Surrounded by trees and dramatic mountains, Calistoga may just be the most beautiful place in the entire Napa Valley. Visitors can enjoy year-round recreation here, whether you're a picnicker or a serious mountain biker. Scenic day hikes (ranging from beginner to expert level) are minutes away at local state parks. Take a hot air balloon ride, rent bikes and explore town, swim, camp out, walk or take a horseback ride. For a stunning view of the northern Napa Valley, don't miss the Oat Hill Mine Trail by foot or on bike, where the Silverado Trail and Lincoln Avenue (Hwy 29) meet. Golfers can tee off at the 9 hole course on the Napa County Fairgrounds (entrance from Grant St).

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is the place where the famous author of Treasure Island and Kidnapped spent his honeymoon in 1880. Although nothing remains of Stevenson's cabin, the site is identified on the trail to the summit.

The area features rough terrain, with evergreen forests in the canyons on north-facing slopes and chaparral on the south-facing slopes.

There is a five-mile hike to the top of Mt. St. Helena from which one can see much of the Bay Area. On good days the top of Mt. Shasta can be seen, 192 miles in the distance.

To protect the park's wildlife and other natural resources, dogs are not permitted in this park.

Location/Directions
The park is seven miles north of Calistoga on Highway 29.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
The best seasons are spring and fall. The winter provides the best vistas, but also the greatest chance of snow and chilling wind.

Bothe-Napa Valley SP State Park
Located in the heart of the beautiful Napa Valley wine country, the Park offers camping, picnicking, swimming, and hiking trails that go through stands of coastal redwoods as well as forests of Douglas-fir, tanoak, and madrone.

Daytime visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll in Ritchey Canyon on the Redwood Trail to view the delicate ferns and listen to the water splashing down the rocky creekbed. Bring your wine and cheese and picnic under the towering Douglas Firs.

WATER CONSERVATION September 4, 2008
Low rainfall and near drought conditions are prompting Water Conservation at Bothe Napa Valley State Park. Measures being taken include:
Water to fill R.V. tanks, has been shut off at the park's filling station
Pay Showers may not be available
The Pool closed for the season on Labor Day. Park conditions and website information will be updated when the groundwater supply is able to produce enough to keep up with day use picnicking and camping demand.

On hot summer days, grab a swimsuit and towel and come enjoy a dip in the park's swimming pool open on weekends, beginning on Memorial Day weekend through mid-June, then daily through Labor Day, from 12- 6 p.m. There is an additional fee for the use of the swimming pool, to be paid at the park entrance.

Or perhaps consider taking a horseback ride during the spring, summer, or fall. Reservations for horseback rides can be made through Triple Creek Horse Outfit by calling (707) 887-8700.

The large picnic grounds are located in the day use area, and are even available for group events and getaways. A covered area for group use contains picnic tables, a sink and an electrical outlet with a horseshoe pit and wheelchair-accessible restroom nearby.

Whether you visit the back country on a several hour hike or take a mere stroll along the creekbed, you will enjoy a close-up look at all the natural beauty that the park has to offer. There are well over 10 miles of trail for your indulgence.

South - Near the Coast
Take Highway 101 north to Highway 37 at Novato, east on Highway 37 to Highway 121, north on Highway 121 to Highway 29 near Napa, north on Highway 29 to the park entrance.

South - Inland
Take I5 north to I580, west on I580 to I680, north to I780, north to I80, east to Highway 37, west to Highway 29, north on Highway 29 to the park entrance.

North - Near the Coast
Take Highway 101 south to Calistoga exit, go east on Mark West Rd., continuing on Porter Creek Rd. to Petrified Forest Rd., turn left, go to Highway 128, turn right and follow Highway 128 past Calistoga to the park entrance.

North-Inland
Take I5 south to Highway 20, west to Highway 53, south to Highway 29 at Lower Lake, then south on Highway 29 to the park entrance.

East
Take I80 west to Highway 12, west to Highway 29, then north to the park entrance.

Summer temperatures may reach 105 degrees Fahrenheit, but nights are usually cool. In the fall, when daytime temperatures are more pleasant, the leaves begin to turn, creating a dramatic and colorful display.

Temperatures don't often go below freezing and snow is infrequent, but nearly 45 inches of rain are apt to fall during a single winter - between December and March.

Plant life hides much of the park's geology, which is principally volcanic, but you can see a reminder of the area's violent geologic past in the volcanic ash cliffs of upper Ritchey Canyon.

The park is home to raccoons, gray squirrels, deer, foxes, bobcats, and coyotes to name a few, but they are sometimes difficult to spot because of their nocturnal habits and the heavy forest cover.

Dogs are restricted to the camp and picnic areas and must be leashed. They are not permitted on the trails or in the pool area. Dogs may not be left unattended and must be inside a vehicle or tent at night.

Several species of birds can be easily detected though, including the six kinds of woodpecker that inhabit the park. The spectacular crow-sized pileated woodpecker is one of them. On a more rare occasion a spotted owl can be found, perched high in a redwood tree.

Located by the entrance to the park is the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center and entrance station are open intermittently when staffing is available. Brochures (hiking maps) are also available by mail.

Next to the park's visitor center is the Native American Garden which displays some of the plants important to the first people of this area. Today, many of the same plants are used by the Wappo people. A guide for the garden is available by mail or in the visitor center to broaden one's understanding of the first people.

Near the day use/picnic area is the Pioneer Cemetery, resting-place of some of the original settlers of the Napa Valley. The cemetery is an interesting place to visit while on a day hike, and is currently under restoration to return it to its original, mid-1800's appearance.

Interpretive programs are offered throughout the year. Special programs can sometimes be arranged for groups by calling the park in advance.

Mount Saint Helena is a peak in the Mayacmas Mountains with flanks in Napa, Sonoma, and Lake counties in California , United States . Composed of uplifted 2.4-million-year-old volcanic rocks from the Clear Lake volcanic field , it is one of the few mountains in the San Francisco Bay Area to receive any snowfall during the winter.

The mountain has five peaks, arranged in a rough "M" shape. The second-tallest, immediately east of the main summit, is the highest point in Napa County.

Mount Saint Helena was originally named Mount Mayacamas, but the name was changed after a Russian survey party ascended the peak in 1841 and left a copper plate on the summit inscribed with the date of their visit. The plate also bore the name of Princess Helena de Gagarin, wife of Count Alexander G. Rotchev, the commanding officer of Fort Ross .

Robert Louis Stevenson and Fanny Vandegrift Osbourne spent the summer of 1880 honeymooning in an abandoned mining camp on Mount Saint Helena. Stevenson's book The Silverado Squatters includes his experiences while living there.

The peak is reachable by hiking trails leading from Robert Louis Stevenson State Park .

The headwaters of the Napa River are on the southeast slope of Mount Saint Helena.

This Ride is one of our favorite scenic routes. You will wind through hidden valleys and beautiful open pastures, pass through numerous vineyards, and be treated with some excellent views of Mt. St. Helena . The ride has two main climbs - one on Franz Valley School Road that gains about 900ft, and one on Hwy 128 which gains about 300ft. The rest of the ride is rolling terrain and, with the two climbs, two significant descents. There is no food along this route. The majority of it is on country roads.

Map and Cue Sheet

Crystal Springs Out n Back with a Small Loop: 16.35 miles w/300ft. of climbing.

This ride heads south through the valley with a quick peak at one of the many side valleys in Napa County. From Calistoga you spend about 7 miles on the Silverado trail where you will be inundated with vineyard views. A couple miles are spent tucked away in a quiet valley behind Glass Mountain that returns you back to the valley floor to head back up north for you're mud bath or massage.