In brief:
4.6 mile loop through redwood forest just minutes from Napa Valley wineries
and tasting rooms.
Distance, category, and difficulty:
This 4.6 mile balloon hike is moderate, with some short steep stretches,
and plenty of nearly-level ground. Total elevation change is about 1170 feet.
Exposure:
Mostly shaded.
Trail traffic:
Moderate.
Trail surfaces:
Dirt trails and fire roads.
Hiking time:
2 hours.
Season:
Nice year round.
Getting there:
Note directions drops you at the Visitor Center. The trailhead is about 0.1 mile further down the park road.
From US 101 in Marin County, exit CA 37. Drive east about 7 miles, then turn
north onto CA 121. Drive north about 7 miles, then stay right on 121/12 east at
a junction. Drive east about 8 miles, then turn left onto CA 29. Drive north
about 25 miles to the park entrance on the left side of the road. After
passing the entry kiosk, drive past the Visitor Center and park at the Ritchey
Canyon Trailhead (about 0.25 miles from the entry kiosk) on the right side
of the road (before the picnic area).
Address:
3801 St. Helena Highway North, Calistoga, CA 94515
GPS coordinates* for trailhead:
Latitude
38°33'6.25"N
Longitude122°31'7.26"W
(* based on Google
Earth data, shown as degrees, minutes, seconds)
Gas, food, and lodging:
Services south in St. Helena or north in Calistoga. The park has a nice
campground (including yurts!), with sites on either side of the campground road, and a small
loop at the end. Some sites are shaded by the native forest and near a creek;
most of the loop sites are sunnier, with manzanita providing some cover.
Although sites are well spaced, there's not a lot of vegetation to provide
privacy, and the road is close-by. There are also a handful of walk-in sites.
Trailhead details:
Pay $8 fee at entrance kiosk (self register if unattended). Parking for
about 10 cars at the trailhead, more elsewhere in the park. Toilets about
0.2 mile further down the road past the trailhead. Maps available (for $1)
at the entry kiosk. Napa County's VINE bus service stops at the park entrance
on CA 29: visit 511.org for details.
Rules:
Park is open daily from 8 am to sunset. Dogs are not permitted on the trails (they are allowed in the campground). Bicycles and horses are allowed on most trails, but
a few trails are designated hiking only.
The Official Story:
Bothe-Napa is operated by Napa County Open Space District.
CSP's Bothe-Napa page
Bothe-Napa ranger station 707-942-4575
Map/book choices:
(Note: this map
looks wonky around the trailhead. Compare to the official park map.)
• Download a park brochure/map pdf from CSP.
• A variation of this hike is described and mapped in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: San Francisco (second edition) by Jane Huber (yup, that's me, the creator of this website). Order this book from Amazon.com.
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