Copyright: California State Parks
A peaceful trail through shady trees in Bothe-Napa Valley SP
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Description
- Bothe-Napa Valley State Park offers quiet and seclusion on the edge of the Napa Valley wine country. The park does not have the redwood groves typically found in coastal areas. Redwoods tend to grow along streams or near springs. For thousands of years before it became a state park, the area was home to a group of Native Americans known today as the Wappo. In the 1840s, an Englishman named Dr. Edward T. Bale acquired a land grant from the Mexican government. The grant included most of the valley floor between Rutherford and Calistoga. The grant was broken up by sales and barter with many of the early pioneers. Since most of the park is in the western hills it contains only a small part of Bale's original grant. This area was later developed as a large private estate by the Hitchcock family. Later, a large part of the estate was purchased to develop a private resort called "Paradise Park".
Recreation - The area today contains almost 2000 acres. The park has campsites and a swimming pool. A horseback ride concession operates during summer and fall. Visitors can follow hiking trails along a stream or climb to a vantage point on Coyote Peak at 1170'. Trails lead to nearby Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park as well as a grove of redwoods. Climate - Summers are generally mild. Fog is often encountered near the coastline, with sunny, warmer weather more common inland in the foothills. Winters are generally cool with considerable precipitation. Wear layers of clothing to accommodate cool to warm temperatures and good walking shoes. Rain protection should be included at any time of year. Location -
The park is located 5 miles north of St. Helena and 4 miles south of Calistoga on Highway 29/128. FROM THE SOUTH
Near the Coast: Take Hwy. 101 north to Hwy. 37 at Novato, east on Hwy. 37 to Hwy. 121, north on Hwy. 121 to Hwy. 29 near Napa, north on Hwy. 29 to the park entrance.
Inland: Take I5 north to I580, west on I580 to I680, north to I780, north to I80, east to Hwy. 37, west to Hwy. 29, north on Hwy. 29 to the park entrance.
FROM THE NORTH
Near the Coast: Take Hwy. 101 south to Calistoga exit, go east on Mark West Rd., continuing on Porter Creek Rd. to Petrified Forest Rd., turn left, go to Hwy. 128, turn right and follow Hwy. 128 past Calistoga to the park entrance.
Inland: Take I5 south to Hwy. 20, west to Hwy. 53, south to Hwy. 29 at Lower Lake, then south on Hwy. 29 to the park entrance.
FROM THE EAST
Take I80 west to Hwy. 12, west to Hwy. 29, then north to the park entrance.
LAT: 38.5492394447
LONG: -122.520561218
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Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
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