Hidden Valley Lake RV Park/Campground

The Great Outdoors

Book an RV in Lake County, and you are ready to begin an epic journey that begins as soon as you get behind the wheel. Start the journey with a visit to South Cow Mountain OHV Recreation Area where you can enjoy camping and hunting in a park dominated by tree stands of oak, willow, and old-growth fir, miles of streams, and more than a dozen reservoirs. The park's primary designation is for outdoor vehicle use (off-road motorbikes, four-wheel-drive vehicles, etc.) so you should be aware of your surroundings while you're here. The park has a wildlife population of black-tailed deer, bears, wild turkeys, and other species, so don't forget to bring your camera and binoculars. Access to the area is through gravel roads that will accommodate smaller vehicles but not larger RVs, so if you bring your RV rental, you'll need to leave it outside the park. You can return to it later, though, to enjoy a hot drink and a comfy chair.Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is so named because it's where the famed author spent his honeymoon in 1880; the cabin he owned is gone, but there is a marker on the trail leading to it that identifies the spot where the cabin stood. The terrain is rough and has evergreen forest on the slopes facing north; the south-facing slopes are dotted with chaparral, so you can hike here, but it may be challenging. If you accept the challenge, you can hike to the top of Mt. St. Helena and enjoy panoramic views that include the San Francisco Bay area.Just an hour's drive south of your Hidden Valley Lake campground, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is an ideal spot for hiking, mountain biking and picnicking. The park has an open meadow where you can camp overnight; the meadow is bordered by a stream and by trees lining the adjacent hillside. It is also home to the Robert Ferguson Observatory, one of the largest in the western United States; the observatory is open to the public, and you're welcome to stargaze or sit in on one of the staff-led educational activities. The park has a visitor center where you can find answers to any questions you may have.

Exploring The Area

Once you've had your fill of the great outdoors (and they are magnificent), turn your attention to some of the urban attractions at hand, such as Middletown. This smallish town has a lot of charm to go along with its museums and vineyards, but if charm isn't enough, consider taking a glider plane tour of the area or skydiving in the Napa Valley area. If you prefer your adrenaline experience from a comfortable chair, there is a casino where you can kill some time trying to beat the tables. You can visit the town's geothermal visitor center where staff will explain how clean geothermal energy works and then follow this up with a visit to a local hot spring where you can let the warm spring water work its magic on you.Lower Lake is a good destination for you if you consider yourself a wine connoisseur; it has a number of wineries to visit. If you prefer history, there is a historic schoolhouse museum that recounts the history of Lake County and its occupants.Calistoga is in the heart of Napa wine country, meaning there is an abundance of wineries on hand; fortunately, if you stop here, you can join one of the numerous wine tours available and let someone else do the driving. The town also has a thriving restaurant scene with French, Asian, and Mexican cuisines available, delis and bakeries, and more. Nothing beats a good breakfast when you're on the road, and one of the local roasters serves exactly that along with its Italian espresso. If you're here and have kids in tow, they might want to try the bagels, scones, and blueberry cheesecake smoothie (but be warned you might not be able to keep up with them afterward).Take your time and make the most of your visit here without worrying about schedules and where you need to be; this is what vacations are for, and Hidden Valley Lake Campground is here to help you succeed in your quest.