Several camping options surround Witter Springs in Northern California's Clear Lake region. This area has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers where temperatures can exceed 90°F and mild winters with occasional frost. Camping facilities range from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks, with most locations busiest during summer weekends and wine country festivals.
What to do
Water recreation on Clear Lake: The Aurora RV Park & Marina in Nice offers free canoe and paddle boat use with life jackets included. "They offer FREE canoe/paddle boating. Bathrooms are kept clean and mike, the owner is amazing," notes a camper about The Aurora RV Park & Marina.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Minden provides stocked fishing areas and recently renovated docks. "Last trip we caught 3 bass and 12 bluegills. This trip we caught a personal record size bass. Great place for fishing all day," reports a visitor at Lake Minden.
Russian River swimming: River Bend Resort offers family-friendly river access with varying water depths. "The private beach is great for kids (and adults). Easy swimming without a strong current. Lots of shallows but a deep swimming hole area for adults too," explains a camper at River Bend Resort.
Wine country exploration: Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for Sonoma County wine tasting. The region features over 425 wineries within driving distance of most camping areas.
What campers like
Waterfront camping views: Porto Bodega offers sites directly on the bay with fishing access. "A variety of site types, including many on the water. Unlike some that show the Bay on their website, this one is actually right on the water!" comments a guest at Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park.
Family-oriented amenities: SacWest RV Park includes playgrounds and recreational facilities. "Great campground! Hospitality and professionalism- that how you can describe this place! Lots of things to do for kids: great playgrounds, swimming pool, more than 100 ducks going around!" reports a visitor at SacWest RV Park & Campground.
Shade and natural settings: Mirabel RV Park offers tree coverage on hot days. "Tons of trees so every site has plenty of shade. Theres a short trail down to the river, perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding," notes a camper at Mirabel RV Park & Campground.
Convenient access to local businesses: Several rv sites near Witter Springs, California provide easy access to local services. "Close to restaurants and grocery. Cell worked well," mentions a visitor about Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park.
What you should know
Varying site privacy levels: Some RV parks offer minimal separation between sites. "I parked in the back along the river which was ideal with grassy spots along the river and campfire spots to use," explains a visitor at SacWest, showing the importance of site selection.
Road noise considerations: Traffic sound affects several campgrounds. "What was not mentioned is that it is right next to the highway so we heard frequent traffic day & nite," cautions a visitor about River Bend Resort.
Seasonal crowding patterns: Summer holidays bring increased activity and noise. "Crowded on holiday weekends and a lot of people playing loud music. If you are okay with that they have a lot of sites right next to the water. The sites away from the water are quieter," advises a camper.
Maintenance variations: Campground conditions vary widely across the region. "Gravel spots & pick nick tables. Only had 30amp service & the outlet moved around a bit. Had to prop up my plug with some blocks to keep it from moving or would lose power," reports a Thousand Trails visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming areas with gradual entry: River access points with shallow sections work best for children. "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," notes a camper about River Bend.
Consider cabin options for mixed groups: Several campgrounds offer cabins for non-camping family members. "We have a dog and two very young children. We had a blast there lots to do and see! On Sunday's the farmers market is nextdoor so you can walk over!" shares a visitor at Bodega Bay RV Park.
Check campground rules for children: Some RV parks have specific policies about kids. "It's not the best for families though. No bike riding or scooting, so we had to walk them to the walking path. They also mention a few times about well behaved children," cautions a Bodega Bay RV Park visitor.
Book well ahead for holiday weekends: Family-friendly sites fill quickly during peak periods, especially those with water access.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: Several parks have limited spaces for larger vehicles. "Coming off of the highway there are broken down campers and RV encampments along the road. None of it interfered with the campground itself though. Check-in was easy but the entrance is a bit tight for bigger rigs," explains a visitor at Thousand Trails Russian River.
Dump station availability: Plan tank usage based on hookup type. "You are pretty much relegated to walking the CG roads or using the 'off-leash' area, which is a fenced in treed area but is also just bare dirt and clearly not everyone cleans up after their dogs," notes a visitor about pet areas.
Electrical reliability varies: Bring stabilizers for uncertain power sources. "Spaces are all 30 amp with no sewer hookups. Many spaces are very narrow/tight and uphill from your neighbor," reports a camper at Thousand Trails.
Connectivity considerations: Cell and wifi performance varies by location. "AT&T coverage was just ok, with 2 bars of LTE and speeds up to 0.8 MB/s. The CG WiFi through TengoInternet.com is bit wanky, only allowing 3 connected devices," explains an RV camper.
