Today I am going to share several places that very few locals and almost no visitors ever experience in Napa Valley. The Napa Valley has countless waterfalls, and they are some of the most awe-inspiring places to visit here. I know people who have lived here their entire lives and have never enjoyed these waterfalls. Over the years hiking throughout Napa Valley I have visited some exceptional waterfalls — here are a few.
Another peaceful way to experience Napa Valley’s natural beauty is from the water. The Napa River flows right through downtown Napa and offers one of the most relaxing outdoor experiences in the valley. Visitors can rent kayaks or join guided paddling trips with Napa Kayak Rentals .
Paddling the river provides a completely different perspective of Napa Valley, with wildlife, scenic river views, and a quieter side of Napa that many visitors never experience.
We offer the best kayaking experience in to Enjoy Napa Valley.
Marie Falls
Marie Falls is located in Camp Coombs on the borders of Skyline State Park near the south end of the City of Napa. This is an incredible place where the waters of Marie Creek cascade through a stunning moss-covered, fern-lined canyon.
After that it is an easy climb onto the cliffs overlooking the valley. I love sitting in the sun on the cliffs above the canyon as the swallows zig-zag below me between the treetops and my dangling feet. This is a very special place to me and the first true waterfall I experienced growing up in Napa Valley.
Monticello Waterfalls
This is one of the only places near the City of Napa where redwood trees grow on the east side of the valley. A short hike down leads you to a ladder set into the stone of the canyon walls. This area is lush and incredible with the waterfall dropping to the canyon floor.
Devils Punch Bowl
This area is incredible. The hiking, the redwoods, the Grandfather tree, and the seismograph on a cliff where you can look out over Yountville and the rest of Napa Valley — what’s not to enjoy?
This area is vast and beautiful with meadows, redwood trees, and wildflowers. There is even an old Girl Scout camp. It is one of the true wilderness areas of the valley.
Devils Punch Bowl is nestled between Hogback Ridge and Mount Veeder. The Punch Bowl gets its name from the high amount of iron in the rocks of the canyon walls, turning them red and black. Several pools form where waterfalls drop into the canyon, and one of them has become bowl-shaped over time.
This is a treacherous hike down and caution is needed. Once there you are greeted with a redwood and fern-lined canyon that will take your breath away. Mushrooms grow and salamanders slowly make their way along the canyon floor.
Miliken Canyon
At one time during the sixties there was a camp here where local kids would go for activities. When you stand below the dam and look up it is very impressive, and there are cracks forming in the dam that seem to get larger every year.
Miliken Falls are hidden behind the Silverado Country Club area. A short drive up Atlas Peak Road leads you to the pullout. The rock in this area is very loose and shale-like, so extreme caution is advised. This area is dry and rugged with a lot of sagebrush.
The canyon itself becomes lush and moss-lined once you go deep enough. It is a prominent canyon and can be seen from many areas of the valley.
Linda Falls
Located near Angwin in Napa Valley, this is a short hike that leads to a beautiful waterfall. I highly recommend visiting Linda Falls during the rainy season when several smaller waterfalls trickle off the mountainsides and join the main creek before it roars off an approximately seventy-foot cliff.
This is a wonderful place to enjoy the natural side of Napa Valley. Located in a pine forest, the area almost feels more like the Sierra Nevada even though it sits right here in Napa Valley. Over time the rock has been sculpted into beautiful natural formations.
Final Thoughts
Most of these places are located on either private land or land owned by the Napa Valley Land Trust. Remember whenever you hike to be prepared for the unexpected and bring a phone, extra clothes, a pocket knife, food, a first-aid kit, and plenty of water.
I have led private hikes for the Land Trust before and highly recommend supporting them in their efforts. Napa Valley has a lot of wilderness to be explored and it is not all about wine.
If you are planning to explore Napa Valley’s outdoor side, consider adding a paddle on the Napa River to your trip. Napa kayak rentals and guided tours launch from the Main Street Dock in downtown Napa and offer a relaxing way to experience the valley from the water.
Be careful and Enjoy Napa Valley!
— Justin Perkins
Leave a Reply