The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency under the U.S. Department of Interior tasked with managing BLM land, which is public land meant for recreational uses such as camping, hiking, and biking. An interesting BLM camping location where you can enjoy nature and have easy access to Sacramento and San Francisco is the Knoxville Management Area.
With a landscape consisting of steep hills and unique vegetative matter, such as different grass breeds, hardwoods scattered throughout the site, and dense bushes, Knoxville is a small haven to behold. Hunting, camping, OHVing, and mountain biking are popular activities at this BLM site. What's more, the weather is ideal for camping, with warm, sunny days and cool nights with the moon and stars lining the skyline.
This challenging hike takes you to the peak of Berryessa Snow Mountain, where you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of Napa Valley. The total hike, up and back, usually takes about eight hours.
Length: 14 miles
Intensity: Hard
For a great fishing expedition, visit Pope Creek Day Use Area, Oak Shores Day Use Area, or Lake Berryessa. Fishing and swimming are open to the public in these three areas, and the peace and quiet add to the recreation. If you want to enjoy some barbeque and kayaking, Olive Orchard Day Use Area is the place to be.
If you are an animal lover, Knoxville should be at the top of your travel destinations list. A few interesting nearby spots that you can tour include the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, which features a variety of wildlife, including badgers, river otters, and migratory birds. Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is another great place to watch a variety of birds beautifully dot the skyline.
Oak Shores Day Use Area doubles up as a great fishing point and an amazing picnic location with facilities such as tables, restrooms, and a well-marked swimming area. The Eticuera Creek Day Use Area is a quiet, cool place to unwind and enjoy a picnic. It offers well-shaded picnic tables and clean restrooms. Smittle Creek Day Use Area is also a good spot to relax by the lakeside.
The Knoxville Management Area features a number of appealing off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails. Hunting Creek Trail, Round Mountain Road, and Dunnigan Hill are the main OHV trails and allow two-way traffic, offering drivers convenience while exploring the beautiful scenery. The trails and the steep rolling mountains of Knoxville are also great for mountain biking, which is a popular activity at this BLM site. All OHV trails have a moderate-to-difficult intensity and are, on average, 20 miles long.
Hunting is a popular outdoor activity at this lush and expansive BLM site. Hunting Creek Camp and Knoxville OHV Park are great areas close to Knoxville that are open for hunting all year round.
BLM RV camping is possible in the following areas: Putah Canyon Campground, Van Damme State Park Campground, North Eagle Lake Campground, Sycamore Grove Campground, Susanville RV Park, and Pleasure Cove Campground. For a small fee, you have access to a range of amenities, including dump stations. Sidney Gulch RV Park, Vineyard RV Park, and Lake of the Springs RV Resort are also good RV campgrounds.
If you have decided to utilize public land and opted for dispersed camping, there are a number of great locations as well. The vast Knoxville acreage has plenty of space along trails and other natural features and points, such as the Lower Hunting Creek, which offers free camping with amenities.
The best months to camp at the BLM site are April, May, September, and October, as these months offer good weather conditions, making your trip worthwhile. During the rainy winter season, the campgrounds and trails can get muddy and sticky, making it impossible to maneuver or engage in activities such as OHV driving. During the summer, it is advisable to have sunscreen and enough water packed since a good number of campgrounds do not have potable water.
Camping in Knoxville is an experience of a lifetime with plenty to do in the park and nearby areas. From wildlife-watching adventures in the wild to fishing, hiking, and off-road activities, the site in the Golden State is indeed an incredible place to experience nature. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog on all you need to know about BLM Camping.
Make sure to clear out trash and leave the campsite as neat as you found it. Additionally, ensure that you stick to your side of the vehicle trails when driving through Knoxville. Putting out campfires is also key, and make sure that you do not cut any vegetation, live or dead, to set up a fire. Use dry, fallen wood only for firewood. Lastly, respect the wildlife as you watch and engage with them.
Knoxville is located in Napa County, California. Head east on Morgan Valley Road from the town of Lower Lake for 13 miles to the northern entrance of Knoxville at Dunnigan Hill Road. The southern entrance to the BLM site is three miles down, and there is signage at both entrances indicating that you are in a BLM area.
Ready to visit Knoxville? 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.
