Hoodness Gracious!

Camp at Hood Mountain Regional Park

07.21.2015

Want that away-from-it-all camping experience without having to actually be too far away? There's a hike-in campground for that, in wine country! Hood Mountain Regional Park is on the northern end of Sonoma Valley and has some excellent (and strenuous!) hiking trails. But little known are the two environmental campsites that require a 1.75-mile hike in. This is a great introduction to backpacking for those who want to dip their toes in the experience. Hood Mountain is part of the Mayacamas Mountain Range, which forms a natural border with Napa Valley. It's home to redwood forests, foothill woodland, chaparral, and one of the best hikes in Sonoma County (up to Gunsight Rock). Starting from the Pythian Road parking lot, it's a solid climb nearly the entire way to the campsites. The two primitive sites are privately set close to peaceful Merganser Pond, which is pretty low currently. Speaking of water, there isn't any that's suitable for drinking, so you'll need to hump that in with the rest of your stuff. The payoff is camping in sweet solitude.

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