Sight guide · Napa Valley · United States
Visiting Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
On the slopes of Mount St Helena, where the author honeymooned in 1880, a trail climbs about 8 km each way to the 1,323-metre summit with views over the valley and, on clear days, to the Sierra Nevada.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Oleg Alexandrov, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is a nature spot in Calistoga, Napa Valley. Allow 4–5 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Nature
- Area
- Calistoga
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- active, views, outdoors and free
- Best months
- May–July
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About Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
On the slopes of Mount St Helena, where the author honeymooned in 1880, a trail climbs about 8 km each way to the 1,323-metre summit with views over the valley and, on clear days, to the Sierra Nevada.
Tip: Start early in summer because there is little shade, and turn around at the halfway viewpoint if time or heat runs short.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 4–5 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not needed; you can simply turn up.
- Where: Calistoga, laid-back hot-springs town at the top of the valley.
Best time to visit Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Robert Louis Stevenson State 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.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-May the sun sets at about 20:13 local time (calculated for Napa Valley).
When to visit Napa Valley has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Robert Louis Stevenson State 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. 17 of the 18 sights in our Napa Valley things-to-do list.
- Listed in free things to do in Napa Valley.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Napa Valley.
Near Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Also in Calistoga, so you can walk between them:
- Old Faithful Geyser of California — 1 hour, low cost
- Calistoga mud baths and hot springs — 1.5–2 hours, expensive
- Schramsberg Vineyards — 1.5 hours, expensive
If you like Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
- Napa Valley Vine Trail — Downtown Napa, 2–4 hours
Staying near Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
Stay in Calistoga ($$$) to walk here: laid-back hot-springs town at the top of the valley. All areas to stay in Napa Valley.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park?
Plan 4–5 hours. With Old Faithful Geyser of California nearby, it fits a half-day in Calistoga.
+Is Robert Louis Stevenson State Park free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Robert Louis Stevenson State Park?
May–July for the most comfortable weather. Start early in summer because there is little shade, and turn around at the halfway viewpoint if time or heat runs short.
+Do I need to book Robert Louis Stevenson State Park in advance?
No: it is free to visit, so you can decide on the day.