Backpacking in Sonoma County

Scenic Sonoma County, California, is popular for its outdoor pleasures, including backcountry camping, which means hiking to a site with backpacks to get up close and personal with the stunning natural surroundings.

If you have a yen to get away from it all and chill out in a remote campsite where you can soak in all the benefits of the great outdoors, then grab your pack and head to one of these parks in Sonoma County.

Hood Mountain Regional Park, Santa Rosa

A lush 1,750-acre park, Hood Mountain offers 19 miles of challenging trails with an elevation gain exceeding 1,000 feet. The payoff? Sensational views of Sonoma Valley and beyond — on clear days, you’ll see the Golden Gate Bridge from Gunsight Rock and the Valley View Trail. Most Hood Mountain trails are geared to experienced hikers in good physical condition.

For backpackers, Hood Mountain offers four environmental campsites in remote settings, reached by hiking about two miles from the parking areas. Campers can stay up to four consecutive nights. 

Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling (707) 565-2267. Sites can accommodate up to eight people. 

Hood Mountain environmental campsites:

• Sites include tables, food lockers, and tent pads with primitive toilets nearby.
• Potable water is not available, so be sure to carry enough drinking water.
• Campfires and barbecues are not allowed, but cooking stoves are permitted.
• Bring a trash bag to pack out any trash.
• Dogs on leash and horses are allowed.

Austin Creek State Recreation Area, Guerneville

With nearly 6,000 acres and 20 miles of trails that run beside year-round streams, through woodlands, and over rolling hills, Austin Creek is a recreational dream. The rugged terrain here, which ranges in elevation from 150 to 1,500 feet, supports a great diversity of plants and wildlife. This recreation area is also next to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, with its majestic groves of redwood trees.

The park has three primitive backcountry campsites, accessible via a three- to five-mile hike, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To obtain a permit, visitors must arrive in person at the Armstrong Redwoods entrance or at the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods.

Camping fees for up to 16 people include parking for one vehicle, with additional vehicles paying a nominal fee.

Austin Creek backcountry campsites:

• Each site offers a picnic table, fire ring, and pit toilet.
• Potable water is not available, so be sure to pack in enough for your needs.
• Check fire ban status by calling Armstrong Redwoods at 707-869-2015.
• Bring a trash bag to pack out any trash.
• Dogs are not permitted except for certified service dogs.

*Please note: As of March 2025, Austin Creek is open for hiking but remains closed for camping.

Sonoma Wine Country’s stunning landscape invites you to discover all the fun ways to get active outside, including cycling, hiking, fishing, paddleboarding, horseback riding, kayaking, tidepool exploration, wildlife watching, and all kinds of Sonoma County camping.

Together, we can protect and preserve the beauty and natural resources of Sonoma County for generations to come. Check out our page on Sustainable Travel, and look over the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.

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Written by Sonoma Insider Suzy Rodriguez