Cache Creek Regional Park Campground permits dogs on-leash throughout all tent and RV sites. Several pet-friendly campgrounds cluster within driving distance of Williams, including Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area and Loveys Landing RV Park, both accepting dogs with standard leash requirements. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Williams, California. Most properties enforce leash rules when pets are outside tents or vehicles. Cache Creek provides essential amenities including toilets and showers while maintaining pet access to picnic areas and campsites. Cowboy Camp offers more primitive camping with pets allowed but provides fewer facilities - just pit toilets without running water.
Lakeview Dispersed Campground offers free camping with dogs on BLM land near Clear Lake, approximately 50 miles from Williams. This location provides more secluded camping options for pet owners seeking space for their dogs to explore. Visitors should note that seasonal flies at certain campgrounds like Cowboy Camp can be problematic for pets. The surrounding terrain features open grasslands and access to streams, though crossing these waterways with pets requires careful navigation at certain times of year. Pack extra water for pets as drinking water is unavailable at several campgrounds including Cache Creek and Cowboy Camp. Most campsites allow tents and RVs, with East Park Reservoir and Kelsey Creek Campground also offering pet-friendly cabin options.
$35 / night
"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."
"It’s a lovely meadow next to an RV park. Perfect little trail that lead right to a beach on the river !!!"
"Next to a stream and surrounded by hills. The only tough part is getting across the stream to some of the hikes."
"We went to this campground to hike the San Juan trail and ended up staying the night as well. Such as beautiful campsite. It was a quiet night with not such noise from people."
"But, no worries, there were plenty of sites spread around - it is a large reservoir. We found one that had shade, wasn't too sloped and wasn't even next to anyone else. We are going again this year."
"It was relatively quiet, and nobody immediately near us. Amazing sunsets. The second time we went was June 2020. This time we stayed on the other side of the lake. "
$30 / night
"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."
"First time camping and going somewhat off road. If you’re worried about your vehicle making it up we saw a tesla and a nissan altima up there. My subaru made it up perfectly."
"Beautiful spot with some views of the lake. No services, but had cell service (CC). I drove in from the south access to High Valley rd. The road was challenging."
"Clean sites and pet friendly. We took the boat on our last trip here and had a great time. Great fishing spots!!"
"Not a bad campsite, but was surrounded by RVs and people walking around. Can’t bring dogs onto the beach area which was a bummer, but was too crowded anyways"
GuideRight behind a casino, but a really nice park. Excellent bathrooms and showers. A pool area and dog park. Good Wi-Fi and amenities. A little pricier than what I am used to but it was a really nice place to stay the night. Also awesome treat bad for the dog provided at check in, a really nice touch.
GuideThis place was a very nice spot for any overnight stay on the way up to Oregon. The woman at the front desk was friendly and helpful. There is great shade in our site (A6) and a nice table. Kudos for the large dog park, now if I can only solve for the a*holes who can't be bothered to pick up after their dogs at every dog park I've ever visited. Don't expect a ton of privacy here and the sites are all gravel and/or dirt except for strips of grass in between neighbors. With all that said we will definitely use this as an overnight stop again.
GuideWe originally were going to Fouts Creek Campground but it was HOV weekend (Presidents). Lots of dirt bikes and law enforcement. National Forest pulled in officers from surrounding forests and Sheriff Depts.
With a 35' Class A our options were limited. A Ranger suggested Letts Lake. There is a narrow one lane newly paved road that goes up to Dixie Glade equestrian camp, from there it is dirt. Taking it slow, we made it to Letts Lake and parked in spot 12. It was a tight fit, but we made it.
There are two additional campgrounds at the opposite end of the lake but they are closed for winter. As there was no water or trash service there was no fee. Typically $5.00)
The lake is small with no motors allowed but easy to walk around. Pet friendly in fact all but one campsite had at least one dog. Fire damage to the forest is substantial but new growth is already starting
ScoutThousand Trails Lake Minden
Tiny Park, Giant Heart
We spent three weeks at Lake Minden and, to be honest, judged it too quickly. It’s one of the smaller Thousand Trails parks, and when we first rolled in, we weren’t sure it was going to be our kind of place. That changed fast.
Right off the bat, we were greeted warmly at the gate- no awkward waiting or guessing, just a “Hey there, welcome!” kind of vibe. Our assigned spot had a bad electric hookup, but moving one space over solved that and actually gave us a better view. So, win-win.
The park, like many Thousand Trails locations, is clearly from a different era. The facilities, the grounds, even the layout- it all shows its age in the same way most of these long-standing parks do. But here’s the difference: it’s obvious they take care of what they have. You can feel the pride in the upkeep, and honestly, I’d take a clean, cared-for 50-year-old park over a neglected new one any day.
The community here is what made the trip. The staff pour real effort into the activities- they’re on time, thoughtful, and welcoming. Friday potlucks were the soul of the park. We forgot our plates and silverware more than once (parent brain), and Barbara, the activities director, always had us covered without missing a beat. That kind of care doesn’t go unnoticed.
Easter weekend took it to another level. My toddler had the time of his life painting eggs and coloring puzzles, and my wife - who’d never painted an egg before - might’ve had more fun than he did. The Easter egg hunt was packed with families and even staff with their kids. Prizes for the winners, candy in the eggs for the rest of us- my toddler’s too young for the sweets, so I had no choice but to help. That’s what dads are for, right?
There’s an ice cream social every Saturday, and it’s as delightful as it sounds. Tons of toppings, lots of conversation, and just a genuinely happy way to spend a weekend afternoon. We missed candy bar bingo this time, but it's already on the list for our return trip.
Special thanks to Gwen, the park manager, who couldn’t have been more welcoming. The assistant manager warmed up by the end of our stay, which made us feel even more like part of the community.
Facilities were surprisingly polished. The showers were spotless, stocked, and looked freshly upgraded with woodgrain tile and real stall doors. Toilets and sinks were just as clean, and even when I accidentally left my shampoo in the shower, I found it days later placed neatly on the side counter. That’s rare. Housekeeping here clearly cares.
The lodge is small- more like a retrofitted mobile trailer - but full of charm. It’s where most activities are held, and there's a cozy back room with a pool table, board games, a decent little DVD collection, and a small library. My toddler played Connect 4 like a champion (even though he mostly used it as a coin-drop game), and, tried valiantly to reach the pool balls.
Now, the lake. It’s... functional. Let’s be honest, it’s a man-made basin with some concrete leftovers that litter the sides that look like the Ghost of Swimming Pools Past. Not the prettiest, but they do stock it with fish and the docks looked newly redone- one rebuilt while we were there, looked really nice when they finished. I didn’t bring my gear, but next time, I’m sneaking out for some dad-time with a rod and reel.
There’s no pool at this park, but the grassy areas made up for it. Annual sites had a huge open field behind them where my son ran wild playing ball and chase. Minden must’ve mowed the day we arrived because the smell of cut grass hit us like nostalgia. They kept it mowed weekly, and my kid was hypnotized by the riding mower going up and down the stretch. In fact there's enough gassy area I thought a great spring/summertime regular event would be water days- think slip'n slides and mist sprinklers set up for the kids. That would be fun... and a cool relief in those hotter days.
There’s a playground with a raised soft-chip base, multiple slides, and just the right level of challenge for a toddler. He had a blast. Even the dog park, while nothing fancy (just a weed-sprouting rectangle), gave our Silky terriers a space to run a few laps. I may or may not have snuck them into the field after hours for some frisbee time. Nobody tell.
Connectivity was solid- I had full AT&T service for calls, texts, and data the entire time. It was a quiet park, minus one domestic dispute from a neighboring site that cleared up fast (and they moved out the next day). Otherwise, peaceful and calm.
Now, let’s talk about traffic flow- because this one got me. The park is built around a lake, and the road looping around it is one-way, enforced with a strict 5 mph speed limit. That’s great if you have kids or dogs and you want a calm environment. Not so great when you realize halfway to the store that you forgot your wallet. What should’ve been a quick grab turned into a 10-minute drive out, a 10-minute drive back in, and then… yep, 10 minutes out again. I’ve taken shorter road trips just to get ice cream. Lesson learned.
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Stay Summary & Scores
Restroom & Shower Facilities: ★★★★★
Exceptionally clean, stocked, and well-maintained. Modern-feeling shower stalls with privacy and woodgrain tile. Toilets and sinks equally spotless.
Lodge Amenities & Common Spaces: ★★★★☆
Compact but full of charm. Activities room, pool table, games, small library. Retrofitted mobile unit, but used thoughtfully and consistently.
Overall Cleanliness & Maintenance: ★★★★★
Top-tier. Grass is cut regularly, restrooms shine, playground looks freshly maintained, and even left-behind items are handled with care.
Recreational Activities & Family Engagement: ★★★★★
Thoughtfully organized events (especially Easter), ice cream socials, egg painting, RC airplane shows, dog races, and a family-friendly vibe across the board.
Staff Hospitality & Park Culture: ★★★★★
Gwen leads with warmth. Barbara is the MVP of activities. Assistant manager needed some time to warm up, but did. Felt truly welcomed.
Lake & Waterfront Quality: ★★☆☆☆
Man-made and a little tired. Some concrete remnants along the edge. Not great for swimming, but fish-stocked and dock area recently improved.
Pet-Friendliness: ★★★☆☆
Dog park was weedy and basic, but functional. Open spaces nearby helped. Waste bins were present and clean.
Site Utility Functionality: ★★★★☆ First electric hookup was faulty, but the second was fine. Rest of the site utilities performed without issue. Easy to park and level.
Traffic Flow & Accessibility: ★★★☆☆
Strict 5 mph limit is great for safety (especially with kids) but makes trips around the loop feel like slow motion. One-way loop adds time - especially painful if you forget your wallet and turn your day into a 30-minute regret.
General Atmosphere & Community Vibe: ★★★★★ Welcoming, peaceful, and filled with community spirit. The kind of place where strangers become friends over potluck and board games.
GuideWe love Collins!! Very nice for paddle boarding and kayaking. Clean sites and pet friendly. We took the boat on our last trip here and had a great time. Great fishing spots!!
GuidePros: If you are a person who likes to either stay all day at your campsite or are a water sport/water toy type person this campground is for you. Cons: Bathroom near our campsite wasn’t working. Campsites were overgrown with foxtails, not good for my dogs. Trash in our fire pit. A few campsites away from ours had a huge poison oak plant at the back where you park your rig. A walkway near the campground popular for fishing had a tree fall on it, instead of clearing the tree, the park rangers closed it off. Not much hiking in the park, and if you decide to walk the couple short hikes, don’t bring your dogs, NO DOGS ALLOWED. For the number of workers this park employs you would think these things would be dealt with, but no. I guess this is typical of State Parks in California, so much potential but sadly California parks slowly deteriorate.
ScoutWe rented a camping yurt and we were so surprised how big it is! We received a key to our own bathroom and shower! They had a sink to was dishes in and a place to clean our fish. We rented a motor boat for a few hours to explore the beautiful lake. Pet friendly. Great little beach. A dock to fish from. Everything you need to have a great time! They also have bigger yurts and cabins to rent. Also, RV parking .We have already booked another visit.
ScoutOut of all of the campgrounds around Lake Oroville and within the state park rec area by far Bidwell is THE best..it's clean, it has cell service plus wifi if you need it, pets are ok, 2 to 3 boat launches, spots to fish, great showers and bathrooms plus the park rangers that run this specific campground are the most amazing people.. they remember you and they are always friendly and have a smile for you plus they are incredibly knowledgeable and clearly love their jobs..I love this campground and have been here many times this summer alone I will continue to come back and always recommend it to anyone and everyone
GuideI came to Colusa for work and only needed to stay for a couple of days, but I found the campground a comfortable spot to settle in for the week and catch up on some writing. I enjoyed biking the path along the river and fishing in the evenings. There are stray cats around town and the park. I lured one in with some treats.
Cache Creek Regional Park Campground sits 1,100 feet above sea level in the eastern foothills of California's Coast Range, approximately 30 miles from Williams. Temperatures can reach over 100°F in summer months with cooler nights. The surrounding terrain features oak woodlands transitioning to grasslands with scattered seasonal creeks that typically dry up by midsummer.
Wildlife watching opportunities: Cache Creek Regional Park Campground offers impressive wildlife encounters. "I pulled in here for the night and found I was completely alone. Except I kept hearing splashing in the creek. I wasn't alone - there was a herd of Elk. Super cool," reports Kevin C.
Birdwatching along Clear Lake: Kelsey Creek Campground provides excellent bird habitats. "Beautiful campground, good space between sites. Staff was great... Very peaceful, good birdwatching, and abundant deer life," notes Suzanne S. The campground connects to nature trails for additional wildlife viewing.
Trail exploration: Hiking trails near Blue Oak Campground offer moderate terrain suitable for day hikes. "We went to this campground to hike the San Juan trail and ended up staying the night as well. Such as beautiful campsite. It was a quiet night with not such noise from people. Tons of birds in the area to listen to," shares Megan M.
Free camping options: Lakeview Dispersed Campground offers no-cost dispersed camping with views. "There was only one other person here when I was. They got the prime spot, early bird and all. Very nice view. You have to drive up to right as you enter and then turn toward the lake to find the really nice spots," advises Todd N.
Fishing access: Anglers appreciate the Sacramento River access from local campgrounds. "I enjoyed biking the path along the river and fishing in the evenings," mentions Meg R. about her experience at Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area Campground.
Secluded spots: Cache Creek Regional Park offers quieter camping areas. "BLM land, can camp anywhere >500 feet from the parking lot. 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. We were the only tent campers there on Friday," reports Olivia W.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. Regarding Lakeview Dispersed Campground, Alexander Mark C. notes: "The road getting to it was definitely a bit sketchy for my Rav4 AWD, probably wouldn't be able to do it if it wasn't dry. Large vehicles likely won't be able to make it up there."
Seasonal closures: Check ahead for campground status. "Visit was for 11/19/2024 found the gates locked, no entry. Seasonal? No signage to tell," reports Natalie T. about Cowboy Camp.
Insects vary by season: Preparation for bugs is essential, particularly in warmer months. "Be prepared for bugs in Spring! We had to pull out our bug screen! Dawn and dusk is their most active time," warns Mea H. about Kelsey Creek Campground.
Water-based activities: East Park Reservoir accommodates families seeking water recreation. "This is a great reservoir to camp, boat, jet ski, fish, etc. It is a pretty good size that has plenty of space for small parties or large party campsites," explains Kelsey B., adding, "The pricing is pretty inexpensive."
Shade considerations: Plan for limited tree cover at some sites. Kelsey B. notes about East Park Reservoir: "The only downfall is that here isn't a whole of tree coverage for shade so make sure to bring a pop up tent/canopy for shade."
Site selection strategy: Early arrival increases options for pet friendly camping near Williams, California. At Lakeview Dispersed Campground, "3 main spots in the beginning, Drowned trees to assess further down the other road," according to william T., suggesting families should arrive early to secure optimal spots.
Leveling requirements: Cowboy Camp provides suitable spaces for recreational vehicles with some preparation. "We always manage to level out in our 23" Winnebago View. There is lots of open space so no crowding," shares Jorg F.
Hookup availability: Several Williams area campgrounds offer partial hookups. At Happy Time RV Park, Jeffrey A. notes it provides "Full set ups and dry camp. Very friendly staff. Mixture of residents. Well maintained park."
Dump station locations: Plan accordingly for waste disposal. Mea H. confirms that Kelsey Creek Campground has a dump station and water fill access, noting "Clean site? - Yes, Clean bathroom? - Yes, Flush toilet? - Yes, Showers? - Yes, token operated."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Williams, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Williams, CA is Cache Creek Regional Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Williams, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 88 dog-friendly camping locations near Williams, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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