NOTICE: 7/22/2024 – Due to the Ridge Fire, the public is advised to avoid the area. People trying to access the Indian Valley Management Area will be turned away by law enforcement for public safety. North of Highway 20, on the eastern edge of Lake County, the Indian Valley/Walker Ridge Recreation Area area offers an abundance of recreational possibilities. Rolling chaparral covered hills dotted with oak and pine make an ideal setting for hunting, camping, bicycling, hiking, and equestrian use. Popular game animals include blacktail deer, black bear, quail, dove, and wild turkey. For wildflower enthusiasts, pockets of the rare Indian Valley Brodiaea and Adobe Lily can be found within the area. The nearby Indian Valley Reservoir provides an excellent locale for fishing, boating, and swimming, although the water level can drop quite low in the summertime, and boats are limited to 10 MPH on the lake (5 MPH within 200 yards of shore). Yolo County offers a for-fee RV campground near the dam. For specific information about the reservoir and campground, contact Yolo County at (530) 662-0265. Indian Valley Recreation Area is administered by BLM's Ukiah Field Office .
Know Before You Go
Walker Ridge Road is a graded gravel road
There are limited off-highway vehicle (OHV) opportunities, however Walker Ridge Road affords street licensed vehicles many scenic vistas and access to the Mendocino National Forest
Best time to visit is September - May
Camping
There is no fee for camping. All sites are on a first-come first-served basis.
Blue Oaks Camp offers 6 campsites with picnic tables, fire pits and vault toilets. No hooks-up. No potable water. 1.6 miles from Indian Valley Dam.
Directions: From Highway 20, go north on Walker Ridge Road 5.4 miles to "T" intersection. Turn left and proceed 2.4 miles to campground.
Kowalski Camp is on the west shore and is primitive camping with no developed facilities. This is hike-in or boat-in access only.
Directions: From Highway 20, go north on Walker Ridge Road 5.4 miles to "T" intersection. Turn left and proceed 4 miles to Indian Valley Reservoir. To hike to site, cross Indian Valley dam to trailhead. Hike 2.5 miles to campsites. To boat to site, proceed northwest approximately 1 mile to site.
Hunting, Fishing and Hiking
Hunting is permitted on the BLM lands. Since there are many private property inholdings in the area, be aware of the boundary lines. For hunting regulations, contact California Department of Fish and Game at (707) 944-5500.
The Kowalski trail offers the hiker 2.5 miles following the reservoir's west edge. You must cross the dam to access the trail.
Indian Valley Reservoir is home to large and smallmouth bass, kokanee salmon, crappie, rainbow trout, bluegill and catfish. Brown trout can found in the North Fork Cache Creek above and below the reservoir. Refer to current California fishing regulations.
The description, directions and fees are the Bureau of Land Management’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
US Forest Service (USFS)
National Park Service (NPS)
US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
Department Of Defense (DOD)
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Other Federal
State
Local
Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
Alaska Native Allotment
Road
Primitive Road
Road
Primitive Road
Trail
Roads open to all Vehicles, Yearlong
Roads open to all Vehicles, Seasonal
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Yearlong
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal
Special Designation, Yearlong
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails open to all vehicles, Yearlong
Trails open to all vehicles, Seasonal
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Yearlong
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Seasonal
Trails open to motorcycles, Yearlong
Trails open to motorcycles, Seasonal
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" in Width, Yearlong
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" or Less in Width, Seasonal
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Study Area