Clear Lake State Park Campground
5300 Soda Bay Rd, Kelseyville, CA 95451
Overview
Clear Lake State Park is home to four campgrounds with individual sites: Cole Creek, Upper Bayview, Lower Bayview, and Kelsey Creek. It also has two group sites, two hike-and-bike sites, and a lakeside area with 6 standard cabins and 2 ADA-accessible cabins. Kelsey Creek is open all year, but the other sites are seasonal.
Amenities include flush toilets, fire rings, food storage boxes, and picnic tables. There is a dump station by the Visitor Center. All campgrounds either have paid showers or are situated nearby with the exception of Lower Bayview. Guests staying at Lower Bayview will need to walk a short distance to reach showers. All cabins have electricity, heat/air conditioning, and lighting.
Dogs are allowed in campgrounds and on paved roads or parking lots. They’re not welcome on trails or in day-use areas. Pets are also prohibited from staying in the cabins.
Best Campsites at Clear Lake State Park Campground
Below are Power Camper’s recommended sites if you want to have the best experience at Clear Lake State Park Campground.
Best Cabin: #8
- Only one neighboring cabin
- Located at the end of the road
- Closest to the water
- Downside: farther from restrooms and showers
Best Accessible Sites: #65, #86
- Short distance from showers and restrooms
- Located along the lake
- Downside: farther from parking and trails
Best for Swimming: #92, #93
- Next to the swimming area and viewpoint
- Easy access to the trail network
- Close to restrooms
- Downside: must walk to other campgrounds for showers
Unique Experiences
- For an afternoon of exercise and a taste of history, hit the 0.5-mile Indian Nature Trail to see the former site of a Pomo village and learn more about Indigenous people who lived off the land.
- Grab your fishing pole and tackle to discover why professional fishing groups like U.S. Bass consider Clear Lake to be the top bass-fishing location in the entire country!
- Head over to the swimming beach for a refreshing dip in the water and some wholesome fun out in nature.
- Drive into nearby Kelseyville to visit Boatique Winery, an eclectic vineyard that also maintains a collection of antique boats in a one-of-a-kind museum.
Clear Lake State Park Campground Campground Rules
Pet Friendly
YesMax Trailer/RV Length
35 feetMax People per Site
Individual sitesMax Vehicles per Site
Individual sitesFires Allowed
YesClear Lake State Park Campground Reservation Information
Reservations Allowed?
Reservations Required?
YesReservations for individual sites are available by phone at 1-800-444-7275 or through the online portal at www.reservecalifornia.com. A nonrefundable $7.99 reservation will apply. Individual sites can accommodate up to 8 people and 1 vehicle.
Cabin reservations are listed separately on www.reservecalifornia.com as their own listing for Clear Lake State Park. Reservations are also available by calling 1-800-444-7275. Cabins can fit up to 4 guests and 1 vehicle. Cabins have electricity, an outdoor barbecue, a fire ring, lighting, and heat/AC. Guests must bring their own mattress pads, linens, and blankets. All cabins are $60 per night, and two are ADA-accessible.
Group Camping Reservations
Group camping reservations are available at www.reservecalifornia.com or by phone at 1-800-444-7275. Group sites are $75 per night and can fit 40 guests and 8 vehicles each. The $7.99 reservation fee is non-refundable.
Campsite Reservation Cancellations
Cancellations should be requested through the Reserve California online portal or by phone at 1-800-444-7275. A $7.99 cancellation fee will be charged. Any late cancellations requested after 6 p.m. the night before arrival will also forfeit the cost of a single night in the campground.
Clear Lake State Park Campground Campground Cost
Standard
$30Hike/Bike-in
$5Group Sites
$75Cabins
$60Activities
Fishing
Geocaching
Picnicking
Swimming
Hiking
Boating
Photography
Bike Trails
Stargazing
Historic Sites
Nature Trails
Surfing / Windsurfing
Canoeing / Kayaking
Amenities
RV/Trailers
Hookups
Pull Through Spots
Pet Friendly
ADA Sites
Showers
Grills
Boat Ramp
Boat Rental
Showers
Restrooms
Ranger Station
Visitors/Rec Center
Picnic Tables
Campfire Rings
Campground Host
Potable Water
Directions
FAQs
Nearby Campgrounds to Clear Lake State Park Campground
Clear Lake State Park has a diverse set of campgrounds that can fit the needs of most guests. From cabins to large groups, there are many affordable sites both inland and along the shore. Amenities include a dump station, showers, and flush toilets, which makes longer stays convenient. The most notable drawbacks are the lack of boat-in sites and hookups.
Clear Lake has extremely affordable pricing at $30 per night for individual sites, $60 for cabins, and $75 for group sites. It’s easy for guests to get their money’s worth with the range of activities available within the area shared by the campgrounds. With hiking trails, scenic overlooks, a swimming beach, a fishing area, and a boating marina, there’s always plenty to do.
Boat-In Sites (Lake Sonoma) Campground
Lake Sonoma allows boaters to stay anywhere in the park if they aren’t tying up on land for the night. There are also 100 boat-in campsites on land at a rate of $20 per night. Some parts of the park are equipped for fishing and swimming, but the settings vary widely. Amenities include picnic tables and fire rings. Since Clear Lake doesn’t have any boat-in sites available, this location is better for individuals who prefer to be on the move, stay on their boats, or have access to the water without a marina.
Bushay Recreation Area Campground
Bushay Recreation Area is located along Lake Mendocino with easy access to the surrounding wilderness, which gives guests more variety than at Clear Lake. Amenities at the 100+ sites include flush toilets, water, showers, a dump station, and a playground. Site #94 has water hookups and a 20-amp connection for electricity, but no other sites have hookups. This campground is open all year but may close due to flooding.
Horses are welcome on the trails, and there’s an equestrian staging area on site. Campsites are slightly farther back from the water than at Clear Lake, so this location is best for guests who enjoy a mix of the water and the wilderness.
Gray Pine Group Campground
Gray Pine Group Campground in Mendocino National Forest is more primitive than the group camps at Clear Lake. The group site is located in a relatively remote area away from the water. Amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings.
Gray Pine can accommodate up to 75 guests, making it a more appealing option compared to the smaller group sites at Clear Lake that fit a maximum of 40 people. Guests at Gray Pine can easily reach the OHV area for off-roading activities or trails for horseback riding, neither of which are permitted at Clear Lake.
