NAPA, Calif. – A proposed 12.5-acre glamping resort in Napa has sparked heated opposition from local residents, with many voicing concerns about the project’s environmental impact, safety risks, and disruption to the rural character of the area. The Grange Campground, which envisions up to 100 high-end camping trailers and tents, a swimming pool, fire pits, and permanent buildings, has drawn sharp criticism from those living along the scenic Silverado Trail.
The proposed resort, which would also include access to trails and other amenities, has been dubbed a “dream” by some, but to many local residents, it feels more like a nightmare. The project has faced substantial push-back, with more than 1,000 signatures collected in opposition, a fundraiser that has raised over $16,000, and a dedicated website highlighting concerns.
Bill Griffiths, a Napa resident, expressed frustration over the project’s location. “It’s the wrong project in the wrong location,” he said, emphasizing the mismatch between the resort’s proposed luxury offerings and the area’s rural, quiet atmosphere. Griffiths and other residents along Silverado Trail fear the changes the project would bring to their community, both in terms of increased traffic and environmental concerns.
Judi Buffington, a local resident whose property lies adjacent to the proposed campground, has voiced particular worries about flooding in the area. Buffington’s photographs show evidence of regular flooding, particularly during rainy seasons. “The property floods periodically, and that means the mobile units would have to be moved out,” she said. “It’s a two-lane major highway, and that creates real challenges in the event of a flood.”
Beyond flooding, the Grange Campground’s proposal to include fire pits has also raised alarms in a region already prone to wildfires. Many residents are concerned about the risks associated with allowing campers to have open flames in such a vulnerable area. Buffington questioned the logic behind the fire pit plan. “I don’t understand how they can propose fire pits in an area like that,” she said. “Their solution seems to be that every camper will have a fire extinguisher, but that doesn’t seem like enough.”
The proposal has ignited a broader debate in the community about balancing tourism and development with the need to preserve Napa’s rural and environmental character. With the area’s residents strongly opposed to the project, it remains to be seen whether the developers will be able to overcome the challenges and move forward with their vision for the Grange Campground.