Sight guide · Napa Valley · United States
Visiting Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
A water-powered mill built in 1846 with a large wooden waterwheel, among the oldest of its kind in California.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sanfranman59, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park is a historic site in St Helena, Napa Valley. Allow 1 hour; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- St Helena
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, kids, outdoors and off the beaten path
- Best months
- May–July
Plan a trip to Napa Valley
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
About Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
A water-powered mill built in 1846 with a large wooden waterwheel, among the oldest of its kind in California. A short trail connects it with Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and its redwood groves.
Tip: Visit at the weekend, when there may be milling demonstrations, and walk the history trail to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: St Helena, historic Main Street in the middle of the valley's most famous vineyards.
Best time to visit Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- May: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 2 rainy days, busy crowds.
- June: 29°C (84°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, busy crowds.
- July: 31°C (88°F) highs, almost no rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Napa Valley has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Napa Valley Wine Train and Hot-air balloon flight.
- No. 14 of the 18 sights in our Napa Valley things-to-do list.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Napa Valley.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Napa Valley.
- A family favourite in Napa Valley with kids.
Near Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
Also in St Helena, so you can walk between them:
- Culinary Institute of America at Greystone — 1 hour, low cost
- Beringer Vineyards — 1.5 hours, expensive
If you like Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
- Inglenook — Oakville and Rutherford, 1.5–2 hours
- Chateau Montelena — Calistoga, 1.5 hours
- Schramsberg Vineyards — Calistoga, 1.5 hours
- Old Faithful Geyser of California — Calistoga, 1 hour
Staying near Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park
Stay in St Helena ($$$$) to walk here: historic Main Street in the middle of the valley's most famous vineyards. All areas to stay in Napa Valley.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park?
Plan 1 hour. With Culinary Institute of America at Greystone nearby, it fits a half-day in St Helena.
+Is Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park?
May–July for the most comfortable weather. Visit at the weekend, when there may be milling demonstrations, and walk the history trail to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park.
+Do I need to book Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Napa Valley. Napa Valley is adult-focused, but families can enjoy the geyser, a castle winery, bike rides on the Vine Trail, hot-spring pools and the food hall.