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San Francisco Bay Area Region
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
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Bothe-Napa Valley State Park © Gary OToole
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park © Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park in Calistoga, California. A manzanita tree Arctostaphylos
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park © Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park in Calistoga, California. Helvella mushroom growing on a fallen tree trunk.
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park © Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park in Calistoga, CaliforniaCoyote Peak Trail near Coyote Peak, looking approximately WSW
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BOTHE-NAPA VALLEY STATE PARK
BOTHE-NAPA VALLEY STATE PARK
3801 Saint Helena Highway
Calistoga, California   94515
(lat:38.543 lon:-122.5375) map location

Phone: 707-942-4575
Reservations: 707-942-4575
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.

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) 933-1600.

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.

Nature of the Area
Most of the park is rugged, with elevations ranging from 300 to 2,000 feet. You will notice a pattern in the vegetation: the forests are on the north-facing slopes and in canyons, while south-facing slopes tend to be brushy; redwoods grow only near creeks or springs.

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.

History of the Area
Located in California's Napa Valley, the park was established in 1960. It spans over 1,900 acres of forest and chaparral woodland. The land was originally inhabited by Wappo Native Americans before European settlers arrived.

In the mid-19th century, it became part of Rancho Carne Humana granted to Edward Turner Bale. Later owners included Henry Hagen who planted vineyards on this property during his ownership from 1875 until his death in 1898.

The state acquired portions of two Mexican Land Grants for a new state park named after Charles Bothe who donated key parcels for its creation.

It features historic buildings like Ritchey Mansion built around1866 and Pioneer Cemetery dating back to late1800s with gravesites belonging early settler families including Berrys and Richeys.

Today it offers camping facilities along with hiking trails through redwood groves offering visitors opportunities for outdoor recreation amidst natural beauty.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseHiking Trailyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Camping
- Family Campsites: Offers picnic tables, fire rings and food lockers.

- Group Camps: Accommodates up to 30 people.

- Yurts: Round tent-like structures with beds for a comfortable camping experience.

- Horsemen's Camping Area: For campers bringing horses along.

- Hike & Bike Site : A special area designated for hikers and bikers only.


Visitors Center
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.

Nearby Accommodations
businesss listing main photo
Aurora Park Cottages - Calistoga, CA
BBs / Inns
More than a BB - Aurora Park Cottages is your private vacation retreat at the top of Napa Valley. Located in a country setting in beautiful Calistoga - the spa capital of California. FREE CHAMPAGNE AND CHOCOLATES Please tell us you found us on www.stateparks.com and we'll have some chilled champagne and chocolates awaiting your arrival at Aurora Park Cottages.
3.4 miles from park*
businesss listing main photo
Backyard Garden Oasis BB - Middletown, CA
BBs / Inns
Close to Calistoga, Napa Valley and Lake County Vineyards, and Harbin Hot Springs in the Mayacama Mountains, and 2 hrs away from San Francisco or Sacramento. Backyard Garden Oasis is an exquisite respite for those wanting a nature-filled retreat surrounded by some of Californias most beautiful country.
17.4 miles from park*
Swimming
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.


Location
Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is located near Healdsburg, Napa and Rohnert Park

Horse Area
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.

Picnicking
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.

Trails
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.

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


Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
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Area Campgrounds
Sonoma County Fairgrounds RV Park
1500 Aston Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA
707-293-8410
Napa County Fairgrounds/Calistoga
1435 North Oak Street
Calistoga, CA
707-942-5111
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
The park is located 5 miles north of St. Helena and 4 miles south of Calistoga on Highway 29/128. Latitude/Longitude: 38.5376 / -122.5788.

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 CoastTake 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.

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California
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California State Parks

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