Rain-ready trails: Paved paths for rainy days
Rain in Sonoma County is something to celebrate. Our creeks fill, hillsides sprout shoots of green and the air carries that fresh, earthy smell that only comes with wet weather. But if you’ve ever tried your favorite dirt trail after a good rainstorm, you’ve probably discovered the downside: mud.
Mud isn’t just messy; wet trails are more vulnerable to long-term damage, and hiking, biking, horseback riding or taking your dog out for a run on soggy trails can lead to erosion and rutting. Over time, that kind of wear can lead to closures for trail repairs later on.
During wet weather, paved trails — which are designed to better withstand use during wet conditions — are a great alternative. Here are a few of our favorite paved trails for post-storm strolls, bike rides or dog walks.
Spring Lake Loop Trail – Spring Lake Regional Park
Distance: 2.3-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
One of the most popular paved trails in the park system, the Spring Lake Loop Trail is a scenic route that circles Spring Lake, featuring views of the water, the Mayacamas Mountains and surrounding oak woodlands. The trail is mostly flat, with a short climb near the main dam, and benches along the way give you a place to pause, watch birds and waterfowl on the lake or take in the views. Spring Lake Regional Park has two entrances, both with large parking lots.
However, Spring Lake was built as a flood control reservoir in the 1960s, which means water levels can rise significantly during large storms and the trail may be closed due to flooding. Be sure to check current conditions on the park webpage before heading out or consider one of the paved trail options below if you’re looking for a route less likely to be affected during heavy rain.
Santa Rosa Creek Trail
Distance: About 4 miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy
The Santa Rosa Creek Trail offers a peaceful, mostly flat route through west Santa Rosa, following Santa Rosa Creek for 2.14 miles between Willowside Road and Fulton Road, where it connects to the City of Santa Rosa’s Prince Memorial Greenway and continues toward downtown. Limited free parking is available along the shoulder of Willowside Road.
Built on a raised path along the north side of the creek, this paved trail offers views of the creek habitat, farmland, vineyards and distant mountains. This multi-use trail is popular year-round with walkers, joggers, cyclists and equestrians. It’s also a great place for birdwatching, particularly in the wetter months, when waterfowl and other wildlife are active along the creek. A parallel gravel trail on the south side of Santa Rosa Creek is operated and maintained by Sonoma Water.
Valley of the Moon Trail – Sonoma Valley Regional Park
Distance: About 2 miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy
The Valley of the Moon Trail is a meandering route through the oak woodlands of Sonoma Valley Regional Park, just outside Glen Ellen. Seasonal creeks flow alongside this 1.2-mile trail during wetter months and the palette of the landscape changes with the seasons, offering bright wildflowers in spring and golden leaves with hanging lichen in the fall. Benches and picnic tables are spaced along the trail; good spots to pause and listen to the rustling leaves and birdsong. The trail ends at Arnold Drive, where you can simply turn around to return to the main parking lot. A picnic area near the main parking lot makes it a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch afterwards.
Ridge Trail (paved section) - Helen Putnam Regional Park
Distance: About 2.4 miles, out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Helen Putnam Regional Park sits in the rolling hills southwest of Petaluma and offers expansive views of rolling grasslands and oak woodlands that become especially green and lush after winter rains. While many of the park’s dirt trails can become muddy and may be temporarily closed during wet weather, the paved section of the park’s Ridge Trail provides a reliable option.
This out-and-back route passes through open grasslands with expansive views along the way. Starting from the Chileno Valley Road parking lot, the Ridge Trail follows two parallel routes — one paved and one dirt — both climbing to the Cattail Pond. At the pond, you may see red-winged blackbirds, frogs or turtles near the water’s edge, depending on the season.
The steady uphill makes this a more active walk than some of the other paved trails in the parks system and the trail is not ADA-accessible, though it may be feasible for visitors using powered mobility devices.
Beyond the pond, the trail continues to climb, opening to even wider views as it peaks at about 490 feet in elevation, before descending toward the trailhead at Oxford Court. Turn around at any point to shorten your outing, or continue all the way up and over for a full workout, before heading back to the parking lot.
Beach Access Path – Gualala Point Regional Park
Distance: About 1 mile, out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Rainy days and coastal walks are a natural pairing, and Gualala Point Regional Park is a great place to experience both. The park spans both sides of Highway 1, with the Gualala River and a forested campground to the east and to the west a wide crescent shaped beach with an estuary.
The Beach Access Path offers a mellow, paved route leading from the main parking lot across open meadows, through gnarled cypress groves to the beach, where visitors often spend time watching waves, seabirds and changing weather along the shoreline. The .4-mile paved path is ADA-accessible until it reaches the beach and all-terrain wheelchairs (on a first-come, first-served basis) are available for use for free from the park visitor center. If you’d like to extend your outing another mile or so before turning back, you can continue along the wide sandy beach in either direction. You’ll likely spot wildlife and gnarled driftwood washed up from winter storms.
Speaking of winter storms, waves and tides can rise pretty high at Gualala, so be sure to check coastal conditions before heading out. Gualala Point Regional Park is rich in regional history, so be sure to drop by the visitors center (check the park webpage for current hours) and learn all about it.
Know Before You Go
- All of these trails are multi-use trails open to hikers, bikers and equestrians, and dogs on leash are welcome.
- Please pick up and pack out pet waste.
- Unless otherwise noted, a parking fee is required at these parks; or free for Regional Park members.
- After storms, check park webpages for current conditions and temporary closures.
- A quick way to tell if a dirt trail needs more time to dry is to check your impact. If you’re leaving deep footprints or tire ruts, or if clumps of mud are sticking to your shoes or tires, it’s best to turn back or choose a different route.
- Weather along the Sonoma Coast can shift quickly, so be prepared. Always dress in layers and be ready for changing conditions.
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