Bothe-Napa Valley

BotheNapa Valley State Park Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Sun-dappled oaks stand fast amidst magnificent soaring redwoods, pines, and other mossy, wizened trees shading California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (707) 942-4575. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov This park is operated in partnership with Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District and Napa Valley State Parks Association. SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp Bothe-Napa Valley State Park 3801 St. Helena Highway Calistoga, CA 94515 (707) 942-4575 napavalleystateparks.org © 2010 California State Parks (Rev. 2016) the trails at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. A place for all seasons, BotheNapa Valley State Park offers visitors a different kind of California wine country experience. Nestled in historic Napa Valley five miles north of St. Helena, the 1,900-acre park features campsites and yurts, rugged trails, and a swimming pool. In summer, coast redwood and Douglas-fir trees shade the park, creating a refuge from Napa Valley’s summertime heat. In spring, calypso orchids, trillium, and other wildflowers greet hikers. Autumn brings showy fall foliage, and in winter, mosses and fungi dot the park. PARK HISTORY Native People From about 6,000 BC, the Koliholmanok (“woods people”) lived in the areas now called Calistoga, along Ritchey Creek and south as far as Rutherford. These hunter-gatherers made fine obsidian tools   —   knives, scrapers, arrow and spear points   —   as well as intricate baskets and ceremonial objects. The Koliholmanok people were thought to number about 2,000 before the Europeans came to Alta California. When Spanish settlers arrived, it is believed that they called the native people guapo for their bravery, daring, and good looks; the native people eventually became known as the Wappo. Mexican land grantees and gold seekers upset the Wappo balance of life as they introduced diseases such as smallpox that devastated the Wappo population. The park is nestled among the rolling hills of Napa Valley wine country. By 1855, nearly 20 years after Missouri fur trapper George C. Yount planted the area’s first grapevines, only a fraction of the Wappo people remained. Wappo descendants in Napa and Sonoma counties continue to practice and honor their ancestral traditions. Early Pioneers Dr. Edward T. Bale was given 18,000 acres of land in the 1840s through a Mexican land grant. To process grain into meal using water power, Dr. Bale built the nearby Bale Grist Mill, which is now a state historic park, 1.5 miles south of this park. The valley’s first school was built near the mill by Sarah Fosdick Graves, a member of the ill-fated 1846 Donner Party. The first church in Napa Valley was built in 1853. Named for Asa White, its pioneer Methodist-Episcopal preacher, the White Church site is near Pioneer Cemetery on the History Trail. Bothe-Napa Valley’s visitor center was originally built for George and Angeline Kellogg Tucker around 1858. Tucker family graves lie in the park’s Pioneer Cemetery. The portion of Dr. Bale’s land now called Bothe-Napa Valley State Park was purchased in the 1870s by Dr. and Mrs. Charles M. Hitchcock of San Francisco. The Hitchcocks’ second home, “Lonely,” was built on the property. Hitchcock, his wife Martha and his daughter, Lillie Hitchcock Coit, entertained San Francisco society at Lonely and helped popularize the sunny valley as a summer getaway from the city. Lillie had been rescued from a hotel fire by San Francisco firemen at age 7; she became an unofficial mascot and patron for San Francisco’s fire brigades. After Lillie Hitchcock Coit’s death in 1929, her bequest to the city paid for building nozzle-shaped Coit Tower, honoring San Francisco firefighters. The Coits’ Calistoga home burned to the ground the year Lillie died. Paradise Park stood on this site from 1929 to 1959. The resort’s pool is all that remains. The park offers numerous recreational opportunities — such as swimming, exploring the creek, hiking, and camping. NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE The park ranges in elevation from 300 to 2,000 feet above sea level. Coast redwoods grow in the north slopes and canyons. Bothe-Napa Valley is the farthest inland of the coast redwood state parks. Coast redwood forests obtain at least 30 percent of their moisture from fog. As the planet’s climate changes, coast redwoods cannot absorb vital nutrients when less fog is present on warmer days. Other trees include tanoak, Douglasfir, and madrone. Plants that the Wappo depended upon for food, medicine, shelter, tools, ceremonies, and crafts still grow in the Native Plant Garden: oaks, ghost pine, sedge, Pacific rush, wild tobacco, and soap root. Volcanic rocks ranging in age from 3-5 million years underpin the park; they accumulated in layers, ranging in composition and texture from frothy pumice to powdery ash lake deposits and glassy tuffs. These materials “born of fire” contribute to the highly prized characteristics of this world-class wine-producing region. Animals in the park include the crow-sized pileated woodpecker, one of six different woodpeckers in the park. Most of the park’s four-legged creatures are nocturnal, so its mountain lions, coyotes, raccoons, and bobcats are rarely seen. RECREATION Trails   —   Almost 10 miles of trails, in 12 different loops, are available to hikers, equestrians, and bicyclists. The moderately strenuous Coyote Peak Trail is the most popular, climbing 1.5 miles to the 1,170-foot peak for scenic vistas of the valley and hills, Mount Saint Helena, and Upper Ritchey Canyon. Other park trails vary in their difficulty. The 1.1-mile History Trail leads from the picnic area past the Pioneer Cemetery to Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park. The Ritchey Canyon Trail leads to the Traverso Homestead site, dating to the 1880s. Picnics   —   The park has 50 picnic tables with barbecue stoves and water faucets available. Campsite tables are reserved for registered campers. A large group picnic site has a shade ramada, a sink, and an electrical Photo courtesy of Jim Scarf Photo courtesy of Jules Evens Park visitors can go sightseeing near the Pioneer Cemetery, or bird watching for pileated woodpeckers or endangered spotted owls. outlet. Reserve the group picnic site by calling (707) 942-4575. Camping   —   The valley’s only state park campground has 45 tent/RV family campsites, one group site, and ten furnished, lockable yurts available year round. No hookups. Reserve campsites or yurts up to seven months in advance at www.parks.ca.gov or call (800) 444-7275. Nine walk-in, tent-only sites and one hiker/ cyclist site are first-come, first-served. Details: www.napavalleystateparks.org. Swimming   —   Overheated valley visitors may cool off in natural spring water. One of only two public state park pools, the former Paradise Park pool is usually open from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Visitor Center   —   Displays plants, implements, ceremonial artifacts, and baskets made or used by the Wappo. Historic photos of the park’s earlier uses, including the popular Paradise Park era, are displayed, and interpretive materials and local guidebooks are sold. Swimming Pool  —  During summer months, a pool lift enhances swimming access. Campfire Center  —  The campfire center includes accessible seating. Accessibility is continually improving. For current updates, call (916) 445-8949 or visit http://access.parks.ca.gov. ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Parking is accessible. Camping   —   Three accessible RV sites and four yurts are near generally accessible restrooms, with roll-in showers nearby. Assistance may be needed. Accessible parking is available. Picnic Area   —   The day-use and group picnic areas include accessible parking, tables, and adjacent restrooms/showers. NEARBY STATE PARKS • Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park (weekends, year round) 1.5 miles south off Highway 29 (707) 963-2236 • Robert Louis Stevenson State Park (day-use hiking only; no dogs) 12 miles north on Highway 29 (707) 942-4575 PLEASE REMEMBER • All natural and cultural features, including down wood, are protected by law and may not be removed or disturbed. Firewood is sold by the camp hosts. • Dogs must be on a six-foot maximum leash and must be confined to a tent or vehicle at night. Except for service animals, dogs are not allowed on trails or in the pool area. • Fires are permitted only in park fire grates or stoves. • Be on the watch for poison oak, found in nearly all areas of the park. Contact (even when dormant) can cause a severe rash. Remember, “Leaves of three   —   let them be!” Protect our forest vegetation by staying on the trails at all times. Photo courtesy of Patti Davi Poison oak The Visitor Center has exhibits, artifacts, and historic information. 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For more information, contact NVSPA: www.napavalleystateparks.org to Calistoga, R.L. Stevenson SP a R i 600 to St. Helena 40 800 0