Description

Lake Mendocino is located in the northern coast range of California, where redwood forests meet the wine country. Coyote Dam, built and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is 160 feet high and 3,500 feet long, creating a lake with a surface area of 1,822 acres. The project provides flood damage reduction, water conservation, hydroelectric power, as well as a variety of recreational opportunities. Bushay Campground has over 100 individual sites, many of them overlooking the lake. The campground has flush toilets, hot showers, no full hook-ups and a horse staging area. The Mesa day use area is near by, and a public phone is available. The Mesa has picnic shelters, tables and grills within walking distance of the campground. The campground also has 3 group camping sites: Little Bear, Tata and Deer Camp. A 6 mile hiking trail begins at the Little Bear group camping area and leads to a primitive campground, Miti, continues through the wildlife area and loops around to the south end of the lake, ending at the dam, near the south boat ramp.