Mendocino National Forest

Activities:

Backpacking

Biking

Camping

Canoeing

Climbing

Cross-Country Skiing

Fishing

Hiking

Horse Back Riding

Hunting

Kayaking

Skiing

Snowmobiling

Welcome to the magnificent Mendocino National Forest, an oasis of forests, high mountain tops, and gorgeous canyons located on the Coastal Mountain Range of northern California.  

Forest History: Before the arrival of European settlers, five Native American tribes dominated this region for thousands of years. These tribes were the Nomlaki Wintu, Yuki, Patwin Wintu, Eastern Pomo, and Northeastern Pomo tribes. Archeologists still know relatively little about these people. From the mid to the latter part of the 19th century many sawmills and copper mines were established in the region. The economies of towns such as Copper City and Pacific City were dependent upon the mines. Most of the mines went out of service before the turn of the 20th century but during World War II many miners returned to the region to search for chrome and manganese.  

The most attractive natural feature of the forest however was not the trees nor the metals underneath the ground, but the steaming hot springs that rose up out of the ground. In the early 20th century many visitors came to reap the supposed health benefits of the mineral baths and hotels and bottling plants began sprouting up at Fouts Springs, Bartlett Flats, Hough Springs, and Allen Springs.  

On February 6, 1907 President Theodore Roosevelt protected this land under the newly established Stony Creek Forest Reserve. On July 1, 1908, the name was changed to California National Forest and finally renamed Mendocino National Forest by President Herbert Hoover on July 12, 1932.  

Wildlfe: The forests landscapes, ranging from as low as 750 ASL in the Grindstone Creek Canyon to as high as 8,092 feet at the summit of South Yolla Bolly Mountain protect the habitat of numerous wild critters including mountain lions, black bears, skunks, badgers, squirrels, coyotes, deer, rattlesnakes, gopher snakes, lizards, toads, tree frogs, quails, wild turkeys, spotted owls, golden eagles, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, turkey buzzards, and many others. Please treat their home with respect.  

For the lover of the outdoors the Mendocino National Forest boasts many miles of multipurpose trails, many mountains to be climbed, and much much more. Come on out and explore.