Recreational Activities
So Much To Do & See...
Want to kick back and relax under shady pines by a sparkling lake? Looking for
a "base camp" for a day of hiking, rock climbing, boating, fishing, or swimming?
Want to just get out of the house for the day for a nice picnic in the great
outdoors? If so, the Mendocino National Forest can offer you that and more!
Offering nearly one million acres for your enjoyment, relaxation, and exploration,
you can experience the solitude of the wilderness or enjoy camping near others
in developed campgrounds. Camp in densely forested woodlands or open meadows,
discover secluded flats along river banks and enjoy panoramic views of majestic
mountains. A continuing goal of the Mendocino National Forest is to ensure
accessible recreational opportunities
are available to persons with disabilities.
Recreation News
Weekly Recreation Report - General recreational information about the Mendocino National Forest, updated weekly during the summer and when there is new or changed information during the winter months. May 8th Update »
The lands that the Forest Service recently acquired are currently open to the general public and available for hunting and other recreational activities. We are in the process of removing the old "No Hunting or Trespassing" signs posted throughout the area.
There are still some private lands within the area that are not open to the public. New maps should be available shortly which will show the private holdings within or adjacent to this area. If you have any questions please contact the Grindstone Ranger District Office at (530) 934-3316 or TTY (530) 934-7724.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS : Fire Restrictions were terminated on the Mendocino National Forest October 4, 08.
The majority of the recreation fees collected stay on the forest and go right back into operating, maintaining and improving the recreational opportunities visitors use and value the most - campgrounds, developed day use sites, boat ramps, trails, rental cabins and lookouts, and much more. Funds are also used to provide enhanced services such as interpretive programs, visitor information , and transportation systems. Take a look at the 2006 Forest Accomplishment Report for specific details on how your fees were used.
QUESTIONS or COMMENTS: Browse our Frequently Asked Questions section or the Recreation Guides to find the answers to commonly asked questions. To evaluate our service or if you need additional information about the Mendocino National Forest, please use our online form to expedite your inquiry.
Additional Resources:
Recreation.Gov,
the one-stop site for information
on federal lands. Photos and information
on federal recreation areas, facilities
and opportunities: thousands of
campsites, cabins, parks, and tours.
Make your reservations on-line.
Rattlesnake Fire Memorial & Interpretive Site
In
1993 the Mendocino National Forest commemorated the anniversary
of the Rattlesnake Fire with a memorial service at the
Grindstone Overlook on Forest Highway 7, which was attended
by some of the surviving firefighters and many family members
and friends of those who died July 9, 1953. A large boulder
bearing a plaque with the names of the fallen firefighters
was dedicated. A kiosk at the Overlook states that the
tragic loss on the Rattlesnake Fire spurred the Forest
Service to increase firefighter training and research on
fire hazard management.
The
Rattlesnake
Fire Overlook, a new interpretive and training
site that overlooks the location of the fire in Grindstone
Canyon, features exhibits describing the events of the
fire and lessons learned from the tragedy. Nearby is a
new parking area leading to a trail that travels the routes
taken by the firefighters who died and those who survived.
The site was dedicated during ceremonies on
Saturday, July 9th, 2005.
Those wishing to support the project may send donations to:
- c/o Glenn County Fire Chiefs Association
- 445 South Butte Street M
- Willows, Ca. 95988
Inquiries regarding the project may be directed to the Grindstone Ranger District at (530) 934-3316, or TTY (530) 934-7724.
Pine Mountain Lookout
This
rustic lookout was constructed on the western shoulder
of Pine Mountain overlooking the Van Arsdale area. It
is located on an outcrop at 4000 feet in elevation, within
a mixed conifer forest consisting of ponderosa pine, Douglas
fir, black oak and madrone. Bucknell Creek and the Eel
River are the major drainage's in the area. The historic
town of Upper Lake is approximately 19 miles to the south
and the Lake Pillsbury recreation area is seven miles
to the northeast. The Lookout can be rented from May 17
to September 30. Reservations can be made through
the Recreation.gov web site. More information
about Pine
Mountain Lookout.
Hunting & Fishing
With the exception of private holdings and State game refuges, most of the Forest is open to hunting and fishing in accordance with California Department of Fish and Game Regulations.
Help Us Protect Your Forests
Please help us preserve and protect the Mendocino National Forest. Try to leave natural areas the way you find them, by
practicing "Leave
No Trace" conservation ethics. Do not carve, chop,
cut and damage any live trees. They have done nothing
to deserve this treatment, and damaged trees cheapen
the natural experience for others. Try to leave your
camp or picnic site a little cleaner than you found
it; the next visitor will thank you.
There are campgrounds on the Mendocino National Forest that use the Pack it In, Pack it Out program for dealing with waste. This means that garbage cans are not provided. Campers are asked to bring their own garbage bags and take their garbage with them when leaving the campsite. While this seems like an inconvenience, the funds saved are used to provide additional recreational facilities. Do not bury litter; forest animals can smell it and will dig it up.