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Bushay Recreation Area

Mendocino Lake, California

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As of October 2026, Bushay Recreation Area is a campground in California with 167 campsites. Bushay Recreation Area is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Bushay Recreation Area for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Bushay Recreation Area is located at 39.2350° N, 123.1659° W.

Bushay Recreation Area reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

Mid-stay changes allowed
Maximum stay: 14 nights
Military discount available

Published by Recreation.gov for Bushay Recreation Area, read on September 28, 2026.

Campsites at Bushay Recreation Area

Amenities

restrooms
showers
potable water
dump station

At a glance: Setting: Forest.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife, photography, horse riding.

About Bushay Recreation Area

Overview

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.

Recreation

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.

Facilities

This campground offers more than 100 family sites, many of which overlook the lake. Multiple group sites are also available.

The Mesa Day-Use Area is within the campground and offers a group picnic shelter with electric hookups. 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. A horse staging area is located in the campground near the Kaweyo Trailhead.

Natural Features

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Rules and notices at Bushay Recreation Area

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Bushay Recreation Area on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY PLEASE DIAL 9-1-1

Mendocino County Sherriff’s Office: (707) 463-4086

Lake Mendocino Front Desk (M-F, 8 AM - 4 PM): (707) 467-4200

CAMPING BY RESERVATION ONLY

All reservations must be processed through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Reservations cannot be made in person at this facility. Cash is not accepted. Same-day reservations are available.

Want to move sites? This facility allows self service modifications to your reservation. Please update your reservation before moving sites. If you need assistance please contact a Park Ranger or contact the Lake Office at 707-467-4200

This facility is for recreational camping only . Activities such as vehicle maintenance (including oil changes), commercial business operations, major site alterations, and the use of disruptive items like fireworks are strictly prohibited. Any activities deemed incompatible with recreational camping may be prohibited at the discretion of a Park Ranger to protect the safety and integrity of the facility and other campground users.

CHECK IN: 1 PM // CHECK OUT: 11 AM

- Please renew sites by 10:30 AM if you intend to stay another night

- Camping limited to 14 days in a 30 day period

NO UNATTENDED FIRES: Fires are permitted (unless otherwise prohibited) in designated fire rings only. Extinguish campfires completely before leaving your site or going to sleep. Please gather only dead and downed wood.

Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

ENTRANCE GATE CLOSURES: The campground entrance gate may close from 10 PM to 8 AM daily. No non-emergency vehicle access will be granted during this time. Vehicles may exit at any time through the exit gate. Locked out? Please park in park in a safe spot along the side of Inlet Rd. and enter on foot to your camp site.

VEHICLES AND PARKING: All vehicles and camping trailers must fit on designated pad. Pad lengths included in campsite information. No vehicles on grass or along roadway. Only boat trailer wheels are allowed on grass. Off-road vehicles are not permitted.

QUIET HOURS ARE FROM 10 PM - 6 AM: All noise amplification devices (including but not limited to radios, speakers, car stereos or boom boxes) and generators must be turned OFF . Please be respectful of other campers and keep ambient noise to a minimum during quiet hours.

CAMPSITES: Please keep your campsite free of litter and waste material, utilize campground dumpsters for garbage. All camping equipment must remain in your reserved site. Campsites are limited to eight (8) persons per site.

PETS : Pets must be on a six-foot leash and under the owner's control at all times. Do not leave pets unattended in vehicles or at campsites.

FLUCTUATING LAKE LEVELS: Please be advised that Lake Mendocino boat ramps, some day-use and parking areas, and many campsites are subject to closure based on lake levels. In the event that high water levels force closures in Bushay Recreation Area, reservation holders will be refunded in full and notified as soon as possible. To check the status of our boat launches and other areas please contact the park office (707) 467-4200 or visit the Lake Mendocino Facebook page.

POISON OAK: Poison oak can be found throughout the campground. Please be on the look out and stay within your designated camping pad. Remember, leaves of three, let them be!

Rules and Regulations: This campground is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and we are dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all our visitors. As the primary reservation holder, you are responsible for the conduct of your group. Rowdy, disorderly, or disruptive behavior – including fighting or aggressive behavior towards anyone – may result in immediate removal from the campground.

By making a reservation at this facility, you acknowledge that you understand and agree to abide by all campground rules and to follow the directions of campground staff and Park Rangers. Non-compliance is a violation of your camping permit and may result in a citation under 36 CFR Part 327

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Bushay Recreation Area FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Bushay Recreation Area?

Bushay Recreation Area is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 167 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Bushay Recreation Area?

Cancellations happen frequently at Bushay Recreation Area, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Bushay Recreation Area have?

Bushay Recreation Area has 167 campsites.

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