Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Lake Mendocino

    3.8 (28 reviews)

    Lake Mendocino Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Lake Mendocino

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Great little 3mi trail
    Neechi M.

    This review is only for the Shakota Trail that goes along the northwest side of the lake, which was a great overall experience. We parked right next to the trailhead, there were serviced bathrooms (critical!) that were open and we got on with the trail. End-to-end the trail was 3 miles (~6miles out and back) and had moderate changes in elevation. There was never sustained elevation gain for more than about a minute or so of walking so I wouldn't describe it as difficult but you can definitely work up a sweat if you are walking fast. There are a few different paths but they all lead to the same place so you can choose to go down whichever you want. Dogs are allowed on-leash only and we ran into a park ranger when we were there so I would recommend sticking to this (though we also ran into two off-leash dogs so there's that...). Also, this trail would make for a great run - not too hard but challenging enough to feel good about it. Overall a good experience - there's not many views except one nice opening that overlooks the water but there are also numerous points for "beach" access if that's your thing. We stuck to the trail. Did the way out and back in about 1.5-2h and we were done. Would come back if in the area again.

    Garbage everywhere
    Brandi D.

    We pass thru the area a lot. We decided to stop and let the kids swim today and play at the playground. It was so horrible. There was a belligerent drunk lady shouting and cussing about sucking dick, then barfing. There was garbage EVERYWHERE. We could not escape it. The cans were overflowing and it was just everywhere. Tried to go to the bathroom, near the playground and it was locked. I had to whack my way from the playground to the bathroom thru all the bushes and overgrown grass. And there were webs EVERYWHERE. Spider or silk worm or something, but we couldn't walk anywhere without them all over us. Went down to the water and it smelled like crap. Dead fish everywhere. Kids took their shoes off and we found a FISH HOOK! Then a 6 inch fillet knife. Just left on the ground for the kids to find. Right by the playground. Never again.

    Denise C.

    I had never heard of this lake until somebody invited me to spend a weekend camping and wakeboarding. It doesn't seem to be too well-known, but it is a real gem. It's not too far from San Francisco. It's really good for watersports like wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing, and kayaking. The lake is clean. The camping sites are convenient and have bathrooms nearby. People seem to be nice to others. There's a lot of space to hang out and have a nice time.

    View from site 86
    Crystal J.

    Bu Shay Campground. The campground is very large. Most sites do not have a view of the lake. The campground map makes it seem like there are water front campsites, but there are not. We stayed in sites 86 and 88. There is a huge cliff between the campsite and the lake. The sites were large and very level. The bathrooms are clean and have free hot showers. The lake was warm, but there was a large number of dead fish on the beach and in the water. The dead fish created an unpleasant smell and no one wants to swim with dead fish surrounding them. We asked the ranger about the dead fish, he said that around May- June the carps spawn and die and that it is healthy for the lake.

    Lovely Lake - Water is Way Down

    See all

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Suki M.
    542
    764
    3028

    5 years ago

    Helpful 22
    Thanks 0
    Love this 17
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Rene C.
    337
    940
    1156

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Denise C.
    1617
    3279
    9292

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    20 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mo M.
    1015
    109
    182

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz M.
    343
    32
    12

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ricky C.
    135
    55
    31

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Charley C.
    1107
    3097
    4318

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 13
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sherry E.
    62
    35
    16

    10 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Amazing place for an encounter with God . To be around nature and to enjoy it with your family.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ben B.
    51
    101
    8

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A C.
    0
    36
    0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Lake Mendocino

    Review Highlights - Lake Mendocino

    A place to hike the trails and be in nature, a spot to meet up with friends before a day of boating and swimming.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Todd Grove Park

    Todd Grove Park

    4.3(15 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    The vibes here are awesome minus the tweakers and dog poop. But in this area there is t much else…read moreto do.

    One of my good friend Yelp friends is famous for reviewing parks. My 2011 New Years Resolution is…read moreto match her park for park. And I will begin my quest with the world's champion of parks. Growing up, this place was known simply as the Ukiah Municipal Park. I'm not sure when the whole Todd Grove thing happened, but it's the in thing to name parks after people. I'm all good with that. Some of the park kid toys are gone, but the giant tractor tires remain. What is it about a giant rubber tire that would get me to spend countless hours entertaining me? The parks iconic symbol to me was always the rocket. Now that was the single biggest childhood attraction for me growing up in the entire town. I still remember the day I felt like one of the big kids when I finally stopped my crying and summited the very top. I swear you could see the Golden Gate Bridge from there. Sir Edmund Hillary has nothing on me. . This park includes two swimming pools, plenty of picnics and countless trees that provide protection and shade from the hot summer sun. I took swimming lessons here as a kid and is where I conquered my fear of the water. I cannot even begin to count the fond memories of this place. From the family summer outings, to the yearly school picnics this place will always hold a special place in my heart.

    Photos
    Todd Grove Park - Love those tractor tires

    Love those tractor tires

    Todd Grove Park
    Todd Grove Park

    See all

    Riverfront Regional Park

    Riverfront Regional Park

    4.7(51 reviews)
    50.3 mi

    Embrace the redwoods, lakes, the river, and shaded paths all within one park…read more Hands down my favorite regional park in Sonoma County. Come here to escape the chaos of the city. Where the water and trees welcome you with serenity. Come walk the dog, ride your horse, bring your kayak, bring your fishing pole, bring a blanket, have a BBQ in the group picnic area and more. A safe place for children but please always watch them around any body of water. Just on the outskirts of Santa Rosa, Riverfront welcomes you with all of its glory. The trails around the lake a extra wide and flat. Easy for a wheelchair to go round. This is one of my regular spots to escape and intake the beauty of nature. I highly recommend just buying a parking pass to support the parks. If you visit a regional park once a month, it pays for itself.

    Treat yourself to an easy 2-mile walk along the lake formed by former quarry. Relatively level,…read moreunless you take one of the detour trails near the entrance. A few benches along the route enable a rest if you're out of shape offer nice views of the lake. Dogs on leash OK -- just pick up after your pet (I only wish equestrians on the trail had the same courtesy, so watch your step!). There's also a picnic area at the trail head, and bathrooms are nearby. There is a day fee for parking, but if you're a local, pick up an annual pass -- it will pay for itself in a few visits.

    Photos
    Riverfront Regional Park - When your friend visits from Paris , we must see the California Redwooods

    When your friend visits from Paris , we must see the California Redwooods

    Riverfront Regional Park
    Riverfront Regional Park - Fantastic group area to rent for an event

    See all

    Fantastic group area to rent for an event

    The Narrows Family Resort - Our campsite

    The Narrows Family Resort

    3.5(81 reviews)
    9.3 mi

    A Great Family Resort! Yurts, Cabins, FHU RV spots and lodge rooms for rent. Swimming, paddle…read moreboarding, kayaking and pontoon boat rentals available. A nice on-site store selling swag, fishing poles, fishing gear, snacks, ice cream, sno-cones, some essentials and a snack/coffee bar. The owners are welcoming and always available for any questions. We stayed in a Yurt. It was clean, spacious and comfortable for our family of 5. The Yurt had a nice kitchenette and bathroom with shower. Family is what the Narrows is all about. Fridays have a nice community fire by the lakeside for s'mores and socializing with other guest. Every Saturday night is movie night by the lakes edge. The Narrows truly wants that family chill vibe at the resort and does a great job of creating it. This is not the place to come for drunken loud partying. I know other guests and I really appreciate the wholesomeness of the entire resort and the experience it provides our families. I watched my young daughter catch her 1st fish ever, from the dock. She talked about her newfound love for fishing and swimming with the other kids, for the entire drive home. My older kids paddle boarded across the lake. The kids loved the pontoon boat ride around the entire lake, with rope plenty of swings dotting the lake. The afternoon ice cream from the on-site store for each of the kids in the afternoon were a daily highlight. The Narrows is doing everything right to make it all about families and we will definitely be coming back annually.

    This is our second year at the resort and we've booked for 2026 too. The peaceful and calm vibes…read moreare just what we want. The grands enjoyed the swimming and can't wait to come back. To me this is what a vacation should be, relaxing. Angie and staff are wonderful hosts. This year it was my brother and family, our son and family and us. Next year it will be the same plus my sister and a dear family friend and family.

    Photos
    The Narrows Family Resort - Friday Campfires by the lakes edge

    Friday Campfires by the lakes edge

    The Narrows Family Resort - Saturday Movie Lakeside

    Saturday Movie Lakeside

    The Narrows Family Resort - Cormorant Yurt

    See all

    Cormorant Yurt

    Lake Mendocino - lakes - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...