County of Sonoma
Sonoma County Regional Parks › Learn › Newsletter › May 2025 Newsletter
Learn

May 2025 Newsletter

Children wearing life vests playing on a large green inflatable structure with yellow accents on a lake

Splash into summer!

Spring Lake Regional Park's summer swimming lagoon, cafè, floating Water Park and kayak and paddleboard rentals open for Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 24. These attractions will be open weekends only, May 24 to 26 and May 31 to June 1. Starting Friday, June 6, they will switch to daily operations.

Water Park: Part playground and part obstacle course, the inflatable Water Park is for kids (at least 6 years old and 42 inches tall) and adults who like to make a splash – and a hop, flip and a jump! Tickets are $7-$12, depending on the session. Reservations are recommended. Hours for all open days are 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Swimming lagoon: As always, swimming at the lagoon and playing on the beach is free, no reservations needed. Lifeguards on duty and free life jackets available. Hours for all open days are 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Boat rentals: On the lake, paddleboards and single and tandem kayaks can be rented ($15-$20 per hour) from 11 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended.

Spring Lake Cafè: Located near the swimming lagoon, the Spring Lake Café offers burgers, hot dogs, tacos, grilled oysters, sandwiches, salads, candy, ice cream, cold drinks, beer and more. Hours and more info at SpringLake.cafe.

Children wearing life vests playing on an inflatable water park structure, with the words 'Water Park Tickets' overlaid in white text

Two people wearing life vests and hats are paddling a yellow kayak on a sunny day. The text 'Boat & SUP Rentals' is superimposed on the image

A smiling man in a blue t-shirt, sun hat, and sunglasses stands in front of a white shuttle bus. A sign for a 'River Shuttle' is visible to the right. A play button overlay indicates this is a video.

River Shuttle returns

Headed to the Russian River this summer? Avoid the peak season parking headaches by riding the Regional Parks River Shuttle, which returns for the summer on Saturday, May 24, and runs weekends and holidays through Labor Day, between El Molino High School in Forestville to Steelhead and Sunset beaches. All-day tickets are only $5, and kids 18 and younger ride free. Parking at the school is free.

Please note: Peak season day use parking fees will be in effect at Sunset Beach, Steelhead Beach, Riverfront Regional Park, Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, Del Rio Woods and Cloverdale River Park. Day use parking is $12 from May 24 through Sept. 1 or free for parks members.

A wooden 'Borrow a Life Jacket' station with instructions in English and Spanish, featuring diagrams on how to choose, wear, and return a life jacket. Several life jackets of various sizes hang from hooks at the bottom of the station.

River safety: Take a jacket, leave a jacket

Wearing a life jacket is the best way to stay safe on the Russian River, where conditions can change seasonally, depending on water flows. Returning on Memorial Day weekend, life jackets are free to use at Del Rio Woods, Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, Steelhead Beach, Forestville River Access and Sunset Beach. Just borrow one for the day and put it back when you leave.

The Russian River Patrol, a roving team of lifeguards, will also visit river beaches Fridays through Mondays, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Heads up for families: The summer dam at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach will be in place by early July, creating a calm, lifeguarded swim spot through Labor Day.

A group of children and teenagers, wearing swimwear, run barefoot across a sandy beach towards a body of water on a sunny day. Trees and an inflatable water park are visible in the background.

Water safety summer camps

Spots are still available in our New Swimmer Junior Guard camp July 7-10. Kids ages 10 to 14 spend the week at Spring Lake Regional Park's swimming lagoon with our lifeguards, gaining confidence in the water and making new friends. 

For those a little younger, Little Lifesavers, running July 21-24, will teach kids ages 7 to 9 about basic water safety and allow them to practice beginner rescue techniques and explore teamwork through fun games and activities.

A smiling woman with white hair, wearing a green shirt and a parks hat, gently holds a butterfly on her outstretched hand. She is surrounded by a green forest and holds binoculars.

Seeking volunteer wildlife docents

Love wildlife and enjoy talking with people? Become a wildlife docent! Volunteers help visitors understand how to protect wildlife while enjoying the parks. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors, grow your knowledge and spot local wildlife.

Volunteers must attend two trainings and commit to volunteer at least three hours a month. Interested? Email john.ryan@sonoma-county.org. 

Three people are sitting around a campfire on Doran Beach at dusk. A blue tent is visible in the background, along with trees and a red lantern.

Camping reservations change

As of May 1, you’re able to book a regional park campsite up to six months in advance (instead of 12 months). That means you can book sites closer to your travel dates. If you have an existing reservation, no action is needed.

This change makes it easier for more people to reserve high-demand campsites and helps reduce last-minute cancellations and no-shows.


Featured events

Three people stand on a grassy overlook, gazing out at the turquoise ocean. They are separated from the water by a wooden fence.

Walk in the park

Join us on Saturday, May 24, 10:30-11:30 a.m., for a stroll from the Gualala Point Regional Park visitors center to the ocean while learning about the natural history and wildlife and plants of this coastal park. Free; registration required.
A smiling woman wearing a bucket hat and blue gloves uses a long tool to remove plants. In the background, a man also wearing gloves uses long clippers to trim branches, both engaged in park maintenance or habitat restoration.

Restoration at Ragle

On Thursday, May 29, 9 a.m.-noon, help remove invasive blackberries at Ragle Ranch Regional Park. Tools, supplies, gloves, snacks and drinks provided. Free; registration required
A group of five people are gathered around a wooden picnic table on a grassy hillside overlooking a coastal landscape. The view includes the ocean, a beach, a small town, and a bridge. The sky is clear and blue.

Senior Saunter on the coast

Explore one of Sonoma County’s future parks, Carrington Coast Ranch Regional Park and Preserve, on Tuesday, June 3, 10 a.m.-noon. Enjoy spectacular ocean views during this gentle 2-mile saunter and get to know other friendly, older adults. No registration required.

Upcoming holiday closures

Our Santa Rosa office will be closed on Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. All parks will remain open.

Facebook Instagram Youtube

Sonoma County Regional Parks
400 Aviation Boulevard, Suite 100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 565-2041
ParksMarketing@Sonoma-County.org

Not yet subscribed? Sign up to receive future emails!