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A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Bureau of Land Management camping area

South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area

Bureau of Land Management camping area, Lake County, California. 7.4 miles from Lakeport.

Managed by
Bureau of Land Management
Reservations
Not reservable Usually first come, first served. Confirm with the office
County
Lake County

The South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area is located within the Mayacamas Mountains, east of the city of Ukiah and west of the city of Lakeport, in Northwestern California. The area offers beautiful views of Ukiah and Lake County; pockets of old-growth fir; several species of oak; willows; over 31 miles of stream; 13 reservoirs; and habitat for blacktail deer, bear, wild turkey, and other upland species. South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area consists of approximately 23,000 acres of public land that is managed for off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. There are two developed OHV staging areas within South Cow Mountain with graveled access roads accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles. Access roads into these areas are narrow and winding. Travel trailers and large recreational vehicles are not recommended. Vehicle use within the recreation area is limited to the 94 miles of designated roads and trails and is appropriate for motorcycle, Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV), and 4-wheel drive vehicles. The trails are marked with numbered signs displaying difficulty ratings (ranging from easy to extremely difficult) and the recommended vehicle type depending on the width of the trail. Operation and maintenance of the facilities, roads and trails within the South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area are funded in part, by the State of California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. For more information or to review current and past OHV grants, visit: California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation For information about ATV safety, visit: ATV Safety Institute For safety information or Recreational Vehicle training, visit: Recreational Off-highway Vehicle Association Emergency Information: In case of an emergency call 9-1-1 Mendocino County Sheriff (707) 463-4411 Lake County Sheriff (707) 272-4200

Staging Areas and Campgrounds

Westside Staging Area

Vault toilets

Double unloading ramp

Bulletin board with OHV and area information

Trash receptacles

Four picnic sites with picnic tables and barbecues

Overflow parking

Oakwood Springs Staging Area

Vault toilet

Bulletin board with OHV and area information

Trash receptacles

Three sites with picnic tables and barbecues

Red Mountain Campground

Vault toilets

Ten campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and barbecues

Group campsite with picnic tables, fire rings, and barbecues

Trash receptacles

Bulletin board with OHV and area information

Buckhorn Campground

Vault toilet

Trash receptacles

Four campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, and barbecues

Camping

Dispersed camping is allowed throughout South Cow Mountain; however all vehicles must remain on designated routes and trails. The campgrounds afford level parking, barbecues, fire pits, and picnic tables. Camping near springs or guzzlers will prevent wildlife from using the water source. To insure you do not displace wildlife and livestock camp at least 300 yards from any water source. No potable water is available within the recreation area.

Campfires

Campfires are allowed within South Cow Mountain provided you have a current campfire permit. Seasonal fire restrictions may prohibit campfires during periods of high fire danger. To check on fire restrictions, call BLM Ukiah Field Office at (707) 468-4000.

California campfire permits are available free online at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/ or at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices.

For updates, a complete list of restrictions, including an interactive map, please visit the BLM California Fire Restrictions .

The description, directions and fees are the Bureau of Land Management’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping
  • hunting
  • off highway vehicle

The land around South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area

The ringed pin is this camping area; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • 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

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated July 17, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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