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Clear Lake Water Trails (CA)
Location: Clearlake, CA (northern Calif.)
Waterway: Clear Lake, Cache Creek
Length: Seven Loops: 4-10 miles long
Geologists believe that Clear Lake may be the oldest lake in North America, its formation dating from 150,000 to 1 million years ago. Rising 4300 feet above the center of the lake, Mt. Konocti is a dormant volcano, the largest of the Clear Lake Volcanic field and part of the Pacific Ocean's Ring of Fire.
There are dozens of free public access points on Clear Lake - in fact, Clear Lake has nearly 100 miles of shoreline, and nearly 10 miles of public access! These include public parks, open space, Caltrans right-of-ways, road ends, some islands and county-owned property.
The Loops
- Rattlesnake Island - 4 mile loop
For the naturalist and those who want to savor breathtaking beauty, this is a beautiful loop around Rattlesnake Island, past the historic Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine and wetlands, and back through the canals of “The Keys” in Clearlake Oaks.
- Tule Maze at Anderson Marsh - 6 mile loop
A favorite among birdwatchers, this is a scenic loop around Indian Island into the tule marshes of Anderson Marsh State Park, and traversing back into Cache Creek and the western shoreline of Clearlake.
- Cache Creek Dam - 10 miles roundtrip
A serene paddling experience down Cache Creek to the dam and back, past the Anderson Flats tule reeds, a few older
waterfront neighborhoods, and then through the beautiful oak-studded back hills.
- Island Hopping in the Narrows - 8 mile loop
A beautiful loop circling the Narrows, past small islands near the base of Mount Konocti. Panoramic views of Mount Konocti, Kono Tayee, Buckingham Point, and the north shore ridgeline.
- Volcanic Vents of Soda Bay - 6-9 miles round trip
A fascinating trip exploring the Clear Lake shoreline, around the infamous Soda Bay hot springs, looping back along Dorn Bay, and a calm paddle down Kelsey Creek. Beautiful views of Mount Konocti and the surrounding ridgelines. 
- Wetlands of Long Tule Point - 8-10 miles round trip
A bucolic paddle along Clear Lake’s largest remaining natural shoreline, past cottonwoods and ancient oaks and small waterfront hamlets. Far-reaching views of Mount Konocti,
the Mayacamas mountains, and the north shore.
- Rodman Slough - 8 miles roundtrip
A peaceful excursion through Rodman Slough—passing Great Blue Heron and Double-Crested Cormorant rookeries (nesting areas)—to the culvert at Tule Lake.
Contact Info:
Lake County Dept. of Public Services
333 2nd St.
Lakeport, CA 95423
Phone: 707-262-1618
Website: www.konoctitrails.com/water-trail-loops