Some of your future activities may need a special use permit. We require special use permits for activities ranging from amplified music and inflateable jumphouses to fishing derbies and footraces. Each event is evaluated on a case by case basis.

Not sure if you need a Special Use Permit? Check out our Special Use Permit webpage or call (707) 467-4200 to talk to our Special Use Coordinator.

Contact

Call (707) 467- 4200

US Army Corps of Engineers

1160 Lake Mendocino Drive

Ukiah, California 95482

Picnicking at Lake Mendocino

A Great Place to Picnic

Lake Mendocino has 100 picnic shelters scattered throughout our seven day-use areas. Each has one shelter that may be reserved through Reserve America, the company that handles our campground reservations. In addition to the seven reservable group shelters, there are five non-reservable group shelters available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each day-use area also has one or more single picnic table shelters. Don't miss out on all of the other activities Lake Mendocino offers!

Look what you can do in a day at Lake Mendocino...

Visit the Pomo Cultural Center.
Take your kids to play at one or all of our five playgrounds.
Swim at our designated swim beach (Be sure to bring a buddy because you should NEVER swim alone!)
Take a walk across Coyote Valley Dam.
Hike or bike the Shakota Trail on the west side between the Overlook Day-Use Area and the Pomo Cultural Center.
Hike, bike or horse ride on the Kaweyo Trail on the east side. It travels through our 689 acre Wildlife Management Area, home to black-tail deer, wild turkey, gray fox, red-tailed hawk, osprey, and valley quail. Bald Eagles often winter in this area.
Launch your boat or jet ski from one of our two boat ramps to enjoy a day of boating.
Relax in a cove or on shore and try to catch that elusive fish.
Or take a few hours to learn how to play Disc Golf with your family.

After you see what we have, click on this logo to make your reservation.

Picnic Areas

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North End Picnic Areas

Mesa Day-Use Area

Reserve Shelter Capacity: 80 people

The Mesa Day-Use area is located on the north side of Lake Mendocino next to the Bushay Campground. This great picnic spot has fantastic views of Lake Mendocino as well as a playground, volleyball court, grassy field for soccer or frisbee, and a horseshoe pit. There is also a short nature walk that will take you down towards the Lake Mendocino shoreline as well as easy access to the Kaweyo Trail that wanders through our Wildlife Management Area.

The reservable shelter is located near the restrooms on the western point of day-use area. Near the playground you will find another equally large group shelter as well as several smaller picnic shelters scattered around the edges of the Mesa Day-Use Area. The only downside is that it can be a steep hike on a designated trail to reach the Lake.

Pros	Cons
Playground Volleyball court Large open grassy area Reservable Shelter has electricity Large barbeque pit Additional Large Shelter near playground Great view of Lake Mendocino Flushing restroom across street from Reservable shelter Located next to Bushay Campground Easy access to Kaweyo Trail Pets allowed but must be physically restrained on a six (6) foot or shorter leash.	No direct access to Lake Mendocino

Oak Grove Day-Use Area

Reserve Shelter Capacity: 50 people

Oak Grove Day-Use area is conveniently located between Kyen Campground and the North Boat Ramp . This is one of our smaller day-use areas making it great for a family reunion or a birthday party. In addition to direct access to Lake Mendocino this day-use area also has a volleyball court and a reservable shelter with electricity located near the parking lot. This area also has an equally large non-reservable group shelter. Only downside is that it has outhouse-style restrooms.

Pros	Cons
Small for family reunions Reservable Shelter, located near parking lot, has electricity Beach access to Lake Mendocino Located within walking distance of Kyen Campground and North Boat Ramp Additional large shelter located near parking lot Pets allowed but must be physically restrained on a six (6) foot or shorter leash.	Outhouse-style restrooms No playground Not recommended for parking large trailers or motorhomes

Pomo A Day-Use Area

NO PETS ALLOWED

Reserve Shelter Capacity: 50 people

The Pomo A Day-Use Area is one of two day-use areas with direct access to the only designated swim beach at Lake Mendocino. This makes it a great place to bring the family for a day of barbeque and swimming. Due to health reasons, however, we do not allow pets in either of the day-use areas attached to the designated swim beach. Pomo A also has a playground and an open grassy field for soccer or frisbee. A short walk with get you to the Kyen Campground to the east and is within easy the northern trailhead for the Shakota Trail, and the Pomo Cultural Center to the west.

The reservable shelter in this area is located inbetween Lake Mendocino and the playground. There is also an equally large non-reservable group shelter near the restrooms as well as severak smaller picnic shelters scattered around this day-use area. One downside is that none of the picnic shelters have access to electricity. The other is that there is no vehicle access for dropping off your picnic supplies and most of the shelters are located near the lakeshore.

Pros

Cons

Playground
Large reservable shelter located near Playground and Lake Mendocino
Second large non-reserve shelter located near restrooms
Large barbeque pit
Designated Swim Beach (no lifeguard on duty)
Flush restrooms with changing rooms and cold-water showers.
Easy access to Lake Mendocino
Easy access to Shakota Trail
Easy access to Pomo Cultural Center
Within walking distance of Kyen Campground

No pets allowed
No electricity available
Most shelters located near Lake, no vehicle access for drop off.
Limited shore for boat moorage, due to swim beach
Not recommended for parking large trailers or motorhomes

Pomo B Day-Use Area

NO PETS ALLOWED

Reserve Shelter Capacity: 50 people

The Pomo B Day-Use Area is the other day-use area with direct access to the only designated swim beach at Lake Mendocino. This also makes it a great place to bring the family for a day of barbeque and swimming. Due to health reasons, however, we do not allow pets in either of the day-use areas attached to the designated swim beach. Pomo B also has a volleyball court and a larger open grassy field than Pomo A. This day-use area is also located within walking distance of the Kyen Campground and the Pomo Cultural Center.

The reservable shelter is located near the Lake and designated swim beach and has access to electricity. There are also several smaller picnic shelters placed throughout the Pomo B Day-Use Area. The only downside is that there is no vehicle access for dropping off your picnic supplies and most of the shelters are located near the lakeshore.

Pros	Cons
Designated Swim Beach (no lifeguard on duty) Large barbeque pit Reservable Shelter has electricity Flush restrooms with changing rooms and cold-water showers. Easy access to Lake Mendocino	No pets allowed All shelters located near lake, no vehicle access for drop off. Limited shore for boat moorage, due to swim beach Not recommended for parking large trailers or motorhomes

Pomo C Day-Use Area

Reserve Shelter Capacity: 50 people

You will find lots of shade at Pomo C Day-Use Area. This is also the only Pomo Day-Use Area that allows pets as long as they are physically restrained on a leash six feet long or less. Hike the Shakota Trail from here or walk the service road to Winery Point to see the old Grazini Winery that operated in the valley before Lake Mendocino was formed in 1958.

The reservable group shelter located near the Lake with easy access to the shore. There is another equally large group shelter located near the restrooms with smaller shelters scattered throughout the area.

Pros	Cons
Reservable shelter located near Lake. Large barbeque pit and non-reservable shelter located near restrooms Flush restrooms with changing rooms and cold-water showers. Easy access to Lake Mendocino Pets allowed but must be physically restrained on a six (6) foot or shorter leash. Easy access to Shakota Trail	No electricity available Not recommended for parking large trailers or motorhomes

South End Picnic Areas

Overlook Day-Use Area

Reserve Shelter Capacity: 50 people

Overlook Day-Use Area is named for the great view it has of Lake Mendocino but it isn't the only reason you should stop by. Overlook is home to our 18-hole disc golf course and the southern trailhead of the Shakota Trail. You will also find a nice open grassy area, playground, and volleyball poles.

The reservable shelter is located near the parking lot with several other non-reservable shelters scattered around the area. Only down side is that there is no direct access to the Lake from this Day-Use Area.

Pros	Cons
Playground Disc Golf Course Small for family reunions Large barbeque pit Reservable Shelter has electricity Reservalbe Shelter located near parking lot Flushing restroom Easy access to Shakota Trail Located near Chekaka Campground Great view of Lake Mendocino Pets allowed but must be physically restrained on a six (6) foot or shorter leash.	No direct access to Lake Mendocino Not recommended for parking large trailers or motorhomes

Joe Riley Day-Use Area

Reserve Shelter Capacity: 50 people

This is one of our the smaller day-use areas, perfect for family gatherings. In addition to the reservable shelter, Joe Riley Day-Use Area has a playground, large barbeque grill, view of Lake Mendocino and easy access to our 18-hole disc golf course located just up the hill at the Overlook Day-Use Area. Don't know how to play disc golf? Visit our Disc Golf Course page.

The reservable shelter is located near the parking lot with one additional non-reservable picnic shelter directly next to it. Only down side is that there is no direct access to the Lake from this Day-Use Area.

Pros	Cons
Playground Small for family reunions Large barbeque pit Reservable Shelter has electricity Located near Chekaka Campground and South Boat Ramp Great view of Lake Mendocino Pets allowed but must be physically restrained on a six (6) foot or shorter leash.	No direct access to Lake Mendocino Outhouse-style restrooms No parking for large trailers, motorhomes, or boats