Recreation
Offering nearly one million acres for your enjoyment, relaxation, and exploration, you can experience the solitude of the wilderness or enjoy boating, fishing, or camping near others in developed campgrounds. Camp in densely forested woodlands or open meadows. Discover secluded flats along river banks and enjoy panoramic views of the majestic North Coast mountains. A continuing goal of the Mendocino National Forest is to ensure accessible recreational opportunities are available to everyone.
Policy on Pet Dogs
Pets are allowed in the Mendocino National Forest and wilderness areas. While using developed recreation sites, forest visitors must keep pets leashed, crated, caged or otherwise under physical restrictive control, unless it is a seeing eye dog, per federal regulations 36 CFR 261.16(j). At the Chico Seed Orchard, dogs must be on leash at all times.
Whether you're on the trail, in a staging area or a campground, always be mindful of other visitors, horses, and wildlife.
- Pick up behind your pet when in public areas and be sure to bury their waste when in the wilderness.
- Do not tie up dogs and leave them unattended.
- Do not allow dogs to chase wildlife.
- Leave unfriendly or loud dogs at home.
The Mendocino National Forest is one of 18 National Forests in California and nearly one million square acres in size.
The largest lake on the Forest has 2,280 acres of surface area and 31 miles of shoreline.
This rustic lookout was constructed on the western shoulder of Pine Mountain overlooking the Van Arsdale area and is available for reservation during the summer months.
The sparkling Sacramento River bisects 488 acres of riparian forest, flowering grasslands, wetlands, and oak woodlands providing very diverse nature viewing experiences.
The Great Sanhedrin was the supreme council of the ancient Hebrews and the imposing ridge that crowns this Wilderness was named after that high council.
The Snow Mountain Wilderness straddles the summit of the North Coast Range within Colusa, Glenn and Lake counties.
The Upper Lake Ranger District's OHV area (south) offers more than 135 miles of system trails and roads traversing through beautiful scenery and challenging terrain.
In the Wintun Indian language, "Yo-la" means "snow covered", and "Bo-li" means "high peak." The second part of this Wilderness' name refers to the headwaters of t
The 53,887-acre Yuki Wilderness was established in 2006 by Public Law 109-362, the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act.
Fuller Grove Group Campground
General Campgrounds & Trailheads
Georges Valley Trailhead
Gray Pine Group Campground
Green Springs Campground
Grindstone Trailhead
Grizzly Flat Dispersed Camping
Hammerhorn Campground
Hell Hole Trailhead
Howard Lake Campground