Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino
Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino is an Army Corps of Engineers campground in California. Hookups: sewer.
- Type
- Army Corps of Engineers campground
- Location
- California
- Coordinates
- 39.20306, -123.18639
- Hookups
- Sewer
- Activities
- Biking, Boating, Fishing, Hiking
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- 707-467-4200
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino
Overview 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. The lake is formed by the Coyote Dam on the Russian River. A wide variety of recreational opportunities is available, including boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Recreation The 1,822-acre lake provides abundant boating, swimming and water skiing opportunities. Anglers will find sunfish, smallmouth bass, striped bass, crappie, white and channel catfish, bluegill and perch. Several miles of trails wind around Lake Mendocino, including the 3-mile Shakota Trail that begins at the Overlook Day-Use Area and offers beautiful views of the lake. Lake Mendocino also offers two disc golf courses that can be found near the Overlook Day-Use Area on the south end and the Pomo A Day-Use Area parking lot on the north end. The rolling terrain is heavily wooded in some areas, making for challenging tunnel shots with obstacles around most pins. Facilities The old Chekaka Campground is permanently closed to camping; it is instead being used as overflow day-use parking for the South Boat Ramp and Coyote Valley Dam. The Overlook Day-Use Area group picnic site in the Chekaka Recreation Area is available for reservations. Natural Features Lake Mendocino lies in the scenic rolling hills of Coyote Valley. Gro
Cell coverage
No coverage data for this location yet.
Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- Dump station · 18 mi
- Water fill
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Propane
- Ferrellgas · 20 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
- Off-road routes
- 7 designated routes (7 mi) within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miti Campground | Private campground | 1.1 mi | — | — |
| Yokayo Ranch | Private campground | 2.0 mi | — | — |
| Pomo Day Use Area | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 2.2 mi | — | No hookups |
| Bushay Campground | Private campground | 2.3 mi | — | — |
| Kyen Campground | Private campground | 2.3 mi | — | — |
| Kyen Campground And Oak Grove Day Use Area | Army Corps of Engineers campground | 2.4 mi | — | Full hookups |
Open Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino in DryRig
Save it offline, check your rig's clearance on the drive in, and see what's nearby on the map.
Sources. Recreation.gov (RIDB). Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.