Upper Bay View (sites 113-147)

Clear Lake State Park is on the shores of California’s largest freshwater lake. The area is popular for all kinds of water recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating and water-skiing.
Anglers can catch largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and channel catfish. The park is a nesting place for waterfowl.

Hikers can enjoy various hiking trails throughout the park.  The Indian Nature Trail is a moderate half-mile self-guided trail that shows how the Pomo people utilized the area’s resources. The trail passes through the site of what was once a Pomo village.  The Dorn Trail is a guided interpretative 2.5-mile trail, which allows hikers to witness the natural features of the park.  The Kelsey Creek Trail is an accessible trail which highlights the waterfowl that inhabit Kelsey Slough.

Visitors may also enjoy the Visitor Center at Clear Lake State Park. The visitor center features displays that focus on the area’s natural and cultural history, an aquarium exhibiting some of the lake’s fish species.

Location - Directions

The entrance to the park is 3.5 miles northeast of Kelseyville on Soda Bay Road, north of Calistoga in the wine country.

More about the park

The Clear Lake area has a rich and interesting Native American and early settler’s history. Several thousand years ago, a landslide blocked natural drainage from a valley into the Russian River. The water rose until it found an outlet through Cache Creek into the Sacramento River to form Clear Lake, the largest natural lake entirely within California. The water comes from runoff and springs in Soda Bay.

Fishing

Professional bass fishing organization such as the U.S. Bass, Cal Bass, and Western Bass, have designated Clear Lake as the nation’s number one bass fishing lake.  Catfish, blackfish, Sacramento perch, hitch, crappie and bluegill can also be found.

Boating

We offer a boat launch for day use and campers. Boat slips for our locked marina are available for registered campers.

QUAGGA MUSSELS!!!!!! – County Info LC Ordinance #'s 2936, 2946, 2976 Requires Screening

Lake County Law requires screening of all registered water vessels.  The quagga mussel sticker fees have been raised to $20 per vessel. (Reference Document)

Quagga Screening does NOT apply to canoes, kayaks, car-top boats, float tubes, rafts, wind surfers/boards, boogey boards, non-motorized paddle boats, and non-motorized sail boats that are eight feet or less in length.

Camping

Clear Lake State Park has four campgrounds: Cole Creek, Kelsey Creek, Lower Bayview, and Upper Bayview. Kelsey Creek campground is open year round. All of our sites can fit a maximum camper/trailer length of 35 feet. There are no electrical or water hookups.

• Cole Creek
  Campground This campground winds along beautiful Cole Creek. Cole Creek campground offers 26 well shaded campsites and 2 Hike and Bike sites. Each site has a fire ring, a table, and a food storage box. Nearby restroom facilities offer pay showers and flushable toilets. 
  
  
• Kelsey Creek
  This is the only campground with lakeside sites. Located in between the waters of Clear Lake and Kelsey Slough, these 65 sites offer easy access to trails and fishing with partial shade. Each site has a fire ring, a table, and a food storage box. Nearby restroom facilities offer pay showers and flushable toilets. 
  
  
• Lower Bayview
  A short way up the hill rests our Lower Bayview Campground. These 22 partially shaded sites offer spectacular views of beautiful Clear Lake and Dorn Cove and is just a short walk from the swim beach. Each site has a fire ring, a table, and a food storage box. Nearby restroom facilities offer pay showers and flushable toilets. 
  
  
• Upper Bayview
  Woven on the top of the hill is the Upper Bayview campground. These 33 sites are partially shaded and have access to the Dorn Nature Trail. Restroom facilities offer pay showers and flushable toilets. 
  
  

Group Camping

Two group campgrounds are available at Clear Lake State Park.  Both sites offer shade Ramada’s, tables, fire rings and are nearby flushable toilets and pay showers.  Each group camp site can accommodate 40 people and 8 vehicles. These group campsites are available only by reservation.

Cabins

You don'need a tent or an RV to enjoy one of the most beautiful mountain settings in California. Clear Lake State Park offers you access to “get-away-from-it-all” rental cabins!
Eight cabins, of which two are ADA accessible, are located within feet from beautiful Clear Lake.

• Cabins have electricity; heaters/air conditioner, lights and fan. No refrigerator.
• Maximum occupancy is 4 persons. Each cabin has a full size bunk bed. Guest need to bring their own mattress pads along with their bedding.
• Each cabin has a large indoor storage cupboard, counter space and fixed table with 2 benches. 
• Cabin rate includes entry for one vehicle; additional vehicles will be charged $8 per night.
• No Pets
• No Smoking, cooking or open flame inside the cabins. Cabins each have an outdoor Barbecue, fire pit and picnic bench.

For more information on the cabins or to make a reservation go to www.reservecalifornia.com.

Swim Beach

Our swim beach is open sunrise to sunset. It offers shade Ramada’s and tables, with restrooms and showers nearby. NO DOGS OR GLASS BOTTLES ALLOWED ON THE SWIM BEACH.

*Wireless internet is not available at the park at this time.