Clear Lake State Park, State park at Clear Lake, California.
Clear Lake State Park is a California state park on the southern shore of the largest natural freshwater lake in the state. The park covers stretches of wetland, oak woodland, and open shoreline along the water's edge.
The park was established in 1949 to protect the natural setting of the lake as the surrounding area began attracting more settlers and tourists. The lake itself is considered one of the oldest in North America, dating back hundreds of thousands of years.
The Pomo people lived along these shores for thousands of years, fishing and gathering plants, and building boats from tule reeds. Local museums and cultural events in the area keep this connection visible for visitors today.
The park has several campground areas and boat launch sites around the shore, so it helps to check in advance which section suits your plans. Spring and early fall tend to offer the most comfortable conditions for both water and land activities.
The lake is home to the Clear Lake hitch, a native fish that gathers in large numbers each spring to swim upstream and spawn. This migration happens only here and cannot be seen anywhere else in North America.
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