Kelsey Creek Campground sits where Clear Lake meets Kelsey Slough in Clear Lake State Park, offering 65 sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and bear-proof food storage. Sites cost $30 per night and include access to flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station. The campground accommodates tents, RVs, groups, and cabin lodging.
Kelsey Creek Campground accommodates a variety of camping preferences, including tent camping, RV camping (without hookups), and cabin stays. Group camping sites are also available.
The Pomo people lived along these shores for thousands of years, fishing the lake and weaving baskets from native plants. Modern Pomo tribes now lead land reclamation projects in the area, working to restore and preserve their ancestral territory. Weather and SeasonsSpring brings the most reliable conditions. Daytime temperatures range from the mid-50s to mid-70s, with nights cooling into the 40s. This is when wildflowers bloom, bass and trout fishing picks up as waters warm, and birds migrate through or nest along the slough. Trails dry out after winter rains. Summer pushes above 100°F during the day, though evenings cool off. Fire risk and algal bloom frequency increase late in the season. Winter mornings can drop to 20°F, occasionally bringing snow to the surrounding hills.
ElevationPerched at 1,320 feet above sea level, Kelsey Creek Campground offers a perfect vantage point for breathtaking panoramic views. From your campsite, watch as morning mist rises from the lake's surface, revealing the rolling hills that embrace this natural wonder in a scenic amphitheater of green and gold.
Natural Features and SceneryClear Lake spreads out at 1,320 feet elevation, bordered by wetlands where the Kelsey Slough creates habitat for great blue herons, egrets, and diving ospreys. Mount Konocti, a dormant volcanic cone, dominates the skyline. The area's volcanic past left behind hidden hot springs and mineral springs that still bubble up from underground. Warm weather brings algal blooms that shift the lake's color from blue to varying shades of green.
Geological RegionWelcome to California's crown jewel of freshwater lakes, where ancient volcanic forces created a geological wonderland that continues to fascinate visitors and scientists alike. The dormant Mount Konocti rises dramatically from the shoreline, a testament to the area's fiery past, while hidden hot springs and mineral springs bubble up from deep within the earth, offering glimpses into the dynamic geological processes still at work beneath your feet in this unique volcanic landscape.
Scenic ViewsSites by the lake have unobstructed lake views. However, some sites are nearer to marshlands, which may obstruct views slightly.
Lodging & AccommodationsKelsey Creek Campground provides eight rental cabins, including two ADA-accessible cabins. The cabins are equipped with electricity, heaters, air conditioners, indoor storage cupboards, fixed tables, and outdoor barbecue, fire pit, and picnic bench. Bedding is not included, and guests must bring their own mattress pads. No refrigerators are available.
Programs & ActivitiesPrograms at the Visitor Center focus on the area's natural and cultural history. Interpretive exhibits and guided tours are available.