Lake Mendocino

Situated about midway between Mendocino National Forest and the coast, Lake Mendocino makes a great spot for quiet relaxation or a fun family vacation a place to get away from it all.

Lake Mendocino runs under the ownership of the Army Corps of Engineers and stays open all year for fishing, camping, and hiking. The lake hosts the bulk of its visitors during the summer for family vacations or reunions with over 300 campsites and 15 miles of hiking trails. However, fall, winter, or spring might be the best time to sight wildlife, such as birds, bobcats, mountain lions, or black bears.

From January through April, visitors may visit the Coyote Dam Steelhead Egg Collection Facility to observe Steelhead spawning, where they might even get to touch a steelhead. From April through November, visitors can experience basket making, hunting, and the dancing of the Pomo.

Take a scenic 2.5 hour drive from the Sacramento International Airport to get to Lake Mendocino. In nearby Ukiah, visitors can experience several other sites like the Evergreen Memorial Gardens, the Grace Hudson Museum-Sun House, and several parks. Just up the road a few miles north of Lake Mendocino reside a casino and the Coyote Valley Tribal Council.