Bear Creek Campground

Star3.71
16 reviews

Quick Facts

2,000 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

16 campsites

Season

"Open seasonally."

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

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Bear Creek Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
"No Fees are required for this site."
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

3.71

Mixed Reviews

Based on 16 reviews

13 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquiet

"User reviews describe Bear Creek Campground as a primitive camping location with basic amenities. Many visitors appreciate the creek flowing year-round and the site's linear layout. While picnic tables and fire rings are available and appreciated, the vault toilets have maintenance issues that detract from the experience."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Bear Creek Campground

39.3198, -122.8399

Driving directions"In Upper Lake, CA, at intersection of Main St. and State Rt. 20, take Main St. north 0.25 miles to 2nd St. Turn right on 2nd St. and go 0.1 miles to Middle Creek Rd. Turn left onto Middle Creek Rd. and go 0.4 miles to Elk Mountain Rd. Turn right onto Elk Mountain Rd. and go 14.6 miles to Bear Creek Rd. (Forest Rt. 10/18N01). Bear right onto Bear Creek Rd. and go 7.5 miles to Forest Rt. 17N33. Continue straight on Rt. 17N33 for 0.6 miles to campground on right."
"Several spots on the road to this campground are narrow, passable only with high-clearance 4WD."

Best Time to Camp at Bear Creek Campground

Perched at 2,000 feet elevation, this campground enjoys a mild climate that welcomes visitors throughout the year. The moderate altitude provides comfortable temperatures during summer months while offering crisp, refreshing air that enhances your outdoor experience without the extreme conditions found at higher elevations.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Dry seasons are favored and 2,000 ft elevation offers mild summer temps and easier access.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Mild climate and dry-season access make fall a good time to visit; fewer explicit reviews.

Spring(Mar-May)
2.5 / 5

Spring wet conditions can make site hard to reach though creek flow is reliable.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Open seasonally; wet seasons cause creek crossings and muddy roads, making access challenging in winter.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: "Open seasonally."
  • Current Alerts: "Vault toilets are full."

About Bear Creek Campground

Discover a hidden gem where the gentle murmur of Bear Creek provides a year-round soundtrack to your camping adventure. This charming campground offers an intimate escape into nature, with the perpetually flowing creek creating a refreshing ambiance that transforms every stay into a memorable experience.
Bear Creek Campground offers primitive camping options, primarily for tent campers. RV camping and other modern accommodations are not supported due to the lack of facilities and challenging access roads.
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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit
"14 days"

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Bear Creek Campground provides opportunities for fishing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Visitors often highlight the creek as a feature, which is suitable for filtering water and adds to the outdoor experience. Hunting and shooting are also mentioned as allowed activities within the area.
HikingHiking is available, including day hikes and backpacking options as stated in authoritative sources. No specific trail details or difficulty levels are provided.
FishingFishing opportunities exist in nearby streams and rivers. User reviews highlight Bear Creek as a small creek that flows year-round, making it potentially suitable for fishing.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & Alerts"It is necessary to ford three creeks to access the campground and is not accessible when water is running high."
Active Alerts"Vault toilets are full."
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Bear Creek Campground

Reviews

3.7
16 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Bear Creek Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews describe Bear Creek Campground as a primitive camping location with basic amenities. Many visitors appreciate the creek flowing year-round and the site's linear layout. While picnic tables and fire rings are available and appreciated, the vault toilets have maintenance issues that detract from the experience.
Review Summaries
Based on 16 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviews highlight the year-round flowing creek, cement picnic benches, fire rings, and the campground's quiet, linear layout, which minimizes overcrowding.
Based on 16 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints focus on the vault toilets being full and the challenging access roads that require high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. The lack of potable water and maintenance of...
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Based on 16 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

User tips recommend bringing a water filtration system to utilize the nearby creek and ensuring vehicles have high clearance and four-wheel drive for accessing the site. Campers suggest planning...
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Based on 16 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Dry seasons are favored due to easier accessibility. During wet seasons, creek crossings and muddy roads make the site challenging to reach.
Based on 16 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The campground is laid out in a line so you won't have too many other campers near you even if the campground is busy." "Nice little campground next to a the small Bear creek that usually flows all...
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Based on 16 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No specific site numbers highlighted in reviews.
Based on 16 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically mention accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Based on 16 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific mention of pet policies or pet-friendly features.
Based on 16 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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