PUBLIC LANDS

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Public Lands Overview

With over 645 square miles of public lands Lake County offers a range of experiences. From family friendly beaches, trails, and waterways to remote settings that provide backcountry adventures.

Popular for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, fishing, and OHV – Lake County can provide solitude or be a great group outing. The National Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management are the two major public land holders in Lake County, which include the Mendocino National Forest, Cache Creek Natural Area, and the Cow Mountain Natural Area. Major public land holders also include State and County parks, the Lake County Land Trust, and CAL FIRE.

PUBLIC LANDS

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Anderson Marsh State Historic Park

Easy hikes on level ground. Great area for wildlife viewing and interpretive activities. Docent tours of trails and historic ranch house every second Saturday of each month except for January and December. Hiking only, and sorry, no pets allowed...

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Boggs Lake Preserve

A fascinating vernal pool (usually filled from Dec-June) on Mt Hannah, off Harrington Flat Rd. The trail is maintained by the Lake County Land Trust on behalf of The Nature Conservancy. Boggs Lake features some of the most unique native plants in...

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Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest

Almost 3,500 acres of forest on and around Boggs Mountain. It is managed by Cal Fire with environmental research, timber management demonstration, and recreation uses. Boggs is popular with mountain bikers, equestrians, and hikers. The 2015 Valley...

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Cache Creek Natural Area

Contains over 70,000 acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Within this is the 27,245-acre Cache Creek Wilderness. Cache Creek is an 87-mile stream originating in Clear Lake popular for fishing and rafting. There are...

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Clear Lake State Park

A 590-acre park located on the south shore of Clear Lake, which is the largest natural lake wholly within California. Popular for camping, fishing, swimming, walks/runs, and hiking. The park has four campgrounds, a beach, and a boat launch. There...

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Highland Springs Recreation Area (HSRA)

The County’s largest public land at 3,200 acres. It includes a reservoir, disc golf course, and a series of single-track trails utilized by equestrians, mountain bikers, and hikers. The upland trails bring you to open chaparral habitat with...

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Indian Valley/Walker Ridge Recreation Area

Indian Valley Recreation Area is popular with Off Highway Vehicles. The reservoir water level can vary significantly depending on the season. Primarily chaparral with some oak and pine. Nearby valleys are known for their wildflowers in the spring.

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Knoxville Recreation Area

Popular with Off Highway Vehicles the Recreation Area is approximately 18,000 acres with a varied terrain. Primarily chaparral there is also dispersed hardwoods and grassland. With one developed campsite and a few primitive campsites.

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Lake Pillsbury Recreation Area

A reservoir in the Mendocino National Forest with 65 miles of shoreline. There are vacation rental cabins ringing the lake. Recommended to access Lake Pillsbury through Potter Valley in dry conditions rather than Elk Mountain Road unless...

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Melo Wetland Preserve

Native wetland and shoreline forest next to Clear Lake managed by the Lake County Land Trust. Trails can be waterlogged during the winter.

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Mendocino National Forest

Over 900,000 acres of rugged forest with four wilderness areas Mendocino National Forest draws an array of visitors. Any road into Mendocino National Forest requires a vehicle with decent clearance and there are no paved roads. There is a ranger...

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Mt Konocti County Park

A park atop the dormant Mount Konocti with trails to Buckingham, Howard, and Wright Peaks. There are bathrooms, interpretive signs, and benches along the trails. Great views of Big Valley and Clear Lake.

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North Cow Mountain Recreation Area

North Mountain Recreation Area is approximately 26,000 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Lake and Mendocino Counties. North Cow Mountain Recreation Area is popular for hiking and horse riding. Glen Eden Trail is the only access...

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Rabbit Hill

Though moderately strenuous, this short trail quickly leads little feet up to a great vista point of the Mayacamas and the painted water tanks. The Lake County Land Trust manages this 10-acre property,

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Robert Louis Stevenson State Park

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, extending to three counties – Sonoma, Lake and Napa – has trails that offer great views of Lake County and Napa Valley. The five-mile fire road leading to the summit of Mount Saint Helena is a challenging...

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Snow Mountain Wilderness

The Wilderness act of 1984 established 23 new wilderness areas including the 37,000-acre Snow Mountain Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest. The Snow Mountain Wilderness straddles the summit of the North Coast Range within Colusa, Glenn and...

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South Cow Mountain Recreation Area

South Cow Mountain Recreation Area is approximately 23,000 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Lake and Mendocino Counties. The Recreation Area is popular for Off Highway Vehicles and there are several primitive campsites. Check with...

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