BuShay Campground
Lake Mendocino

Lake Mendocino, California
Lake Mendocino, California

BuShay Campground
Lake Mendocino


BuShay Campground

Map button

BuShay Campground is on the northeast side of Lake Mendocino, next to the Mesa Day-use area. The campground and the lake are operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. Few of the campsites are lakeside, but all are within easy walking distance and many sites have lake views.

Lake Mendocino is popular for boating, waterskiing, and fishing. Hiking trails wind through a 700-acre wilderness area.

BuShay Campground has 136 individual campsites (site #94 has electric hook-ups) along with 3 separate Group Areas. On the reservation website the campground listings show which sites are near the water. The adjacent day-use area provides recreation facilities. Note that high water levels in the lake can cause the campground to close until water receeds.

Shop Amazon: Camping Essentials



BuShay Campground Basics
BuShay Campground Location: Lake Mendocino, 5 miles north of Ukiah
Elevation: 830 feet
Mileage and driving time from gateway cities: Santa Rosa - 65 miles, 1:10
Sacramento - 153 miles, 2:56
Number of Sites: 136
Camping Season: Open May through November, depending on lake level
Max. People per Site: 8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 2
Pets: on leash, always attended
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
US Army Corps of Engineers (707) 467- 4200

Reservations at BuShay Campground
Reservations required Walk-in campers will have to pay by credit card over the phone at (877) 444-6777 or use the reservation link shown below. Cash is not accepted at the campground.
Booking Window: Reservations can be made for today and for up to 6 months in advance of arrival date.
Maximum RV/trailer Length: 35 feet
Accessible Sites: #92, 95, 138, 162
Fees: Standard sites: $35 per night
Lakeside sites: $40
Electric hook-up: $45
Reservations: Bushay Campground Reservations
Check-in, check-out: 1:00 PM, 11:00 AM

BuShay Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring, lantern post; no hook-ups
Campground: Restroom with flush toilets, tap water
Campground Map: Bushay Campground Map
Showers: Yes
Dump station: Yes
Attractions near BuShay Campground: Attend campfire programs at the amphitheater. Hike along the 7-mile Kaweyo Trail. Take advantage of the Mesa Day-use Area with volleyball courts, a nice playground, and picnic sites. Find a boat ramp on north shore. Enjoy boating, waterskiing, fishing, and hiking.

Shop Amazon:
Trout Fishing Best Sellers


Bushay Campground, Lake Mendocino, CA

Deer Group Campsite at BuShay Campground

Group Campsites at BuShay Campground

Bushay Campground includes 3 group areas:

  • Deer Camp: 10 campsites for up to 80 people and 20 vehicles
  • Little Bear: 15 campsites for up to 120 people and 30 vehicles
  • TaTa: 13 campsites for up to 104 people and 26 vehicles

All the group sites have piped water, picnic tables, fire pits, and group BBQs. Check-in time is 1 PM, checkout is noon. Reservations can be made from 4 days up to 12 months in advance of arrival date.
Fees: $235 per night
Reservations: Bushay Campground Reservations


map of Lake Mendocino, CA


Haystack Rock, Oregon.

Haystack Rock

Bushay Campground, Lake Mendocino, CA

BuShay Campground

Mendocino National Forest
Attractions and Activities

Visitors to the Mendocino National Forest discover a wide range of outdoor activities and scenic attractions. Those camped at BuShay Campground are close to many of these great destinations.

  • Enjoy boating and fishing on Lake Pillsbury.
  • Stop at the Lake Pillsbury Resort for cabins and camping, swim beach, marina, and boat rentals.
  • Head out mountain biking along dirt roads.
  • Try fishing in the Eel River (check current limitations and regulations), at Letts Lake, and at Plaskett Lakes.
  • Find good OHV camping and riding at places such as Nail Track OHV Play Area, around Stonyford Recreation Area, and many other spots.
  • Visit Rattlesnake Firefight Overlook.
  • Picnic at Plaskett Meadows, Pine Point, Sycamore Grove, Big Springs, or Wolf Creek.

Key Bushay Campground Regulations

  1. The Entrance Gate closes and is locked in the summer at 10:00 PM. Exits are always available.
  2. Summer Campsite Registration is between 7:30 AM and 10:00 PM.
  3. Obtain firewood locally to avoid bringing in pests.

    Check U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Lake Mendocino for any campground updates.

Nearby Campgrounds

Lake Mendocino Campgrounds


Clear Lake Campgrounds


Lake Pillsbury Campgrounds


Hendy Woods State Park


TOP



General Camping Information

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.

Accessible Sites

Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate