Clear Lake State Park

The Place

The park sits on Soda Bay Road 3.5 miles northeast of Kelseyville, on a peninsula-like section of the lake's southeastern shore. Four campgrounds are distributed around the park, ranging from the shaded Cole Creek sites to the lakeside Kelsey Creek sites, which sit between the lake and Kelsey Slough and offer the most direct water access. Lower Bayview and Upper Bayview campgrounds occupy slightly higher ground with views over Dorn Cove and proximity to the swim beach.

Clear Lake itself is old. Very old, geologically speaking, with estimates putting it among the oldest lakes in North America, and the depth and age of the lake support a fishery that has made it famous among bass anglers. Largemouth bass are the headliner, but catfish, crappie, bluegill, Sacramento perch, and other species round out the catch.

The visitor center, open Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., includes a small aquarium and exhibits on the lake's natural and cultural history, including material on the Pomo people who have lived along Clear Lake for thousands of years.

When to Go

Spring through early summer is bass spawning season, which is when the fishing is best and the campgrounds fill up with serious anglers. Book well in advance if you plan to visit April through June. Summer is hot, Lake County routinely hitting triple digits in July and August, but the lake itself moderates the campground temperatures. Fall is quieter and cooler, with pleasant weather and available campsites. Winter is off-season, with fewer crowds and lower fees.

The park imposes a quagga mussel inspection fee of $20 per vessel for all boats entering the lake, a Lake County requirement. Factor this in when planning if you are bringing your own boat.

Getting There

From Highway 29 in Kelseyville, take Gaddy Lane east and then Soda Bay Road northeast for about 3.5 miles to the park entrance. The drive from Sacramento takes roughly two hours. From the Bay Area, expect two to two and a half hours depending on your starting point and route. Clear Lake is genuinely out of the way, which is part of why it stays relatively uncrowded by Bay Area standards.

Maximum trailer and camper length is 35 feet.

What to Do

Fishing is the anchor activity. Bass tournaments regularly use Clear Lake as a venue, and shore fishing from the Kelsey Creek and Lower Bayview areas is productive. The park has a boat launch and marina slips.

Swimming is available at the beach area, with shade ramadas. No dogs or glass bottles at the beach. Water-skiing and scuba diving are also permitted.

The Dorn Trail is a 2.5-mile interpretive loop from the Upper Bayview campground area. It is the park's most substantial hike and passes through oak woodland and along the lake edge. The Indian Nature Trail is a flat half-mile loop near the visitor center focused on plants used by the Pomo.

Birding along Kelsey Slough is worth an early morning if you have any interest in waterfowl. The slough is a nesting area and the variety is high in spring.

Reservations & Fees

Day use is $8 per vehicle. Camping across all four campgrounds runs in the standard California State Parks range; sites have picnic tables and fire rings with pay showers and flush toilets in each campground area. No electrical or water hookups are available. Eight cabins sleep up to four people; no pets allowed in cabins. Two cabins are ADA-accessible. Two group campsites hold 40 people and 8 vehicles each and require reservations. Book everything through ReserveCalifornia (800-444-7275 or reservecalifornia.com). Park phone: (707) 279-4293.