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Skyline Wilderness Park is one of Napa, California’s most scenic and amazing sights to behold in the state. Located at 2201 Imola Ave, Napa, CA 94559, Skyline Park is a true artwork of wilderness and nature. This expansive park has a fascinating history, which like the sights within it, are truly unique to California.
Of the many activities the park provides, park organizers have done well to host hikers, bikers, and horseback riders too. Accommodating these activities wasn’t done overnight however, Napa’s community of nature lovers had to work together to create something special for nature lovers both local and abroad.
Originally in 1979 the state of California had declared the beautiful land to be surplus and sold it off as private property. However, the nature-loving folks of Napa California knew this precious example of nature had to be protected. They all banded together with private help combined with the help of local and state government to work out a deal to create the park. The then unusual method they used to do this was to have the state lease the park to Napa County and then further sublease it to the Skyline Park Citizens Association.
Bond money poured in to fund construction of various facilities on the park, including bathrooms, parking areas, the kiosk, and sewer system. Later, an old barn on the property was converted into a stunning social center, and finally, the park was ready for opening on the 5th of April, 1983.
Skyline Wilderness Park would become a spotlight for an intense equestrian scene once the park expanded later, and added more accommodations for horse riding. Horsemen from around the area advocated for a riding area, show office, and bleachers, which eventually would lead the park to become a frequent host of horse shows.
The California Native Plant Society also took a keen interest in the park, using it as an area to grow and preserve local plants. This would eventually lead to the creation of the Martha Walker Gardens, famously known all over the area and a popular spot for school trips and activities.
Bicycling is another common activity that the park hosts, it’s stunning scenery including running creeks and gorgeous flowering meadows make it a sight to cycle through. The expansive 16-mile trail has even been home to several bicycling races, such as the UCI World Bike Cup Race, which hosted an event 3 times there during the 1990s.
Nature-loving hobbyist from across the board have found the park to be a hospitable ground for a plethora of other interesting and quaint events. Civil War reenactments have been held there a number of times, and SCA groups from all over have found the area perfect for recreating medieval life as a public event.
Skyline Wilderness Park opens at 7 AM and closes at 7 PM, meaning that if you’re a local the best time will be the weekend. It cost only $2 per person to walk in, and parking costs $5 to $6, with a paved lot to park in along with overflow parking for particularly busy days.
Getting to R&S Erection of Vallejo from Skyline Wilderness Park, Napa
via CA-29 S
- Head northwest toward Imola Ave
- Turn left onto Imola Ave
- Turn left onto CA-221 S
- Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto CA-12 E/CA-29 S
- Continue straight onto Sonoma Blvd
- Turn left onto Couch St
- Turn right onto Mississippi St