Bushay Recreation Area
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.
More like this: electric hookups in California · reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 43 |
| group picnic area | 1 |
| Host/management | 123 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 78 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
44 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B047 | Standard | Back-in | 46 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| B052 | Standard | Back-in | 53 | Gravel | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| B053 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| B054 | Standard | Back-in | 61 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| B055 | Standard | Back-in | 56 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| B056 | Standard | Back-in | 71 | Gravel | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| B057 | Standard | Back-in | 69 | Gravel | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| B058 | Standard | Back-in | 58 | Gravel | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| B059 | Standard | Back-in | 65 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| B060 | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Full | No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 78 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites B092, B095, B138, B162 are listed accessible |
This campground offers more than 100 family sites, many of which overlook the lake. Group sites may also be available. The Mesa Day-Use Area is within the campground and offers a group picnic shelter. 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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From the South (San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Ukiah): Follow Highway 101 North towards Ukiah. Approximately 5 miles north of Ukiah, take Highway 20 East. Continue on Highway 20 East for approximately 3 miles. Just after you see Lake Mendocino on your right, you will cross a tall bridge. Take the first left after the bridge.
| Coordinates | 39.2350° N, 123.1659° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedHoward Forest Frp Rx
11 mi from the campground · 13 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Clearlake Outdoors ↗ | 20.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV Repair Connection ↗ | 57.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Bushay Campground
Public land it sits in
Mendocino National Forest begins about 8.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 8.9 miMendocino National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,073,580 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Palace HotelBuilding · Ukiah · 6.2 mi
- Ukiah Main Post OfficeBuilding · Ukiah · 6.2 mi
- Charles Hofman HouseBuilding · Ukiah · 6.4 mi
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.
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.
Nearby
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.
Guidebooks for California
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Bushay Recreation Area?
Sites at Bushay Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bushay Recreation Area?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Bushay Recreation Area have?
167 sites, including 43 standard sites without power and 1 group picnic area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Bushay Recreation Area?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Bushay Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Bushay Recreation Area?
Amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station and playground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Bushay Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bushay Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bushay Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Bushay Recreation Area?
Sites B092, B095, B138, and B162 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Bushay Recreation Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Bushay Recreation Area?
The 1,822-acre lake provides abundant boating, swimming and water skiing opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Bushay Recreation Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Kyen Campground And Oak Grove Day Use Area (0.6 mi), Fuller Grove Group Campground (17.4 mi, first-come), and Pogie Point Campground (17.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby