Mendocino County is a rural haven for outdoor recreation. The hills and mountains around Ukiah yield abundant opportunities for fishing, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, camping and nature watching.
City of Ukiah Parks - The City of Ukiah supports and maintains 5 public parks. The largest is Todd Grove Park located on Park Blvd., It features a public swimming pool, playground and picnic areas amid tall redwoods. Oak Manor Park, located on Oak Manor Drive, features tennis courts, playground and picnic areas. Vinewood Park, a residential park located on Pine and Magnolia Streets, has a small playground and picnic area. A garden-like setting for picnics at the Sun House Park on Main Street is adjacent to the Grace Hudson Museum. Anton Stadium, near Todd Grove Park, provides playing facilities for school teams as well as summer baseball and softball leagues.
County of Mendocino Parks. Low Gap Park is located near Ukiah High School on Low Gap Road, covering 80 acres. There are hiking trails, a children's play area, volleyball and basketball courts, playing fields and a disc-golf course. Mill Creek County Park covers nearly 400 acres, mostly on the sides of a steep mountain canyon in the Mayacama Mountains east of Ukiah. There are two ponds nestled in the narrow valley that are used exclusively in the summer for swimming and fishing. There are also picnic, barbecue, group camping, horseshoe and basketball facilities available. McKee County Parkway, located along the road connecting Potter Valley with State Hwy. 20, is almost 2 miles long and lies between the road and the middle of the East Fork of the Russian River. Hiking, swimming and fishing are the main activities.
Cow Mountain Recreation Area - Located in the Mayacama Mountains between Ukiah and Lakeport, CA these 50,000 acres of public land offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities. The terrain is rugged with elevations ranging from 800 to 4000 feet. In the summer you can expect hot, dry days (90 - 110+ degrees) and cool nights (50 - 60 degrees). Winters are mild but rain is frequent, especially between October and May. Recreational opportunities include an Off-Highway Recreation Area, camping, picnicking, hiking, horseback ridding, hunting and fishing. For more information on Cow Mountain access, facilities, restrictions and directions contact the Bureau of Land Management, Ukiah Field Office at (707) 468-4000.
Lake Mendocino - Located five miles northeast of Ukiah, Lake Mendocino is the centerpiece for outdoor recreation in Ukiah. There are nearly 300 campsites, 4 group campsites, 100 family picnic sites, and 7 group picnic shelters. There is a protected swimming beach, hiking and interpretive trails and amphitheaters. Facilities are open on a first come basis. Groups may make reservations by calling the National Reservation service at (877) 444-6777 or the Park Manager's office, (707) 462-7581.
Lake Pillsbury Recreation Area - Lake Pillsbury is the largest lake in the Mendocino National Forest and has 31 miles of shoreline. Fishing. Boating, sailing and water-skiing are popular activities. PG&E and the Forest service manage several developed campgrounds around the lake, for campground information 1-916-386-5164 or the Upper Lake Ranger District Office at (707) 275-2361. Lake Pillsbury is accessed from Hwy 101 North of Ukiah to Hwy 20 East then through Potter Valley.
Ukiah Municipal Golf Course. The challenging 18 hole par 70 golf course is nestled along the western edge of Todd Grove Park and the southern edge of Low Gap Park. It is well maintained and accessible year-round. Pro shop, bar and snack shop. Call (707) 462-8857 for tee times and information. The Fairgrounds Driving Range is located at 239 Ford Street, next to the 12th District Fairgrounds. (707) 462-6238.
There are numerous other recreational activities for the entire family, including, bowling alley, health and fitness facilities, youth soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, swimming, football leagues, BMX track, and billiards.
