Discover This Best-Kept Secret: Bothe Napa Valley State Park

If you want to experience Napa Valley’s natural beauty, spend a day at Bothe State Park. Located in the heart of Napa Valley wine country, Bothe Napa Valley State Park is a fantastic spot to immerse yourself in this incredible region. Take a picnic to enjoy after a day spent swimming and hiking. In addition, few parks in the nation can boast stands of coastal redwoods — but this is one of them!

After you spend a day exploring Bothe Napa Valley State Park, you’ll want to grab a delicious bite to eat. Download our free vacation guide for a detailed list of all the best restaurants, as well as main area attractions and things to do. We want to take the stress out of researching so you can spend more time dreaming about your next vacation!

Hiking in Bothe Napa Valley State Park

Hiking trails are a common feature in large parks. What’s uncommon, though, is a canyon. Bothe Napa Valley State Park is home to Ritchey Canyon, on which you can explore on the park’s Redwood Trail, complete with a rocky creek bed. The creek bed is a “strollable” hike; it’s perfect for bringing a blanket and basket of wine and cheese for a leisurely afternoon snack.

The park is big enough for you to also enjoy an hours-long backcountry hike through the rugged terrain. You’ll find more than 10 miles of trails throughout the park. Be sure to print a Bothe State Park trail map or download it to your phone.

Swimming and Picknicking

In the height of summer, you can enjoy the on-site swimming pool (there is an additional fee for access, which you pay at the park entrance).

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.

Flora and Fauna

Bothe State Park’s crazy range of elevations—from 300 feet all the way to 2,000 feet—allow for a crazy range of habitats. Forests populate north slopes and canyons, brushy growth covers south slopes, and those amazing redwoods sink their roots near water sources.

There are loads of typical forest critters (though you might not easily see them during the day). What you will see, though, are the birds. Another fun Bothe State Park fact: it’s home to six different kinds of woodpecker.

Native American Garden & Historic Sites

Next to the visitor center, you’ll find the Native American Garden. It’s filled with plants that served important purposes to the region’s first people. Many of them are still used today by the Wappo people.  This garden offers an easy 3/4-acre trail for you to meander through. You can buy a guide to the garden in the visitor center.

Near the official picnic area, you’ll find the Pioneer Cemetery. Napa Valley has attracted settlers for many generations, and this cemetery is the resting place of some of the region’s earliest settlers. Known as White Church Cemetery, this historic site is being restored to its original, mid-1800s condition.

Glamping in Yurts

The phrase, “glamping in yurts,” might leave you puzzled. What it means is that at Bothe State Park you can enjoy “glamorous camping” in amazing structures called yurts, which sleep up to four or six people, depending which size you pick.

Queen size beds, fire pits, nearby bathrooms and showers, and even locking doors add a little flair to your otherwise rugged camping experience. If nothing else, it’s a fun area to walk through and get a taste of what glamping is all about.

Start Planning Your Trip

We hope you’ll consider spending a day at Bothe Napa Valley State Park or the nearby Robert Louis Stevenson State Park the next time you stay with us at Churchill Manor. Churchill Manor is a historic bed and breakfast charmingly situated just one block from downtown Napa. With lavish appointments and a friendly staff eager to accommodate, we invite you to make a reservation to stay in our luxurious accommodations today. Don’t forget to download our free Vacation Guide to find out more things to do and see in the area.