Knoxville Ride Area
Due to its close proximity to the Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area regions, and because of it's varied terrain, Knoxville's 17,700 acres attract many off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts each year. The landscape is characterized by steep and rolling hills with the vegetation varying from scattered hardwoods and grasses to dense chaparral brush. California gray pine and Macnab cypress are also dispersed throughout the area.
Of particular note, are unusual plant communities unique to the area's serpentine barrens, which are closed to vehicles to protect the delicate vegetation.
Other popular activities in the area include hunting, target shooting, mountain bicycling, camping, and nature study. There is one developed campground, an OHV staging area and a designated pistol target shooting area.
Directions:
From the town of Lower Lake:
Go east on Morgan Valley Road 13 miles to the north entrance to Knoxville at Dunnigan Hill Road (this access not recommended for two-wheel drive vehicles beyond Round Mountain Road). Continue three miles further on Morgan Valley Road for the south entrance to Knoxville at the intersection with Devilhead Road (southeast of the McLaughlin Mine crushing plant). There are BLM signs at both entrances.
From Napa:
Take the Lake Berryessa Road (hugs the west side of the lake). After crossing Putah Creek, it is approximately 17 miles to the Devilhead Road entrance, and 20 miles to the Dunnigan Hill Road entrance.
From St. Helena:
Take Pope Valley Road to Pope Creek Road. Take a left at the Lake Berryessa-Knoxville Road. It is approximately 17 miles to the Devilhead Road entrance, and 20 miles to the Dunnigan Hill Road entrance.
CAUTION: There are 4-5 lower water crossings located on the Lake Berryessa-Knoxville Road north of Lake Berryessa that may restrict access to the Knoxville entrances from the south.
Off-Highway Vehicles:
North OHV Staging Area: From north entrance take Dunnigan Hill Road approximately 3/4 mile to Round Mountain Road. Proceed west on Round Mountain Road approximately 1/4 mile to the staging area. Site has parking and vault toilet.
* All vehicles must be street licensed or have a current off-highway vehicle registration (green or red sticker)
* All vehicles must be equipped with a properly installed muffler and a U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor.
* All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) operators must wear a D.O.T. approved safety helmet. Passengers are not permitted on ATVs at any time.
* Please respect our neighbors and stay out of private land.
* Yield the right of way to pedestrians, horses or bicycles.
* All roads and trails in the area have two-way traffic. Be alert and always stay to the right-hand side.
* Please stay on designated trails. Avoid cutting switchbacks or driving through stream bottoms and wet meadows. Devilhead Road is a county road, therefore only street licensed vehicles are permitted.
* This area is open to hunting and shooting year round. Be extremely cautious when riding during peak hunting seasons.
Been here and the parking at the north end from Lower Lake is minimal.
Watch out for trucks, 4x4s, and cars!!! They cut the corners on the roads.
