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Middletown, California

Middletown, California, is a must-visit for outdoor adventures, hosting some of the best trails and outdoor activities. One top attraction is the scenic Hidden Valley Lake Loop, a moderate difficulty hike that takes you around the beautiful Hidden Valley Lake. The trail boasts stunning views of the lake, impressive rock formations, and diverse flora and fauna. Another recommended trail is the Table Rock Trail, known for its unique volcanic rock formations and panoramic views of the valley. For those seeking water activities, Putah Creek offers fishing and kayaking opportunities. Nearby, Anderson Marsh State Historic Park provides educational nature walks, bird-watching, and picnic spots. These outdoor attractions make Middletown a top choice for those seeking scenic outdoor activities.

Top Spots in and near Middletown

  • Calistoga, California

    Hike Mount Saint Helena

    4.3
    10 mi / 2100 ft gain
    Drive north from Napa following Rt 29, through Calistoga and up into the forest. After passing the sign for Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, and just over the crest, there is a parking area on the right side of the road, opposite the trailhead on the left. Parking fills up by mid-morning so get...
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  • Calistoga, California

    Hike the Oat Hill Mine Trail

    5.0
    8.3 mi
    The incline on this trail begins pretty much right away and is fairly gradual for the entire hike, some of it is quite rocky, making this an easy to moderate level hike. However, with some shade (probably wouldn't attempt it on a hot summer day) and the sweeping views of the valley that get bette...
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  • Calistoga, California

    Hike Bald Hill in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park

    3.2 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Bald Hill is the first serious peak/summit that can be reached via the Oat Hill Mine Trail as it breaks from the more popular loop and heads into the heart of Robert Louis Stevenson State Park. To get there you can either begin at the less frequently used trailhead at Picket and Rosedale Roads he...
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  • Calistoga, California

    Camp at Bothe-Napa Valley SP

    4.5
    Looking for a romantic getaway but you’d prefer to spend your nights around a campfire? This adventure is for you. This beautiful Napa Valley campground has it all – 10 miles of hiking trails, 1,900 acres to explore, and…new yurts! Yurts are basically cool circular tents that allow you enjoy the ...
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  • Lake County, California

    Hike to Wright Peak near Clearlake California

    7.6 mi / 1853 ft gain
    Hiking to Wright peak offers some of the best views of Clear Lake, California's largest natural freshwater lake. Located just about 2.5 hours north of San Francisco, this hike is accessible and easy to follow.  To get to the trailhead, follow the 101 north to Hopland. Then take the 175 west towar...
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  • Larkfield-Wikiup, California

    Creekside Trail to Canyon Trail to Ridge Trail Loop

    4.0
    4.46 mi / 850 ft gain
    Creekside Trail to Canyon Trail to Ridge Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Santa Rosa, California.
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  • Napa, California

    Hike To Zim Zim Falls

    5.0
    8 mi / 500 ft gain
    This 8 mile (out and back) hike begins at the trail head off of Knoxville Road, just before mile marker 24. The first 3 miles are relatively flat, though you will cross the creek about 9 times. Right before you reach the waterfall, you will come to a fork in the trail marked by a pink boulder. St...
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  • Santa Rosa, California

    Gunsight Rock via Hood Mountain Trail

    5.0
    7.91 mi / 2372 ft gain
    Hike to Gunsight Rock through Hood Mountain Regional Park to get a view overlooking Sonoma and Napa Valley. In order to get to the trailhead take Highway 12 to Los Alamos Rd, the road will then turn into Timberline Dr, this will take you to the trailhead. There is a parking fee of $8. From the p...
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  • Clearlake Oaks, California

    Cache Creek Ridge: Judge Davis Trailhead

    4.0
    10.26 mi / 2018 ft gain
    Cache Creek Ridge: Judge Davis Trailhead is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Williams, California.
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  • Santa Rosa, California

    Hiking, Swimming, and Fishing in Wine Country

    5.0
    Annadel State Park is located in the historic Valley of the Moon, just 60 miles north of San Francisco, in Sonoma. This popular 5,200 acre park features a wonderful variety of options to explore, boasting views of the Sonoma Valley, rolling meadows of wildflowers, and direct access to 26 acre Lak...
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  • Santa Rosa, California

    Hood Mountain Summit Via Lower and Upper Johnson Ridge Trails

    5.95 mi / 2054 ft gain
    Hood Mountain Summit via the Lower Johnson and Upper Johnson Ridge Trails is a 6 mile out-and-back trek located in Santa Rosa, CA. The trailhead starts at the Pythian Road parking lot, accessed from Highway 12. The hike takes 3.5 to 4 hours to complete and is considered strenuous. All trails are...
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  • Kelseyville, California

    Camp at Clear Lake State Park

    Clear Lake State Park is only two hours from downtown San Francisco and Sacramento. The state park offers amazing opportunities to photograph deer in the area and pick blackberries for breakfast on a morning stroll. On my visit I saw over 15 deer and one buck in full velvet. The sunrise and sunse...
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  • Saint Helena, California

    Hike the Lake Hennessey Loop

    5.0
    6.4 mi / 900 ft gain
    The "lollipop" hike starts at the "Ranch House" parking lot off of Chiles Pope Valley Road - alternatively, you can access from Conn Valley Road for a shortened 5.6-mile loop. You turn off Chiles Pope Valley Road onto Moore Creek Trail, drive past a private house (you can see it on the map) and t...
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  • Kenwood, California

    Pony Gate-Canyon Loop

    4.0
    2.17 mi / 568 ft gain
    The Pony Gate-Canyon Loop within Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a new favorite of mine on my list of family and kid-friendly hikes. Our little girls did great with this hike and loved it. If you can get moving early in the day and begin your hike around breakfast time, you might find there are few...
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  • Guinda, California

    Hike Pierce Canyon

    6.2 mi / 1079 ft gain
     This hike follows a fire road through some farms, up into the woods and up the ridge. It's an accessible and easy trail, with some decent incline starting about halfway through (thus the "moderate" rating instead of easy).   Park at the end of the road before the gate. (There is a sign that say...
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  • Saint Helena, California

    Hike Bald Mountain, Sugarloaf Ridge SP

    5.0
    6 mi / 1540 ft gain
    Park at the top of Adobe Canyon Road in the gravel parking lot to the left of the ranger kiosk. There is a $7.00 parking fee.There are many options for routes to the top; the easiest of which is mostly paved (although still steep in parts). To take this route, head north out of the trailhead park...
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Camping and Lodging in Middletown

Cloverdale / Healdsburg KOA
Cloverdale, California

Cloverdale / Healdsburg KOA

Warm Springs Rec Area
Geyserville, California

Warm Springs Rec Area

Liberty Glen (Lake Sonoma)
Liberty Glen Campground

Liberty Glen (Lake Sonoma)

Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca)
Napa, California

Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca)

AutoCamp Russian River
Guerneville, California

AutoCamp Russian River

From $149 / night

San Francisco North / Petaluma KOA
Petaluma, California

San Francisco North / Petaluma KOA

Guides, Insights and Stories from Middletown

Black Diamond Men's Momentum Climbing Shoes Review

Black Diamond Men's Momentum Climbing Shoes Review

Benjamin Canevari

The Emerald Valley: 72 Hours of Food & Adventure in Napa Valley, Winter/Spring Edition

The Emerald Valley: 72 Hours of Food & Adventure in Napa Valley, Winter/Spring Edition

Josiah Roe

Meet Caroline Beteta: President & CEO of Visit California

Meet Caroline Beteta: President & CEO of Visit California

The Outbound Collective

Escape to Marin for a Winter Weekend Getaway

Escape to Marin for a Winter Weekend Getaway

Sara Sheehy

5 Backpacking Adventures North of San Francisco in Marin County

5 Backpacking Adventures North of San Francisco in Marin County

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4 Paddling Adventures in Marin County

4 Paddling Adventures in Marin County

The Outbound Collective