Summers are made for camping, and Lake County has no shortage of dog-friendly campgrounds, both public and private, where you can pop a tent or pull up an RV for a few days of outdoor fun with your family, pup included. On the private campground side, you’ll find full hookups, tent sites, club rooms, motel-style lodging and lots of other amenities at waterfront resorts including The Narrows Family Resort (at Blue Lakes) or Pine Acres Blue Lake Resort.
On the public campground side, Clear Lake State Park, on the namesake lake’s shore, has many campground options—both drive-in and hike or bike-in—within its 68 square miles. While there are no RV hookups in the park, each of the 149 drive-up sites (spread between four campgrounds) can accommodate a camper or trailer of up to 35 feet and are convenient to showers and restrooms.
While four-legged family members are banned from the park’s designated swimming beaches, you can take them for a dip at the non-designated beach between sites 57 and 58. Check in at the visitor center to find out where, outside of campgrounds, dogs are allowed.
If you’re up for a shortish Lake County hike, try one of the trails in the Indian Valley Wildlife Area around Indian Valley Reservoir, a popular fishing spot. Highland Springs Recreation Area, a 3,200-acre preserve just outside Lakeport, has a disc golf course as well as hiking and equestrian trails. Find more Lake County trail suggestions here.
