Chekaka Campground
Lake Mendocino

Lake Mendocino, California
Lake Mendocino, California

Chekaka Campground
Lake Mendocino


CheKaKa Campground


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Notice: "CheKaKa Campground has been closed permanently." 2022

CheKaKa Campground is located on the southwest shore of Lake Mendocino, next to the Joe Riley Day-use area and Coyote Valley Dam. The campground and the lake are operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. None of the campsites at CheKaKa Campground have lake views, but they are within easy walking distance of the lake. Lake Mendocino is popular for boating, waterskiing, and fishing. Hiking trails wind through a 700-acre wilderness area.

CheKaKa Campground has 20 individual campsites. They have water, but do not have flush toilets or showers as they do across the lake at Bushay Campground. There is a horse staging area adjacent to the campground.

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CheKaKa Campground Basics
CheKaKa Campground Location: Lake Mendocino, 5 miles north of Ukiah
Elevation: 830 feet
Mileage and driving time from gateway cities: Santa Rosa - 65 miles, 1:10
Sacramento - 153 miles, 2:56
Number of Sites: 20
Camping Season: Open May through September
Max. People per Site: 8 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 2
Pets: on leash, always attended
Campground Map: Bushay Campground Map
US Army Corps of Engineers (707) 467- 4200

Reservations at CheKaKa Campground
Reservations required Walk-in campers will have to pay by credit card over the phone at (877) 444-6777 or use the reservation link shown below. Cash is not accepted at the campground.
Booking Window: Reservations can be made from 4 days up to 6 months in advance of arrival date.
Maximum RV/trailer Length: 35 feet
Accessible Sites: #12
Fees: $20 per night
Reservations: CheKaKa Campground Reservations
Check-in, check-out: 1:00 PM, 11:00 AM

Chekaka Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring, lantern post; no hook-ups
Campground: Vault toilets, tap water, amphitheater
Campground Map: CheKaKa Campground Map
Showers: No
Dump station: No
Attractions near CheKaKa Campground: Hike or bike the Shakota Trail on the west side between the Overlook Day-Use Area and the Pomo Cultural Center. Walk across Coyote Valley Dam. Spend the day at the Joe Riley Day-Use Area with a playground and picnic area or the Overlook Day-use Area with a disc golf course, a nice playground, and picnic sites. Find a boat ramp on the southwest shore. Enjoy boating, waterskiing, fishing, and hiking. Attend campfire programs at the amphitheater.

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map of Lake Mendocino, CA


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Chekaka Campground, Lake Mendocino, CA

Mendocino National Forest
Attractions and Activities

Visitors to the Mendocino National Forest discover a wide range of outdoor activities and scenic attractions. Those camped at CheKaKa Campground have all the facilities at Lake Mendocino nearby.

  • Enjoy boating and fishing on Lake Pillsbury.
  • Stop at the Lake Pillsbury Resort for cabins and camping, swim beach, marina, and boat rentals.
  • Head out mountain biking along dirt roads.
  • Try fishing in the Eel River (check current limitations and regulations), at Letts Lake, and at Plaskett Lakes.
  • Find good OHV camping and riding at places such as Nail Track OHV Play Area, around Stonyford Recreation Area, and many other spots.
  • Visit Rattlesnake Firefight Overlook.
  • Picnic at Plaskett Meadows, Pine Point, Sycamore Grove, Big Springs, or Wolf Creek.


Key CheKaKa Campground Regulations

  1. The Entrance Gate closes and is locked in the summer at 10:00 PM. Exits are always available.
  2. Summer Campsite Registration is between 7:30 AM and 10:00 PM.
  3. Obtain firewood locally to avoid bringing in pests.

    Check U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Lake Mendocino for any campground updates.

Nearby Campgrounds

Lake Mendocino Campgrounds


Clear Lake Campgrounds


Lake Pillsbury Campgrounds


Hendy Woods State Park


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General Camping Information

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.

Accessible Sites

Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate