How much does camping cost at Bushay Recreation Area?

Camping fees at Bushay Recreation Area range from $35-$250/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Bushay Recreation Area first-come first-served or reservation?

Bushay Recreation Area accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Bushay Recreation Area before I book?

Yes! Bushay Recreation Area has 9 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Bushay Recreation Area?

Bushay Recreation Area is open March 12 to September 30. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Bushay Recreation Area?

Yes, Bushay Recreation Area has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at Bushay Recreation Area?

Cell phone service at Bushay Recreation Area is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Bushay Recreation Area have?

Bushay Recreation Area has 100 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Bushay Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bushay Recreation Area. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Bushay Recreation Area?

Bushay Recreation Area offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Bushay Recreation Area?

Popular activities at Bushay Recreation Area include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Bushay Recreation Area

3.99

72 reviews

Top 16% in CASummer

Scenic ViewsSummer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

735 ft

Price

$35 - $250/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

100 campsites

Season

The access road to B...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on Bushay Recreation Area Management Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

735 ft

Price

$35 - $250/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

100 campsites

Season

The access road to B...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on Bushay Recreation Area Management Official Website

Get Directions

Bushay Recreation Area

$35.00 - $250.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP SITE - STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $250.00; MESA GROUP SHELTER RESERVABLE: $40.00; STANDARD - LAKE VIEW: $40.00; STANDARD SITE - NONELECTRIC: $35.00;...

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

707-467-4200

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Bushay Recreation Area

39.2350, -123.1659

Nearby places

Ukiah, CA: less than 15 minutes away

Driving directionsFrom the South (San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Ukiah): Follow Highway 101 North towards Ukiah. Approximately 5 miles north of Ukiah, take Highway 20 East. Continue on Highway 20 East for approximately 3 miles. Just after you see Lake Mendocino on your right, you will cross a tall bridge. Take the first left after the bridge. Follow the road under the bridge and along the river until you reach the Host Booth at the top of the hill. From the North (Eureka, Willits, Fort Bragg): Follow Highway 101 South. Approximately 15 miles south of Willits, take Highway 20 East. Continue on Highway 20 East for approximately 3 miles. Just after you see Lake Mendocino on your right, you will cross a tall bridge. Take the first left after the bridge. Follow the road under the bridge and along the river until you reach the Host Booth at the top of the hill. From the East (Sacramento): From the city of Williams, take Highway 20 West. Continue on Highway 20 for approximately 2 hours or 80 miles traveling past Clearlake and Blue Lakes. Approximately 2 miles after the Potter Valley turn-off you will see a sign for Lake Mendocino Recreation Area. Take the first right after the sign. Follow the road under the bridge and along the river until you reach the Host Booth at the top of the hill.

Weather at Bushay Recreation Area

Best Time to Camp at Bushay Recreation Area

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable warm, dry conditions (typical highs around 80–86°F and lows near 55–60°F) and the fullest range of on-water activities — swimming, boating, and warm-weather fishing — with lake access at its best. Long daylight hours and generally low chance of rain make hiking through oak groves and manzanita, shoreline picnics, and evening campfires particularly pleasant. Expect higher weekend crowds and popular sites to fill, so reserve early for July–August weekends and be準red Peak months: July, August, September, June

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 16% in CA

Summer offers full lake access, warm temps (80–86°F), peak season activities and high demand.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: March 12 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: 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.

About Bushay Recreation Area

Bushay Recreation Area sits on the shores of Mendocino Lake in Northern California's oak and manzanita country. This large campground operated by Bushay Recreation Area Management offers tent sites, RV camping, and group options with full amenities including hot showers and a dump station. Visitors come for lake access and warm-weather activities like boating, fishing, and hiking, with complimentary firewood and a friendly staff adding to the experience.

Bushay Recreation Area accommodates a variety of camping preferences, including tent camping, RV camping, and group camping. "This large, year-round campground offers more than 100 family sites, many of which overlook the lake. Three group sites are also available," according to the authoritative source.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable warm, dry conditions (typical highs around 80–86°F and lows near 55–60°F) and the fullest range of on-water activities — swimming, boating, and warm-weather fishing — with lake access at its best. Long daylight hours and generally low chance of rain make hiking through oak groves and manzanita, shoreline picnics, and evening campfires particularly pleasant. Expect higher weekend crowds and popular sites to fill, so reserve early for July–August weekends and be準red Peak months: July, August, September, June

Elevation735 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits at 735 feet in California's Coyote Valley, where oak groves, manzanita thickets, and pine stands create varied habitat above the lake. The landscape transitions from the Mendocino Range toward wine country to the south and redwood forests to the west. Rolling hills and mixed vegetation draw a range of bird species. Lake-view sites catch breezes off the water, while interior sites sit more exposed among the trees.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel style lodging accommodations are explicitly stated, as this campground focuses on camping facilities.

Programs & ActivitiesNo information is available regarding cultural or educational programs.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Camping limited to 14 days in a rolling 30-day period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Campsites are limited to eight (8) persons per site.

Groups

Three group sites are available, providing options for larger gatherings. Specific limits on the number of guests or vehicles are not explicitly mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can only be made through recreation.gov. Same-day reservations are available.

AccessibilityAccessible sites are available, and the campground features asphalt pads that can accommodate RVs. However, detailed accessibility aspects for disabled campers are not explicitly discussed in the source materials.

Site SizeSites vary in size, with options catering to both tent campers and large RVs. "There are asphalt pads at each site that can accommodate some huge RVs, but we're tent campers," one user commented.

PrivacyPrivacy levels vary depending on site selection. Some reviews mention that "most sites lack privacy," while others note that lake-view sites are more secluded. Campers are advised to carefully select their sites.

Total Campsites100 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose lakefront sites for privacy and scenic views. Avoid central sites during summer weekends due to noise and crowding.

Best CampsitesSites 80, 82, 84, 86, and 88 sit close to the lake with better views and more privacy than interior spots. Reviews say lakeside sites catch cooler breezes and feel less exposed. Most other sites lack privacy due to the open layout.

Need help booking Bushay Recreation Area?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Bushay Recreation Area offers a variety of amenities aimed at enhancing the camping experience. "Amenities include flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station, and a playground." The campground also features picnic shelters equipped with tables and grills, as well as a horse staging area near the Kaweyo Trailhead. User reviews consistently highlight the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers, with comments such as "free showers (no need for quarters)" and "super clean and well-lit bathrooms" demonstrating the high standards of maintenance. Additionally, free firewood is available throughout the campground, a feature noted as a significant plus by multiple users.

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Bushay Recreation Area offers a diverse range of activities, including hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. The campground is situated near Lake Mendocino, providing ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. "The 1,822-acre lake provides abundant boating, swimming, and water skiing opportunities," according to the authoritative source. Hiking trails like the 7-mile Kaweyo Trail allow for excellent views and wildlife observation.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trash & RecyclingTrash facilities are available, and campers are encouraged to utilize campground dumpsters to maintain cleanliness. Recycling facilities are not explicitly mentioned.

Cell CoverageCell phone service is available, but its quality varies. "Verizon LTE available but not strong and not fast." AT&T reception is noted to be accessible at certain campsites. Overall, connectivity may be limited in some areas.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.0

72 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Bushay Recreation Area has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, user reviews highlight both the positive and negative aspects of Bushay Recreation Area. The campground is praised for its amenities, such as free showers and clean bathrooms, but criticized for issues like lack of privacy and occasional noise disturbances. "Super clean and well-lit bathrooms," said one camper, while another noted, "The sites are very wide open so everyone can see each other." Opinions vary widely, with some lauding its peaceful atmosphere and others describing unsettling experiences.

Review Summaries

Based on 72 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects frequently highlighted include free firewood, clean and hot showers, and friendly staff. "The free firewood was a plus, saving us a lot of money," one user noted. Another appreciated...

Based on 72 reviews

Common Concerns

Issues raised by campers include noise disturbances, lack of privacy, and maintenance concerns. "There was a lot of random trash throughout the campground," one reviewer stated. Another noted, "Quiet...

Based on 72 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific site reviews reveal varying levels of satisfaction. "Spot #88 is definitely one of the best spots of the campground: fire ring and picnic table overlooking the lake," one camper noted....

Based on 72 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend choosing lake-view sites for better privacy and cooler breezes. "Make sure to pick a spot at the lakeside to get a bit of a breeze," one user advised. Booking in advance is...

Based on 72 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews indicate that the campground experiences higher visitor traffic during weekends and holidays, often leading to noise and maintenance challenges. Weekdays and off-peak seasons are generally...

Based on 72 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Bathrooms were well maintained, good reception for AT&T at campsites." "Very beautiful campsite, nicely spaced and with lots of trees." "Free showers and firewood! Easy sign-up online." "Definitely...

Based on 72 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility reviews are sparse, but asphalt pads are noted as accommodating large RVs. "Accessible sites are available," according to authoritative sources.

Based on 72 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but require careful management due to environmental factors like burrs and dusty ground. "Lots of spikey burs that stick to their fur so just be mindful," one pet owner advised. Pets...

Based on 72 reviews

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Go if

You want lake access with hot showers, free firewood, and don't mind an open campground layout.

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You need secluded sites or strictly enforced quiet hours.

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