Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino in CA -- Campground & RV Camping

Chekaka Recreation Area sits on the shores of Lake Mendocino, a 1,822-acre reservoir created by the Coyote Dam on the Russian River in Northern California. While the original campground is permanently closed and used for boat ramp overflow parking, the area offers a reservable group picnic pad in the Overlook Day-Use Area. Visitors come to launch powerboats, water ski, swim, play on two disc golf courses, and fish for bass, catfish, and sunfish. Nearby, the 3-mile Shakota Trail offers lake views through oak, manzanita, and pine woods.

Getting there: From the South (San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Ukiah): Follow Highway 101 North towards Ukiah. Approximately 2 miles north of Ukiah, take the Lake Mendocino Dr. exit and turn right. Turn left at North State St., then right again onto Lake Mendocino Dr. Chekaka Recreation Area is at the top of the hill. Take a slight left before reaching the Coyote Valley Dam to visit the Overlook Day-Use Area. From the North (Eureka, Willits, Fort Bragg): Follow Highway 101 South. Approximately 17 miles south of Willits, take the Lake Mendocino Dr. exit and turn left. Turn left at North State St., then right onto Lake Mendocino Dr. Chekaka Recreation Area is at the top of the hill. Take a slight left before reaching the Coyote Valley Dam to visit the Overlook Day-Use Area. From the East (Sacramento): From the city of Williams, take Highway 20 West. Continue on Highway 20 for approximately 2 hours or 80 miles traveling past Clearlake and Blue Lakes. Approximately 5 miles after the Potter Valley turn-off, continue onto Highway 101 South. Take the Lake Mendocino Dr. exit and turn left. Turn left at North State St., then right onto Lake Mendocino Dr. Chekaka Recreation Area is at the top of the hill. Take a slight left before reaching the Coyote Valley Dam to visit the Overlook Day-Use Area.

• Little separation from through roads or other sites here, a 22-site campground with the nearest through road 0.1 miles off.
• The Lake Mendocino shoreline is 0.1 mi off.
• Estimated night sky: Bortle 6, a suburban sky.
• Most of them shaded.
• Cow Mountain Ridge stands 2,879 ft above the map pin, 6.9 miles east.

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