Rutherford's surrounding wine country features dry summers with temperatures often reaching 90-100°F from June through September, while winter brings cooler temperatures between 40-60°F with occasional rainfall. The terrain varies from flat valleys near town to steeper forested hillsides in the surrounding mountains. Campgrounds near Rutherford tend to be more developed and often require advance booking, especially during peak tourist seasons.
What to do
Observatory stargazing: Visit Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground for astronomy programs at the Robert Ferguson Observatory. "There's an observatory and nice hiking here. Kenwood seems to be a place where gentrification has not taken over attitude. Folks are pretty friendly," notes one camper. The park offers ranger-led night hikes for star gazing tours.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Explore Steele Canyon at Lake Berryessa for calm waters. "I came to check out the more calm waters in the canyon for my paddleboard. The site was great layout and I had a really enjoyable time out on the water. Other boaters were very respectful of the no wake zones," reports a visitor. Rentals are available seasonally at multiple lake access points.
Trail quests: Several campgrounds offer special hiking programs for visitors. At Sugarloaf Ridge, "Ask about the free quest hike. They send you on an adventure hike and there is treasure at the end of it," explains a camper who recommends trying the Bald Mountain and Waterfall hikes. These guided experiences provide structured outdoor exploration opportunities.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We saw a rabbit, turkeys, lizards, deer, & quails! Seems they have lots of hikes available," reports a camper at Sugarloaf Ridge. Another mentions "We had a gorgeous [grey fox] visit our camp!" Nature sightings are common across most local campgrounds.
Clean facilities: Skyline Wilderness Park receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Clean showers and bathrooms, some trees, close to Raley's Grocery store. Easy drive to the wineries of Napa Valley," notes one visitor. Many campgrounds provide free or coin-operated hot showers and regularly serviced restrooms.
Wine shuttle access: Some campgrounds are positioned along wine shuttle routes. A visitor to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park explains, "It's so nice to be right in the Napa Valley...during non-COVID times you can catch a wine bus from here!" This allows campers to sample local wines safely without driving.
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary significantly by location and season. At Lake Berryessa, a camper notes, "It's dry camping at this time (no fires, no water, no hookups, etc.). Fire scars all around the lake...looks like this entire area got hit a few years ago." Always check current fire restrictions before your trip.
Poison oak awareness: Several campgrounds have significant poison oak growth. A visitor to Bothe-Napa Valley warns, "The campgrounds were infested with poison oak. Maybe just the time of year and because of so much rain this year? Not sure but it was thick and lush everywhere." Learn to identify and avoid this plant, particularly in spring and early summer.
Site privacy varies: Campsite layout and privacy differ greatly between parks. At Spring Lake Regional Park, a reviewer observed, "The sites are not too close together but it is easy to see into the surrounding neighbors." Consider booking boundary sites if privacy is important.
Tips for camping with families
Activities beyond wineries: San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA offers extensive family amenities. "Great accommodations. A lot of different areas for the kids. Swimming, giant bounce area, and mild weather. Coffee bar, large play grounds and near shopping for any needs," mentions one visitor. This provides options for families during wine country trips.
Water recreation access: Spring Lake Regional Park offers seasonal water play structures. "Walked to the water park on spring lake that featured an inflatable, floating obstacle course/bouncy house thing. The kids LOVED that," shares one parent. Many campgrounds provide easy lake or pool access for cooling off during hot summer months.
Nature programs: Look for campgrounds with educational opportunities. At Sugarloaf Ridge, "They have everything you need for a great weekend! The visitor center has snacks and ice cream bars, firewood, simple essentials, etc." Another mentions "often nature events throughout the summer (docent led hikes for example)." These programs engage children while teaching about local ecology.
Tips from RVers
Proximity to urban amenities: For RVers wanting convenience, Napa Valley Expo RV Park offers central access. "Walk to town to eat etc. There is road noise which we didn't particularly like... The spot was level. We did have wifi....RVs close together," reports one visitor. Another mentions it's "centrally located but a little walk to downtown Napa. Hookups include 30 and 50 amp with water and sewer. Nice cemented pads."
Driving considerations: Many campgrounds have tight access roads. At San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, a visitor found "the streets all very tight for RV maneuvering." Arrive during daylight hours when possible and consider smaller vehicles when navigating wine country's narrow roads.
Water quality preparation: Water quality varies significantly between campgrounds. One RVer reported testing water at a campsite near Rutherford, finding "dissolved solids were 251...pretty high. The worst water in our 6 week trip." Consider bringing drinking water or a good filtration system when RV camping in this region.
