Lake Pillsbury, Lake in Mendocino National Forest, California, United States

Lake Pillsbury is a reservoir in the Mendocino National Forest in Lake County, California, formed by the Scott Dam on the Eel River. It covers 2,003 acres (810 hectares) and has 65 miles (105 kilometers) of shoreline, with about 400 vacation cabins around its edge.

The lake was created in 1921 when the Scott Dam was completed as part of the Potter Valley Project, which diverted water from the Eel River to generate electricity for Ukiah. The dam is a concrete gravity structure 138 feet (42 meters) high and 805 feet (245 meters) long at its crest.

The lake is a gathering place for families and friends who come for picnics, boating, and swimming, and the cabins around the shore have been passed down through generations. In summer, the water draws people from nearby towns who treat it as a weekend retreat.

You can reach the lake by two main roads, and a small gravel airstrip sits at the north end for light aircraft. The shoreline is mostly natural, with some areas easier to access than others, so plan to explore a bit to find a good spot.

The lake sits at an elevation of 1,818 feet (554 meters) and is fed by the Eel River and the Hull Mountain watershed. Its water is also diverted through a mile-long tunnel to the Russian River, linking two major river systems.