Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-233708
When Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino reopens
Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
0
Openings · last 90 days
16
Only 16 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Nov 2 – Dec 31, 2026 · of 1 monitored site
Of the 60 tracked reservation dates (Nov 2 – Dec 31, 2026): 60 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative).
No online availability right now
Of the 60 tracked reservation dates (Nov 2 – Dec 31, 2026): 60 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative). A free alert tells you if any date opens online.
Load status
Nov 2 – Dec 31, 2026Not open online100%
Open reservation dates0 / 60
Of the 60 tracked reservation dates (Nov 2 – Dec 31, 2026): 60 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative).
Open dates by month
Nov 2026 – Dec 2026No month in range currently shows online availability. 0 open reservation dates across the tracked window — these reservation dates are on sites not offered for online reservation.
Holiday windows — day use
Units open per date · of 1 day-use unit| Window | Date | Units open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 0 | None open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 0 | None open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 0 | None open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 0 | None open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 0 | None open |
Thanksgiving: no online availability on any tracked date. Christmas: no online availability on any tracked date. New Year: no online availability on Thursday.
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. 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. 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 throughout the summer, offering fresh produce, local wines, arts and crafts and live music.
1 monitored unitDay usePets OKMax party 50
Getting there
From the South (San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Ukiah): Follow Highway 101 North towards Ukiah. Approximately 2 miles north of Ukiah, take the Lake Mendocino Dr. exit and turn right. Turn left at North State St., then right again onto Lake Mendocino Dr. Chekaka Recreation Area is at the top of the hill. Take a slight left before reaching the Coyote Valley Dam to visit the Overlook Day-Use Area. From the North (Eureka, Willits, Fort Bragg): Follow Highway 101 South. Approximately 17 miles south of Willits, take the Lake Mendocino Dr. exit and turn left. Turn left at North State St., then right onto Lake Mendocino Dr. Chekaka Recreation Area is at the top of the hill. Take a slight left before reaching the Coyote Valley Dam to visit the Overlook Day-Use Area. 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 5 miles after the Potter Valley turn-off, continue onto Highway 101 South. Take the Lake Mendocino Dr. exit and turn left. Turn left at North State St., then right onto Lake Mendocino Dr. Chekaka Recreation Area is at the top of the hill. Take a slight left before reaching the Coyote Valley Dam to visit the Overlook Day-Use Area.
1160 Lake Mendocino Dr., Ukiah, CA 95482-9404707-467-4200
BikingBoatingFishingHiking
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-233708 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-233708 · Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino · Ukiah CA5 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino?
Campsite Sniper's current snapshot shows none of the 60 tracked reservation dates open for online reservation at Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino. That can mean dates are reserved, closed, not yet released, or offered first-come, first-served rather than online. Campsite Sniper has also detected 16 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick the unit on the map to see its reservation calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this facility for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 16:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino?
Campsite Sniper detected 16 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Does Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino have online availability right now?
As of the Nov 2, 2026 snapshot, none of the 60 tracked reservation dates are open for online reservation. That can mean dates are reserved, closed, not yet released, or offered first-come, first-served rather than online. A free Campsite Sniper alert tells you if any date opens online.
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