Outdoor Adventures in the Napa Valley

Whether you are just visiting the Napa Valley and want a break from wine tasting, or you live here and are looking for some outdoor activities, the Napa Valley offers plenty of things to keep you busy and having fun in the open air.

Hiking 

There are several great hiking spots in the Napa Valley for both the casual and the experienced hiker, most offering stunning views and a peaceful escape.
SkylineWilderness Park in Napa – As the name suggests, this privately owned community park has over 25 miles of skyline hiking. With abundant wildlife and views that don’t stop, this is a favorite south Napa Valley hiking area. The trails are open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders but not to dogs.
Westwood Hills Park – Another beautiful spot on the Southern end of the Napa Valley, Westwood Hills is a great spot for a quick hike and picnic. Several miles of trails cross through open meadows and shaded forests and provide a lovely view across the valley. A small museum showcases some of the local flora and fauna.

Bothe State Park – Nearly 2,000 acres of Manzanita, oak and redwood offer hiking on both flat and hilly ground and the abundance of trees offers plenty of shade for those summertime hikes. Camping is also available and the pioneer cemetery offers a bit of local history. Many of the trails are open to bikes and horses as well, so watch out for occasional traffic.

Devils Punch Bowl – This Napa Valley hike is a well kept local secret and may be one of the best places to hike on a hot summer day. Hike the peaceful mossy trail down to a beautiful fern-laced creek and then head over to the waterfall which cascades into the “Punchbowl” for a quick dip to cool off.

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park – No other Napa Valley spot offers views like those from the top of Mount Saint Helena. On a clear day you can see the entire length of the valley in all of its glory and maybe even catch a glimpse of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The views along this hike are breathtaking and not to be missed!

Biking 

Many of the hiking areas can also be accessed by mountain bike if you are up for a challenge. Another great mountain biking area is the Los Posadas area in Angwin, in the eastern hills above the Napa Valley. For road biking, many people enjoy riding the Silverado trail from Calistoga to Napa, with stops along the way for wine tasting. Life Cycle Adventures offers both leisurely tours and more challenging rides to get a sight of the incredible Napa Valley views.

Kayaking

The Napa River travels the entire length of the valley and, although you can’t paddle the whole way, there are several miles of river worth traveling. Bring the family for a whole new look at the Napa Valley or bring a bottle of wine for a leisurely sunset ride and see the lights of Napa reflect on the water for an unforgettable experience. Several times a year, there are outdoor concerts at the Veteran's memorial Park, which you can get a great view of from the water. If you don't own your own gear, you can rent everything you need from Kayak Napa Valley and they'll even drop your kayak in the water for you - all the fun, none of the work!

Horseback Riding 

While there are, surprisingly enough, nowhere in the Napa Valley to rent horses and go trail riding, there are several places that offer hose back riding lessons and day camps. Check out SpiritHorse and Napa Valley Equestrian Center to see if their programs will fit the bill. If you do have your heart set on a vineyard horseback trail ride, you'll need to head over to the Sonoma area. Triple Creek Horse Outfit have been safely guiding riders for many years and provide their horses with the very best in care.