Moore Creek Park encompasses 673 acres of canyon open space with perennial Moore Creek, and 900 acres of Oak Woodland on the northern side of Lake Hennessey in St. Helena. The park sprawls across some serious terrain, so it’s worth knowing upfront that dogs are only allowed on the Lake Hennessey unit—the Moore Creek Unit prohibits them entirely, so plan accordingly before you head out.

The Lake Hennessey side is where you and your dog can explore together on leash. Parking is available in a well-marked gravel lot off Pope Chiles Valley Road. From there, you’ll find trails that hug the lake shore, climb through the grassy hillsides that roll across eastern Napa Valley, and wind along Moore Creek itself. The landscape shifts between Oak and Douglas Fir woodlands, open grasslands, and chaparral, so the scenery changes enough to keep things interesting over a longer hike.

This area attracts serious wildlife watching. Black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, gray foxes, and coyotes live here, which means keeping your dog close on leash isn’t just park policy—it’s genuinely important for safety. The bird watching is exceptional if you’re into that. Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles patrol the skies above the lake, along with hawks, Osprey, Great Blue Herons, White Egrets, woodpeckers, and loons. Even if you’re just there for a dog walk, you’ll likely spot something worth pausing to watch.

The trails work for hikers and mountain bikers, and equestrians use them too, so you might share the path with riders. Water is available right there with the lake and creek, which is handy on warm days. The park feels less crowded than some of the more famous Wine Country spots, probably because of the wildlife presence and the fact that dogs can’t explore the whole property. That quieter atmosphere is actually part of the appeal if you’re looking for a more solitary hike through oak woodland.