Best Camping in and near Kruse Rhododendron State Natural Reserve

91%

(95)

Whaleback Ridge Campgrounds

10 sites · RVs, Tents34 acres · Calistoga, CA

*See @whalebackranch on IG for updated photos and videos. Welcome to Whaleback Ridge, named after the ridgeline that my great-grandparents called "the Whaleback" to the Northern edge of our property. I grew up here, and my family is the 5th generation to work this land. We've recently made many fun improvements after Dan and Mariah got married here two years ago, at the Married Manzanitas Campsite. Whaleback Ridge has consolidated! We currently offer two campsites, the Shaded Oak and the Married Manzanitas. Coming soon, after May 19, the Married Manzanitas Cabin will be added. Each main site is very private, and all sites share access to the "Hilltop 360 View Station" where you can find water, electricity, WiFi and access to civilization if you want it. TWO AVAILABLE SITES: 1. Shaded Oak: small RV/trailer accessible, this is a back-in site that also has a flat spot for a small tent. The back-in is slightly challenging; we recommend you drive to the top of the driveway (the Hilltop 360 View Station), and turn around for easier maneuvering. This site has a table, chairs, garbage can with bags, dish soap and a 5 gallon water jug for a "handwashing" station (well water, not harmful but not the best drinking water). All sites have their own compost toilet - yours has the Orange "Home Dumpo" (TM) - just be sure to add leaves/mulch on top. Garbage: take down your garbage on your way out, dumping in the grey and blue bins labeled "Hipcamp" by the main mailbox. 2. Married Manzanitas: tent or open star camping only, with mainly walk-in access to the site (about 30 yards). Driving in with 4WD or high clearance vehicles is optional and at your own risk of scratches/dents. You'll have a large table, chairs, flat spot for tent with a tarp available, your own compost toilet "throne" (your site has a large red throne - be sure to add leaves or mulch on top when you've finished using it). This site has a dishwashing and handwashing station, as well as utensils, dishes, and a camp stove available in drawers under the sink. *The handwashing station etc. is shared with Married Manzanitas Cabin IF both are rented out. Note: The Married Manzanitas sites are also the only ones that do not accommodate a trailer or RV, since they are walk-in or 4WD only with limited clearance. SHARED: Hilltop 360 View Station: this is the place to find shared access to electricity, water, shower, propane grill, microwave, mini-fridge, coffee maker, and lots of games! Everyone is welcome to drive or walk to the Hilltop - continue UP the driveway past your site- and at the TOP, veer left toward the "Welcome" sign and away from the main house (where we have tenants living). Park anywhere between the yellow shed and small white 'cabin' near the water tank. Keep walking past the cabin to the main hiking trail to the Whaleback Ridge. *The Hilltop 360 View Station is behind the Yellow Shed, where you'll find the sink and shower; inside the shed you'll find everything else. *Feel free to wash/rinse anything you want to use first, as dust, etc. is likely to accumulate. *Definitely clean, dry and return anything you used to avoid a $15 cleaning fee. *Dan is no longer "on site" (most of the time) but available by text or call. In emergencies or stuck cars, our tenant/host at the main house can help for a $15 emergency help fee if he's available. Dan is the main point of contact by text. If you need WIFI to send a text, you can connect at the Hilltop 360 View Station. Router is 2WIREADOE and password is 61963948. *For hiking, you can explore most all parts of the property NORTH of the driveway/camps. You can get to "The Whaleback" most easily by walking to the "Hilltop 360 View Station" and walking left, past the white Coral Cabin, about 25 yards then taking your FIRST left trail and following the main trails which will cover the edges of our 34 acres, about 30-45 min. hike to the top of the ridge. The other way to access this trail is through our "Fern Gully", which is Northeast of the Shaded Oak (past the compost toilet and then 'right,' down the wash will get you to our streambed, then right again following the stream will eventually get you to the main trail). These trails do get overgrown, and it is wilderness. -rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison oak - long pants and hiking boots required. *Each camp has an outdoor compost toilet setup. You cover your biz with leaves/mulch/grasses and it starts breaking down and eliminates odor immediately. In general, please pee in a bush, or use the commode or blue bucket (depending on the site) and dump it in the bushes if you prefer. Please bring a roll of toilet paper to be sure it is available and dry (due to morning mist, other campers, etc). *We have an old dog! She is a husky-akida mix (her name is "Beautiful") and she will bark at first. She makes friends quickly; feel free to meet her and show you're friendly, then ignore her and/or play with her! But please don't feed her human food, and watch your food (!). If you bring pets, they should be fine! If yours is at all questionable with new dogs, please just introduce them slowly at first, and then they should get along famously. Throwing a toy or stick should work, or if available, give her a dog treat. We let them out in the morning and evening but try to keep them out of your space most of the time. *Steer clear of the neighbors down the hill - the first house you see when you drive up the driveway. Please do not disturb them. *When you book, a google doc will be sent to you which you can download as a PDF on your phone to keep available when you lose WiFi. *This is a beautiful, serene, and peaceful spot! We invite you to come contribute to that energy.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

from

$49

/ night