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Regional Parks River Shuttle

Regional Parks River Shuttle picking up passengers at El Molino High School

Please note: The River Shuttle will return in 2024. Ticket sales for the 2024 Summer Season will open in late Spring 2024.


The Regional Parks River Shuttle is a low-cost transportation option for visiting Steelhead and Sunset beaches on the Russian River. Ride the River Shuttle to avoid full parking lots or the need to leave a car at each beach during float trips.

An all-day ticket is $5. Children and teens 18 and younger ride for free.

The River Shuttle runs weekends and holidays from Memorial Day until Labor Day weekend. The shuttle route travels a loop, departing every 30 minutes between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from El Molino High School, 7050 Covey Road, in Forestville to Steelhead Beach Regional Park and Sunset Beach River Park.

Regional Parks River Shuttle route map

Buy a ticket

  • Go to russianrivershuttle.mytrakk.com. (Reservations are not required, but seats are first-come, first-served.)
  • Choose the date you'd like to ride. You do not need to specify a departure time. Shuttles run every 30 minutes.
  • Select the number of tickets you want to purchase. Chidren and teens 18 and younger ride for free but need a ticket. Each ticket is round-trip and allows you to get on and off at more than one stop.
  • Enter your contact information. (A QR code ticket will be sent to the email address and phone number you provide.)
  • Enter your payment method, review your order and submit.
  • You will receive an email and SMS text message with a link to view and manage your reservation/ticket.
  • Show the QR code on your phone when boarding the shuttle.

How to float the river when arriving by shuttle

  • Take the Regional Park River Shuttle from El Molino High School, 7050 Covey Road, Forestville (Leave El Molino High School no later than 2 p.m. to make the 6 p.m. shuttle pick up from Sunset Beach) 
  • Coolers, deflated rafts/tubes, fishing poles and other gear are allowed on the shuttle.
  • Get off the shuttle at Steelhead Beach. Use the park's free inflation station to inflate your raft or tube – or bring a hand pump to avoid waiting in line.
  • Float from Steelhead to Sunset Beach. Travel time is about 4.5 hours. 
  • Arrive at Sunset Beach and deflate your raft/tube to take with you on the return shuttle. All floats left on the beach are trash and can pollute the river and harm wildlife.
  • Catch the shuttle back to El Molino High School. The last shuttle leaves Sunset at 6 p.m.

For your safety

  • Alcohol consumption is not allowed on the shuttle or in the parks. 
  • Dogs are not allowed on the shuttle.

Secure your belongings, trash your trash

Accessibility

All vehicles used for shuttle service are wheelchair accessible and configured to transport at least two wheelchair passengers at any time.

Schedule

Every 30 minutes between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from El Molino High School, 7050 Covey Road, in Forestville to Steelhead Beach Regional Park and Sunset Beach River Park.

Check the real-time location of the next shuttle below:

Commercial/Charter Buses

  • Summer Season (weekends and holidays only): On weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, commercial bus operators are not permitted to drop off or pick up passengers at the Regional Parks river beaches, with the exception of Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach. Commercial shuttle and charter buses may make free reservations with C3 Transportation to transport passengers on the Regional Parks River Shuttle at least 48 hours in advance by calling 415-727-7158.
  • Summer Season (weekdays only): On weekdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, commercial bus operators will need to obtain a permit in advance before dropping off or picking up passengers at the Regional Parks river beaches. Commercial buses without reservations will not be allowed in the parks. 
  • Off-Season (Fall/Winter/Spring): On any day between Labor Day and Memorial Day, commercial bus operators will need to obtain a permit in advance before dropping off or picking up passengers at the Regional Parks river beaches. Commercial buses without reservations will not be allowed in the parks.

More information

If you have questions about the Regional Parks River Shuttle, contact the operator, C3 Transportation, at 1-800-727-0279 or 415-727-7717 or info@c3transit.com.