In the rolling hills of California's scenic Coyote Valley, Mendocino Lake is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts providing an excellent body of water for swimming, boating, and fishing. Visitors should know that it is not only about the water here, though. The oak, pine, and manzanita trees make for a desirable habitat for birds and other wildlife. The area is wonderful for hiking and horseback riding as well.
The 1,822-acre Mendocino Lake was created by the Coyote Dam on the Russian River and is owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It was completed in 1959 to help with area flooding, water conservation, hydro electric power, and recreation for the residents and visitors of Mendocino County.
There are ample camping options for tents, trailers, and RVs at the four Army COE campgrounds at Mendocino Lake. Opportunities for waterside camping are available and visitors can choose from sites with hookups and amenities or more primitive and quiet sites.
A short trip from the lake, you'll find all the attractions of the Mendocino National Forest which is a great stop either after your visit or on your way to Mendocino Lake.
The travel to Mendocino Lake presents no issues for a large RV or trailer. The COE park is accessed using well-maintained highway 101 or 20, depending on your direction of travel. The closest large city is Santa Rosa.
Most roads are paved within the Mendocino Lake area, although some roads and campsites are gravel.
For supplies, there is a grocery store at the intersection of North State Street and Lake Mendocino Drive at the south end of the lake. There is also one at the north end near the Bushay and Kyen Campgrounds.
Kyen Campground offers 93 sites that are within walking distance of lake Mendocino. Some of the sites are even right on the water. The campground will accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet in length and provides sites with water and electric hookups and limited sites with sewer hookups.
This campground is a swimming site and popular for hiking, fishing, and boating. There is a boat ramp onsite to help you get in the water. Campers have access to a dump station, both vault and flush toilets, showers, and drinking water.
The Chekaka Recreation Area offers camping for rigs up to 43 feet and there are a total of 17 campsites. There are no hookups here except for one accessible site that has a sewer hookup.
Sites have picnic tables and fire pits with grills. The amenities here are limited with only vault toilets and drinking water for visitors to use. Unique features of this campground include a large playground and horse staging area near the Kaweyo Trailhead.
At the campground there are several picnic shelters and a group day use area for larger gatherings.
The Bushay Recreation Area Campground is the largest of the Lake Mendocino Army Corp campgrounds with over 100 campsites for groups of up to eight people. Sites here can fit RVs and trailers up to 62 feet in length.
While there are no hookups available at Bushay, there are plenty of other features that draw visitors to the campground. There is an amphitheater and entrance station along with showers, flush and vault toilets, and drinking water. The kids will have fun at the onsite playground.
There's easy access to hiking trails here and the recreation area is used for fishing and boating.
Mendocino Lake offers around 15 miles of hiking trails for visitors to explore the park. The Kaweyo Trail is open to hikers, horseback riders, and cyclists and is seven miles one way. Depending on your ability this hike can take anywhere from four to eight hours so it is considered strenuous.
The Shakota Trail is better suited to hikers who want a moderate difficulty level. It's three miles one way (six miles round trip). Hikers travel on the west side of the lake between the Overlook Day Use Area on the south side and the Pomo Cultural Center on the north side.
Mendocino Lake is a frequent resting point for birds migrating south for the winter and heading north in the spring. Bird watchers should time their trip in the off season to maximum the number and different types of birds they can observe.
Other than birds, visitors to this COE lake may encounter deer, bears, bobcats, and mountain lions. Always keep your distance and be safe. It doesn't hurt to bring your camera either.
Mendocino Lake is an angler's paradise. This Army Corps of Engineers park lets you fish pretty much anywhere. The only areas that are off limits to fishing are the designated swimming beach, the two boat ramps, and the government boat dock at the south end of the lake.
There are many varieties of found in nearby rivers and protected coves around the lake. Sunfish, striped and smallmouth bass, catfish, perch, and bluegill are all possible catches.
Before you doing any fishing whatsoever, make sure you're following the rules.
Licenses are required for anglers over 16 years old.
For visitors looking for more US Army Corps of Engineers camping options, consider Miti Campground. This is a tent-only location with 16 sites available on a first come, first, served basis. The campground can only be accessed by boat and has only non-flush toilets. The big plus here is that the sites are water front.
There are no garbage facilities so you must pack out what you pack in and there's no potable water. Make sure you bring enough drinking water with you for each member of the group.
There is a designated swimming beach at Mendocino Lake on the northwest shore. It is within the Promo A and Promo B day use areas. Swimming here is unsupervised and visitors should be cautious of changing water levels.
Swimming is one of the most popular activities at the lake so be prepared for larger crowds during the peak season. Summer weekends are especially busy. If possible, try to visit during the week in peak season.
The COE lake provides two boat launches to make sure you can get your boat in the water. Mendocino Lake allows for both motorized and non-motorized boats. You can even bring your jet ski. Treat the family to a waterskiing experience like no other or just explore the many coves at a slower pace.
Due to the fact that this is lake is man-made, there may be hazards in the water such as submerged trees and rocks. The lake bottom can be uneven and the lake levels fluctuate all year long.
Mendocino Lake promotes horseback riding with their trails and horse staging areas.
The Kaweyo Trail on horseback is considered a moderate difficulty level and should last between one and three hours. The trail goes through the Wildlife Management Area where you need to take care to avoid rattlesnakes. The trail is 14 miles round trip and can be accessed from the north through the Bushay Recreation Area Campground or on the south end of the Coyote Dam.
Medocino Lake COE park has two different horse staging areas. The one closest to the trail is just before you get to the Chekaka Campground.
