One of the last places I went before moving is Booth-Napa Valley, State Park. The park is located 5 miles north of St. Helena and 4 miles south of Calistoga in the upper quadrant of Napa Valley, it’s a gorgeous park that overlooks many mountains. It’s close to some of the most popular Vineyards as well. It’s a great family-friendly activity or if you want to enjoy something that isn’t wine-focused.
About Booth-Napa Valley State Park:
There is a lot to do, including:
- Camping and Picknicking
- Ability to host group events
- Swimming
- 10 Miles of Hiking and Running Trails. You can see trails here.
- Wheelchair accessible paths
Keep in mind, to visit; it does cost $8.00.
My experience at Booth-Napa Valley State Park:
When I went they were experiencing a small fire close by. It obviously was not closed and I didn’t even see smoke. The fire did close a few trails, including the Redwood Trail. I planned to hang out for roughly 1-2 hours and see what I see. I didn’t have an “epic hike planned” but just wanted to visit.
Most of the Booth-Napa Valley State Park is fairly rugged, with elevation ranging from 300 feet to 2000. There is also a lot of plant life, and I think I might have walked through Poison Ivy despite staying on the trail. I was surprised to learn how much of the area is volcanic. It seems silly to type out now since I
According to the website, several animals call the park home, including raccoons, squirrels, deer, foxes, bobcats, owls, woodpeckers, and coyotes.
I grabbed a brochure from the visitor center. I hiked the short Historic Trail, which goes around “Pioneer Cemetary,” a resting place for some original settlers. I hiked about 2 miles, just looking around Booth-Napa Valley State Park. The terrain was a lot more rugged than I expected, but it was beautiful. Some of the trails looked like they hadn’t seen visitors in quite some time, and I felt like I was bushwhacking through singletracks.
Last year, the Booth-Napa Valley State Park had fire damage from the Glass Fire, and you can see some of the charred trees and damage. But, unlike many parts of the area, there is still a lot of growth and vegetation. Thankfully.
If you are looking for a fun short outing, Booth-Napa Valley State Park is a great option for families.
You can see more hikes here.
Questions for you:
Have you ever been to Napa Valley?
What is your favorite hike?
The adjacent park Old Bale Grist Mill, has Old Mill days, where they have blacksmiths, weavers, etc doing old-timey things. And when the mill is operating, you can buy stone ground wheat & corn flour.
I actually went there as well, I wish the mill was open. I saw they had a lot of fun things to do.