Pomo Day Use Area
Pomo Day-Use Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where the redwood forests meet California wine country.
The lake is formed by the Coyote Dam on the Russian River. A wide variety of recreational opportunities are available, including boating, swimming, water skiing, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.
Pomo Recreation Area is located near Kyen Campground and offers many amenities for day-users. There are multiple family picnic sites with tables and grills spread throughout each of the Pomo A, B, and C day-use areas. There is a designated swim beach, a playground, a nearby disc golf course, flush toilets, and the Shakota Trail trailhead. There are also multiple group picnic shelters, three of which are available for reservation during the summer season.
The Pomo Cultural Center in the area is modeled after a traditional Pomo roundhouse and has offered displays on Pomo hunting, dancing and basketry, as well as local fish, wildlife and plants in the past. Unfortunately, the center is closed to the public indefinitely.
Need to Know
Pomo Recreatrion Area is open for day-use ONLY. Typical Day-Use hours are 8am - 5pm in the off-season and 8am - 8pm in the summer, however hours are subject to change. Please call Lake Mendocino's project office at (707) 467-4200 to confirm. Overnight parking is not permitted.
Pets are NOT ALLOWED in Pomo A or B, due to the proximity to the designated swim beach. Please recreate in Pomo C if you have pets with you. They must be penned or on a six-foot leash, and under the owner's control at all times. Do not leave pets unattended in vehicles. Please pick up after your pet.
Off-road vehicles are not permitted.
Certain activities conducted on Corps of Engineers project lands require a Special Use Permit in addition to a shelter reservation. For example, parties that expect to exceed shelter capacity (50 people) or have additional equipment, large decorations, mechanical devices, inflatable bounce houses, amplified sound, and/or live music must also obtain a Special Use Permit. Please call Lake Mendocino's project office at (707) 467-4200 and ask for the Special Use Coordinator for more details.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
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 but excellent bird and wildlife habitats.
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 and Tuesday evenings throughout the summer, offering fresh produce, local wines, arts and crafts and live music.
Recreation
The 1,822-acre lake provides abundant boating, swimming and water skiing opportunities. There is a designated swim beach in the Pomo Recreation Area. 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 near the Pomo Cultural Center 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.
Contact Information
Default
CA
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: (707) 467-4200
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From 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 2 miles. Turn right onto Marina Dr. Continue past the North Boat Ramp and Kyen Campground until you reach the Pomo A, B and C parking lots on your left-hand side.
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 2 miles. Turn right onto Marina Dr. Continue past the North Boat Ramp and Kyen Campground until you reach the Pomo A, B and C parking lots on your left-hand side.
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 3 miles after the Potter Valley turn-off, turn left onto Marina Dr. Continue past the North Boat Ramp and Kyen Campground until you reach the Pomo A, B and C parking lots on your left-hand side.
Available Campsites
- Site POMO A, Loop POMO A, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site POMO C, Loop POMO C, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site POMO B, Loop POMO B, Type Group Picnic Area
