Named for the longhorn cattle that once roamed wild, the 52,000-acre Cow Mountain Recreation Area offers a variety of recreational opportunities. The terrain is rugged, consisting mostly of steep, chaparral-covered slopes with scattered stands of fir, pine and oak. The best times to visit are fall, winter, and spring. The Recreation Area is divided into three management sections to provide quality recreational opportunities for a wide variety of users: North Cow Mountain Recreation Area, South Cow Mountain OHV Recreation Area and the Sheldon Creek Recreation Site. Access roads into all are narrow and winding, so travel trailers and large recreational vehicles are not recommended.
South Cow Mountain OHV Recreation Area emphasizes off-highway vehicle use. More than 120 miles of vehicle trails interweave 23,000 acres, offering challenges to motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, and four-wheel drive enthusiasts. Non-motorized recreation is also welcome. There are two developed campgrounds and two OHV staging areas. From Ukiah, take Highway 101 to the Talmage Road exit, go east on Talmage Road about 1.5 miles, then turn right at Old River Road and proceed 0.3 miles to Mill Creek Road. Turn left on Mill Creek Road and continue east 6 miles to the South Cow Mountain entrance.
North Cow Mountain Recreation Area is managed for primarily non-motorized activities, such as hunting, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and mountain bicycling. There is one developed campground, a designated rifle range, and a 17-mile network of foot trails. Motorized vehicles are permitted only on the main road, and off-highway vehicles are prohibited. From Ukiah, take State Highway 101 to the Talmage Road exit, go east on Talmage Road about 1.5 miles, then turn right at East Side Road and proceed 0.3 miles to Mill Creek Road. Turn left on Mill Creek Road and continue east about 3 miles to the turnoff for North Cow Mountain Area, then turn left and continue up a steep, winding dirt road 0.5 miles to BLM public lands. Check the Cow Mountain website for detailed directions to specific campsites and other entry points.
