Napa Valley State Parks Association

06/10/2026

Happy California State Parks Week!

There’s no better way to celebrate than by spending time outdoors and connecting with the people, places, and stories that make our parks so special.

Start your Saturday morning with our regular Second Saturday Hike led by Kerry Brackett. Meet at the Redwood Trailhead at 9:00 AM for a hike along the Redwood Trail and partway up the Coyote Peak Trail for some beautiful views and a little extra cardio.

Then, join us for Art in the Parks at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park! Stroll through the park, meet talented local artists and makers, discover unique handmade goods, enjoy live music, and experience the beauty of the park in a whole new way.

Bring your family, invite a friend, and spend the day celebrating California State Parks Week with us. We can't wait to see you there!

06/08/2026

Get outside and explore this week!

California State Parks' Share Your Space Photo Contest is now underway, and we’d love to see your adventures. Whether you're hiking, spotting wildlife, enjoying a picnic, or simply taking in the beauty of the parks, snap a photo and enter through the OuterSpatial app.

If you're visiting Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park, or Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, don't forget to tag us on your journey—we love seeing our parks through your eyes!

06/04/2026

Mark your calendars for the beloved Annual Harvest Dinner and Auction at Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park.

2026 Annual Harvest
Dinner & Auction
SEPTEMBER 19, 2026 | 5:30-9:00PM

This year’s celebration is especially meaningful as we honor 180 years of the historic Bale Grist Mill, a treasured Napa Valley landmark. Enjoy an unforgettable evening beneath the autumn sky, set against the backdrop of the mill’s iconic wooden water wheel. Guests will gather for libations, hors d’oeuvres, live music by the Lucky So and So’s, and a delicious dinner, all culminating in a lively auction benefiting the State Parks of Napa Valley.

Can’t join us at the Harvest Dinner? Then don’t miss the online auction to discover the many incredible items and experiences! Bidding opens on 09/04/2026

Visit napavalleystateparks.org to purchase tables and learn more!

06/04/2026

The weather is beautiful, the trails are calling, and there’s no better time to get outside.

Grab your walking shoes, take a hike, and enjoy the fresh air, towering redwoods, and peaceful scenery waiting for you at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. See you on the trail!

06/03/2026

Acompaña a Napa Valley Painting para una clase guiada de pintura acrílica paso a paso junto al arroyo y bajo los árboles redwood. No se necesita experiencia y todos los materiales estarán incluidos, incluyendo un lienzo con el dibujo ya marcado. Actividad para edades de 13 años en adelante. Instrucciones en inglés y español.

El lugar de la clase está a una caminata fácil de ¼ de milla por el sendero Redwood Trail. Por favor, llegue 20 minutos antes para tener tiempo para estacionarse y caminar hasta el sitio.

Evento gratuito. El cupo es limitado a 20 personas; por favor, regístrese con anticipación.

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Join Napa Valley Painting for a step-by-step acrylic paint-along beside Ritchey Creek beneath the redwood trees. No experience is needed, and all supplies, including a pre-sketched canvas outline, will be provided. Ages 13+. Instructions in English and Spanish.

The painting class site is an easy ¼-mile walk along the Redwood Trail. Please arrive 20 minutes early to allow time for parking and walking to the site.

Free to attend. Space is limited to 20 participants, so please register in advance.

Part of Inspired by the Land: Art in the Parks Saturday, June 13, 2–4 PM Join Napa Valley Painting for a step-by-step acrylic paint-along beside Ritchey Creek beneath the redwood trees. No experience is needed, and all supplies, including a pre-sketched canvas outline, will be provided. Age

05/30/2026

Just two weeks until Art in the Parks!

Join us at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park for a day of local art, talented makers, and the chance to explore one of Napa Valley’s most beautiful parks.

Spend the day wandering beneath the redwoods, meeting artists, finding one-of-a-kind pieces, and supporting the creative community that makes Napa Valley so special.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect piece to take home or simply a fun day outdoors, we hope you’ll join us on June 13.

Artists and Makers!! We are inviting you to showcase and sell your work. Message us today to get connected.

05/29/2026

It’s rattlesnake season!

Summer is upon us, where warmer weather has more reptiles basking in the sun and with higher chances of being seen. They are an important part of the ecosystem, feeding on rodents, birds and other small animals. Their bites are venomous and can be extremely dangerous, however they are not aggressive. Rattlesnakes will not strike without provocation as they are often portrayed. They will defend themselves from danger or strike at a potential meal. Rattlesnakes avoid striking and biting unnecessarily, as it uses up their venom supply needed to kill and digest food.

Be alert when out hiking or enjoying nature. Avoid tall grass, weeds and underbrush where snakes may hide during the day. If rattlesnakes are given space and enough time to escape to a safe place when encountered, they will usually just crawl away as fast as possible to avoid confrontation.

(The second image is not at Bothe state park, it is used as a reference so that you know what to watch out for.)

05/28/2026

Bill Dyer, renowned winemaker, grower, naturalist, storyteller, and beloved friend, passed away at home on April 18, 2026. Bill served as Vice President of the Napa Valley State Parks Association from 2021 until his passing, generously sharing his time, leadership, and deep love of Napa Valley history.

His connection to the parks was deeply personal. When Bill and his wife Dawnine first arrived in Napa Valley, they spent their first month living at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park—a place that became part of their forever story.

Bill gave countless hours to NVSPA, volunteering at events, supporting interpretive programs, growing membership, and helping lead fundraising efforts for the parks he loved. His legacy will continue through the Bill Dyer Napa Valley State Parks Fund, created in his memory.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Bale Grist Mill on October 3 at 4:00 PM. More details will be shared soon. We will also be honoring Bill at our NVSPA Harvest Dinner and Auction on September 19th.

Bill’s spirit will always be felt in our parks, especially near the picnic table dedicated in his honor at Bothe Park, just steps from where he and Dawnine first made Napa Valley feel like home.

To learn more and make a donation in Bills honor to the Bill Dyer Napa Valley State Parks Fund, please visit the link in our bio or comment.

05/28/2026

Sometimes the trail asks you to slow down.

To steady yourself.
To help one another across.
To notice the sound of the creek rushing below and the quiet strength of the forest around you.

These are the moments that stay with us long after we leave the park.

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park has a way of reminding us that nature was never meant to be rushed through. It’s meant to be experienced, protected, and shared.

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