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Recreation Areas and Campground Database

Mendocino Lake

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Lake Mendocino is located in the midst of wine country and near the gateway to the Redwoods. It is two hours north of the Bay area in central Mendocino County, near the city of Ukiah. The lake was created by a dam in 1958.

Lake Mendocino offers many recreational opportunities including over 300 campsites, with boat-in camping and 15 miles of hiking and biking trails. Some of the trails are in the 700-acre wilderness area, where native wildlife can be viewed. There are five large day-use areas with covered picnic shelters and barbeques. For on-the-water fun, there is boating, swimming and water skiing Fishing for large and small mouth bass, strippers, crappie, blue gill and three varieties of catfish is a popular activity.

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From Ukiah, 3 miles north on US 101, then east on Lake Mendocino Drive.

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POMO DAY USE AREA Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Pomo Day-Use Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where the redwood forests meet California wine country.

The lake is formed by the Coyote Dam on the Russian River. A wide variety of recreational opportunities are available, including boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.

Recreation

The 1,822-acre lake provides abundant boating, swimming and water skiing opportunities. Anglers will find sunfish, smallmouth bass, striped bass, crappie, white and channel catfish, bluegill and perch.

Several miles of trails wind around Lake Mendocino, including the 3-mile Shakota Trail, which begins at the Pomo Cultural Center and offers beautiful views of the lake.

Facilities

Pomo Day Use Area is located near Kyen Campground and offers three group picnic shelters that each accommodate up to 50 people. Picnic shelters, tables and grills are provided, as are flush toilets and drinking water.

Pomo Site A is open year round, but during winter months it is available on a first come, first served basis only. Pomo Sites B and C and the Pomo Cultural Center are only open during the recreation season.

The Pomo Cultural Center is within the day-use area. It is operated by the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The center is modeled after a traditional Pomo roundhouse and offers displays about Pomo hunting, dancing and basketry, as well as local fish, wildlife and plants.

Natural Features

Lake Mendocino lies in the scenic rolling hills of Coyote Valley. Groves of oak mixed with manzanita and pines forest the area, offering limited shade but excellent bird and wildlife habitats.

Nearby Attractions

The charming city of Ukiah, less than 15 minutes away, offers a variety of shopping and dining opportunities, museums and golf courses.

The Ukiah Farmer's Market runs Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings throughout the summer, offering fresh produce, local wines, arts and crafts and live music.


BUSHAY RECREATION AREA Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Bushay Recreation Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where redwood forests meet wine country. The access road to Bushay Campground is subject to high water levels. For this reason the campground is often closed during the rainy months. If high water levels continue into the late spring and early summer months, reservations may be cancelled by Lake Mendocino staff with a full refund. Every effort will be made to provide advance notice in the event of cancellations.
The lake is formed by the Coyote Dam on the Russian River. A wide variety of recreational opportunities is available, including boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.

Recreation

The 1,822-acre lake provides abundant boating, swimming and water skiing opportunities. Anglers will find sunfish, smallmouth bass, striped bass, crappie, white and channel catfish, bluegill and perch.

Several miles of trails wind around Lake Mendocino, including the 7-mile Kaweyo Trail, which is open to hiking and horseback riding. This trail winds from the lake to the dam, providing excellent views of the lake and wildlife in the area.

Facilities

This large, year-round campground offers more than 100 family sites, many of which overlook the lake. Three group sites are also available.

The Mesa Day-Use Area is within the campground and offers a group picnic shelter with electric hookups. Family picnic shelters are also located here, complete with tables and grills.

Amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station and playground. A horse staging area is located in the campground near the Kaweyo Trailhead.

Natural Features

Lake Mendocino lies in the scenic rolling hills of Coyote Valley. Groves of oak mixed with manzanita and pines forest the area, offering limited shade and an excellent bird and wildlife habitat.

Nearby Attractions

The charming city of Ukiah, less than 15 minutes away, offers a variety of shopping and dining opportunities, museums and golf courses. The Ukiah Farmer's Market runs Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings throughout the summer, offering fresh produce, local wines, arts and crafts and live music.


KYEN CAMPGROUND AND OAK GROVE DAY USE AREA Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Kyen Campground and Oak Grove Day-Use Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where redwood forests meet wine country.

The lake is formed by the Coyote Dam on the Russian River. A wide variety of recreational opportunities are available, including boating, swimming, picnicing, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.

Recreation

The 1,822-acre lake provides abundant boating, swimming and water skiing opportunities. Anglers will find sunfish, smallmouth bass, striped bass, crappie, white and channel catfish, bluegill and perch.

Several miles of trails wind around Lake Mendocino, including the 3-mile Shakota Trail, which begins at the Pomo Cultural Center within the campground and offers beautiful views of the lake.

Facilities

Kyen Campground offers 93 family sites within walking distance of the lake. The day-use area has four group picnic shelters, two of which have electric hookups. Several family picnic shelters with tables and grills are available on a first come, first served basis.

Amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station and boat ramp.

The Pomo Cultural Center is operated by the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The center is modeled after a traditional Pomo roundhouse and offers displays about Pomo hunting, dancing and basketry, as well as local fish, wildlife and plants.

Natural Features

Lake Mendocino lies in the scenic rolling hills of Coyote Valley. Groves of oak mixed with manzanita and pines forest the area, offering limited shade and an excellent bird and wildlife habitat.

Nearby Attractions

The charming city of Ukiah, less than 15 minutes away, offers a variety of shopping and dining opportunities, museums and golf courses. The Ukiah Farmer's Market runs Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings throughout the summer, offering fresh produce, local wines, arts and crafts and live music.


CHEKAKA RECREATION AREA LAKE MENDOCINO Campground
List of Campsites

Overview

Chekaka Campground is closed indefinitely. Chekaka Recreation Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where redwood forests meet wine country. The lake is formed by the Coyote Dam on the Russian River. A wide variety of recreational opportunities is available, including boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.

Recreation

The 1,822-acre lake provides abundant boating, swimming and water skiing opportunities. Anglers will find sunfish, smallmouth bass, striped bass, crappie, white and channel catfish, bluegill and perch.

Several miles of trails wind around Lake Mendocino, including a 3-mile trail that begins at the lake overlook and loops around to the north end of the lake, where a designated swim beach is located.

The Lake Mendocino Disc Golf Course offers 18 holes between its north and south courses. The rolling terrain is heavily wooded in some areas, making for challenging tunnel shots with obstacles around most pins.

Facilities

Che Ka Ka Campground is closed. The Overlook Day Use Area in the Che Ka Ka Recreation Area is available for reservations. 

Natural Features

Lake Mendocino lies in the scenic rolling hills of Coyote Valley. Groves of oak mixed with manzanita and pines forest the area, offering limited shade and an excellent bird and wildlife habitat.

Nearby Attractions

The charming city of Ukiah, less than 15 minutes away, offers a variety of shopping and dining opportunities, museums and golf courses. The Ukiah Farmer's Market runs Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings throughout the summer, offering fresh produce, local wines, arts and crafts and live music.


Pomo Visitor Center Facility

This recreation area is part of Mendocino Lake


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