Cedar Roughs Wilderness
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Cedar Roughs Wilderness features serpentine soil that creates a unique aesthetic. It is also a wildlife haven and has the world’s largest collection of Sargent Cypress trees. It offers RVers immediate access to Lake Berryessa and many water-related activities, including fishing and swimming. It’s the perfect locale for RVers who want solitude, as motorized vehicles aren’t allowed in this wilderness. This can be a great area for travelers to relish the quiet and get a close view of nature. RVers will find campgrounds and RV parks near Cedar Roughs Wilderness suitable; however, they cannot RV camp directly inside it.
Quick Facts About RVing in Cedar Roughs Wilderness
• RV Friendly: No • Max RV Length: Not allowed on property • Camping Type: Developed and dispersed nearby but not onsite • Reservations: No • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None onsite • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Allowed but must be leashed • Roads: Paved and gravel • Best Season: Fall, winter and spring)
Why RV Travelers Love this BLM Area
• Peace and solitude • Rare Sargent Cypress trees • Diverse wildlife • Challenging hikes through raw terrain • Easy access to Lake Berryessa • Bluish-green serpentine soil and rock formations
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Cedar Roughs Trail
This lightly trafficked trail is situated near St. Helena, CA. It traverses one of the most captivating areas within the Wine Country. This dog-friendly trail is accessible throughout the year, and travelers can use it for running, nature trips, bird watching, and hiking.
Length: 3.73 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing and Boating
Lake Berryessa provides visitors with fishing opportunities all year round due to the presence of cold and warm-water fish species. You can enjoy the fascinating natural beauty of this big lake as you haul in sunfish, rainbow trout, channel catfish, as well as large and smallmouth bass.
Lake Berryessa is also a great boating destination in California. It maintains constant water levels that provide boating enthusiasts with ideal angling conditions all year round. From rafts to high-performance racing boats, there is enough room for every boater to enjoy themselves on the lake. If you love swimming, you'll also find plenty of spots to swim at this lake during the hot summer months, thanks to the many lake access points.
Wildlife Viewing
Cedar Roughs Wilderness is popularly known as a black bear breeding spot. The wilderness area supports Napa's black bear population. It's also an excellent site for wildlife viewing in California. Visitors can see coyotes, squirrels, deer, and other wild animals during their trip. Birdwatchers will also get the chance to see both resident and migratory birds in this desert land.
Picnicking
Picnics are quite popular in this BLM land, and you can find many spots within the wilderness that are fairly far from the crowds. If you want a standard picnicking experience during your visit, you can check the two-day-use picnic sites at Lake Berryessa. Here you'll find more than 200 picnic areas with grills and additional six shelters ideal for bigger groups. You can reserve the shelters online or use them on a first-come, first-served basis if they are unoccupied.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
There are no developed Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in Cedar Roughs Wilderness. However, RV camping lovers can find RV services in the nearby private campgrounds and RV resorts. One of the closest is Spanish Flat Campground, located on the southwestern shores of Lake Berryessa. This campground has 55 campsites, 45 of which can accommodate trailers and RVs. It has no hookups, but visitors can find amenities such as grills, picnic tables, piped water, and portable toilets.
Developed Campgrounds
Currently, there is no developed campground at Cedar Roughs Wilderness; however, there are several options nearby.
Dispersed Camping
RVers can find primitive and dispersed camping options on the 141-acre BLM parcel adjacent to Cedar Roughs Wilderness. They can also dry camp on the public lands near Lake Berryessa and Maxwell Creek. The stay limit is 14 days, and there is a leave-no-trace policy for all public lands. These parcels are accessible via Pope Canyon Road, which is paved. However, the parking turnouts are just unpaved pullouts. You cannot have campfires on these parcels, and there are strict fire restrictions and bans.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: Camper vans have the shortest turning radius, higher factory clearance, and easier maneuvering in narrow spaces. You can also get a camper van that is a 4x4. • Travel Trailers: These models have independent trailing arm suspensions, so they absorb washboards more easily. They have a higher clearance and can avoid rock-related damage. • Fifth Wheels: Fifth wheels are a bad choice for this area. The models are too heavy and cannot turn safely even on the access roads leading to the wilderness. • Class A Motorhomes: Class A motorhomes are the least suited RV models for this terrain. They are heavy, have low clearance, and require a wider turning radius. They cannot manage the access trailheads without severe risks to their undercarriage. • Class B Motorhomes: A Class B motorhome generally can handle the terrain because it has higher clearance. If you rent a smaller model, turns won’t become a problem around access roads. • Class C Motorhomes: The Class C models that are 25 feet or less are suitable because you can get AWD models. They can handle switchbacks safely.
Free Camping 
Dry camping is permitted within Cedar Roughs Wilderness but only in the previously used areas to avoid disturbing wildlife and prevent vegetation damage. If you're looking for a more traditional experience, you can go to the nearby Ritchey Campground in Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. The Bureau of Land Management camping ground has 23 campsites suitable for trailers with a maximum length of 24 feet and small RVs that are not more than 31 feet long. The campsites are primitive with no hookups, but you'll find picnic benches, grills, and fire rings. Other amenities within this Bureau of Land Management free camping area include restrooms, coin-operated showers, and a swimming pool.
RV Rentals Near Cedar Roughs Wilderness Plan your next adventure
Planning your Cedar Roughs Wilderness BLM trip
When planning your trip in the Cedar Roughs wilderness, remember that there's no direct public transportation service to this wilderness area, and motor vehicles aren't permitted on the site. Therefore, you need to park your bike, car, motorbike, or any other automobile along the wilderness boundary since there's no designated parking area. Visitors who wish to trek into the wilderness instead of driving can park their vehicles in any of the parking areas provided along Lake Berryessa's western banks.
Cellphone service is quite limited near this wilderness area, depending on your service provider. Also, there's no marked trail system. So, remember to bring a map and other navigation tools to help you with route planning and navigation. Remember to check road conditions before your RV trip to avoid bumping into unexpected road closures. When searching "BLM camping near me," remember that Cedar Roughs Wilderness provides unmatched opportunities for adventure and solitude. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
RVers should know that there isn’t potable water at Cedar Roughs Wilderness. There are gas stations within 15 minutes of the wilderness, and you will find camping stores 20 minutes away. The Putah Canyon Campground RV Dump site is only 20 minutes away. Cellular service is spotty in the wilderness. You cannot run a generator anywhere at Cedar Roughs Wilderness, but you can use it at nearby dispersed camping options. You must follow BLM quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. You are responsible for all trash and must follow a leave-no-trace policy. The access roads are paved, and you must leave motorized vehicles in the designated parking area. Read our Packing Checklist Guide for tips.
Leave No Trace 
Cedar Roughs Wilderness area is home to many wild animals and birds. You need to view them at a distance and don't follow or confront the animals. If you are building a campfire in this desert land, do it within the provided fire rings in the campsites. Also, keep the fires small and allow them only to burn when you need them. This way, you'll minimize the negative impact of fires on the desert environment. Lastly, carry your trash with you and leave the wilderness area clean to preserve the environment and avoid pollution.
Cedar Roughs Wilderness Location
Visitors can access Cedar Roughs Wilderness either from Winters or Rutherford. From Winters, take State Hwy 128 west. Then turn right on the Lower Chiles Valley Rd, and then right on the Chiles Pope Valley Rd for several miles until you get to Pope Canyon Road. From Rutherford, take Hwy 128 east. Go left on the Chiles Pope Valley Rd for a couple of miles until you reach Pope Canyon Road.
Ready to visit the Cedar Roughs Wilderness? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at Cedar Roughs Wilderness
• Morning: Head to Pope Canyon Road and stop your RV at the gate. Hike to the overlook and wade across Pope Creek. You can hike about 4 miles and enjoy views of the oak woodlands and native cypress trees. • Afternoon: Return to your RV and enjoy a picnic outside your rig. Later on, you can drive to Lake Berryessa’s recreation area and enjoy views of the water and wildlife. • Evening: In the evening, you can cook a wonderful dinner in your RV and enjoy the peace and solitude at the Napa foothills.
Nearby Attractions
• Lake Berryessa Recreation Area: The Lake Berryessa Recreation Area offers swimming, skiing, sailing, boating, and water skiing. You’ll find many day-use amenities, including a trail and picnic spots. You can RV camp here and have access to full RV hookups. • Knoxville Recreation Area: You’ll find 17,700 acres of beautiful rolling hills that are perfect for mountain biking and off-highway vehicles. You’ll have plenty of space to unload your Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV), and you can visit Devil’s Head Road for outdoor fun. • Bothe-Napa Valley State Park: The Bothe-Napa Valley State Park features hiking paths, a swimming pool, and redwood forests. You’ll have RV camping access here near the Napa Valley wine region. Review our Ultimate RV Winery Tour Guide for more details about related attractions. • Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve: This popular nature reserve has steep canyon views and hiking trails. Visitors love it for the diverse wildlife and birdwatching opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the serpentine soil at Cedar Roughs Wilderness is toxic to plants, is it hazardous to RVers? The only known hazard is to plants, since the soil lacks essential nutrients and is high in mercury. Although it isn’t a direct risk to RVers, they should wash their hands thoroughly if they handle it. Can RVers bring firearms for protection when visiting Cedar Roughs Wilderness? Currently, the fire restrictions prohibit the use of firearms inside Cedar Roughs Wilderness. The fire risks related to discharged ammunition can lead to wildfires. The BLM strictly enforces these fire restrictions, and violators could face heavy penalties. Can you bring pets to Cedar Roughs Wilderness? Cedar Roughs Wilderness is pet-friendly; however, you must keep your pets on a leash. There are certain wildlife-related risks for pets, so proceed with caution. How can RVers get help if cellular service is spotty? Cellular service is available in some areas of the wilderness. However, RVers can bring handheld walkie-talkies when traveling the Cedar Roughs Wilderness. It is an effective and safe way to get emergency services since motorized vehicles aren’t allowed inside the wilderness. When is the best time to visit Cedar Roughs Wilderness? We recommend visiting Cedar Roughs Wilderness in all seasons except summer. The weather conditions are more comfortable, and there are fewer risks related to wildlife mating season.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
When planning your visit to Cedar Roughs Wilderness, you should ensure you rent the right RV to get the best experience. A class B or camper van offers the best maneuvering and turning. RVs that are under 25 feet offer the most versatility for traveling the access roads and driving in nearby cities. Visiting in non-peak months can improve your experience and help you avoid hazards. Browse our RV rentals in Napa for your trip to Cedar Roughs Wilderness.