Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve
Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve has expanded from 515 acres to 2,033.6 acres. An additional 1,517 was transferred to Regional Parks on June 20, 2025, and combined with the original property acquired by Regional Parks in October 2020. The expansion property will be incorporated into Monte Rio Redwood’s ongoing master planning process, which guides future recreational development and long-term land management.
The property is open for interim public access while the master plan is being developed and California Environmental Quality Act studies are underway. Its stunning quiet beauty offers a unique opportunity for hiking, picnicking or mountain cycling under shaded redwood, oak and riparian forests.
What & Why?
Regional Parks is planning this regional park on stunning wildlands that stretch from the eastern border of Sonoma Coast State Park - Willow Creek Addition to Dutch Bill Creek in the community of Monte Rio.
We acknowledge the Southern Pomo as the traditional inhabitants and caretakers of the land and value the knowledge of their continuous culture in the community.
The park protects redwood forest, important for carbon storage and building climate resilience and preserves wildlife corridors and stream tributaries that support coho salmon and steelhead. The expansion property is a critical link in connecting over 22,000 acres of protected lands from the Russian River to the Sonoma Coast and offers new opportunities for recreation, habitat restoration and wildfire-resilient forest management. Coordinating with partners who manage nearby lands creates a connected, large-scale stewardship approach that makes a bigger impact and helps make neighboring communities safer.
What's Next?
Regional Parks is currently finalizing a contract to start work on the expanded master plan for Monte Rio Redwoods Park and Preserve. Community engagement is expected to begin in fall 2025. A focused meeting for neighbors of the property on Willow Creek Road will be held on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Occidental Community Center in Occidental. This is the first of several community meetings that will be scheduled. There will be additional public input opportunities throughout the master plan process.
Why is a master planning process necessary?
A master plan, and its related environmental studies, guides trail and amenity development, helps us prioritize habitat restoration and wildfire resilience projects, and guides educational and interpretive elements. Regional Parks aims to enhance the existing access, and the master planning process provides an opportunity for community input and feedback.
How long does the master planning process typically take?
The master planning process, which includes compliance with state environmental laws, typically takes up to 24 months, although it can sometimes take longer due to park-specific needs and includes multiple opportunities for public input.
View upcoming guided hikes at Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve.
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