Knoxville Devilhead Road

Lower Lake, California (Napa County)

Last Updated: 12/08/2018
3.3 / 5 ( 6 reviews )
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Highlights

Highlight: Knoxville Devilhead Road
Knoxville Devilhead Road is the southern entrance into the Knoxville Recreation Area in Napa County, CA. If traveling in from Lake Berryessa, 30+ miles of the roughly paved, bumpy, narrow Berryessa Knoxville Road will make this soft dirt trailhead a welcome relief. This road offers access to other trails in the Knoxville recreation area including Hunting Creek Road, Cement Creek Road and Adams Ridge (currently closed for burn rehabilitation). The entire Knoxville Recreation Area spans from Napa County into Lake County, however this trail is contained within the Napa County borders. The network of trails in this area include scenic mountain views, lush forrest landscapes and multiple creek crossings.

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Route Information

Advanced Rating System

Recommended Vehicle:
2WD Vehicle with High Clearance
Concerns:
Summary:
It's a dirt road the entire way.

Technical Rating

MANDATORY
1
EASY
OPTIONAL
1
EASY
Dirt and/or rocky road. Potential rocks and/or tree stumps less than 5" tall and/or vertical ledges less than 5" tall and/or near vertical ledges or waterfalls less than 6" inches. Good tire placement likely. Can be steep, but with good traction.
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Community Consensus

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Description

Knoxville Devilhead Road is an out & back trail in the Knoxville Recreation Area in Knoxville, CA. This is a wide fire-road that serves as a connector to numerous other trails in the Knoxville area. Knoxville Devilhead Road is 5.4 miles in length. It starts at Berryessa Knoxville Road and ends at a locked gate and fence line marking private property (Waypoint 6). This road is easy, however wet weather can create moderate sections due to deep, slippery mud. Beginners will be comfortable on the trail while advanced wheelers might only use it to access more technical trails. The access road to this trail, Berryessa Knoxville Road, includes half a dozen creek crossings, south of the Devilhead intersection, which are prone to flooding during heavy rains.

Waypoints

1. Trailhead (0 mi)
Knoxville Devilhead Road begins at Berryessa Knoxville Road. A sign reading Knoxville Public Lands clearly marks the trailhead.
2. Hunting Creek Road Intersection (0.61 mi)
This intersection includes a wide open area and makes for a good spot to air down the tires. A right turn here will take you on Hunting Creek Road. Continue to the left to stay on Knoxville Devilhead Road.
3. North Zim Zim Trail Intersection (1.82 mi)
Continue straight to stay on Knoxville Devilhead Road. A left turn up the hill will take you on the North Zim Zim trail toward the Zim Zim Water Falls.
4. Cement Creek Road Interesection (4.12 mi)
Continue to the left to stay on Knoxville Devilhead Road. A right turn will take you on Cement Creek Road.
5. Adams Ridge Road Intersection (4.69 mi)
This large intersection has plenty of room to stop for a break or play in the mud. Continue straight to stay on Knoxville Devilhead Road. A left turn will lead you to a locked gate on Adams Ridge Road, blocking access to a burn rehabilitation area.
6. Locked Gate - Trail End (5.36 mi)
This marks the end of the trail. Private property owners have blocked access beyond this point of Knoxville Devilhead Road. Turn around and head back the way you came and maybe, check out Cement Creek Road on the way back.

Directions to Trailhead

From Napa; Head north on CA-121 N/Silverado Trail. Turn right onto CA-121 N and follow 121 N for 12.3 miles. Turn left onto CA-128 W. After 4.8 miles, turn right onto Berryessa Knoxville Road/Knoxville Road Continue on Berryessa Knoxville Road/Knoxville Road for 32.3 miles. Turn left onto Knoxville Devilhead Road. From Lower Lake; Head east on Main St and continue onto Morgan Valley Road for 14 miles. Continue onto Berryessa Knoxville Road/Knoxville Road for 3.8 miles. Turn right onto Knoxville Devilhead Road.

Camping

Dispersed
Designated
Camping is permitted anywhere you can find a spot in this area. If you are looking for improved campsites, you have a ways to go. Spanish Flats at Lake Berryessa has toilets and lake side camping, but you have a 30+mile drive on a roughly paved road between Lake Berryessa and this trail.
Camping: Knoxville Devilhead Road

Trail Reviews (8)

Questions & Answers (3)

Q: I'm thinking about making a day trip up there on sat. Does anyone know if it is open this weekend?
–Thomas Kovaloff (02/19/2021)
A: This trail is open. Some others in the area are closed due to fire damage, but this one is open.
–G. Martin (02/20/2021)
A: Should be open, but I’m waiting on a call back from the BLM office to confirm. Hopefully they answer today.
–G. Martin (02/19/2021)
Q: We are heading up there this sunday, do we need to check to see if the trail is open?
–Charles Spezzano (03/22/2019)
A: There are no current closures that we know of, but it's not a bad idea to check with the BLM Ukiah Field Office, Monday through Friday, at 707-468-4000.
–G. Martin (03/22/2019)
Q: I just bought a wrangler, and I'm new to off-roading. Do I need to have a registration or is there a fee to go on these trails?
–Emma (01/25/2018)
A: You should have your typical on-road registration, but there are no special fees or permits needed. Just drive in, have fun and leave us a trip report! I was up there last month and checked on Adams Ridge, waypoint 5 above, and it was still closed. If you find it open, let us know.
–G. Martin (01/25/2018)

Writer Information

G. Martin

Mapping Crew - California
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G. Martin, gm4x4 on Youtube , is a California native, born and raised in northern California and now living and wheeling in southern California. He enjoys exploring new trails and setting up camp in the remote outdoors. You may come across him in the middle of the Mojave Desert, the mountains of Big Bear, in the central Sierras near Shaver Lake or any other dirty, rocky road in the southwest.
For individual use only, not to be shared.

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