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. Reservable shelters may seasonally be reserved through Recreation.gov. In addition to the six reservable group shelters, there are four 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...

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 Recreation Area.
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. Our resident Bald Eagles are often seen in this area.
Launch your boat, kayak, paddleboard, or watercraft 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, go to recreation.gov to make your reservation!

Picnic Areas

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North End Picnic Areas

Mesa Day-Use Area

Reserve Shelter Capacity: 50 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.	Lake access by .25 mile trail

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 day-use area has one reservable and one non-reservable group picnic shelter, plus a number of single family picnic sites located amongst the shade of large oak trees. Vault toilets are located in the parking lot, and flushable toilets are near the North Boat Ramp.

Pros	Cons
Two group shelters located near parking lot Beach access to Lake Mendocino Located within walking distance of Kyen Campground and North Boat Ramp Pets allowed but must be physically restrained on a six (6) foot or shorter leash.	Vault toilets No playground Oak Grove Parking Lot is 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 has 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 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 access to the northern trailhead for the Shakota Trail.

The reservable shelter in this area is located in between Lake Mendocino and the playground. There is also an equally large non-reservable group shelter near the restrooms as well as several smaller picnic shelters scattered around this day-use area. Be prepared to carry all picnic supplies to the shelters without the ease of having a nearby vehicle drop off location.

Pros	Cons
Playground Large reservable shelter located near Playground and Lake Mendocino Second large non-reserve shelter located near restrooms Designated Swim Beach (no lifeguard on duty) Flush restrooms Easy access to Lake Mendocino Easy access to Shakota Trail 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 may also have 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 the day-use areas attached to the designated swim beach. Pomo B 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 Shakota Trail trailhead.

The reservable shelter is located near the Lake and is often subject to flooding from high lake levels. There are also several smaller picnic shelters placed throughout the Pomo B Day-Use Area. Similar to Pomo A 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 Flush restrooms 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 area was recently rehabilitated after a wildfire in 2021. 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 is often subject to flooding from high water levels. This shelter is also smaller than the others and is not recommended for large groups. Additional single family shelters are scattered throughout the area.

Pros	Cons
Reservable shelter located near Lake. Flush restrooms 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.

Pros	Cons
Playground Disc Golf Course Large barbeque pit Reservable Shelter has electricity Reservable Shelter located near parking lot Flushing restroom Easy access to Shakota Trail 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

This is one of our smaller day-use areas, perfect for intimate family gatherings. There is no reservable shelter here; it is always on a first-come, first-served basis. There is 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.

Pros	Cons
Playground Large barbeque pit Located near 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 Vault toilets No parking for large trailers, motorhomes, or boats