Knoxville Wildlife Area: hunting rules and map
Knoxville Wildlife Area is 20,743 acres of CDFW land in Napa and Yolo counties, in CDFW's Bay Delta Region. Title 14, Section 551 lists it as Type C: open daily for hunting all legal species without a hunting pass, except where CDFW's area rules say otherwise. It lies in deer Zone A, where CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Rules: CDFW's 2026-2027 land use regulations (updated July 1, 2026). Boundary and acres: CDFW. Zones: CDFW. Land around it: CPAD 2026a.
BLMCDFW landOther state or federal landKnoxville WADeer zone lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 20,743 acres (CDFW boundary) |
|---|---|
| CDFW region | Region 3, Bay Delta Region |
| Counties | Napa and Yolo |
| Wildlife area type | Type C |
| Camping | Primitive camping is allowed beyond 1/4 mile from Berryessa- Knoxville Road. |
| Deer zone | Zone A |
| Elk zone | Bear Valley |
| Nearest towns | Guinda (4 mi), Brooks (5 mi) and Rumsey (5 mi) |
What are CDFW's rules for Knoxville Wildlife Area?
As a Type C area, Knoxville WA needs no hunting pass; the rows below are CDFW's own limits for it.
| Rule | Unit | CDFW's words |
|---|---|---|
| Camping | Whole area | Primitive camping is allowed beyond 1/4 mile from Berryessa- Knoxville Road. |
| Fire | Whole area | Fires are prohibited except for the use of portable gas stoves. |
| Shoot days and special drawings | Whole area | Special draw entry permits are required for all visitor entry during the first week of the A-Zone deer season. |
Source: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations, Title 14, Section 551. CDFW's page for Knoxville Wildlife Area has maps and contacts. Deer, elk and pronghorn hunting also follow the zone's own season and tag.
What does CDFW say about Knoxville Wildlife Area?
Knoxville Wildlife Area is approximately 21,500 acres and is part of the 300,000 acre Blue Ridge / Berryessa Natural Area in Napa, Lake, Colusa, and Yolo Counties. The terrain is rugged in Knoxville, with elevations ranging from 1,000 feet to 2,200 feet. It is one of the few sites in California that protects unusual serpentine habitats. Serpentine soils are high in toxic metals, and low in plant nutrients, so the assemblages of plants that can tolerate them are unusual. This habitat supports a wide array of songbirds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Some species possibly seen include black bears, bobcats, belted kingfishers, American dippers, mergansers, golden eagles, and native fish species such as the California roach and the Sacramento pikeminnow.
In July 2018, the County Fire burned approximately 6,000 acres of the wildlife area, primarily on the eastern portion, east of Knoxville-Berryessa Road.
On hunting, CDFW's page says: Common game species include deer, wild turkey, quail, rabbit, gray squirrel, dove, pigeon, and bear.
CDFW lists big game, small game and upland game birds hunting for the area, and also wildlife viewing and hiking trails.
From CDFW's page for Knoxville Wildlife Area, read October 2026.
Which hunt zones is Knoxville Wildlife Area in?
CDFW's numbers for each zone are for the whole zone, not the wildlife area alone.
| Zone | Acres of Knoxville WA in it | CDFW's latest numbers for the zone |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Zone A | 20,743 | 9,184 deer taken in 2025, 34.2% hunter success; 2026 general season August 8 to September 20 |
| Bear Valley elk zone | 208 | 2 elk taken in 2022 |
Harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025); CDFW Elk Hunt Statistics. Acres measured by FilledTag from CDFW's boundaries.
What public land is around Knoxville Wildlife Area?
Within 4 miles of its boundary, CPAD 2026a maps 37,992 acres of BLM land, 20,771 acres of CDFW land and 4,802 acres of other state or federal land.
How do you get to Knoxville Wildlife Area?
CDFW's directions: Accessed from the north in Napa County via Highway 29 to Lower Lake to Morgan Valley Road past the old Homestake Mine site where it becomes the Berryessa-Knoxville Road in Napa County (approximately 17 miles). Also accessed on the southern side via Highway 128, east (Napa County) through Rutherford to Berryessa-Knoxville Road (approximately 23 miles) or Highway 128 west through Winters (approximately 29 miles).
CDFW's location note: North of Lake Berryessa. Highways within 8 miles: CA 16. Nearest towns: Guinda (4 miles), Brooks (5 miles), Rumsey (5 miles) and Tancred (5 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Knoxville Wildlife Area?
Yes. Section 551 lists it as Type C. Type C areas are open daily for all legal species, unless CDFW's area rules say otherwise.
Can you camp on Knoxville Wildlife Area?
CDFW's rule: Primitive camping is allowed beyond 1/4 mile from Berryessa- Knoxville Road. Where camping is allowed, a visitor may stay up to seven nights in a row and fourteen nights a year (Section 550(p)).
Which deer zone is Knoxville Wildlife Area in?
All of it is in deer Zone A, by CDFW's boundaries. CDFW estimates 9,184 deer were taken in Zone A in 2025, across the whole zone.
What is the closest town to Knoxville Wildlife Area?
Guinda (4 miles), Brooks (5 miles) and Rumsey (5 miles), by the Census Bureau's places.
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Where these facts come from
- Rules: CDFW 2026-2027 Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations.
- Boundary and acres: CDFW public access lands (BIOS ds3077); CDFW, Knoxville Wildlife Area.
- Zones: CDFW BIOS zone layers. Surrounding public land: California Protected Areas Database (CPAD) 2026a.
- Deer harvest: CDFW California Deer Harvest Statistics (2020 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.