Howel Mountain Spring, Angwin, CA

## Overview Howell Mountain Spring is a quiet, lesser-known public drinking spring located along Howell Mountain Road near the small community of Angwin in Napa County, California. Situated at an elevation on Howell Mountain — a recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA) known for its volcanic soils and natural water sources — this roadside spring delivers water through a pipe on the right side of the road. Visitors have reported that the water tastes very clean and refreshing, and the spring has historically served as an informal water collection point for locals and passersby. The spring is sometimes compared to the nearby Rattlesnake Spring, which serves as a water source for the town of St. Helena. Howell Mountain Spring is reportedly slightly farther from the St. Helena water source than Rattlesnake Spring, and it tends to see less foot traffic, making it a more peaceful stop. The water has not been independently tested by the original contributor, so its mineral content and quality have not been formally verified. ## Directions The spring is located near **1416 Howell Mountain Road, Angwin, CA 94508**. 1. From **Highway 29 (Sonoma–Calistoga corridor)**, head east onto Howell Mountain Road toward Angwin. 2. Drive through downtown Angwin and continue for a few more miles past the town center. 3. Watch the right side of the road for a **pipe with a plank of wood on the ground** — this marks the spring. 4. If you see **mailboxes on your left beginning with the number 1435**, you've gone slightly too far. Turn around and look more carefully on the right side. 5. The listed GPS coordinates are **38.601227, -122.439957**, which can be entered into a navigation app to get close to the location. 6. **Tip:** Google Street View along this stretch of Howell Mountain Road will show the pipes and wooden plank, which can help you identify the exact spot before your visit. ## What to Expect Howell Mountain Spring is a simple, roadside spring — don't expect a developed park or signage. The water flows from a pipe emerging from the hillside on the right side of the road, with a wooden plank placed on the ground near the collection point. A mailbox is visible nearby, which can serve as a landmark. The spring is accessible at all hours with no posted operating hours or gates. Because it receives less traffic than the more popular Rattlesnake Spring, you're unlikely to encounter a line of people waiting to fill containers. The surrounding area is characteristic of Howell Mountain's forested, hilly terrain within Napa County wine country. Visitors have described the water as very clean-tasting and comparable in quality to Rattlesnake Spring, though no formal water testing results are currently available. As with any untreated natural water source, the water quality has not been officially certified as safe for consumption. Parking is informal — pull off to the side of the road carefully, as Howell Mountain Road can have limited shoulder space in places.