Summer at Clear Lake Campground

Updated for 2022

Clear Lake Campground is the perfect place to spend those lazy days of summer. Start your morning with a kayak or boat ride, a walk in Anderson Marsh State Park or fish right off the shore. Spend the hot afternoons lounging by the pool or going in for a swim. Evenings are often beautiful, a great time to kick back, have a barbecue, and enjoy your spot along Cache Creek. There's something for everyone whether you like to fish, experience nature, or just relax.

At Camp we have canoes and kayaks for rent, boat ramps for launching your own boat, fish-cleaning stations, and a small store selling frozen bait, night crawlers, hooks, and weights. Because Clear Lake is a shallow lake the water is a greenish color and swimming in Cache Creek is not usually recommended in summer although it's fine for fishing and boating. We have a nice pool where you can swim during the day and deck chairs and picnic tables by the shore of Cache Creek where you'll often see heron, egrets, ducks, and even otters. If you want to swim in the lake, we recommend these places to swim in Lake County.

Lake County has several special events in summer. Experience the days of the the wild west in mid-June at Middletown Days, a great family event with a parade, BBQ, horseshoe tournament, chili cook off, live music, and hay rides. Celebrate Father's Day with a camping trip.

Fourth of July celebrations are spread over several days with fireworks at different locations around the lake. In Clearlake there's a carnival at Austin Park June 30-July 4 and a small parade followed by the International Worm Races, then a concert in the park and fireworks on July 2. Lakeport holds a street fair on July 4 and fireworks.  The CDFW usually schedules a free fishing day on the weekend before July 4 so you can fish right at the campground even if you don't have a license. The following weekend is the Lake County Rodeo, held at the Lakeport Fairgrounds.

In mid-August, the Lakeside Hot Car and Boat Show is usually held in Lakeport with music, vendors, food, cars, and high-performance boats making passes by Library Park.

A highlight of summer is the Lake County Fair, held Labor Day Weekend at the Lakeport Fairgrounds. Saturday night features top musical entertainment and there are lots of fun family activities and shows during the day both Saturday and Sunday.

Free concerts in Lakeport's Library Park are often held Friday evenings at 6PM from mid-June through mid-August. The third Thursday evening from June through September, Kickin in the Country is held in downtown Kelseyville with live music, food, and vendors. Clearlake Art Gallery holds a third Friday Gala of art and music is held, 6 - 8PM. Head to Ely Stage Stop the first Sunday of the month for the fiddlers' jam (see historic places to visit for more information). Live music is held in several venues around the lake on Friday and Saturday nights during summer.

Anderson Marsh State Park (also listed in historic places to visit), across the creek from Clear Lake Campground, holds guided nature walks the second Saturday of the month, usually starting at 8:30. But you can hike on your own in the park any day, early mornings are usually the best time to go in summer.

Summer is a good time to visit Lake County wineries - see wineries to visit near Camp. Most are open for tasting on weekends and some are open every day in summer but you may need to book in advance for tastings. Wineries often hold special events in summer, too. Visit the Farmers' market, with live music and food, on Saturday mornings at Shannon Ridge Winery, off Highway 29 in Kelseyville. Have a picnic and play bocce at Vigilance Winery in Lower Lake, just a few miles from Clear Lake Campground. Or take a jeep tour at Six Sigma Winery.

For more special events and the live music schedule, see the Lake County Chamber of Commerce Events Calendar. Plan your weekend with our 36 Hours at Clear Lake Campground itinerary.

Book Your Camp Site at Clear Lake Campground

More about when to visit Clear Lake Campground:

• Clear Lake in Spring
  
• Clear Lake in Fall
• Clear Lake in Winter
  
• Top Events by Month
  

Author:
Martha Bakerjian is a travel writer who divides her time between Clearlake and northern Tuscany. She writes about Italy on her site, Martha's Italy.