Discover Wild Nature Parks in Sonoma County

Sonoma County, California, is home to more than 50 regional parks and 11 state parks, from the scenic village of Gualala in the north to the seaside town of Bodega Bay in the south, and from the majestic Pacific Ocean in the west to the lush Sonoma Valley in the east.

Exceptionally beautiful and with plenty to do, some of the most breathtaking parks are the county’s ‘wild parks,’ where the land has barely — or never — been touched.

Discover dirt trails, isolated coves, and nature untrammeled at these favorite wild parks in Sonoma Wine Country.

Austin Creek State Recreation Area, Guerneville

With nearly 6,000 acres featuring 20 miles of trails through meadows and woodlands and across rolling hills, Austin Creek State Recreation Area is big and beautiful. Trails range from moderate to strenuous. Drive-in and hike-in campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Austin Creek is also adjacent to the 520-acre Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve with its majestic groves of redwood trees.

Gualala Point Regional Park, Guerneville

Situated where the Gualala River enters the Pacific Ocean, this stunning park offers wonderful ocean views, a vast expanse of sandy beach and dunes, and a summertime sandspit at the river’s mouth. Stroll to spot driftwood and shells, or try your hand at fishing (depending on the season). The park’s campground nestles under redwood trees by the river within walking distance of the crashing surf. Sites include drive-in and walk-to options, with a few reserved for hikers and cyclists.

Hood Mountain Regional Park, Santa Rosa

With nearly 2,000 acres, Hood Mountain offers 19 miles of moderate to challenging trails geared to fit hikers. Traverse across creeks, through grasslands, into forests, and up peaks for stunning vistas. Gunsight Rock, a rocky outcropping, offers incredible views of Sonoma Valley and beyond. Four tent-only, environmentally friendly campsites (including one group site) are available in remote settings, accessible by hiking about two miles from parking areas. Sites include tables, food lockers, and tent pads, with primitive toilets nearby.

Salt Point State Park, Jenner

This park comprises 6,000 acres of wooded uplands, coastal bluffs, and coves. The rhythm of the pounding surf punctuates a hike along rocky promontories where you’ll enjoy panoramic views, kelp-dotted coves, open grasslands, forested hills, pristine prairies, and a pygmy forest. With 20 miles of hiking trails, over six miles of rugged coastline, and an underwater park, you can enjoy a variety of activities here, like horseback riding, fishing, skin and scuba diving, and camping (more than 100 reservable sites are available).

Sonoma Coast State Park, Bodega Bay

This park consists of a series of fabulous beaches, dotted with rock bluffs and headlands, stretching 17 miles from Bodega Head to north of Jenner. There are more than a dozen access points along Pacific Coast Highway 1 that allow you to park and make your way to a beach.

Shell Beach is a good stop for beachcombing and tide pools. Goat Rock Beach is near a popular spot to watch seals on the bank. North and South Salmon Creek Beach attract surfers. Campsites are available at Wright’s Beach and Bodega Dunes, and seasonal primitive campsites with pit toilets can be found at Willow Creek environmental campground.

Stillwater Cove Regional Park, Jenner

Located on the Pacific Ocean in Jenner (near Fort Ross State Historic Park), 210-acre Stillwater Cove offers great birding, fishing, fabulous ocean-view hiking, a beach launch suitable for kayaks and other small boats, popular abalone diving, and camping (20 reservable campsites and a hiker/bicyclist group site). One popular activity here is walking the ½-mile trail to the historic one-room schoolhouse at Fort Ross.

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, Kenwood

Sugarloaf contains the headwaters of Sonoma Creek and offers 25 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding (some trails are open to mountain bikers). The Robert Ferguson Observatory is open to the public, and trout fishing is good in Sonoma Creek in late spring and early summer (a California fishing license is required for anyone over 16). Forty-seven campsites are situated on a large meadow near Sonoma Creek, and a group campsite is located in the park.

Trione-Annadel State Park, Santa Rosa

Trione-Annadel is an outdoor lover’s paradise, offering almost 5,000 acres of rolling hills and 35 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Wildflowers bloom from January through September, with April and May as peak months for viewing blooms.

A fishing lake is perfect for anglers (those over age 16 need a fishing license), sensational views attract photographers, and bird lovers can spend many happy hours here. Trione-Annadel State Park is adjacent to Spring Lake Regional Park, a popular recreation area, complete with a lake, campground, and hiking trails.

See Sonoma County’s safety tips for water activities here.

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Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez