Forget room service and chocolates on your pillow – sometimes wilder amenities call. Like going to sleep to the sound of crickets and awakening to birdsong. Sipping that glass of Cabernet by a campfire, under a sky full of stars. Spending the day floating on a lake. In addition to its wide range of elegant accommodations, Napa Valley also has some five-star camping options, which will show you a different side of wine country: forests of oak and redwood, pristine lakes, and excellent hiking trails.

If you’d like to unplug and truly escape, here are a few of our favorite local camping spots. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during the high season, which is from spring to fall.
 

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park

Spread across the western hills just north of St. Helena, this pristine park offers a range of accommodations, from tents to RV spots to yurts. Its 1,900 acres include more than ten miles of hiking trails and even a swimming pool, which is open seasonally. Rates begin at $43.

Features: Cabins, yurts, tent sites, swimming pool, BBQ grills, picnic tables, restrooms/showers, and fire pits.
 

Putah Canyon Campground

Located northeast of the town of Napa, Lake Berryessa is a great spot for boating, waterskiing, fishing, swimming, and cycling. On the lake’s northwestern shore is the Putah Canyon Campground that offers campsites for tents, trailers, or RVs, most of which have lake views. There’s a boat launch ($10 for campers) and good shore fishing along Putah Creek. Campsites start at $45 per night.

Features: Tent sites, RV sites, restrooms/showers, boat rentals, boat launch, lake access.

Pleasure Cove Campground

If you’d like to be closer to the marina, Pleasure Cove is at the southern end of Lake Berryessa. Its rentals include houseboats, deck boats, ski boats, and kayaks. They also offer boat slips, a launch ramp, and cabin rentals. Campsite rates begin at $42 per night. (During peak season, from April through October, there’s a two-night minimum stay on weekends and three nights on holiday weekends.)

Features: Tent sites, RV sites, cabin rentals, boat rentals, marina, convenience store, boat launch, lake access.

Skyline Wilderness Park

Tucked into the foothills just east of downtown Napa, this park offers sites for tent camping, RVs, and even horse camping. The area also includes biking trails, an archery range, disc golf course, and native plants garden. From its network of trails, you’ll have fantastic views of the valley and Lake Berryessa. Rates are $25 per night.

Features: Tent sites, RV sites, equestrian camping sites, restrooms/showers, picnic tables, hiking/biking/equestrian trails, disc golf course, archery range.

Looking for more ways to explore the great outdoors in Napa Valley? Check out hiking, biking, and more outdoors.