews of 40 Upper Lake Campgrounds


  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 13, 2023

    Gualala Point Regional Park

    Small but beautiful county campground

    General: 19 general and six walk-in campsites among giant redwood and Bay Laurel trees on the Gualala River. Sites 17 & 18 are a double site. 

    Site Quality: Level sites with bear box, picnic table, and fire ring. Site One’s camper pad fit our 18-foot camper van, but it would not accommodate anything much larger. Several other camper pads looked short as well. No hookups. 

    Bath/Shower house: Three individual units with toilet, sink, soap, and paper towels. One shower that takes quarters – three minutes for $2.00. 

    Activities: There is a trail that leads through the walk-in sites, under Highway One, and to the beach, approximately 1.5 miles. You can also drive to the day-use area for a shorter walk. We were there on a weekday but there were many activities scheduled for the upcoming weekend including kayaking on Bodega Bay, outside yoga, and healthy hustle circuit training – I was sad to miss all of these options. 

    This campground is beautiful and peaceful. But note that although we did not encounter any, several other campers experienced over-eager raccoons while eating dinner. There was also a sign warning of mountain lions but we did not encounter any. Shout-out to the ranger who shared a lot of good information about the area.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Sunset Point Campground

    The name says it all

    Super cool place to camp in Sequoia National Park. I drove in from the south and passed quite a few full campgrounds before I finally made it to Sunset and scored a spot that I thought was great- up high and dry, no neighbors, a nearby source of downed wood. It looks like the Park Service stays busy downing dead/dying trees, however there were lots of trees providing cover. The closest neighbors were even able to hammock (though I was not due to lack of trees). When noisy neighbors moved in at the adjoining site, I was able to move to a primo site the next day. The new site (52, I think) was right on the edge of the granite slope with an amazing view of the sunset (hence the name of the campground). All sites had the usual amenities of picnic table and fire ring (and the mandatory must use bear boxes), but you need to take a look around for a site that is level and has adequate space between the fire pit and the tent site (mine did not, so no fire for me).  There is a visitor center across the road at Grant Grove Village with ranger station, grocery, post office, restaurant, gas station, and cabins. This is a good place to set up camp if you want to see big trees; the big sequoia tree General Grant is in a sequoia grove just up the road (you could easily hike there from the campground).

  • Michi P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 24, 2025

    Middle Creek Campground

    Great place for dry camping

    Beautiful location, campground was easily accessible going up Elk Mountain Road. 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. Very quiet during the week, it did get noisier on the weekends, but everyone settled down for the evening.

  • MarinMaverick
    Aug. 14, 2020

    Russian Gulch State Park Campground

    Great Spot

    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.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2023

    Van Damme State Park Campground

    Close to the ocean but dark and damp

    General& Site Quality: 74 campsites; 1-13 in the lower loop and the remainder in the upper loop. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and bear box. No hookups. Camper pads are dirt. 

    Bath/Shower house: Self-contained units, some with toilet and sink, and some with just a toilet. NO soap but paper towels and a hook for toiletries. Showers take tokens; each $1.00 token gives you a five-minute shower. Didn’t use the shower. 

    Activities & Amenities: The day-use area and the Fern Canyon Trail accessed from the campground are currently closed due to storm damage. You can drive a short distance south to walk on the Pygmy Forest boardwalk (about a quarter of a mile) but there is very limited parking (about 8-9 spaces). You can extend the hike on the Fern Canyon trail but cannot hike to/from the campground. There is a dump station, but it costs $10 to use. There is a Visitor Center but it had limited hours during our stay. There is easy access to the ocean just across Highway One (you can even camp in the parking lot for the same rate as long as you are out by 9 a.m.)  The park is close to the town of Mendocino with great restaurants and shopping if that appeals to you.

    We arrived around dusk and left fairly early the next morning to walk on the Pygmy Forest boardwalk. I didn’t explore too much (including the upper loop) as there was a black bear sighting the day we were there. Even though it was a sunny day, the campground felt dark and damp.

  • Lindsay The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Hendy Woods State Park Campground

    Convenient, clean, chill

    Location • state park located north of Sonoma and an hour south of Mendocino • in the Virgina redwood forest • closest town: about 6 miles away

    Facilities • Bathrooms & showers easily accesible for all sites - cleaned regularly • some bathrooms updated very recently • Spigots every few sites with good draining • campfire theatre • firewood sold on premises • about 70 campsites • some cabins • day use picnic area • wheelchair accesible trails

    Ambiance • quiet hours 10pm - 8am • mostly families • dogs allowed on leash

    Sites • Small to medium, close together • More open than private; good for groups who need multiple sites • Most hace at least part shade throughout the day • ring fire pits with grill • wooden food locker at each site • wooden picnic table at each site • enough space for 3-4 cars

    Things to do • Variety of easy hikes/walks • drive to Mendocino • wine tasting in town

    Beware • Poison oak

  • A
    Aug. 1, 2016

    Manchester State Park Campground

    Stars!

    Second time I've been here. Five years ago, I thought it was pretty bare-bones but just what I wanted: first-come, first-serve tent spot within 3 hours of San Francisco and within a walk of the ocean. No city lights to speak of = incredible stargazing. Oceanside = fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves. Did I mention first-come, first-serve? Nearly all the other campgrounds on the CA coast require a reservation 6 months in advance for weekends, with weekday availability not much better. This small campground had a number of empty spots available at 8pm on a Saturday.

    This year, it was nearly the same story. Park funding cut back, so no host = no firewood (KOA up the road sells bundles for $8). And it's only open on weekends until further notice. The vault toilets had plenty of TP, and the sites were well maintained so clearly someone is looking after the place. In fact, the overgrown grass and coastal scrub that previously lent some extra privacy to sites was cut down, a bit of a bummer. Go for the spots on the northern loop. The trees there offer some wind protection and the views over the valley toward Alder Creek are worthwhile. I wanted to set up my hammock, but tree-less sites closer to the road render that a non-option. For site variety, spaciousness, privacy, and amenities, I'd say Manchester is more like 2-2.5 stars. But last-minute availability bumps it up to 3.

    There is still a pasture full of cows across the street and the Pt. Arena lighthouse just beyond to greet you in the morning, and the ocean still crashes within earshot. Salt Point and Gualala campgrounds are warmer and woodsier. Mackerricher and Russian Gulch offer much more to do. But in a pinch, Manchester will continue to be my impromptu coastal road trip stopover.

  • MarinMaverick
    Aug. 12, 2020

    Navarro Beach - Navarro River Redwoods State Park

    Closed For A While - Sweet Spot

    So this has been closed for a while, but hope with funding it will re open.

    It is sweet spot just before you reach the coastline.

    A little stretch of redwoods on the Navaro River.  Sites are along the river. Defnse redwoods and ferns.  SHaded. Good swimming holes and good fishing.  Great access for kayaks and canoes.

    Sites have tables, fire rings and some have food storage. Primitve rest rooms.

  • Maddy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2022

    Bushay Recreation Area

    Exceeded all expectations

    Since my friend and I decided to plan a last minute camping trip, reservations were hard to find anywhere. I'm from Santa Cruz and hardly ever make it north of San Francisco so Bushay Campground sounded like a nice getaway. However I was a little hesitant since there were so many open sites here and no reviews anywhere but it really was just too perfect.

    We stayed Sat-Mon and it was pretty much empty by Sun (workweek + predicted rain). Everyone else staying the weekend was very friendly and helpful. The rain only made the campsite so much more lush and beautiful and luckily we were prepared for the rain. The sound of frogs and turkeys added a nice touch and we also saw tons of fascinating birds (including a bald eagle!!). I'm used to camping on hard dirt so the cushion of the grassy campsites was really nice, plus the dead grass served as decent tinder. 

    Also, I accidentally left my camping chairs behind :( and an employee reached out to me to let me know! I wish it wasn't a 3+ hour drive for me because I would love to already head back lol.

    Anyway, here are the takeaways:

    • Easy to access, right off the 101
    • Free firewood all around the campgrounds
    • Free showers (no need for quarters)
    • Super clean and well lit bathrooms
    • Ranger patrolling often (we are 2 young women, this helped us feel a little safer)
    • Standard campsite setup (bench + fire ring) but also included a pole with a hook - perfect for hanging lights, a tarp, drying dishware, etc.
    • Heads up! Advanced reservation is required

Guide to Upper Lake

Tent camping areas around Upper Lake, California primarily serve as access points to Mendocino National Forest and Clear Lake. The region sits at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 7,000 feet, creating diverse camping microclimates. Summer temperatures at lower elevations regularly exceed 90°F while higher forest campsites remain considerably cooler.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Cole Creek Campground at Clear Lake State Park provides access to some of the region's best bass fishing waters. "Lots of places to fish, hike and bike. We really enjoyed our stay," notes camper Chris P.

Off-road exploration: Red Mountain Campground serves as a hub for ATV and dirt bike enthusiasts. "Paradise if you have ATVs. Cool spot off the beaten path," explains Justin, who visited the area. The campground connects to miles of designated OHV trails.

Wildlife viewing: The Cache Creek area within Snow Mountain Wilderness offers excellent wildlife spotting potential. One backpacker reports, "Have seen eagles in the canyon everytime I have hiked in," and mentions "a resident herd of elk" in the area.

What campers like

Budget-friendly options: Penny Pines Campground offers some of the most affordable tent camping near Upper Lake. April H. shares, "Great price, simple, utilitarian camp ground," making it suitable for cost-conscious campers.

Secluded experiences: Red Mountain Campground provides exceptional privacy. Becky H. describes it as having a "million dollar view of the mountain range and Clearlake" and notes campers can "stay 14 days out of the year for free."

Creek access campsites: Snow Mountain Wilderness features tent spots along waterways. One visitor explains you can "hike into campsites right on Cache Creek" where "wildflowers are plentiful in the spring."

What you should know

Water availability: Most campgrounds near Upper Lake lack reliable water sources. At Red Mountain, Becky H. advises, "You should bring a solar shower and water to drink and cook with, as there is none."

Seasonal closures: COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground operates seasonally from May 1 to September 29, limiting options during winter months. Some areas experience temporary closures for repairs, as Robert C. discovered: "I arrived but did not camp here because the camp is closed for some flood damage repair."

Fire restrictions: Wildfire risk impacts camping throughout the region, with complete bans possible during peak fire season. Past fires have affected the landscape, with Keith B. noting at Buckhorn Campground, "Unfortunately a lot of damage was done during the fires."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground offers family-friendly amenities. Joshua H. shares, "Our young kids had a great time playing on the playground which was an unexpected bonus."

Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with room for children to play safely. "The sites are spacious and there are a mix of shady and sunny sites," notes Joshua H. about Bu-Shay Campground, providing flexibility for families.

Heat considerations: Lower elevation sites become extremely hot in summer. Keith B. warns that Buckhorn Campground "can get very hot in the summer with limited shade," making spring or fall visits more comfortable for families with young children.

Tips from RVers

Road access challenges: Many campgrounds require navigating difficult terrain. Red Mountain demands four-wheel drive capability, with one camper stating it's "worth the 4x4 trek to the campground."

Limited hookups: Most tent camping areas near Upper Lake lack RV amenities. Even at established campgrounds, facilities are basic. Bear Creek offers "clean" sites with "nice view," according to Carl, but provides no hookups or dump stations.

Supply planning: Ukiah offers the closest reliable shopping for extended stays. Joshua H. notes, "The town of Ukiah is pretty close as well, so you can get food or supplies easily," making it a good resupply point before heading to remote camping areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Upper Lake, CA?

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.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Upper Lake, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 40 tent camping locations near Upper Lake, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.