The Dog Park at Wappo Park sits just south of the Pope Street Bridge along the Napa River in St. Helena, making it easy to find if you know the area landmarks. To get there, take College Avenue off Pope Street and hang a left just past the college facility—the parking lot for both the college and Wappo Park will be straight ahead. The dog park itself is a fenced area covering about 5,900 square feet, so your dog can roam off-leash once you’re inside the gates.

The space is covered in bark, which keeps things relatively clean underfoot even after rain or when the sprinklers run. You’ll find picnic tables set on a concrete pad, several benches scattered around, and shade trees that actually provide real relief on hot days. There’s a drinking fountain that works for both dogs and people, which is handy since you’ll likely want a drink while keeping an eye on your dog. A dog waste bag station with a trash can is located in the park, so you won’t have an excuse to leave anything behind.

The park is currently undergoing some improvements. New gates are being fabricated to create a smaller designated area within the larger dog park—this will eventually let owners separate their smaller dogs from the bigger, more boisterous ones during peak times. That’s still in progress, so when you visit, the smaller dog area might not be operational yet. It’s worth checking on before you go if you have a toy breed or a dog that gets nervous around larger animals. The bark surface and shade setup make it comfortable enough for a decent stretch of playtime, even during Napa’s warm afternoons.