Regional Parks Update
August 2020
Summer still offers great experiences
Summertime, and the living is – well, not exactly easy this year. But we do have the outdoors, and mom was right: We should go outside – it's a beautiful day!

We hope you enjoy this last full month of summer. Explore new-to-you trails, take a last-minute camping trip, stake out some sand for a day at the beach or take an in-person paddle class (details below). 

Summer experiences are still waiting for you at your favorite Sonoma County Regional Park.
Paddling into September – Join us!
We're now offering guided kayaking and stand-up paddle board trips into early September.

These excursions are perfect for beginners or any paddler looking for some lake buddies. For those who want to go solo, kayak and stand-up paddle boards are for rent at Spring Lake Regional Park's Violetti Road entrance each weekend through Labor Day.
Kayaking 101
On Saturdays through Sept. 5, kick start your morning by kayaking confidently on Spring Lake! Learn how to handle your paddle, turn, and become comfortable on the water. All equipment is provided. $25
Stand-up paddle boarding 101
On Thursdays through Sept. 3, enjoy a leisurely paddle on Spring Lake Regional Park while checking out local flora and fauna. Paddles, boards and life jackets will be provided. $25
 
Visiting the beaches? Know before you go ...
Get in some summer beach time! When August temperatures rise, so will the desire to seek a spot on the sand - or in the water. Before you pack your beach bag, keep the following in mind:

  • Doran Beach and Russian River beaches like Steelhead and Sunset fill quickly on warm days, even during the middle of the week. 
  • Park entrances close when parking lots are full. 
  • Arrive by mid-morning or later in the afternoon for the best chance of finding parking.
  • Have an alternate destination in case the park is full when you arrive. 
  • Street parking in Russian River neighborhoods is limited, and parking rules are strictly enforced.

Find out more about playing it safe on the Russian River here.

Find out more about summer fun at Doran Beach here.
Quest for nature knowledge begins here
As part of our Nearby Nature program, we've designed a series of "quests," self-guided nature hikes geared for families with young kids.

Each of the eight quests leads you through a park by offering activities and observations that help you delve deeper into your surroundings. What do you hear? See? Can you draw an oak leaf? Is everyone in your group noticing the same things?

Parents, this is a great way to introduce parks like Taylor Mountain and Helen Putnam and to your kids. It's like a scavenger hunt for your brain - discover the natural elements, but don't collect anything. Leave it for the next quester.

Download and print quests in English or Spanish for the whole family. Make sure to bring pencils and crayons!

Visit the Nearby Nature webpage for other educational activities, including weekly Facebook Live sessions with naturalists, webinars on natural history, and downloadable wildlife coloring pages.
Recreate responsibly: Keep doing your part
We're happy to see many more visitors practicing social distances and wearing face coverings in the parks. Thank you for doing your part. Please keep following safe practices:

  • Wear a face covering when you're near others on trails and in parking areas.
  • Wear your face covering when you speak with a park employee.
  • Wear your face covering when you use a park restroom.
  • If you forget your face covering, free disposable masks are available from dispensers in busy parks like Spring Lake. Please take only one per person.
  • Avoid crowded trails and beaches. Visit during off-peak hours.
  • Bring your own water. Don’t use drinking fountains.
  • Pack out your litter to reduce the amount of trash in the parks.
  • Don’t visit a park if you have symptoms of Covid-19.

For more information about what activities are allowed or what's open, see our Covid-19 status page and answers to frequently asked questions. 
Time to reserve next summer's campsites
Camping tent in redwoods at Gualala Point Regional Park
Thank you for your patience as we reopened campgrounds and brought a new reservation system online last month. And thank you to campers who are following new campground rules for social distancing and personal hygiene.

Summer vacancies filled quickly, but there are still some early autumn openings to be found in September and October. Reservations can be made from one day to one year in advance, so next summer's dates can be booked now. Don't forget: If you're a Regional Parks member, you get one free night of camping!

The spot pictured above? Site 2 at Gualala Point Regional Park.
A visit to Grandmother Tree keeps you grounded
When a tree falls in the forest is it worth going to see? Our friends at Weekend Sherpa think so. And so do we.

See their recommendation for hiking across part of Hood Mountain Regional Park and into Sugarloaf Ridge State Park to visit Grandmother Tree. This mighty oak that fell last winter was the largest known coast live oak in Sonoma County. (Pictured here in 2018.) Though now toppled, it's still an impressive sight. And the ridgetop views are pretty amazing too.
Don't get rattled if you see one of these
rattlesnake
It's rattlesnake season for another couple of months. Do you know how to identify a rattlesnake and what to do if you encounter one in a park? Our "Snakes on a Trail" blog post has some dos and don'ts to help you keep safe - and keep calm - if you find yourself sharing space with our native viper. 
Bill & Dave Legacy Fund to benefit Hood Mountain
The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation has created the Bill & Dave Legacy Fund in honor of Bill Myers, left, and Dave Chalk, the long-time leaders of the popular Bill & Dave’s Hikes.

After organizing Sonoma Valley outings for two decades, the intrepid hikers retired earlier this year. The new fund, which accepts donations from the public, will help pay for park expansions and trail work at Hood Mountain Regional Park and adjoining Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - two of Bill and Dave's favorite hiking spots.
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Sonoma County Regional Parks
707-565-2041