Campground
Mendocino Lake, California
Bushay Recreation Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where redwood forests meet wine country.
This campground offers more than 100 family sites, many of which overlook the lake.
This trail winds from the lake to the dam, providing excellent views of the lake and wildlife in the area.
Know before you arrive
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Official campground guide
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
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.
This campground offers more than 100 family sites, many of which overlook the lake. Group sites may also be available. The Mesa Day-Use Area is within the campground and offers a group picnic shelter. Family picnic sites are also located here, complete with tables and grills. Amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station and playground.
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.
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.
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.
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonMar 12, 2026 – Apr 2, 2026 | Group Shelter Electric | $40 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMar 12, 2026 – Apr 2, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $250 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMar 12, 2026 – Apr 2, 2026 | Standard Electric | $45 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMar 12, 2026 – Apr 2, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $35 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMar 12, 2026 – Apr 2, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $40 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 3, 2026 – Apr 30, 2026 | Group Shelter Electric | $40 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 3, 2026 – Apr 30, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $250 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 3, 2026 – Apr 30, 2026 | Standard Electric | $45 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 3, 2026 – Apr 30, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $35 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 3, 2026 – Apr 30, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $40 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026 | Group Shelter Electric | $40 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $250 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026 | Standard Electric | $45 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $35 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMay 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $40 | — | — |
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
From the South (San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Ukiah): Follow Highway 101 North towards Ukiah. Approximately 5 miles north of Ukiah, take Highway 20 East. Continue on Highway 20 East for approximately 3 miles. Just after you see Lake Mendocino on your right, you will cross a tall bridge. Take the first left after the bridge. Follow the road under the bridge and along the river until you reach the Host Booth at the top of the hill. From the North (Eureka, Willits, Fort Bragg): Follow Highway 101 South. Approximately 15 miles south of Willits, take Highway 20 East. Continue on Highway 20 East for approximately 3 miles. Just after you see Lake Mendocino on your right, you will cross a tall bridge. Take the first left after the bridge. Follow the road under the bridge and along the river until you reach the Host Booth at the top of the hill. From the East (Sacramento): From the city of Williams, take Highway 20 West. Continue on Highway 20 for approximately 2 hours or 80 miles traveling past Clearlake and Blue Lakes. Approximately 2 miles after the Potter Valley turn-off you will see a sign for Lake Mendocino Recreation Area. Take the first right after the sign. Follow the road under the bridge and along the river until you reach the Host Booth at the top of the hill.
707-467-4200