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Credit 1 Pam Starr
2 Alyn Robert Brereton
3 Julie MacKinnon
4 Linda Pittman
5 Parham Pourahmad
6 Larry Whiting
7 Randall Finley
Visitation: 100,000
Area: 600 Acres
Lat: 39.015433
Lon: 122.81127
Nearby Services
Gas-Kelseyville, 3.5 MilesFood-Kelseyville, 3.5 MilesLodging-Kelseyville, 3.5 Miles
Site Facilities
Boardwalks Camping/lodging Drinking Water
Fee Food/Vending Machines Gift Shop/Bookstore
Interpretive Signs Lookouts Restrooms
Trails Trash Cans Visitor Center/Ranger Station
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Top Banner Photo Credits
Pam Starr
Alyn Robert Brereton
Julie MacKinnon
Linda Pittman
Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
Randall Finley
Clear Lake State Park - Site # 56
Bordering California's largest natural lake at the foot of 4,200-foot Mount Konocti, this park offers outstanding shoreline views of the state's largest wintering population of Western and Clark's Grebes.
RegionalRegional - worth visiting if you are already in the area. They may be located farther from populated areas or with more limited wildlife species.

Osprey and Red-tailed Hawk battle over Clear Lake Hitch. Photo by Lyle Madeson: 1024x804.69333333333 Pileated Woodpecker and chicks at Clear Lake State Park. Photo by Lyle Madeson: 1024x1303.5360678925 : 386x303 Lesser Goldfinch and Dragonfly on fiddleneck flower. Photo by Harvey Abernathey: 1024x1357.0039840637 Heron rookery at Clear Lake State Park. Photo by Harvey Abernathey: 1024x752.45344129555 Osprey with fish at Clear Lake State Park. Photo by Bob McCleary: 1024x614.4 Quail pair at Clear Lake. Photo by Scott Banales: 1024x682.66666666667 Western Grebe at Clear Lake State Park. Photo by Harvey Abernathey: 1024x680.32 Kayaking at Clear Lake State Park. Photo by Barbara Steinberg: 1024x768 Blue Heron at Clear Lake State Park. Photo by Ron Keas: 1000x763 Spring Flowers Clear Lake State Park. Photo by Barbara Steinberg: 1024x768

Background: This scenic park borders California's largest natural lake at the foot of 4,200-foot Mount Konocti. With oaks and pines on high ground and willows and other riparian vegetation along watercourses, the area draws heavy concentrations of birds. There are outstanding shoreline views of the state's largest wintering population of western and Clark's grebes. Wood ducks nest in trees and herons hunt shallow lake and creek waters. American White Pelicans frequent the shoreline and osprey nest in the spring. Many varieties of fish flourish; several spawn here. Tree-bordered meadows offer views of black-tailed deer, California quail, and an occasional bobcat, otter or mink. Wooded areas shelter great horned owls, northern flickers,pileated woodpeckers and bushtits. Red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks are frequent visitors. Bald eagles are occasionally seen near the shoreline.
Hikers enjoy the Indian Nature Trail, a self-guided trail that shows how the Pomo people, who lived in the area for centuries, utilized the area's resources. The trail passes through the site of what was once a Pomo village.

The Visitor Center is open in the summer, with displays about the area's natural and cultural history.

The Habitat: 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. Most of the water comes from runoff. Some comes from springs in Soda Bay.

The Experience: 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

Wildlife and Where to Find It: moderate hiking trails, some with ADA access. Overlooks on trails. Boating offers aquatic wildlife viewing

Viewing Tips: More than 150 bird species; many residents. Up to 500,000 wintering birds. Many spring nesting waterfowl and shorebirds. Watch courtship displays and floating nests of western grebes in winter and spring. Pond turtles in sloughs and creeks. Come for fall colors and spring wildflowers. Visitor Center.

Site Notes: Several hiking trails offer expansive views of Big Valley and Clear Lake. ADA boardwalk trails are a recent addition to the park.

Nearby Viewing Sites: unknown

Festivals & Events: Heron Festival, April

Visitor Information: Lake County Visitor Center - 800-525-3743 - lakecounty.com
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site: Yes
Open: Everday
Hours: Day use hours are sunrise to sunset Hours and day
Year Round: Yes
Seasonal: Cole Creek Campground and the Bayview Campground are closed from October 1 to April 1. Kelsey Creek Campground is open year round.

Road Information:   Paved. 
Road Hazards: no See Access/Public Use #3
 Number of Parking Spaces: 200
Parking Fee: Yes
Proximity to viewing area:nearby
 Pull-Through Parking: No
Parking Notes: Day use parking available at swim beach and boat launch area. 147 campsites available, 7 campsites are ADA accessible

See Access/Public Use #3

Parking fee subject to change. See park website.

How to Get There: From Highway 29, take Main Street Kelseyville exit. In town, turn right on State Street, turn right on Gaddy Lane. At Soda Bay Road, turn right, following signs. Park is 3.5 miles from Kelseyville.
 

Contact Information
Managing Agency: California State Parks
Agency Site URL: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=473
Physical Address:5300 Soda Bay Road
Kelseyville, CA 95451
Agency 2:5300 Soda Bay Road
Kelseyville, CA 95451
Manager Phone:707 279 2267
Site Phone:707 279 2267
County: Lake
Addition Website: