Best Dispersed Camping near Mendocino Lake
Several free dispersed camping options exist near Mendocino Lake, California, primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Cow Mountain Recreation Area offers primitive sites with vault toilets but requires a capable off-road vehicle to access. BLM Sheldon Creek provides a more accessible option with picnic tables, fire pits and vault toilets, though the dirt access road can be challenging. A review noted, "There are about 4/5 sites, only 2 with actual fire pits," while another mentioned, "We drove a 4WD vehicle, but most cars should be able to handle the journey up."
Lakeview Dispersed Campground features multiple primitive sites along a dirt road with occasional lake views. The access route is steep and dusty, with varying reports on vehicle suitability. "The gravel roads here are open again and easy to drive on! All wheel drive is helpful, but we saw some people with a Prius up there," noted one camper, while others warn the route can be treacherous. High Valley Road Dispersed and Clear Lake View Point Dispersed camping areas exist but have received poor reviews for extremely difficult access. Most dispersed sites in the region allow campfires when restrictions aren't in place and typically permit stays up to 14 days.
