Lovely hike up a forested path to a fire road the rest of the way up the peak. I went in February and it was a treat to see the snowy top. I would recommend bringing a sandwich and plenty of water if you're going all the way up. I just had some jerky and wished I had brought more. read more

There are many trails that you can go on at this state park. Like many have mentioned, the parking lot is rather small and so it's best to arrive early. The parking lot can fill up and in that case, you will have to park farther down and walk to the trailhead. The earlier you start your hike, the more likely it wil be that you find parking, especially if you are going on a weekend. There are no bathrooms near the parking lot. There is also not a parking fee. We took the Table Rock Trail, which is about 4.4 miles total. It had amazing views. The trail has a rock labyrinth along the way that was fun to see. The trail is very rugged with lots of rocks the father you hike up this trail so come prepared with lots of water, hiking shoes, and dress in layers. The views from the top were amazing. There were areas with ice on the trail so be careful when hiking. There is a more popular trail to Mount Saint Helena that is very popular as well. We have not taken that trail yet, although plan to in the future. We will definitely be back at this state park and look forward to exploring the other trails. read more

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park - Parks Near Me - Calistoga, California

For Mount St Helena Trail: Difficulty: Moderate (due to distance, but elevation gain- easy) Mileage: ~10 miles Pets: No dogs View: Wine country, ocean on a clear day What to bring: (In winter) At least 1-2 liters, snacks, hat, jacket, gloves Parking: Highway 29 Fee: free Time: ~3-5 hours We came on 12/28. It was so cold. We started the hike at 7:30, the sun was hidden behind rain clouds and the wind was super strong. We summited in 1 hour and 50 minutes and it was so windy at the top. So bad that we literally summited then descend 1 minute later. Couldn't even chill at the top. We hit some slight snow. It was sprinkling but it was so cold, slight snow came down. We thought it was pollen until more came down and it made my jacket wet. It didn't stick much but it was pretty horrible. I thought my fingers were going to fall off. The view was still amazing, sort of gloomy but the sun started to come out once we went down. The first .8 miles is thru the woods, probably the hardest part of the 10 mile hike. The rest was super easy up a big well paved fire road. Didn't run into anyone going up. We finished in 3 hours with slightly jogging and and off down. Definitely recommend this hike. If I lived in area would probably use it to trail run. read more

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We always enjoy this 10 miles RT hike up St Helena It's a must if you are in the area! Incline is steady just remember to wear sunshine and or a hat on a sunny day read more

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One of the best 360 views in the bay area, this 10 miler is definitely worth the trek. Yes, it is all uphill but it is not with the degree of difficulty as some mountain top hikes like Mission Peak in Fremont. Plus, there are some cool sites to distract you along the way. In the first mile of the hike keep an eye out for a plaque that marks the site of where Robert Louis Stevenson once held up in a cabin for his honeymoon. Hang a left once you hit the fire road and in the next half mile you will come across Bubble Rock where you can watch mountain climbers climb into the sky. Stay right at the first intersection and head for the North Peak. The view is breathtaking and you can see for miles on a clear day. Note: there is no main sign on Hwy 29 denoting the park, keep an eye out for parking and/or cars on either side of the road. Also, there is no water nor toilets at the staging area. Also, pack something special to have while you take in the view at the top :) read more

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Yesterday was my first time coming here. It was a nice park with great views! We decided to hike the Palisades trail from the top parking lot, down to Calistoga. I believe it is suppose to be about 11 miles. However around the table rock area we made a wrong turn and ended up hiking down the backside of the mountain and about 4 miles too far to the east on private property. It was a difficult mistake... But we got back on track. Once back on track the difficulty did not get any better as we brought frame packs loaded to the 40-50lb range. I did not bring my hiking boots, but rather a pair of running shoes which completely fell apart. I highly suggest wearing some lightweight hiking pants, and some hiking boots as the stickers here are quite bad, and the poison oak too. I also suggest be sure you bring enough food and water for the day. We brought plenty of food, and water. I just wish I wore the proper footwear, and some pants. Good luck, happy hiking!!! read more

Great hike near Bothe-Napa State Park! Easy half-day hike up Mt. St. Helena with sweeping views of Napa Valley. Moderate difficulty with some very rocky sections. I wore Nike running shoes and was wishing for hiking shoes with some traction on the way down. Hiking poles would be a good idea if you're not as sure footed coming down trails with loose gravel. No restrooms or water at the trailhead (that I could see) so bring water and use the restroom before heading up. We turned around about 2 miles in but I definitely would want to return with more time and get to the summit. read more

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This is roughing it. When Robert Louis Stevenson married his beloved Fanny, a divorcee, they honeymooned in an abandoned miner's cottage on the slopes of Mt. St. Helena. Not much has changed. Some churches used to have Easter Sunday services on the summit. Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is VERY primitive- no bathrooms, no paved parking lots, nor paved trails. There are some precarious parking lots on the sides of Highway 29. Be sure to bring maps with you, because it is easy to get lost in the wilderness. Bring food&water, dress appropriately. Mt. St. Helena is the tallest of the Bay Area's peaks, as well as its most enigmatic. Some have speculated that it's volcanic, others that it's a fault block mountain (like the Steens in Eastern Oregon) It's the source of the Napa River. The views and the geology are amazing. A challenge that's worth it. read more

Great uphill hike to the peak of Mount St. Helena w/ awesome views of Napa Valley along the way. First 1 mile is a shaded dirt trail through the woods and some rocks of the park. Next 4.7 miles is on dirt fire road, completely exposed to the sun. I don't recommend doing this hike on a hot summer afternoon. Last half mile to the peak is the steepest part of the hike. Once I got to the top it was 360 vuew of beautiful California. You are over 4,000 ft high! My friends and I had a small picnic at the top and took some great photos. The whole experience was about 4.5 hours. I would definitely do this again! read more

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park - on top of Mount St. Helena - Parks Near Me - Calistoga, California

Mount Saint Helena Trail is a ~10 mile (5 miles each way) heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Calistoga, CA. The trailhead is right off of Lake County Highway. Despite what other reports say, while long, the hike is not very difficult. It has an elevation climb of about 2,000 feet but it is very gradual. The hike is basically two parts (described as you are heading up the trail) - The hike starts on Stevenson Memorial Trail, climbing just under a mile and passing through the area where the famed author Robert Louis Stevenson ("Kidnapped," "Treasure Island) honeymooned with his new bride in 1880.this part of the trail has lots of shade and tends to be on the cooler side. This isn't very scenic but is pleasant. Next in line is the Mount St. Helena Trail, once an old logging road but now a well-maintained fire / utility road, that climbs to the summit over about four miles. Note your turn-off point or you might miss it on the way back. This trail is an exposed, well-maintained Fire Road and has very little shade. The Fire Road offers many majestic views. Weather is a major wild card at Mount St. Helena -- it's one of the few areas near San Francisco that gets snow every year. The summit can be shrouded in fog and buffeted by high winds; make sure you're dressed for all the possibilities. I hiked here with my in-laws, wife, and children (9 and 6 years old). It took us well over 3 hours round trip. The hike has great views, but feels a bit "industrial" due to the very wide road you hike most of the time and the numerous radio towers at the top. Park hours: Sunrise to sunset Directions: Take highway 29 seven miles north of Calistoga. Tips: Get there early if you want a parking spot Bring sunscreen, water, and layers If hiking, watch out for mountain bikers read more

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Came here just to get out of the house on a Saturday and I was pleasantly surprised. I got there early but I can definitely see how parking can be difficult later in the day. I wouldn't say this hike is difficult, just long. It does have a steady incline but it wasn't anything strenuous. Even with the fire damage the views were amazing. Probably one of the best hikes I've done in this particular area. read more

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park - Parks Near Me - Calistoga, California

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Sometimes it's not about how far you can see but where you happen to find yourself while doing it. That's what makes the hike to the summit of Mount Saint Helena, the premier destination in Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, such an appealing addition to a wine country visit to Napa. At 11 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gained and lost, it's a challenging but by no means excruciating excursion. You can plan the hike for early morning (leaving the trailhead before 8 am), which allows you to return comfortably to your car by around noon - perfect timing for a BBQ at Buster's in Calistoga before an afternoon wine tasting at Frog's Leap, for example. The early start mitigates the midday heat, which could potentially be unrelenting in open chaparral near the summit. It also allows you to admire the sight of a fogged-in valley floor while you gaze down on it from the clear blue skies above. A lot of the trail follows a fire road to and from the summit, so you'll have plenty of time to look around in wonder at the ebb and flow of the fog fields below. It feels like flying, or gazing out at the ocean, and the quiet (leaving aside random road noise) is pretty overwhelming. Napa seems so small from these lofty heights, and so traffic-free. Just bring extra water, sturdy boots, and sun protection to feel safe and hydrated while doing so, or you'll never be fit enough for the wines and BBQ that await you down below. If you are carrying a backpack, I'd recommend trekking poles, too, given the ups and downs of the hike, but that's just me. I like to engage my arms and legs while hiking for a fuller workout and to protect my knees from too much pounding so that they are loose and ache-free for the very curvy drive back down to Calistoga once the hike is over. Watching the fog flow over and across the ridges, rises, and mountaintops is part of the appeal of the hike. So, too, the sight of the fog rising to reveal wineries and rows of tended grapevines, or even a hot air balloon or two as well as a towed-in glider plane. We saw both on our hike, alongside many dragonflies, lizards, and chipmunks and many expressive rocks and trees as we wound our way to the rockytop summit, where open views to the North and East awaited us and there was enough solitude to be shared by others. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/robert-louis-stevenson-state-park-calistoga#vqKsS1gSAWU-ge3T8gFdlQ http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/robert-louis-stevenson-state-park-calistoga#t6W_cbVdj74oVtA5hAlZog http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/robert-louis-stevenson-state-park-calistoga#-_Jm4vfpGZ1EYVpBhhRKiA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/robert-louis-stevenson-state-park-calistoga#szEX3CDAqIrcVfVErK6SrA Adding a morning hike to the summit of Mount St Helena can bring a certain something to a Napa visit that cannot be experienced from the valley floor, nor even from one of the exclusive mountain wineries around Mount Veeder or Howell Mountain. Because nothing - not even a cult Cab named after a screaming eagle - is as rare or more precious than the summit of Napa's highest peak (4,341 ft.), where the views are genuinely priceless and the soaring raptors are real. read more

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Great trail. At the trail head you get to choose between climbing up or going the other way. Going up to catch a view will take a few hours, but it's a great trail regardless if you don't make it up there. read more

A nice, quiet, fairly easy hike right off Rt. 29. It's a little tricky finding the place as it's truly right off the road, and the road winds a lot with cars whizzing by. Once you park, though, the trail begins right there -- no admission fee. There's a short one to the left and a longer one which we did about 2/3 of to the right. We came across maybe only 4 or 5 other parties during our walk. The first part is cool and shaded under canopies of trees and greenery. I was stoked to see butterflies. The second part starts when you hit the fire trail and come out from the trees. You start seeing fantastic views of expansive vistas. We went a little ways and turned around, our curiosity satisfied, but I'm sure there'd be even more great views from the top. All in all, a nice relaxing walk. Oh, there are lots of switchbacks and a few loose, gravelly places so definitely have at least sneakers if not hiking boots. And don't ignore the precautions like I did - wear insect repellent and long sleeves, etc. I got bitten by something and there apparently are Lyme disease ticks in the area, as with many of the N. CA parks. If it turns out I have Lyme disease, I'll be sure to review my treatment... ;-) read more

Amazing! Taking off a star, since it's a bit difficult to find, parking is hard and the trails are not marked. But, it's one of the most amazing hikes, with an incredible view at the top! We loaded our backpack w/ water bottles, fresh smoked salmon from the Calistoga Farmer's market, crackers, cheese and homemade cookies from the Calistoga Farmer's market sisters. What could be a better treat?! Luckily, we read the comments here and figured out how to get here. If you're coming from Calistoga (Hwy 29), the trail head will be on the left. You'll see a small wooden sign at the entrance to the hike. You'll also see a stone memorial further up the trail to Robert Louis Stevenson. After a mile or so of switchbacks and a green wooded area, the trail opens up to a wide fire lane. Pleasant hiking, with lots of manzanita and trees. We were at a directional loss a few times, when the trail split. Go to the right, towards the highest tower (although it's hard to tell which is higher at some points). Bring water and kleenex (as there are no bathrooms :). The view on top is truly amazing. A gentleman we encountered on the trail said it's about 1 hr and 45 minutes up. That was about right. I'd say it's a moderate hike. We hiked in our tennis shoes, and didn't have a problem. Although hubs slipped a few times on the descent. Several of the hikers had hiking poles, but we didn't think it was necessary. Took us about 4 hours round trip, including a beautiful picnic at the peak. Look for the interesting markers at the peak. Some date back to the late 1800s and the Donner Party, Bear Flag Rebellion, etc. Super interesting, since we've recently studied about both in my daughter's elementary school class. If you love hiking and amazing views, this is a must! Just bring water, snacks and a hat/sunscreen if it's hot. Luckily, we had beautiful weather, and a lovely day. read more

DO YOUSELF A FAVOR. DO NOT COME ON THE WEEKENDS!!!. tried once and this places was fking disneyland. so much for communing with nature. You will be in a line of humanity the entire route. And mostly groups yelling at each other about their work or how beautiful the serene surroundings are, all the while they destroy it with their yelling. BUT, if you go during the week and go early you will be rewarded by a great (not to challenging) 10 mile out and back hike with incredible views. read more

This has to be my new favorite hike! The first 1.5 miles is incredible. It then turns into a fire road, but with amazing views. You start this hike at just around 2000'. The summit is up at 4343' and allows for some of the best views in all of Napa, Lake, and Sonoma counties combined! Do beware of the blatant Poison Oak, it is everywhere here. Leaves of 3, leave it be!! read more

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A very nice and not too onerous hike! I made it in 1.5 hours to the top of Mount Saint Helena, and in 1 hour down. The first part of the hike is a true trail, then it becomes a fire road further up. Very nice views of northern Napa Valley from up there! read more

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Hiking was good some very nice views overlooking valleys. The trails were easy to find. Not a lot of parking but we were on the earlier side. read more

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park - Parks Near Me - Calistoga, California

Rock and Ropes for Valentine's Day So we are in Wine Country (Nappa Valley, CA) and instead of drinking wine, eating cheese and chocolate, we Hike 2 1/2 hours out to Table Rock Cliff up and down the steep mountains trails and Rappel down 15 Stories, then hike back up another half hour to get our gear before we hike our 2 1/2 hours back. It was quite an exhilarating experience just knowing I could physically handle the challenge and overcome my fears of taking a rope down 15 stories on the side of a cliff. I would highly recommend if you wants some Adventure to give it a try. However a few things I learned on our Day long Adventure was: Wear good mountain hiking shoe (good reason for new shoes, they come in cool colors),light quick drying clothing, bring two extendable walking sticks ,plenty of water and go with a good guide such as Adventure Tours Lynn Rae Moore Barry R Jones Jr Adventure Bums "Get Off the Path" read more

Whenever I hike to the top I go to the South peak and eat my lunch on one of the cement picnic tables. It's like being in the sky. Nobody is ever around, even on a day when the parking lots were full and cars were crammed all along the highway. I expected to see people at the top but I was all alone up there. Maybe it's because here are huge fences on either side with signs that say warning, health risk etc,, about the radio towers. They give off an audible humming and the next day I had a headache. Nevertheless, you can see the ocean from here. And one time I went when it was overcast with a marine layer and I was on top of the clouds looking down on them! Spectacular! read more

the hike up to the top of mount st. helena in robert louis stevenson state park is my way of feeling i have earned all the wine and food i'll be eating on my visit to calistoga. each time you round a bend on the road up to the top you will be offered some of the best views of any hike in northern california. since most of this hike is on a fire road i'm giving it four stars. fire road or not i will do this hike again as i could not get enough of the views and i recommend others to do so too. the drive up hwy 29 to the trailhead takes you about halfway up the 4343 ft tall peak. the elevation gain for this hike is about 2000 feet, but it doesn't feel bad since there are plenty of switchbacks on the .8 mile trail that leads to the fire road that will take you the rest of the way to the top. along the way up you will be climbing through chaparral, brush and some impressive rock outcroppings. i didn't take along a gps to measure distance, but depending on what you read the one way distance to the top is about 5.2 miles or so. It took us an hour and 45 minutes to top out. from the valley and all the vineyards just below your feet to the pacific ocean, mt tamalpais, lake berryessa, mt diablo, the snow covered sierras, are some of what you will be eyeing on the way up and once at the top. we could even see the san francisco skyline on the way up. i have read on a very clear day one can see mt shasta a 192 miles distant, not too sure but you do feel high enough. a great hike for views! read more

the map on this is all wrong. yes there is a Robert Louis Stevenson museum in St Helena, however the state park with the hiking trails is north on highway 29, mile marker 49 is where the parking is. The parking is inadequate so get there early if you want a space near the trail entrance. No bathrooms and not many bushes to hide behind. At the bottom of the trail there are some nice picnic benches in a meadow. Also if you don't feel like hiking to the summit, there is a nice view about 2.5 miles up with a beautiful rock, people were climbing when we were there. At this spot there is a redwood bench/barrier. I definitely recommend this spot and only wish it had a port a pot and better parking. read more

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park brings his stories and novels to life, especially his writing in Europe. I learned more than I would ever know. read more

Definitely a hike with good, steep elevation and stunning aerial views. Sometimes you encounter areas of crawl space surrounded by amazing, tall redwoods. read more

Beautiful hike. We arrived around 8:30 in the morning and there weren't many hikers we came across on our way up. As we were hiking back down there were several people starting the hike. Lots of shade from the beautiful trees. Saw a few people rock climbing here as well. Can't wait to go back again. read more

Heed the many, many warnings at the trailhead for Robert Louis Stevenson SP regarding taking all valuables with you! I did bring all valuables with me, but left a bag in my car that had hiking guides and a couple of sunset magazines (and an apple and some emergen-c packets). My car was broken into and they took the bag. Nothing "valuable" was gone, but I do have to pay the library for the missing books, which sucks! The signs are not kidding when they warn you of frequent "smash&grab" activity at the trailhead. Which makes me wonder, if it is such a rampant problem, why don't they take a stronger stand against the theft? read more

This place was beautiful. The hike was a 5 mile hike to the top of mt Helena. It was strenuous but an awesome workout. It's a little tricky finding the place, I just came across a bunch of parked cars on the side of the road and that's how I knew it was the right place. read more

Stunning views from the top of Mt. St. Helena. You definitely want to do this! The hike sounds rough but given that the majority of the hike is along a wide, level sandy fire road, it is steep but easy walking. It is also free (free hike, free parking). No dogs allowed. My husband and I did this hike on Saturday 1/26/2013 and while we managed to get parking at the trailhead off Hwy 29, the lots/turnouts on both sides of the highway were crowded when we arrived around 10:00am. There are no bathrooms or water at the trailhead. There is a picnic area though just above the parking area on the west side. The picnic area used to be the site of a stage-coach stop and the Toll House Hotel. The road to the trailhead is very windy so if you get motion sick be sure to pop a few Dramamine before heading out. Folks tend to drive way too fast on Hwy. 29 so be very careful driving and crossing the road. The trail starts out in a mix of evergreen forest (knobcone pine and at higher altitudes, sugar pine and Douglas fir) and chapparal; you ascend up a mostly shaded dusty rocky trail. There is some rock scrambling and rough, eroded terrain along the way but otherwise it is an easy-moderate ~mile hike up toward the fire service road. Along the way you pass the abandoned mining camp of Silverado where Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife honeymooned/squatted in 1880. There is a memorial to him comprised of a scupture of an open book, which marks the site of his former cabin. The cabin is gone now but the old mine remains and it is interesting to peek at from the outside only. The area around the mine is very steep with loose rocks, so use caution and don't attempt to enter the mine. This is also the place where Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the Silverado Squatters. The fire service road is steep and monotonous with switchbacks but it is easy-walking; however, it is not shaded., so bring a floppy hat and sunscreen. (You would not want to walk this road in the summer heat. I suspect it would be hard to carry enough water and heat exhaustion or heat stroke would be a serious concern.) Take the fire road toward the "North Peak." Along the way up the fire road you will pass the igneous Bubble Rock, this rock with its holes is a popular spot for climbers and several were out the day we made the trek. The fire road winds uphill with stunning views of the Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa, Lake County, the High Sierras in the distance, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Along the way, we saw a lot of beautiful evergreen trees, stunning views, and lots of chipmunks. We brought a lunch and relaxed on the rocks and picnicked at the top. There are several communication towers at the top and a large satellite dish which soaks up the sun and is great for warming your hands on a cold day. It was very windy at the top. I had on a thin merino wool sweater, a sweatshirt, a wind breaker, gloves and a hat. It was cold. Consider packing an extra layer and gloves for the summit. Given all the communication towers there is cell phone and internet service from the summit so you can call your friends and post your pics on Facebook and let everyone know you're at the top. We tracked our hike with MotionX-GPS on the cell phone. According to it, our hike start to finish was 9.83 miles and it took us 4:40:05 hrs. and we walked at an average speed of 2.0 mph (not your fastest hikers, although our max speed was 7.2 mph -- probably on a downhill part!). The minimum altitude was 2,277 ft and the max altitude was 4,326 ft. Recommedations: Get there early to secure parking. Hike in winter, fall, or spring. Bring lots of water, a floppy hat, sunscreen, camera, and an extra layer and gloves for summit. Hike is moderate. It's easy walking along the fire road but it is steep. Cool climbing at Bubble Rock. Minuses: It's crowded on weekends. No bathrooms. Not much privacy if you need to go alongside the fire road (plus it's a steep drop-off on the sides). Most of the trail is on a fire road. Motion sickness getting to trailhead. No shade on fire road making it a bad place to hike in the heat of summer. Too long probably for kids. read more