Army Corps of Engineers · California
Bushay Recreation Area
Army Corps of Engineers · California, United States
- Sites
- 167
- Hookups
- 3 with water, 43 no hookups
- Max RV length
- 78 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 735 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Lake
- Mendocino Lake
- Nearest town
- Calpella
- Address
- CA
- Phone
- 707-467-4200
- Activities
- Amphitheater, Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking
139 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Bushay Recreation Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where redwood forests meet wine country. The access road to Bushay Campground is subject to high water levels. For this reason the campground is often closed during the rainy months. If high water levels continue into the late spring and early summer months, reservations may be cancelled by Lake Mendocino staff with a full refund. Every effort will be made to provide advance notice in the event of cancellations.
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 7-mile Kaweyo Trail, which is open to hiking and horseback riding. This trail winds from the lake to the dam, providing excellent views of the lake and wildlife in the area.
Facilities
This campground offers more than 100 family sites, many of which overlook the lake. Group sites may also be available. The Mesa Day-Use Area is within the campground and offers a group picnic shelter. Family picnic sites are also located here, complete with tables and grills. Amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station and playground.
Natural Features
Lake Mendocino lies in the scenic rolling hills of Coyote Valley. Groves of oak mixed with manzanita and pines forest the area, offering limited shade and an excellent bird and wildlife habitat.
Nearby Attractions
The charming city of Ukiah, less than 15 minutes away, offers a variety of shopping and dining opportunities, museums and golf courses. The Ukiah Farmer's Market runs Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings throughout the summer, offering fresh produce, local wines, arts and crafts and live music.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58° | 41° | 31° | 76° | 2 of 11 |
| February | 59° | 41° | 29° | 79° | 3 of 11 |
| March | 62° | 42° | 31° | 89° | 1 of 11 |
| April | 65° | 44° | 34° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 75° | 51° | 42° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 83° | 57° | 46° | 101° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 94° | 62° | 53° | 107° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 94° | 64° | 57° | 104° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 86° | 60° | 50° | 99° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 79° | 52° | 44° | 98° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 64° | 45° | 33° | 83° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 57° | 40° | 30° | 74° | 1 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Kyen Campground and Oak Grove Day Use Area · Army Corps of Engineers · 1 mi · 102 sites
- Mayacmas Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 7 mi
- Red Mountain Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 11 mi
- Middle Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi
- Pine Mountain Lookout · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-04-18. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.