Mendocino Lake in California features several established campgrounds offering a range of camping experiences. Sites like COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground and Bushay Recreation Area provide traditional camping options with amenities, while The Narrows Lodge Resort offers cabin rentals and glamping accommodations for those seeking more comfort. The landscape around the lake supports both lakeside camping with water access and more secluded forest settings. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV campers, with several locations providing hookups for electricity, water, and sewer connections.
Access to campgrounds varies seasonally, with many sites requiring reservations, particularly during summer months. Lake Mendocino's camping facilities typically operate from May through September, though some remain open year-round. Visitors should check current conditions as flooding and maintenance occasionally affect availability. Campgrounds near the lake offer varying levels of amenities, from basic sites with picnic tables and fire rings to developed areas with shower facilities and boat launches. Cell coverage is generally available but can be spotty in more remote locations. As one camper noted, "Advanced reservation is required" for many of the popular lakeside campgrounds.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with lake access being a primary draw for visitors. Several campers highlight the recreational opportunities available at Lake Mendocino, including swimming, boating, and fishing. "The lake is beautiful. Boating is awesome," shared one reviewer about their experience. Campground quality varies considerably across the area—some visitors praise the cleanliness and amenities at Bushay Recreation Area, noting "super clean and well-lit bathrooms" and "free showers," while others report less positive experiences at locations like Kyen Campground. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including drinking water, restrooms, and designated fire areas. Family-friendly options with playgrounds and easy water access make this region particularly appealing for those camping with children during the summer months.
$45 - $70 / night
"This California State Park is located in the Anderson Valley, a historic agricultural area located in the Navarro river watershed. While only 120-ish miles from San Francisco, this area is remote. "
"The sites are situated among towering redwoods. Which blocks the amazing clear night skies, but offer there own beauty.
It was great! The nearby towns or phill and boonville are super cute."
$35 - $65 / night
"Some Lakeside campsites for RVs and tents with many other campsites, stretching up a gentle hill. Potable water is available."
"It’s a short walk from anywhere in the campground down to the lake. The water is crystal clear and there’s a little dock for jumping off of."
"MUST BE SELF CONTAINED TO STAY IN THIS LOCATION!!"
$35 - $250 / night
"Also, I accidentally left my camping chairs behind :( and an employee reached out to me to let me know! I wish it wasn't a 3+ hour drive for me because I would love to already head back lol."
"The Mendocino redwoods RV resort just outside of Willits on CA-20 to Fort Bragg, California, was 3 years ago a KOA resort."
"We were just a few steps from the pool, which was clean, but pretty cold. It didn’t seem like it was heated. If it is, it’s not heated well."
$8 / night
"Beautiful location, campground was easily accessible going up Elk Mountain Road. Camped in Site 11, pull through, no hook ups, nice picnic table, grill and fire pit. Vault toilets, no showers."
"If it's in a beautiful location and if you're into four-wheeling or dirt bikes, you're going to have a blast."
$40 - $90 / night
$50 / night
"Only caveat is the access to the cabin. They're not kidding when they warn you to bring a chainsaw. "
"The roads driving up to the lookout tower are logging roads so they are a bit rough, this wasn't something we were expecting on our drive there. But overall it was an amazing experience."
TravelerSnag a spot at the Abalone Point campsite if you can! Perfect views of the ocean. Multiple water spots and bathrooms. Short walk to the beach. At most, campsites were maybe at half capacity. Right off the road but minimal noise to distract from the ocean. No cell service but about 30 min to Fort Bragg for whatever you need.
RangerWe stayed for three nights at this large, well-developed campground. As big as this campground is, with the layout and the thick forest, you don't feel like you're camping with hundreds of other people. The one exception to that is at night time. The campground has quiet hours beginning at 10pm, but during our stay that was not enforced and at least four groups were having parties well past 11pm, or found that to be a great time to race remote control cars.
The camp store has every you could possibly need if you forget something, but be prepared as the mark-ups are steep!!
The river access is easy and great with plenty of space along the river to set up and enjoy the day. The beach is all rock, so plan accordingly. Next time we will bring kayaks or SUPs to explore more of the river, but the areas accessible by foot are nice with shallow spots for kids, swimming holes, rope swing, and even a big buried log to jump off of.
Overall we had a great time and will be back.
GuideWe arrive about 5:00 pm on a Wednesday and only 1 of 10 campsite were taken. Most filled in by sunset. It is a beautiful spot but camp sites are tight with no privacy. There are port-a-potties. It is also a day use area so they get lots of use and stink. We loved it for the beauty and the chance to be right at the beach. It was just a one night stop for us but if I had a toilet I could see staying a few days. No hooks ups. No water. Each site has a concrete picnic table and fire ring.
ScoutCurrently the Bull Frog Campground is closed Until Further Notice and there is no Back Country Camping available either. Day Use only.
TravelerThis has been an honestly fun time. Many unexpected things, like movies now night, community campfire, and great of leash dog park area. The staff are so helpful. Delivered fire wood and propane to the site. If you’re not able to score a site with sewer hook-up, don’t worry. They offer a honey bucket service that comes to your RV for $15. All the usual amenities at a KOA, plus a pool, game room, and small general store. We will definitely be back. Oh and, look for a place to enjoy Thanksgiving, this place have a community pot luck, bring a side dish to share. They provide the turkey.
TravelerThe pros: the location is stunning. The beach is great, plus being situated right between Mendocino and Fort Bragg means lots of options for other sights to see and great restaurants too. The store is a nice bonus, the WiFi worked well near the entrance and the front part of camp, and every person I encountered who worked there was pleasant and helpful.
The cons: it is crowded as hell (at least during peak season in July) and no one cares at all about the posted quiet hours (and they don’t seem to be enforced). The tent sites do seem more spacious than the RV sites, but you’re still right on top of each other. I have terrible hearing and could still hear word for word what the family next to me was saying as they loudly chattered and laughed away at 11pm (kid, referring to my site: “Is someone in that tent?” adult: “Yeah, no one we know.” 😭)
I think the best way to visit again would be with friends who are in sites right next to you, so you have a better sense of what you’re getting into!
TravelerFound a spot on the hill that had a sweet view, but was covered in trash and shotgun shells. A lot of dirt bikers so you hear that most of the day.
ScoutAbundant bad reviews were available for this campground but we had no major issues. Bathrooms and pool were in good condition.
TravelerSo the staff here are really nice and helpful and trying to keep the place up. There is definitely not enough staff for the size of of the grounds here. The river is super low right now but it's mid July inland in California so that's expected. Getting down to the river access is either by being dropped off by a car and then picked back up when you are done OR walking down the windy steep road and then back UP when you are tired and hungry and hot etc. If you have a mobility issue be prepared to get help. My husband has prosthetics and we couldn't be down at the same time without a lot of back and forth with the vehicle. The bathroom/bathhouse in A section of the park is trashed. I don't have a nicer way to put that. We lost water the second night we were there and that lasted most of the next day and then power went out at 11pm three nights later and was off for almost 24 hours. We more than likely won't be staying there again anytime soon. It looks like it used to be a really nice spot but it has just been neglected and abused.
Mendocino Lake campgrounds offer diverse camping options in Northern California's oak-dotted hills. The lake itself covers approximately 1,922 acres when at capacity and sits at an elevation of 750 feet above sea level. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping availability, particularly in drought years when the lake can drop significantly.
Swimming at beaches: At Mackerricher State Park Campground, beachgoers enjoy coastal waters. "The campground is adjacent to the beach. You can hear the ocean and sometimes catch peeks of the ocean from the campground," shares one visitor who appreciates the proximity to shoreline activities.
Fishing from docks: Narrows Lodge Resort provides lake access for anglers. "We rented a motor boat for a few hours to explore the beautiful lake. Pet friendly. Great little beach. A dock to fish from. Everything you need to have a great time!" reports a satisfied visitor who took advantage of the fishing opportunities.
Redwood hiking: Many campers explore the ancient groves at Hendy Woods State Park Campground. "The two redwood groves are easily accessible from the campsite, and the campsite itself is pretty nice. Quiet, nicely located and I always have a little bit of service (Verizon) at the campground," notes a regular visitor who enjoys the park's natural features.
Spacious campsites: At many Mendocino Lake camping areas, site size matters. "We had a great time when we stayed a night here in October. The campground is nice and has a lot of availability- even on weekends! The sites are spacious and there are a mix of shady and sunny sites," explains a camper at COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground.
Clean facilities: Hygiene standards vary significantly between campgrounds. "Super clean and well-lit bathrooms. Free showers," notes a camper who appreciated the maintenance at Bushay Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse animal populations. "We enjoyed every bit of Hendy Woods. The camp site was great and well maintained," shares a visitor who found the natural setting appealing. Another notes, "At sunrise, sea lions were out playing and sunning on rocks which were fun to watch."
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds close unexpectedly. "I arrived 9/10/25 but did not camp here because the camp is closed for some flood damage repair," warns a visitor to COE Mendocino Lake Bu-Shay Campground.
Road conditions: Access to certain campgrounds requires caution. "The road to get into the campground is very sketchy. It is extremely narrow and there is no where to pass along it. So make sure you abide by the check in check out times," advises a visitor at Narrows Lodge Resort.
Camping options: From tent sites to glamping, Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort offers various accommodations. "We stopped here overnight on our way up the coast. Well maintained, nice facility and friendly staff. Definitely wouldn't come back for long term camping as we have older teenagers. The facility is definitely geared toward families with smaller kids," explains one reviewer.
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "We also went to the playground several times, which is super fun. The splash pad was a family favorite. The petting zoo, was also super cute and the animals seemed like they were well taken care of," shares a parent from Mendocino Redwoods RV Resort.
Educational opportunities: Junior ranger programs engage children. "The junior ranger program and nightly events for families helped keep the kids engaged in the camping experience. Park rangers hosted guided hikes, nighttime stargazing (with telescopes), and nightly campfires," describes a family at Hendy Woods.
Beach access for kids: Middle Creek Campground provides natural water features. "You can hear the creek running along the camp, as well as the wild turkeys. There must be over 15 different species of birds as well," notes a visitor describing features that interest young nature enthusiasts.
RV site accommodations: Facilities vary widely across the area. "Sites like $65. I have senior pass so 1/2 off. I would not have stayed at the full price," advises a visitor at Kyen Campground, highlighting the importance of checking pricing before arrival.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites aren't universal. "Each site has 30 amp service, water, sewer hookups. Gravel sites with small patches of grass. Laundry and showers," explains a camper at Redwood Empire Fair RV Park who documented the available connections.
Cell coverage considerations: Internet access varies greatly around the lake. "I have great cell service with T-Mobile, but not all cell carriers have such luxury. The owners of this campground are a bit older and not very friendly when youngsters like myself come to stay here, so customer service is bad but the WiFi is exceptional," reports a visitor at Golden Rule RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Mendocino Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, Mendocino Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 167 campgrounds and RV parks near Mendocino Lake and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Mendocino Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mendocino Lake is Hendy Woods State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 28 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mendocino Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Mendocino Lake.
What parks are near Mendocino Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Mendocino Lake that allow camping, notably Mendocino National Forest and Lake Sonoma.
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