Bushay Recreation Area
Mendocino Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Ukiah, CA, CA
Price: From $35 per night
Price range: $35–$250 per night
Rating: 3.9 out of 5 (44 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Showers, Dump Station, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bushay-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Bushay Recreation Area sits on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range where redwood forests meet wine country. The campground offers fishing, boating, hiking, and biking with 43 sites accommodating both tent and RV camping.
Wildlife alert: Mountain lions, bobcats, and red foxes inhabit the area within 8km. Raptors including osprey, merlin, and sharp-shinned hawks are also present.
Insider tips for Bushay Recreation Area: Book early as this is a federal campground with high demand Access road subject to closure from high water levels; confirm availability before traveling during late spring transition periods No hookups available—suitable only for self-contained RVs
Skip Bushay Recreation Area if: You need RV hookups. You're traveling during rainy season (November-April) when access road may be impassable. Reservations may be cancelled with full refund if high water levels persist into late spring/early summer.
Best time to visit Bushay Recreation Area: May-October — Official operating season; campground closed during rainy months due to high water access road conditions.
Nearby campgrounds: Kyen Campground And Oak Grove Day Use Area (UKIAH, CA), Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino (Ukiah, CA), Pine Mountain Lookout (UPPER LAKE , CA), Penny Pines Campground (Upper Lake , CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bushay Recreation Area
Cell signal at Bushay Recreation Area (Ukiah, CA): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage · Verizon 5G: 100%
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with high demand
Access road subject to closure from high water levels; confirm availability before traveling during late spring transition periods
No hookups available
suitable only for self-contained RVs
Official operating season; campground closed during rainy months due to high water access road conditions
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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. Follow the road under the bridge and along the river until you reach the Host Booth at the top of the hill. From the North (Eureka, Willits, Fort Bragg): Follow Highway 101 Sout
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Mendocino Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Mendocino Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bushay Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Bushay Recreation Area open?+
Does Bushay Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Bushay Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Bushay Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Bushay Recreation Area?+
What season is Bushay Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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