Sonoma County Regional Parks

[Español abajo] With the lifting of the state stay-home order, we will be reopening our campgrounds as of Feb. 1. All in-person group programs remain cancelled through February. As Sonoma County remains in the purple tier under the state guidelines, we still encourage your vigilance:... Avoid crowded parks and beaches. Stay 6 feet from other visitors you don't live with. Wear a mask when you can't keep your distance. This includes trails and playgrounds. Do not gather in large groups Please do your part to keep yourselves, other visitors and our staff safe. Questions? parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Vi/Covid-19-Parks-Status-Updates/ or (707) 565-2041 . Con el levantamiento de la orden estatal para quedarse en casa, vamos a reabrir nuestras áreas para acampar a partir del 1o de febrero. Todos los programas grupales en persona, continúan cancelados durante febrero. Dado que el Condado de Sonoma continua en el nivel purpura según los lineamientos estatales, les pedimos que continúen cuidándose: Eviten los parques y las playas con mucha gente. Manténgase a 2 metros de otros visitantes que no vivan con ustedes. Utilicen un tapa bocas cuando no puedan mantener su distancia. Esto incluye cuando estén en los senderos y las áreas de juego. No se reúnan en grupos grandes Por favor hagan su parte para mantenerse a ustedes, a otros visitantes y a nuestro personal seguros. ¿Preguntas? parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Vi/Covid-19-Parks-Status-Updates/ o al (707) 565-2041 .

[Español abajo] On Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, Foothill Regional Park will be closed due to the regional flash flood watch. Heavy rain can increase the potential for debris flow and landslides in parks recently affected by wildfires. For your safety, please follow all posted closure notices. We will keep you updated on the closure status of this park as conditions change. Trailhead closure at Laguna de Santa Rosa: Highway 12 parking lot will be closed until further notice due to ...excessively muddy conditions making it unsafe for public use. Limited parking is available in the lot off of Occidental Road and all trails remain open at this time. El martes 26 de enero de 2021, el Parque Regional Foothill estará cerrado debido al Alerta Regional sobre Posibles Inundaciones Súbitas. Las lluvias Fuertes pueden incrementar el potencial de flujos de escombros y deslaves en los parques que recientemente han tenido incendios. Para su protección, por favor respete todos los letreros de cierres. Les informamos del estado de cierre de este parque si las condiciones cambian. Cierre de Inicio de Sendero en la Laguna de Santa Rosa: El estacionamiento de la Carretera 12 estará cerrado hasta nuevo aviso debido a condiciones muy lodosas que hacen inseguro el que el público lo use. Están disponibles algunos lugares de estacionamiento en el lote que está saliendo de Occidental Road y todos los senderos están abiertos en este momento.

As of Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 the Highway 12 parking lot and trailhead at the Laguna de Santa Rosa has re-opened. The lot was closed to address excessively muddy conditions and is now safe again for public use. Future rains may require us to close the lot again, however, pending the implementation of permanent parking lot improvements. We thank you in advance for your flexibility and patience!

Just as we saw after the 2017 Nuns Fire and the 2019 Kincade Fire, the start of the rainy season has spurred on the regeneration of new vegetation and life. From foxes to skunks, deer to mountain lions, wildlife have already returned to many places in Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, making daily (and nightly) cameos on our trail cameras. How many can you identify? We know many of you miss Hood Mountain Regional Park and are anxious to get out and see it a...gain. However, the park remains closed to the public. After putting erosion controls in place for winter, we're still focused on clearing trails, removing hazardous trees, repairing access roads, and replacing signs, trail markers, retaining walls, steps and other infrastructure. With about 80 percent of the park's 2,000 acres burned, it's a big job, and winter weather and other variables can affect our progress. We'll keep you updated as we get closer to at least a partial reopening. Interested in more park updates and news? Consider signing up for our monthly newsletter at https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Learn/Newsletter/ .

As of Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2020 Foothill Regional Park has re-opened to the public for recreation. Thank you for your patience!

’Tis the season to check your pants, socks and four-legged friends for hitchhikers ticks! Recent rains and warming weather means these little critters are already getting a head start on the season. Did you know ticks aren't insects? Learn all about Sonoma County ticks how to avoid them, why it’s important to avoid them and how they play an important role in the local ecosystem.

Tolay Lake Regional Park has re-opened to the public. Thank you for your patience!

Discover who flies in for the winter at Spring Lake Regional Park!

On Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, Foothill Regional Park will be closed due to the regional high wind advisory. High winds can cause tree damaged and potentially dangerous situations, especially in those parks with higher elevations recently affected by wildfires. For your safety, please follow all closure notices posted in the park. Once we complete safety inspections, we will re-open the park as soon as possible. On Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, Tolay Regional Park will be affected by trail closures due to annual ranching activities. All trails (except West Ridge Trail) will be closed to the public. Those wishing to hike or ride West Ridge Trail will be re-directed to the equestrian parking lot upon entry. Trails and main parking lot will re-open on Wednesday, Jan. 20. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you in advance for your patience.

Better late than never? Autumn officially started last month (Sept. 22), but you could have fooled us! We sincerely hope that we can now permanently swap out sunburns and smokey skies for pumpkin spice and falling leaves. California is not really known for the fall displays typical of the East Coast, but we do have a few show stoppers, like the California black oak, whose leaves turn from green to striking red and gold as the weather changes. A few great place to see the Quercus kelloggii on display? Sonoma Valley, Shiloh Ranch and North Sonoma Mountain regional parks all have some extraordinary examples and are beautiful in the fall. 's: Zoya Akulova, calphotos.berkeley.edu; @tea_is_for_taylor at Sonoma Valley Regional Park

[Español abajo] As of Tuesday, Oct. 27, Sonoma Valley, Shiloh Ranch, and Foothill regional parks are open to the public again. Thank you for your patience. ... A partir del martes 27 de octubre, los parques regionales Sonoma Valley, Shiloh Ranch, y Foothill están abiertos al público para visitarlo. Gracias por su paciencia.

Tune in Wednesday! Director Bert Whitaker will be discussing the role of parks and open space in reducing wildfire risk while maintaining public access, along with Marin County Parks .

Park Closure Update [Español abajo] Due to forecasted high winds, increased fire danger and a Red Flag Warning in the Bay Area, the following regional parks will be closed beginning on Sunday, Oct. 25, through Monday, Oct. 26: Sonoma Valley... Shiloh Ranch Foothill Hood Mountain remains closed due to Glass Fire damage A campfire ban will also be in effect at all regional park campgrounds Sunday through Monday. Keeping our community safe is our top priority. We'll keep you updated on the closure status of these parks as conditions change and re-open parks as soon as inspections deem conditions safe. ... Debido al pronóstico de fuertes vientos, al alto riesgo de incendios y a la Advertencia de Bandera Roja en el Area de la Bahía, los siguientes parques regionales estarán cerrados el domingo 25 de octubre y también el lunes 26 de octubre: Sonoma Valley Shiloh Ranch Foothill Hood Mountain continua cerrado debido a los daños causados por el Incendio Glass Durante este domingo y lunes, también se ha establecido una prohibición para las fogatas en todos los terrenos para acampar de los parques regionales. Mantener a nuestras comunidades seguras es nuestra prioridad máxima. Vamos a mantenerles informados acerca del estatus de cerrado en estos parques, conforme las condiciones vayan cambiando, y les notificaremos la reapertura de los parques en cuanto las inspecciones determinen que es seguro visitarlos.

Get your kids off the screen and into the wild outdoors during our Wild Wednesdays outdoor education program! Elementary school students will explore our parks in COVID-safe, physically distanced groups, while practicing literacy skills, being creative, hiking and sharpening their scientific minds. Runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m., various locations available. Session 3 starts on Wednesday, Nov. 4, so sign up today at https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Play/Calendar/ .

Come hike the future Mark West Creek Regional Park and Preserve when we host park preview days Nov. 7 and 15. Sonoma Ag + Open Space in 2019 transferred nearly 1,200 acres along Mark West Creek to us for a future regional park. The park is not yet open to the public, but on park preview days you’re welcome to hike the property on your own and enjoy first-hand the riparian woodlands, towering redwoods and beautiful views. Park staff and volunteers will be available to answer questions, point out the land’s features, including the regrowth from the 2017 wildfires, and describe the master-planning process that will allow us to permanently open the park. Social distancing protocols will be observed. Space is limited, and registration required at https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov//Mark-West-Preview-Day-/.

Veterans, active-duty military, and their families are invited to visit any Sonoma County Regional Park for free over the Veterans Day holiday and the preceding weekend (Saturday, Nov. 7, through Wednesday, Nov. 11). A special pass waiving the $7 parking fee is available now and can be obtained at the Newanga Ave. entrance to Spring Lake Regional Park, at Doran Beach in Bodega Bay, or by calling the main office at (707) 565-2041. Read more at https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov//Free-Holiday-Parking-a/.

Most people are familiar with striped skunks, but have you heard of the smaller western spotted skunk? Spotted skunks like this one spend their day time hours in their dens and their nights foraging for plants, insects, amphibians and small mammals. If threatened, they may stamp their feet on the ground and stand on their front feet while advancing toward their aggressor in a handstand. (Watch until the end for a preview of this amazing feat!) Spotted skunks have a characte...ristic white spot between their eyes and a small white patch below each ear. Like striped skunks, they emit a smelly spray to warn others away. Threats to spotted skunks include golden eagles, great horned owls, humans and domestic dogs. To date, we've observed these skunks only in one of our regional parks, which will remain undisclosed until we've had a better chance to study and understand this local population.

ICYMI! Director Bert Whitaker discusses the Glass Fire's impact on Hood Mountain Regional Park with Pat Kerrigan of KSRO 1350/103.5 Sonoma County’s News Talk : https://www.ksro.com//interview-bert-whitaker-on-the-stat/

When folks think about fall migration, they often think about birds like geese flying in a V-formation headed south, but what about bugs? Scientists have found that the number of migratory insects outnumber the number of migratory birds! Butterflies, including monarchs, make migrations of thousands of miles between California and Mexico. Several species of local dragonflies like these blue-eyed darners also migrate seasonally. Now creative kids (and adults) can download a free coloring page (created by local artists) featuring a migratory bug or bird from our website at: https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/_tem/PageWideBanner.aspx . : @tyrrellcorp71

[Español abajo] Regional Parks' playgrounds have reopened, but with Sonoma County still experiencing widespread Coronavirus transmission, families should follow these safety precautions: - Children 2 and older must wear face coverings. - Maintain 6 feet of distance from families from other households. - Actively supervise your child's play. - Wash or sanitize hands before and after your visit. ... - Don't eat or drink on the playground - keep your face coverings on. - Limit your visit to 30 minutes if others are waiting to use the playground. Visit at different times or days to avoid crowds. - Older adults and people with underlying medical conditions should avoid playgrounds when others are present. More info: https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/ | https://socoemergency.org/ ... Las áreas de juegos de Parques Regionales se han vuelto a abrir, pero como en el Condado de Sonoma aún se están observando nuevos contagios del coronavirus, las familias deben de respetar las siguientes precauciones por su seguridad: - Los niños de 2 años y mayores deben de utilizar un tapabocas. - Conserve una distancia de 6 pies de otras familias o personas que no vivan con usted. - Vigile de manera activa los juegos de su(s) niño(s). - Lave o desinfecte las manos de todos, antes y después de su visita al área de juegos. - No coma o beba nada en el área de juegos mantenga puestos sus cubrebocas. - Limite su visita a 30 minutos, si es que hay otras personas esperando para entrar al área de juegos. - Programe sus visitas a diferentes horas o días, para evitar que haya mucha gente. - Los adultos mayores y la gente con padecimientos médicos deben de evitar las areas de juegos cuando haya otras personas presentes. Mas: https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/ | https://socoemergency.org/

[Español abajo] As of Friday, Oct. 16, Sonoma Valley and Foothill regional parks are open to the public again. Shiloh Ranch Regional Park is expected to open Saturday morning, Oct. 17. ... A partir del viernes 16 de octubre, los parques regionales Sonoma Valley y Foothill están abiertos al público para visitarlo. Shiloh Ranch Regional Park se espera que sea abierta el sábado 17 de octubre por la mañana.