Splash into summer with Sonoma County Regional Parks

Families and visitors can cool off, relax and explore Sonoma County’s favorite warm-weather destinations beginning Saturday, May 23, with the reopening of Spring Lake Regional Park’s Water Park, swimming lagoon and boat rentals, along with the return of River Shuttle service to popular Russian River beaches.

Spring Lake’s Water Park, lagoon and boat rentals open Saturday, May 23. They will operate Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, and Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31, with daily operations beginning Friday, June 5. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.   

The inflatable, floating Water Park (393 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa) offers four sessions daily with tiered pricing of $10 to $14 per session. Part playground and part obstacle course, the Water Park is open to adults and children (6 and older and at least 42 inches tall). Buy tickets at SoCoParks.org/WaterPark.

As always, the Spring Lake swimming lagoon is free for swimming and beach play, no reservations needed. Lifeguards are on duty, and free life jackets are available at the beach. The lagoon is chlorinated, filtered and tested to ensure water quality exceeds state standards. The swimming lagoon features shaded picnic areas, and Spring Lake Café will be serving burgers, hot dogs, tacos, grilled oysters and more. 

On Spring Lake, stand-up paddleboards and single and tandem kayak rentals start at $15 an hour. Rental service runs from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Reserve at SoCoParks.org/Aquatics.   

Along the Russian River, the seasonal dam at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach will be in place by early July, creating a calm, lifeguarded swim spot through Labor Day. Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach features accessible parking, restrooms and picnic areas along the beach. Free loaner life jackets are available for use during the summer and lifeguards are on duty. New this year, tube rentals will be available on weekends and holidays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Free life jacket loaner stations are also available starting Memorial Day weekend at most Russian River parks, including Del Rio Woods, Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, Steelhead Beach, Forestville River Access and Sunset Beach. Visitors can borrow a life jacket for the day at no charge and return it before leaving.

Most river beaches are not lifeguarded, but the Russian River Patrol, a roving team of lifeguards, will be on duty Fridays through Mondays through Labor Day. The roving patrol visits Del Rio Woods, Forestville River Access, Steelhead Beach and Sunset Beach. 

For those looking to avoid crowded parking lots at some of our most popular river parks, The Regional Parks River Shuttle returns on Memorial Day weekend, running weekends and holidays through Labor Day. The shuttle travels from El Molino High School in Forestville to Steelhead and Sunset beaches. The shuttle reduces parking hassles and makes it easier to enjoy river tubing trips without having to stage a vehicle at separate parks. Tickets are only $5 for all-day access, and kids 18 and younger ride free. Parking at El Molino is free. Buy tickets at SoCoParks.org/Shuttle.   

The seasonal day use parking fee at Sunset Beach, Steelhead Beach, Riverfront, Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach and Del Rio Woods is $12 from May 23 through Sept. 7. Parking is free with an annual Regional Parks membership. Learn more at SoCoParks.org/Member.

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Media Contact: 
Tina Luster, Marketing Specialist
Sonoma County Regional Parks
Tina.Luster@sonoma-county.org
707-565-3803
SonomaCountyParks.org