How to enjoy the Napa River
Bike, walk, launch a kayak, canoe or paddle board and explore the Living River!
Trails
The Napa County Regional Parks and Open Space District is working to expand opportunities for the public to “Go Outside and Play!” They have a wonderful website including an interactive map of public trails HERE.
Here are a few suggestions for connecting to the River:
Kennedy Park features a trail on the river connecting to the Imola Street bridge crossing (Maxwell Bridge) from which it will eventually be extended to downtown Napa at the Third Street bridge.
West of Lincoln Bridge near Soscol go through the RV Park and hit a trail on the west bank going north to Trancas.
Trancas Crossing Park: a 33-acre open space park located at 610 Trancas Street features trails, interpretive signs, restroom and a parking lot. Park hours sunrise to sunset.
Oxbow Preserve: a 13-acre park across the Napa River from the Oxbow Marketplace. Access via McKenzie Drive off the Silverado Trail.
Wetlands Edge Trail in American Canyon, access from Eucalyptus Drive.
Californian Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Eco-reserve at the Yountville Cross Road bridge
Boating
Riverside Park boat launch A ramp for small crafts at the end of Riverside Drive in Napa
There is a boat launch at John F. Kennedy Park; off Hwy 221, take Streblow Avenue
Trancas Crossing Park has a restroom, parking lot and pedestrian access for hand boat launching (exercise caution: the bank can be steep and slippery!) Park hours are sunrise to sunset
Cuttings Wharf in the Carneros offers a parking lot, ramp and dock for boats large and small
Jim Hench Memorial Kayak Launch: Access at the south end of the new Oxbow Dry Bypass
Learn about the “Napa River Water Trail” – a plan for docks along the Napa River drafted by the Dock Coalition in 2005: Napa River Water Trail
Several local companies provide equipment rentals or tours on the river:
(FONR doesn’t endorse any one company, but we do recommend getting out on the river!)Napa Valley Paddle (paddle board tours, sales & rentals, kayak rentals, fishing kayaks & gear)
Enjoy Napa Valley (kayak tours)
Napa Valley Gondola (gondola tours)