The History Trail is a 1.2 mile hike to the Bale Grist Mill. It starts at the end of the Day-Use area at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and provides a connection to the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park. Near its beginning the trail passes through a pioneer cemetery. Nearby is the site of the first church in Napa County, built in 1853. It was named after Reverend Asa White, who gave sermons on this site.

A steep section of the trail climbs from the cemetery onto a ridge paralleling Highway 29. The trail passes through dense forest, clearings filled with chaparral shrubs, and a riparian corridor along Mill Creek. The trail ends at the mill after passing the remains of the pond and ditches that brought water from Mill Creek to power the mill’s overshot waterwheel.

Note: There is an additional fee of $5.00 per adult/ $2.00 per child to enjoy the mill grounds and take a tour of the mill. On weekends you can watch grain being milled with the historic stones powered by the 36 ½ foot wooden water wheel.