About
Napa River, California — 1861 Charles Krug First Winery, 1830s-1840s Napa Valley, 1998 NVV, 1980s-2010s flood. From Calistoga to San Pablo Bay, the Napa River winds 55 miles through California's most famous wine valley at a modest 135 CFS average. The upper section from Calistoga to Yountville offers Class I riffles between vineyard-lined banks, while the middle stretch from Yountville to the city of Napa continues through wine country corridors with similar gentle water. Below Napa, tidal influence takes over as the river enters San Francisco Bay Estuary waters — this lower section runs year-round regardless of seasonal flows. Optimal flows range from 50–300 CFS on USGS gauge 11458000, though the tidal section remains navigable in all conditions. The Wappo people called this valley home before European settlement transformed it into agricultural use. The 2015 Napa River Restoration through the Living River Project addressed flood management while maintaining paddling access through Napa County. Napa Valley Paddle provides guided trips along the wine country sections.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.