Attend Napa Open Space District Events!

Learn more about our unique natural spaces, meet other outdoor & history enthusiasts & have fun!

Community events are an important part of our ongoing work and help educate students and our communities, bring people together to celebrate our county’s history, and learn more about some of our unique natural environments.

See below for a listing of all of our scheduled events & get involved.

 

Online and Virtual Outdoor Events:

Always Available

Need some outdoor adventures on your computer screen or activities to do at home? During the early part of the pandemic, we assembled a variety of online activities, virtual tours and hikes, and educational links for kids activities for everyone to enjoy on their own schedule. These are posted at the link below if you need a little dose of the outdoors while you’re indoors.

Check out our Nature Near Home page for virtual activities, outdoor ideas for your own neighborhood, and more.

 

Monthly Events:

3rd Saturday Hikes

3rd Saturday of each month, location varies.

Join us for a guided hike event each month in one of our Open Space parks. We’ll visit well known parks and trails, get a glimpse of future parks and properties, explore local flora and fauna together, and learn about the history and ecology of our valley. Each month will have a unique theme relating to the park that we’re hiking and you’re sure to learn and see something new.

Click here for details about the 3rd Saturday Hike series.

Seasonal Events:

2024 Spring Trails Challenge

March 23 – May 19, 2024

 

The Spring Trails Challenge has been a favorite for years and is the perfect way to Go Outside and Play, explore new parks and trails, and support the parks you love all at the same time!

Whether you’re a regular parks user who knows NOSD parks well or a newcomer looking to explore new places, you’re sure to find a new favorite trail , view, or wildflower while you’re out.

Registration for the Spring Trails Challenge is coming soon!

 

 

 

Annual District Celebration

April 25, 2024

Every year, the Open Space District has hosted our Annual Celebration and brings together all of our Board Members, supporters, staff and volunteers to celebrate the work of the previous year, discuss future plans, and have a great time socially with one another.

Sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page to get the announcement for RSVP details for this event each year!

Pancake Breakfast
May 4, 2024

Enjoy the best pancakes you’ve ever had while supporting NOSD’s work under the oak trees next to the historic Bale Grist Mill. Learn about the Napa Valley State Parks Association, meet members, enjoy a pancake breakfast – all while supporting a good cause! Details and ticket information coming soon.

Harvest Dinner at Bale Grist Mill Historic State Park

September 28, 2024

Help support our local Napa Valley State Parks, which are operated by the Napa Open Space District. Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, and the historic Bale Grist Mill are all operated by the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District and rely on community support to maintain and improve these local gems.

The Harvest Dinner is the annual fundraiser that the Napa Valley State Parks Association hosts to raise funds for your parks. Support our parks by attending this magical evening at the mill!

Tickets and sponsorship information coming soon!

For ticket reservations or sponsorship details, please email association@napavalleystateparks.org

Old Mill Days at Bale Grist Mill Historic State Park

Saturday & Sunday, October 12 & 13, 2024, 10:00am-2:00pm

$5 per person (Free for guests under 2 years old)

Join the festivities as we celebrate harvest season in the Napa Valley at this annual family-friendly event! Come visit the Bale Grist Mill, enjoy a day of living history, food, music, and fun.

Get a glimpse into history as we recreate the scene of when the Bale Grist Mill was first in operation in 1846. At this time the Napa Valley looked much different, instead of grapes the crop of choice was wheat. The mill was a lively place to be during the harvest season as farmers brought their wheat harvest to the local grist mill to be made into flour.

Old Mill Days is a family-friendly living history event at the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park. Visitors can participate in traditional farm chores, such as woodworking, corn husking & shelling, wheat threshing, butter making, pressing apples for cider, hand sewing, and rope making. Children can enjoy making corn husk dolls, planing wood slabs, hand washing clothes on washboards, sifting flour, and playing traditional games.

Many artisans will be present who enjoy sharing their craft with others. Learn more about the process of old fashioned textile making like lacemaking, wheat weaving, and spinning. Musicians play old-time music throughout the day and millers provide tours and demonstrations of the water-powered grist mill that is still in operation today.

Activities include: Pressing apples for cider, woodworking, corn husk doll making, hand sewing, flour sifting, rope making, traditional games, Civil War display – with “drill” practices, and more!

Demonstrations and tours: Milling demos and tours of the historic mill, spinning, lacemaking, loom weaving, knitting.

Admission is $5 (2 & under free)

Download the kids coloring page here.

We’re looking for volunteers to help with Old Mill Days & Old Mill Holidays! If you’d like to meet some great fellow volunteers and help us host these family-friendly events, we’d love to have your help! Fill out our volunteer form here or email us at info@ncrposd.org for more details.

Green Friday at Bothe Napa Valley State Park

November 22, 2024

Green Friday is celebrated the day after Thanksgiving as the antidote to Black Friday & a way to get outside, enjoy our beautiful natural spaces, and get some exercise in to burn off holiday calories.

Join us at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and get out on the trail in the cool fall air. Mention the super-secret special code “GREEN FRIDAY” at the entrance kiosk and get 1/2 off day-use entry fees!

Bothe-Napa Valley State Park has trails and hiking routes for all abilities with something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a cool walk through the redwoods with the family, a historical interpretive trail, or a more challenging longer hike up the canyon, there are trails to fit the bill. See the Bothe Park web page for maps and trail suggestions.

Celebrate the Holidays at Bale Grist Mill Historic State Park

December 7, 2024 – 10:00am-2:00pm

$5 per person (under 2 years old free entry)

Every Christmas season, the Bale Grist Mill hosts a 19th century Christmas celebration, pioneer style!

Enjoy making a clove pomander or wreath of rosemary for your home, string popcorn and cranberries for the tree, write a letter to Santa in calligraphy and seal with red wax, and other activities to help get in the holiday spirit. Children especially enjoy decorating gingerbread cookies or cutting paper snowflakes.

There are demonstrations throughout the day on things like lace making, wool spinning, waxed egg decorating and milling demonstrations. Cookies and cider will be served too!

Fiesta en el Molino Bale at Bale Grist Mill Historic State Park

2024 Date TBA

Join us for a celebration of Mexican Independence Day as we celebrate and share the contributions of the Latino community to the Napa Valley from the early 1800’s to present. We’ll celebrate together with Mariachi & Rancho period live musicians, performances from local dancers, hands-on craft and educational activities, information booths, food trucks, and much more!

Parking is limited at the Bale Mill and free shuttle service will be provided from our parking area at Bothe Napa Valley State Park to the Mill.