Best Camping in and near Albany State Marine Reserve

91%

(125)

Whaleback Ridge Cabins & Camp

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents34 acres · Calistoga, CA

Welcome to our family land! We now offer 3 options, 5 minutes from Petrified Forest, and 10 minutes from beautiful Calistoga, mud baths, the community pool ($8) and of course the restaurant and fun bar scene. I teach at SF State, and spend my summer vacations visiting our family land and running hipcamp, amidst various travel plans. I am proud of our little camp and cabins for being an affordable option in Calistoga with gorgeous views and peaceful nature settings. With the exception of Coral Cabin, this is a "user responsible" site, essentially meaning Shaded Oak and Married Manzanitas are 'leave no trace' sites. I provide garbage bags, but ask that you take your tied bag to the lower garbage bins when you depart your stay. There are also supplied disinfectant towelettes, sprays and other cleaning supplies for a quick wipe down of surfaces when you leave, and if needed/preferred upon arrival. No cleaning service, no cleaning fee, guests responsible for cleaning up after themselves with supplies provided. If that's OK with you, read on! Thank you! Whaleback Ridge has 3 main sites that overlook “the Whaleback Ridge” to the North, named by my great-great grandparents who settled here 100 years ago. The top of the Whaleback Ridge is seen from the camps on the north-side far edge of our 34-acre property, and is accessible by trails (a hiking map will be sent to you upon booking). The lower, private sites, overlooking this ridgeline through the trees, are called the Shaded Oak and the Married Manzanitas - both are very rustic and outdoorsy. Shaded Oak is the only RV site (unless you rent Coral Cabin which has large flat area just outside), but is limited to shorter trailers with 4wd trucks only, or Class B RVs (see pics). The upper site, the Coral Cabin, shares the hilltop with the main house and shared Hilltop 360 Station, is the most outfitted, and is the most accessible - but also with outdoor toilet, shower, sink, etc. The Coral Cabin has the best views, but everyone can access the views by walking up to the Shared Hilltop 360 Station (named for the views). *We have a 14-year old dog at the Hilltop 360 Station! She is a husky-akida mix (her name is "Beautiful"), she lives in the main house with mom and has a dog door to come and go to everything she needs. She will bark at you at first, but please don't be alarmed - she has never bitten anyone and she makes friends quickly if you call her by name and are friendly. Overview of Sites (more details in site descriptions): Shaded Oak ($59/night 4ppl, more $10 each), smaller RV accessible**, a prime tent spot, propane fire ring, compost toilet "throne" at your site. Tables and chairs. Water provided for hand/dishwashing; b-y-o drinking water. Shower at shared Hilltop 360 Station. **(trailers over 10 feet likely need 4WD truck pulling it and be skilled at backing in; teardrop trailers & Class B RVs are optimal size and relatively easy to back in). Married Manzanitas Camp and Cabin ($69/night up to 6 ppl), walk-in OR high clearance vehicle only, 1 large tent spot AND access to 2-person camp cabin. Tables and chairs, 2 adirondack loungers, gas stove and limited cooking/eating utensils. Water provided for hand/dishwashing; b-y-o drinking water. Private/exclusive hot outdoor shower with redwood platform and riverstones - fed by hose at hilltop (you will have to walk up to turn on the right, red hose 1/4 turn). Compost toilet "throne" at your site. Camp cabin included! Bare bones, comes ready to throw your sleeping bag or put your own sheets and pillows on the full bed (very comfy futon) - or pitch a tent and use the cabin for storage or to chill out - or both with a larger group. Coral Cabin ($109/night +$30 cleaning, up to 2 ppl, more $10 each to pitch tent/RV), drive up to doorway, direct access to Hilltop 360 Station (kitchen, shower, tubs). Cabin has electricity, AC unit, wifi access, TV with Roku, comfy loveseat. Enjoy some interesting books. Bed comes freshly made and there is a cleaning service so no need to tidy up on departure. This is our "glamping" cabin with amazing views and walks, outdoor amenities, compost toilet just outside the cabin, hilltop shower steps away. $30 cleaning fee goes directly to cleaner. Hilltop 360 Station: a shared space (only if there are other campers) has: Outdoor kitchen with stainless countertop, running water, propane grill, electrical outlets, and wifi - access to shed with microwave, coffee maker, mini-fridge with freezer, lots of plates/cookware/silverware to use. Games and books! Gas campstove is usually at Married Manzanitas Camp but can be brought up - ask Dan. Hammocks in camp station can easily be clipped on to take a load off; second hammock also available in treehouse. And there's a swing to enjoy! Shower/tubs: The on-demand propane heated shower is right in the camp station, guarded by a privacy barrier all around except the lookout over the mountain. If you want a hot tub in either the private smaller tub or larger tub next to it, contact Dan ($10 as 'extra' if desired). Hot water turns on automatically when you turn blue dial at base of water pipe to heater. Compost toilets: there are separate seats for #1 and #2; #1 is PEE ONLY on the LOW SEAT (or blue commode at lower sites) and is over an open pit - don't put used TP here... and #2 is POO only on the HIGH SEAT atop the throne, you can put all TP here, and after your #2 ADD a scoop/layer of MULCH/DRY LEAVES (NOT DIRT) over it to completely cover sight and smell. #1 in lower seats can be covered with a scoop/layer of dirt OR leaves. Again, mulch/leaves should fully cover any sight and smell of your biz after using the thrones. Garbage: Please use the trash bags provided, tie your trash bag, and on departure deposit tied bag in the FARTHEST grey bin from the "5895" mailbox. Recycle can be deposited in the blue bin. Thank you! Other notes: You may need to rinse dishes, etc. before use as dust and spiderwebs accumulate up here. Feel free to use cleaning supplies to evict any daddy-long legs if they bother you. Want some activities? Kayak and all gear/2 life vests/ratchet strap to tie to roof ($20); tennis rackets/balls for court in town ($10); 2-4 person tent ($10/night). Games and books are free to use! - please replace as you found them. *In emergencies or stuck cars, our resident at the main house can usually help with his truck - after work hours - for a $15 emergency help fee if he's available, and has graciously done so before. Venmo him directly. But remember, Dan is the main point of contact by text and I can ask him for help. If you need WIFI to send a text, you can connect at the Hilltop 360 View Station. Wifi Info is on the google doc that I will send to your phone or email upon booking; I recommend downloading the doc to your phone in case you don't have service:) *Steer clear of the neighbors down the hill - the first house you see when you drive up the driveway. They are my cousins, and not part of hipcamp. Please do not approach the lower house or invade their privacy. This is a beautiful, serene, and peaceful spot! We invite you to come contribute to that energy.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

from

$59

/ night