What Historical Cemeteries Can I Visit from Clear Lake Campground?

Cemeteries are everywhere you go and they're often interesting and peaceful places to explore. They're full of history and often are home to birds and other wildlife, such as deer. Lake County cemeteries are rarely crowded so it's easy to find some solitude. Early settlers are buried in several of our cemeteries so they're a good place to discover some Lake County history.

Lower Lake Cemetery and Pioneer Cemetery
Herndon Cemetery, also known as Pioneer Cemetery was started in 1856 by Nathaniel Herndon for his family and friends. The Herndon family was part of the Copsey wagon train that arrived in Lower Lake from Missouri in 1854. Copsey family members were buried in Herndon Cemetery as well as members of the Hale and Grigsby families. George Patch, the last known traditional leader and shaman of the Koi Tribe (part of the Pomo Nation) was also buried here.

Herndon Cemetery later became a community cemetery and many early settlers were buried there. 29 of its burials were moved to the Lower Lake Cemetery in the early 1900's. These older tombstones can be found toward the back of Lower Lake Cemetery on the right side of the main road. Some of the burials still in Herndon Cemetery had only wooden markers or crosses that have since worn away and no formal records were kept so its not known how many burials still remain or the names of all the people who were buried there. 8 members of the original Herndon family are confirmed to be buried in Pioneer Cemetery, one of whom died in 1858 at 13 years of age, and 2 members of the Copsey family, including an infant girl named Alice. Although most of the tomb stones are gone, it's an interesting place to wander around.

Lower Lake Cemetery: 9040 Lake St, next to Lower Lake Elementary School
Pioneer Cemetery: 9022 Stagecoach Lane off Big Bear Road, 3 miles from Camp.
See Herndon Cemetery for a list of people known to be buried there.
Lake County Historical Society has a page about Herndon Cemetery restoration with a few photos.

Middletown Cemetery
In 1889, land for the cemetery was donated by William Good, a blacksmith. This new cemetery was owned by the Odd Fellows Lodge. Previous burials from the small cemetery at Fiege Ranch and Rabbit Hill were transferred there. 18 veterans of the Civil War and one from the Spanish American War are buried here.

Middletown Cemetery: 16357 Butts Canyon Road, Middletown, about 20 minutes from Camp
Middletown History Cemetery page

Kelseyville Cemetery and Pioneer Cemetery
Kelseyville Pioneer Cemetery, in use from 1861-1884, has about 100 graves of early pioneer families, although some of them are unmarked. Early settlers buried here include members of the Benson, Crowell, Gard, Kelsay, Kelsey, Nobles and Piner families. In 1884 the Odd Fellows Cemetery, now Kelseyville Cemetery, opened and some burials were relocated to it.

Kelseyville Cemetery: 3375 Bell Hill Road, Kelseyville, about 20 minutes from Camp
Kelseyville Pioneer Cemetery: 4830 Renfro Drive, Kelseyville (temporarily closed in summer, 2020)
List of names buried in Pioneer Cemetery

Hartley Cemetery

Named for Henry Hare Hartley, the cemetery in Lakeport opened around 1860 as the Masonic Cemetery. Henry Hare Hartley was an attorney who would have become the Grand Master of Masonic Lodges in California but he died of a heart attack at age 41 in 1868. He's buried in Sacramento but the cemetery was renamed in his memory.

Hartley Cemetery: 2552 Hill Road E, Lakeport, about half an hour from Camp

Upper Lake Cemetery
Although Upper Lake Cemetery was established in 1855, the oldest tombstone is dated 1849. Some older, unmarked burials may also be here. It's said that the Pomo Indians used to cremate their dead in this area prior to the arrival of white settlers. The oldest part of the cemetery is on the east side of Clover Valley Road.

Upper Lake Cemetery, 780 Clover Valley Road, Upper Lake,  about 40 minutes from camp
Website

• See more Historical Spots in Lake County
  

Image: A Copsey family tombstone in Lower Lake Cemetery, one of the burials moved from Pioneer Cemetery.

Where Can We Swim in Clear Lake?

Although Clear Lake Campground is on the shore of Cache Creek, the creek itself by Camp is not a good place for swimming due to boat traffic. You can sunbathe, fish from shore, or enjoy the creek from a kayak or boat though. But if you want to take a dip in the lake there are several places around Clear Lake with beaches from where you can swim. We recommend these 5 Lake County spots for beaches and swimming:

Clear Lake State Park:
Clear Lake State Park, on the lake shore 20 miles from Camp, has a great beach with lake access for swimming. On the beach there are picnic tables, ramadas for shade, and restrooms. In the park you'll also find other picnic areas, boat launches, fishing areas, and good hiking trails. You may see a variety of birds and water fowl from the beach. Glass bottles and dogs are not allowed on the beach although dogs are allowed on leash in other parts of the park. Clear Lake State Park is a great place for families to spend the day. There's a fee for day use.
Address: 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville
Web site: Clear Lake State Park

Highlands Springs Recreation Area:
Highlands Springs, about half an hour from Camp, is one of the most popular places for families to enjoy a day at a beach. Although not on the lake, the large beach area and calm reservoir make this a favorite place for swimming in summer. Boat access is restricted to non-motorized boats only. Visitors can use the picnic areas with BBQs, restrooms, a large grassy area, horseshoe pits, fishing spots, and hiking and biking trails too. Be sure to bring water as there is no potable water available.
Address: 3600 E. Highland Springs Rd., Lakeport, off Hwy 29 (left turn coming from camp)
More information: Highland Springs

Lakeside County Park:
In Kelseyville, 25 minutes from Camp, Lakeside County Park has a small area with lake access for swimming. It's also a good place for bird watching. There are picnic areas, a boat launch, spots for fishing, horseshoe pits, and a playground. Dogs are allowed in the dog park area only.
Address: 1985 Park Dr, Kelseyville

County Parks Along Highway 20:
Going north from Clear Lake Campground, then west on Highway 20 toward Ukiah, some county parks along the lake's north shore have places to swim in the lake. You'll have some good views of the lake along your drive, too.

• Alpine Park, in the town of Lucerne, is 20 miles from Camp. It has swimming access, a grassy picnic area, playground, restrooms, fishing pier, and a place to put in kayaks and canoes.
  
• Nice Community Beach is a small park in the town of Nice, a little over half hour from Camp. It has a sandy beach, swimming access, a boat launch, fishing pier, restrooms and picnic area. 647 Lakeshore Boulevard, Nice
  

Note: Austin Beach in Clearlake is only a few miles from Camp, however we don't recommend swimming there because Cyanobacteria shows up often in testing. If you want to go, please check with camp staff first for the latest reports.

More Activities Near Clear Lake Campground:

• Fishing in Cache Creek and on Clear Lake
  
• 5 Places to Hike in Lake County
• Historical Places to Visit
  

Lake County has been inhabited for thousands of years. Pomo Indians settled along Cache Creek, including where Clear Lake Campground and Anderson Marsh are now, and used obsidian from Mount Konocti volcano to make tools and to trade. Pioneers started settling in the mid-1800's and some of the old buildings can still be seen. Lake County has 4 small history museums that are essential stops for anyone interested in local history (no admission charge but donations appreciated). Take a look at 6 historical places in Lake County:

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
Right across the creek from Clear Lake Campground, the entrance to Anderson Marsh is just a 2 minute drive. At the park you'll find a parking area (fee) where information about the ranch house and hiking trails are posted, a large picnic area, and the 19th century ranch house (closed except for special events). barn, and outbuildings, including 2 non-usable outhouses. An easy nature trail leading to the creek has signs talking about the area's early history. In the park are archeological sites that are at least 10,000 years old from when it was inhabited by the Southeastern Pomo.
Address: 8400 Hwy 53, Lower Lake
See Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association for more information

Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum:
A couple miles farther south, in the small town of Lower Lake, is the old schoolhouse, originally built in 1877, that served as a 2-room schoolhouse until 1935. The schoolhouse has been restored and has a museum on the lower floor with historic displays including Native American artifacts, a Victorian parlor with player piano, and a restored schoolroom. The upper floor is used for special art exhibits and as a theater.
Address: 16435 Main Street, Lower Lake, 5 minutes from Camp
Usually open: Thurs-Sat, 11-4
Information: Schoolhouse Museum

Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum:
Dating from 1864 or 1865, over the years the building was used as a stage coach stop, public house, hotel, post office, school for wayward boys, general store, and a gas station. It was moved from its original location by the Lake County Historic Association and now houses a museum and historical preservation center. Historic farm equipment and other objects are on the grounds around the museum and in the barn below it. On the first Sunday of the month, 12-2, there's an old fashioned fiddlers' jam, currently held outdoors (bring your own chairs).
Address: 9921 Soda Bay Rd, Kelseyville, 20 minutes from Camp (between Lower Lake and Kelseyville)
Usually open: Sat-Sun, 11-3
Web site: Ely Stage Stop

Historic Courthouse Museum:
The former Lake County Courthouse, built in 1870 and used through 1968, now houses a museum of Native American and local history, including one of the biggest collections of Eastern Pomo basketry. Other exhibits include geological history, Native American and Pioneer artifacts, and a restored historic courtroom. The museum itself was started in 1932 in a smaller building but moved into the old Courthouse building after a new building was built for the courthouse.
Address: 255 North Main Street, Lakeport, 30 minutes from Camp
Usually open: Wed-Sat, 11-4 and Sun 12-4
Information: Courthouse Museum

C. Gibson Museum
Housed in a mission-style building that was built as a library in 1930, the small museum has historical artifacts and displays related to natural history of southern Lake County including geology, hot springs and resorts, and a Lillie Langtry exhibit.
Address: 21267 Calistoga Rd (Hwy 29), Middletown, 20 minutes from Camp
Usually open: Thurs-Sat, 11-4
Web site: Gibson Museum

Tallman Hotel and Upper Lake:
Clear Lake and mineral springs in the hills started drawing tourists to the area as early as 1874. The Tallman Hotel in downtown Upper Lake was one of the first hotels. Originally built in 1874, the original Tallman House Hotel was destroyed in a fire in 1895 but rebuilt in the style you see today. Next to the hotel, the Blue Wing Saloon originally dated from the 1880's but was torn down during Prohibition. It has been rebuilt to resemble an 1870's bar and now you can enjoy a good lunch or dinner on the outside porch or garden, sometimes with live music - reservations recommended, (707) 275-2233.  A stroll along Upper Lake's Main Street is like taking a step back in time, too.
Address: 9520 Main Street, Upper Lake, 35-40 minutes from Camp
Web Site: Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon

Lake County is one of California's top wine producing regions. As of June 12, 2020, these wineries are open with modifications. Visitors need to call ahead (see phone numbers below) to reserve a visit to the tasting room (if open) or an outside picnic table. Please wear a mask when you arrive and maintain 6 feet distance from staff and other visitors. Wineries are usually open at least from Friday to Sunday but hours may vary so check web sites for updated opening times and policies. We encourage you to drink responsibly and have a designated driver.

Here are 6 great wineries to visit, less than a half hour drive from Clear Lake Campground:

Fults Family Vineyard
Fults Family Vineyard, just 5 minutes from camp, is a family owned winery that produces a variety of red and white wines, a rose', and a couple of dessert wines. Their top wine is a Super Tuscan, similar to what you'd find in the Chianti wine region of Tuscany.
phone: 707-690-0338
address: 11441 Highway 29, Lower Lake
website: Fults Family Vineyards

Six Sigma Ranch and Winery
Six Sigma has picnic tables (currently by reservation), hiking and biking trails, and a store where visitors can purchase wine, picnic items, and meat products produced right on the ranch. This is the perfect place to splurge on high-quality steak and wine for your barbecue back at camp. Current wines are Sauvignon Blanc, a rose', and 3 reds including a Tempranillo.
phone: 707-994-4068
address: 13372 Spruce Grove Road, Lower Lake, about a 20 minute drive from camp
website: Six Sigma

Vigilance Winery
Vigilance Winery's tasting room, a renovated pioneering family farm house, features a variety of wines from both Vigilance and Shannon Ridge. Enjoy a glass of wine at a picnic table (currently by reservation) by the bocce court with fantastic views of their vineyard, Anderson Marsh State Park, and Clear Lake. Catered picnic food is currently available with orders at least 2 days in advance.
phone: 707-994-9656
address: 13888 Point Lakeview Rd. Lower Lake, about 15 minutes from camp going toward Kelseyville
website: Vigilance Tasting Room

Gregory Graham Winery
Across the street from Vigilance, Gregory Graham has whites, elegant reds, big reds, and dessert wines.
phone: 707-995-3500
address: 13633 Point Lakeview Rd, Lower Lake
website: Gregory Graham

Boatique Winery
Boatique Winery has several patio areas in a beautiful setting surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. Boatique produces a sparkling wine, a Sauvignon Blanc, a rose', and several reds. In addition to wine tasting, guests can see their unusual collection of antique and wooden boats.
phone: 707-279-2675
address: 8255 Red Hills Rd, Kelseyville
website: Boatique Winery

Cache Creek Vineyards & Winery
Cache Creek Winery has a spacious outdoor area with a patio, shaded lawn area, and bocce court. 3 different flight options are available for tastings. Cache Creek produces sparkling, white, rose', red, and dessert wines.
phone: 707-998-1200
address: 250 New Long Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, 15 minutes from camp - north on Hwy 53, then east on Hwy 20
website: Cache Creek Vineyards

See this map of Lake County wineries from the Lake County Wine Association for more wineries.

Photo: View from Vigilance Winery, by James Martin

Explore More activities at Clear Lake Campground:

• 5 Places to Go Hiking
• Fishing on Cache Creek and in Clear Lake
  
• 6 Historical Places to Visit
  

What Are Some Hiking Ideas for Lake County?

Hiking or walking is a favorite activity of campers at Clear Lake Campground. Lake County has hiking trails to satisfy everyone, ranging from easy to strenuous.  We recommend that you always carry water, use sunscreen, and wear a hat. During summer, it's best to hike in the morning. Be sure to check regulations too as each place has their own set of rules for hikers to follow. Here are 5 Great Places to Hike in Lake County:

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
Right across the creek from Clear Lake Campground, the entrance to Anderson Marsh is just a 2 minute drive. At the park you'll find a parking area (fee), a large picnic area, the historic ranch house (closed except for special events) and a network of hiking trails shown on the map posted at the parking area. An easy nature trail (shown in the photo below) leads to the creek where there's a bridge and a platform for bird watching or just enjoying the scenery. McVicar, the longest trail, is a 3.5 mile walk along the western boundary of the marsh leading to Clear Lake. The park includes several habitats including oak woodlands, freshwater marsh, riparian, and grasslands. In addition to birds, you may see deer or even rattlesnakes, so take care especially when it's sunny and hot. Dogs, horses, and bicycles are not permitted.
Address: 8400 Hwy 53, Lower Lake
See Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association for more information

Clear Lake State Park
Clear Lake State Park, on the lake shore, has several hiking trails ranging from an easy 1/2 mile self-guided nature trail to moderately strenuous trails in the hills. In the park are picnic areas, boat launch, fishing areas, and a beach from where you can swim. You may see a variety of birds and water fowl as well as turtles, squirrels, muskrats, and minks. There's a fee for day use.  Dogs are allowed on a leash but not on the beach.
Address: 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, 20 miles from Camp
Web site: Clear Lake State Park

Six Sigma Ranch and Winery
Six Sigma has 7 free hiking and biking trails ranging from an easy 2 mile hike to a very hard 3.1 mile trail with steep hills. Visitors should sign in at the tasting room and sign a liability form before starting. Also available are picnic tables (currently by reservation only, 707-994-4068) and the winery shop where you can buy wine and picnic items such as local cheeses and crackers.
Address: 13372 Spruce Grove Road, Lower Lake, about a 20 minute drive from Camp
More information on the Six Sigma web site

Highlands Springs Recreation Area:
Highlands Springs, at an elevation of 1483 feet, is about half an hour from camp. Visitors can use hiking and biking trails and there are picnic areas with BBQs, a large grassy area, horseshoe pits, a beach area with swimming, fishing spots, and water access for non-motorized boats. It's a great choice for families and favorite place for kayaking and swimming in summer. Most of the hiking trails are fairly hilly and rugged, providing good views. Bring water as there's no potable water available.
Address: 3600 E. Highland Springs Rd., Lakeport, off Hwy 29 (left turn coming from Camp)
More information: Highland Springs

Mt Konocti County Park
For a strenuous hike, head to Mt Konocti County Park in Kelseyville. From the upper parking lot, the steep Wright Peak Summit Trail heads to the top of the dormant volcano for fantastic views. It's a little over 6 miles round trip with a 1600 foot elevation gain. The park is open for hiking only and smoking is not permitted due to fire danger.
Address: 5413-5553 Konocti Rd, Kelseyville, about 20 miles from Camp
Wright Peak Summit Trail Map and Description
Directions and information: Mt Konocti County Park

Anderson Marsh photo credit: Anderson Marsh Interpretive Society, used by permission

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.

Clear Lake is well-known to bass fisherman as the best lake for bass fishing west of the Mississippi and it's often named as one of the top bass fishing lakes in the US. The lake is a great habitat for bass because of its warm, shallow water. Since Clear Lake doesn't freeze over, it's possible to fish any time of year, too.

Bass fishing is best done from a boat although it's possible to catch them from shore, both in the lake and along Cache Creek. Most bass fishermen use rip baits, spinner baits, jerk baits, plastic worms, or lures, one of the most popular being the Paddle Tail. According to Field and Stream Magazine, "The Paddle Tail craze began several years ago when a good majority of the Elite Series field employed the bait at the Bassmaster Clear Lake event. The event was ultimately won by Steve Kennedy who reported catching several of his key fish on the Basstrix Paddle Tail Swimbait."

The annual Clear Lake Team Bass Tournament, held in mid-March, draws bass fishermen from all over California and beyond. Clear Lake's record largemouth bass weighed in at 17.52 pounds.

While bass may be the most popular fish to catch, Clear Lake and Cache Creek are excellent spots for catching catfish, bluegill, crappie, and carp. These fish can easily be caught from shore, making fishing one of the most popular and enjoyable activities at Clear Lake Campground, right on Cache Creek. Catfish are the fish most commonly caught at the campground but campers also catch smaller fish, carp, and sometimes bass from our bank. Even kids have a great time fishing off the bank and hauling in their catch! There's a fish cleaning station right by the pier too so it's easy to clean your fish if you don't want to throw them back.

You don't need any special lures for these fish either, night crawlers or small minnows are good for bluegill, crappie, and catfish. Catfish will bite on other things too including crawdads, chicken liver, mackerel, and even hot dogs. It's not uncommon for catfish to weigh close to 20 pounds. Catfish Derby winners range from 22.24 to 24.87 pounds. Just remember that catfish have prickly spines so it's best to wear gloves when you handle them.

The annual Catfish Derby, held in May, is billed as the "largest catfish tournament west of the Mississippi".

Clear Lake Campground is the perfect place to spend lazy days fishing, watching ducks swim by or birds flying overhead, and enjoying the peaceful view of Anderson Marsh right across the creek. Our store stocks live night crawlers and frozen bait including mackerel, sardines, chicken liver, anchovies, and clams. We also sell hooks and weights but for bigger items and more selection, Clearlake Bait and Tackle is just 2.5 miles away at 14699 Lakeshore.

So just book your campsite and  bring your pole - we'll be waiting for you!

Remember that you do need a fishing license to fish, even for a day. You can get one online from California Department of Fish and Wildlife or buy one in town at Clearlake Bait and Tackle.

If you'd like to spend a day with a fishing guide, you'll find several listed on Clear Lake Fishing.

Where to Go

From the launching ramp at Clear Lake Campground turn right and continue on Cache creek with your back to the highway.

Our itinerary takes you into a marsh, past a blue heron rookery, and out into the lake where a stand of tules hosts a clamorous array of red-winged, tri-colored and yellow-headed blackbirds. Amongst the cottonwoods, valley oaks, California
buckeye, California bay, and native California black walnut that line the creek you'll see plenty of birds, and in late April and into May you'll likely encounter large carp mating noisily in the shadows and you might come upon turtles sunning themselves on low branches and rocks. Optionally, you can paddle a bit more to have a bite to eat at The Spot, a local burger joint that has a pier and dock where you can tie up your kayak and eat very fine burgers and other fine sandwiches on the patio.

Let's take a look at the Map:

If you're wondering what the distances for the itinerary might be, it's approximately 2.75 miles to The Spot, 1.9 miles to Indian Island.

Riparian Woodland Birds You Might See

Great Blue Herons, Red-shouldered hawks, great horned owls, Anna’s hummingbirds, American crows, wood ducks, phainopepla, golden eagles, and northern orioles thrive in Riparian Woodland.

Enjoy your kayak trip. Don't let go of that camera.

Spring is a beautiful time to come to Clear Lake. The hills are green, water in the lake is high, and fishing is usually good.

Then there's the kayaking. Oh, the kayaking!

This isn't the place that sinewy, unshaven, and fearless men shoot through rapids and torpedo down waterfalls. Kayaking Clear Lake--especially along Cache Creek, can be a family affair. In spring the water is at its highest, and the flow out the dam is just enough to give you some exercise as you paddle towards the lake. On the return you can drift lazily if you wish, gazing at the great blue herons, blindingly white egrets, and, if you are lucky, Clear Lake's famed white pelicans that can fill the sky, long vees of them turning from white to silver and back again as they bank into the wind.

Smaller birds are more easily heard than seen; they fill the air with songs city dwellers probably haven't heard before.

But here's the thing about springtime along Cache Creek. When the water is high (and as I write it's very high) you can duck into places with your kayak that you can't get into at other times of the year. Anderson Marsh is flooded, leaving reedy expanses for you to explore and get lost within. You need to have a good sense of direction to avoid getting helplessly lost, but have no fear, you are hemmed in by mountain slopes planted with vineyards, blossoming walnut trees and orchards of Bartlett pears.

If you are a visual person, you might enjoy a little video we've made with an old cell phone. It starts along the main creek, then heads toward the marsh and out again as we drift past the colorful trees just awakening from their winter slumber.

Remember, you can rent kayaks from Clear Lake Campground...call a day in advance to reserve. See the Rates.