Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino
Mendocino Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Ukiah, CA, CA
Price: From $20 per night
Price range: $20–$40 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (2 reviews)
Season: May through October
Chekaka Recreation Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California’s Mendocino Range, where redwood forests meet wine country. There is one reservable picnic pad in the Overlook Day-Use Area. Chekaka Campground has been permanently closed.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/chekaka-recreation-area-lake-mendocino to be notified when sites open up.
Chekaka Recreation Area offers a scenic lakeside setting on Lake Mendocino with opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, and biking in California's Mendocino Range. The area provides access to abundant recreational opportunities including water sports and outdoor activities.
Wildlife alert: Mountain lions present in the area; also watch for osprey, merlin, and other raptors. Black-tailed jackrabbits and western fence lizards are common.
Insider tips for Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino: Book early as this is a federal campground with limited availability No hookups available; plan accordingly for tent camping Lake Mendocino offers diverse water recreation including boating and fishing
Skip Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino if: Seeking RV hookups—none are available. Planning to visit November through April—seasonal closure. Note: Chekaka Campground itself has been permanently closed per RIDB; only the Overlook Day-Use Area with one picnic pad remains available.
Best time to visit Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino: May-October — Official operating season for the campground.
Nearby campgrounds: Pomo Day Use Area (Ukiah, CA), Bushay Recreation Area (Ukiah, CA), Pine Mountain Lookout (UPPER LAKE , CA), Penny Pines Campground (Upper Lake , CA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino
Cell signal at Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino (Ukiah, CA): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage · Verizon 5G: 100%
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
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.
Chekaka Recreation Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California’s Mendocino Range, where redwood forests meet wine country. There is one reservable picnic pad in the Overlook Day-Use Area. Chekaka Campground has been permanently closed.
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 limited availability
No hookups available; plan accordingly for tent camping
Lake Mendocino offers diverse water recreation including boating and fishing
Official operating season for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
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 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 Wil
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 Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino cost per night?+
What season is Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino open?+
Does Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino?+
How do I make reservations at Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino?+
What is the cell service like at Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino?+
What season is Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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