Clear Lake

Our Mission Clear Lake State Park The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. California’s largest natural lake dates back to the early Pleistocene era, more than 1.5 million years ago. California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (707) 279-4293. This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact interp@parks.ca.gov or call (916) 654-2249. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Discover the many states of California.™ Clear Lake State Park 5300 Soda Bay Road Kelseyville, CA 95451 (707) 279-4293 © 2009 California State Parks (Rev. 2012) C Pioneers arrived acres bordering the shores of Clear Lake and in 1826 and which in turn is to be transferred to the State lear Lake State began to settle in of California for use as a public park.” The Park is located on the territory inhabited county deeded the land to the State in 1948, southwestern shore by the native preserving the property for future generations. of California’s largest people, which natural lake. More than NATURAL HISTORY often resulted in 120,000 visitors each The most prominent of the region’s many violence. Tribal year come to swim, fish, volcanic cones is 4,200-foot Mount Konocti, leaders eventually boat, waterski, picnic just southwest of the park. Konocti is classified signed an 1851 and camp. The park sits as an active volcano, although it has been treaty with the U.S. on the edge of Soda Bay, View of Mt. Konocti from the swim area government that dormant for thousands of years. named for a spring of The Clear Lake region is geologically gave the natives 72 miles of lakefront land and carbonated water that rises from the bottom active—as seen by the many hot springs in the a promise of peace. However, this and many of the lake and bubbles at the surface. area. At the turn of the 20th century, hundreds subsequent government agreements for the Summer temperatures often reach over 100 of health-seekers traveled by rail and stage Pomo to regain their land were canceled or degrees, but most nights cool off comfortably. to the local mineral springs resorts, which dishonored. In 1983, 17 California tribes sued In winter it may snow in the park. Between promised to cure everything from rheumatism for and gained permanent federal recognition. October and March, temperatures can dip to to obesity. The Big Valley Pomo began buying back their 20 degrees, and rain is fairly common. Clear Lake State Park is a refuge and former tribal lands. Today the Big Valley Pomo Park History nesting place for many varieties of waterfowl. enjoy a thriving government and are working Wood ducks nest in the trees; mallards find Native People toward self-sufficiency. homes in the grass and tules. Other birds The predominant culture surrounding The Land Becomes a State Park include herons, egrets, white pelicans, great the lake was Pomo. The west side of what After the Pomo land was confiscated by the horned owls, bushtits, northern flickers, redis now Kelsey Creek was inhabited by government, it was granted to Salvador Vallejo, shouldered hawks and osprey. the Xabenapo Pomo, now known as the who grazed his Trail users may spot Big Valley Pomo. Surrounded by Pomo livestock in the area. wildlife such as Beechey neighbors, the Lile’ek Wappo were allowed For the next 90 years, ground squirrels, minks, the use of land east of Kelsey Creek in successive owners muskrats, western pond today’s park. The Southeastern Pomo lived used the land for turtles and, rarely, a bobcat east of the Lile’ek people. grazing, dairy farming, or mountain lion. The Pomo were hunters and gatherers. hunting and fishing. In March, the bright They built tule boats to fish and used In 1947, thenmagenta flowers of western obsidian (cooled volcanic lava) from Mt. owners Fred and redbud stand out in the Konocti for tool-making and barter. Complex Nellie Dorn sent a landscape. California Pomo baskets, made from plant material and letter to Lake County buckeyes leaf out and often adorned with feathers, were and still Edward Curtis’s “The Hunter on Lake Pomo” officials “granting the prepare to bloom. Manzanita, are among the finest baskets made. Photographed at Clear Lake, 1931 County of Lake 330 mountain mahogany and basket bush shrubs are common. The toyon, with its red winter berries, flourishes. Foothill pines, blue oaks and California bay laurel are prominent in woodlands; black cottonwood, California black walnut and willow trees are found near streams. REcreation Visitor Center—Located west of the boat launch parking lot, the visitor center’s interpretive displays focus on the natural, cultural and recreational resources of the lake. The center has a large aquarium displaying some of the lake’s fish species. Park staff offer educational and interpretive programs at the nearby Education Pavilion. Activities—Morning nature walks, evening campfire programs and Junior Ranger programs are scheduled throughout the summer. An interpretive Wildflower Brunch takes place each spring. For details, visit www.clearlakestatepark.org. Special programs are available for groups. Call to make arrangements at least two weeks before your visit. Camping—The park has four developed campgrounds with a total of 147 sites, plus two hike/bike sites. Each group camp accommodates 40 people. All campgrounds except Lower Bayview have restrooms with hot showers. An RV sanitation station is near the boat launch area, but no campsites have RV hookups. Cabins—eight lakeside cabins without electricity or running water may be rented. For cabin and campsite details and site-specific reservations, call (800) 444-7275 or visit www.parks.ca.gov. Fishing and Picnicking—You can fish for crappie, catfish or largemouth bass while enjoying your picnic lunch under the oaks and cottonwoods. Picnic sites have tables, barbecues and water faucets. Restrooms and parking areas with room for buses are nearby. Boat Launch—The boat launch and marina are located on the west bank of Cole Creek. The launch ramp is paved, lighted and usable year-round. Boat mooring slips are available first-come, first-served. Launch fees apply. Paved parking adjoins the marina, which has a shower and restroom. The park provides mooring and launching space. Swimming—Clear Lake State Park has a swimming beach just north of the Lower Bayview Campground. Use caution; no lifeguards are on duty. Hiking—Many miles of hiking trails and fire roads wind through the park. Most of the terrain is hilly, with elevations of 1,320 to 1,600 feet. Carry drinking water and sunscreen and wear a hat. Dorn Nature Trail winds through oak woodland and chaparral. The vegetation includes oaks, manzanita and many native wildflowers. You can start the trail at several points (see map). The two-mile trail is moderately strenuous. Indian Nature Trail is a self-guided trail that shows how local Pomo used native plants and other resources. The trail is a moderate halfmile walk. PLEASE REMEMBER • All natural and cultural features are protected by state law and may not be disturbed or removed. • Fires are permitted only in the stoves or fireplaces provided. Ground fires are not allowed. Bring your own fuel or buy it at the entrance station. • Loaded firearms and fireworks are not allowed in the park. • Mosquito repellent is advised. • Do not feed skunks or other wildlife. • Diving is not permitted in the park. • Poison oak is found throughout the park. Stay on trails and designated areas. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Several campsites, restrooms, cabins, showers and the swim beach are accessible, as are the Kelsey Creek Trail and portions of the Dorn Nature Trail. Access is continually improving. For updates, see http://access.parks.ca.gov or call (916) 445-8949. NEARBY STATE PARKS • Anderson Marsh State Historic Park Anderson Ranch Parkway off Highway 53 Lower Lake 95457 (707) 279-2267 • Robert Louis Stevenson State Park Hwy. 29, eight miles south of Middletown 95461 (707) 942-4575 This park receives support in part from a nonprofit organization. For more information, contact: Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Assn. 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, CA 95451 www.clearlakestatepark.org