COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground

Fishing, swimming, and boating on Lake Mendocino draw campers to Bu-Shay, a Corps of Engineers campground that runs from May through late September on the lake's eastern shore. Sites are spacious, with a mix of shady and sunny options spread across the grounds, and the lake stays within easy reach throughout. The town of Ukiah is close enough for resupply runs, keeping the campground accessible without requiring a full provisioning haul before arrival.

Amenities here are more complete than many federal campgrounds. Water hookups, a dump station, flush toilets, and free showers are all on-site, and water spigots are distributed throughout the campground. Reviewers have noted the playground as an unexpected addition, particularly useful for families with young children. Verizon users report workable data for browsing, though streaming video tends to be inconsistent. The Kyen Campground And Oak Grove Day Use Area sits less than a mile away for campers wanting to compare nearby options on the lake.

Crowd levels have historically stayed lower than comparable state park campgrounds, even on weekends. That may be shifting. A recent reviewer visiting over Fourth of July weekend found portions of the campground still closed following flood damage, and noted the absence of a camp host or ranger on-site. Noise and fire safety issues went unaddressed. Campers should verify current operating status before booking, especially if traveling during peak holiday weekends.

"The sites are spacious and there are a mix of shady and sunny sites," notes Joshua H., whose visit reflected the campground at a calmer stretch of the season. Those willing to time their trip accordingly will find a lakeside base with solid infrastructure and room to spread out.