TranslatePark Policies
For the safety and well-being of all Sonoma County Regional Park users, visitors should adhere to the following policies, rules and regulations.
For additional details, please read the municipal code governing park policies.
Sonoma County Regional Parks - Policies, Rules, and Regulations
Alcoholic Beverages
- Alcohol consumption is not allowed at Steelhead Beach, Sunset Beach, Forestville River Access from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
- Alcohol consumption is banned year around at Maxwell Farms Regional Park, Larson Park, Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, and Guerneville River Park.
- To host a special event where alcohol will be served at a park that prohibits alcohol consumption, an Alcohol Use Permit must be obtained.
ATVs
- ATVs and other motorized vehicles are not allowed on trails or beaches in Sonoma County Regional Parks.
Bicycles
- Bicycles must follow posted speed limits. Bicycle helmets are required for riders under 18 years of age. E-Bike riders must adhere to the same trail rules as conventional bicycle riders.
- Class 1 Electric Bicycles (E-Bikes) are allowed in regional parks wherever conventional bicycles are allowed, unless otherwise posted. Class 1 E-Bikes are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph.
- Bicycle riding prohibited on lifeguarded beaches.
Boating
- Boaters must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person in the vessel, and children under 16 must wear one.
Camping
- Camping is restricted to established campgrounds within specific parks. Reservations are required for all campsites, with exception of the hiker/bike-in campsites, which are first-come, first-served. View a list of Sonoma County Regional Parks campgrounds.
- We do not have a wait list or cancellation list. Once a site is cancelled online or by phone, that site is immediately available to reserve on our website on our reservations webpage.
- Tent, trailer and RV camping policies and regulations
- Cabin camping policies and regulations
- Group campground policies and regulations
- Environmental campground policies and regulations
Cancellation Policy
- View our full camping cancellation policies on our camping reservations webpage.
Dogs, Cats and other Pets
- Except where noticed, dogs, cats and other pets are allowed if they are on a leash, under control and attended at all times – even while swimming.
- Maximum leash length is six (6) feet. Keeping your pet leashed will help protect it, other visitors and wildlife.
- In parks, trails and areas where pets are not allowed, appropriate signage will be posted. This prohibition does not apply to service animals. See our Find A Park webpage for information regarding pets at specific parks and trails.
- All Regional Park campgrounds allow dogs, cats and other pets if they are on a leash, under control and attended at all times. Maximum leash length is six (6) feet. A $2 fee will be charged per pet per night.
- All dogs must have valid proof of rabies vaccination.
- Animals or plants of any kind may not be released in the parks or campgrounds.
- A service animal is defined as any animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual's disability.
Drone/UAV/Remote Control
- The use of drones, model airplanes, boats and cars are not allowed.
Events and Picnics
- Most picnic tables and sites are first-come, first-served. Picnic table locations are marked on individual park maps. Visit our Find a Park webpage to view a specific park’s map.
- Group picnic sites can accommodate up to 150 people. A gathering of 25 or more people requires a group picnic site reservation, which must be made at least three (3) days prior to the event. To compare and reserve sites, visit our Group Picnic webpage.
- Special use permits are required for a gathering or event of any size that goes beyond the scope of routine park use, such as weddings, cultural or religious ceremonies, hiring an onsite caterer or vendor at your event, events advertised or open to the public, scientific research activities, sporting events or races, film and photoshoots, etc. Learn more about Special Use Permits.
- To host a special event where alcohol will be served at a park that prohibits alcohol consumption, an Alcohol Use Permit must be obtained.
- Bounce houses and other inflatable play equipment are not allowed.
- The use of confetti, mylar balloons, and/or Styrofoam products is not allowed. Do not attach or hang decorations to trees or structures.
- Posting of signage, flyers, etc. is prohibited unless Regional Parks gives written approval.
- Amplified music and/or voice is not allowed. The volume of stereos, CD players or any other noise must be kept at a minimum level.
- Park hours are 7 a.m. to sunset. Parking lots and entry gates close when parks close at sunset. Allow adequate time for event clean up.
- Pack out all trash, litter and food scraps. Bring your own trash bags, and if a park trash can is full, take your garbage with you until you can dispose of it properly.
Firearms, Traps and Other Weapons
- Hunting and possession of firearms is illegal.
- Shooting arrows, air or gas weapons, slingshots, rockets or fireworks is prohibited.
Fires
- Check Red Flag Warnings and fire restriction advisories. Fire, campfire and BBQ restrictions may be in place depending on drought or weather conditions.
- Charcoal and wood BBQs and campfires are banned during Red Flag Warnings, high wind advisories and Spare the Air Days. Gas stoves and BBQs are allowed unless otherwise noticed.
- If conditions permit, fires are allowed in identified fire rings and BBQ’s only.
- Fires are prohibited, including bonfires and BBQs, on all Sonoma County beaches.
- Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited at backcountry environmental campsites. Gas stoves are allowed unless otherwise noticed.
- If you are allowed to have a campfire or BBQ, have enough water on hand at all times to completelyextinguish your campfire. Burn all wood to ash and be sure the fire is completely out and cold before you leave it.
- Do not burn trash in the fire rings or BBQs. Burned trash releases harmful toxins that you and others will breathe in. Pack out all trash, litter and food scraps.
Firewood
- Gathering or cutting wood is not allowed.
- Buy your firewood from a local Sonoma County vendor or campground host. Don’t bring wood from home; when people move wood from place to place, they may also be moving invasive insects and diseases that may threaten California’s landscape.
Fishing and Crabbing
- Fishing, where allowed, must adhere to CA Department of Fish and Wildlife rules and regulations. Learn more at wildlife.ca.gov.
- Fishing or crabbing is not allowed from boat docks at Bodega Bay parks. It is allowed from the public pier at Spud Point Marina.
- Pack out your fishing lines and hooks – all the way to a trash can. Discarded fishing lines and hooks cause unnecessary harm to birds and other aquatic wildlife.
- Fish cleaning and boat rinsing at designated areas only. Vehicle washing is not allowed.
Golfing
- Golfing is not allowed.
- Disc golf is allowed in parks on designated disc golf courses.
Groups and Events
- Go online to determine if you need a Group Picnic Reservation, Group Campground Reservation or a Special Use Permit.
- Group camping is available only at Spring Lake Regional Park. For rates and reservations, visit sonomacounty.ca.gov/play/camping/group-campsites.
- For more information about group and special event permits, read the section below: “Weddings and Other Special Events"
Horses, Saddle and Pack Animals
- Horses and other saddle or pack animals must remain in designated areas and are allowed only on those trails or routes established for their use.
Natural Resources
- Do not remove, deface, or climb on park structures.
- All plants, mushrooms, animals, shells and geologic features, living or dead are protected and may not be removed.
- Treat wildflowers and other living plants with respect. Picking, carving, hacking or peeling plants and trees can harm or kill them.
- Leave gates as you find them. Many of Sonoma County’s open spaces are used for grazing animals like sheep, cattle and goats. Keep gates open when already open, and closed when already closed.
- Intentionally tampering with grazing fences can result in harm to people and animals.
Parking
- Park hours are 7 a.m.-sunset. Parking lots and entry gates close when parks close at sunset.
- All vehicles are subject to the California Vehicle Code. All drivers must be licensed.
- All vehicles must stay on paved roads and park in designated parking areas. Driving off road or on trails is prohibited. Keep all tires on the pavement when in a campsite.
- Beach parking lots can fill by 10 a.m. on weekends. Have a “Plan B” destination in mind in case a parking lot is full.
- Arrive early in the morning or later in the day for the best chance of finding parking.
- Park in designated parking spots and parking lots, and avoid parking in residential neighborhoods.
- Private shuttle and charter buses are not allowed to drop off passengers at any Sonoma County Regional Park on the Russian River, with the exceptions of Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, on weekends and holidays, Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.
- Commercial operators are invited to make free advanced reservations to transport passengers on the Regional Parks River Shuttle.
Rock climbing
- Rock climbing and rappelling is not allowed.
Smoking
- Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vaping, is prohibited in all Regional Parks and campgrounds.
Sports Fields
- Sports fields may be closed seasonally during the winter, depending on rain. Contact ranger station to verify fields are open prior to reservation.
Swimming
- Swimming is allowed at designated river and beach parks, unless otherwise posted.
- Swimming in lake parks is not allowed, with the exception of the Spring Lake swimming lagoon (open seasonally Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day). Read more about the Spring Lake swimming lagoon.
- Public nudity is prohibited.
- Wear a lifejacket. Borrow a free life jacket Memorial Day through Labor Day at Del Rio Woods Beach, Steelhead Beach, Sunset Beach, and Forestville River Access.
- Swim near a lifeguard when possible. They are on duty on weekends at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- A roving Water Safety Patrol visits Del Rio Woods Beach, Steelhead Beach, Sunset Beach, and Forestville River Access on weekends, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Stay sober when in, on or around the water. Both alcohol and cannabis use impair balance, judgment, and reflexes.
Trail Use
- Always yield to those traveling uphill or using a wheelchair; bicyclists yield to hikers and horses, and hikers yield to horses.
- Walk, ride and photograph on designated trails only. Trails are intentionally built and help to prevent erosion and protect vegetation from being trampled. Once damaged, vegetation may not grow back.
- Leave gates as you find them. Many parks are used for grazing animals like sheep, cattle and goats. Keep gates open when already open, and closed when already closed. Intentionally tampering with grazing fences can result in harm to people and animals.
Trash and Waste
- Pack out your trash – including pet waste – all the way to a trash can.
- If a trash can is full, pack it, don’t stack it. Don’t contribute to overflowing trash cans in parks. Take your garbage with you until you can dispose of it properly.
- Pick up pet waste and dispose of it in a trash can. Compared to wildlife or grazing animals, pet waste contains harmful bacteria that cause human illness and contaminate the natural environment.
- When you have to go, use a restroom. Human waste in rivers or on the side of a trail causes harm to wildlife and contamination.
- Take your raft or tube home with you. When left behind on beaches, rafts, tubes and other floats harm wildlife and the river ecosystem.
- A campfire isn’t a trash can. Burned trash releases harmful toxins that you and others will breathe in. Pack out all trash, litter and food scraps.
- Keep a clean campsite and protect wildlife – and your food – by securely storing your meals and trash. Many park campgrounds in Sonoma County provide safe places to store your food and trash.
- Dumping of household trash is not allowed.
Weather
- Weather-related closures or impacts will be listed on our website homepage and specific park webpages.
- Check Red Flag Warnings and fire restriction advisories. Fire, campfire and BBQ restrictions may be in place depending on drought or weather conditions.
- Sports fields may be closed seasonally during the winter, depending on rain. Contact ranger station to verify fields are open prior to reservation.
Weddings and Other Special Events
- A gathering of 25 or more people, special events, classes or commercial activities require approval and a permit, prior to the event. View rental facility and reservations information on our Book an Event webpage.
- Special Use Permits are required for events that go beyond the scope of routine park use, including weddings, cultural or religious ceremonies, commercial photography, educational or scientific research. Learn more about Special Use Permits.
- Posting of signage, flyers, etc. is prohibited unless Regional Parks gives approval and written authorization.
- To host a special event where alcohol will be served at a park that prohibits alcohol consumption, an Alcohol Use Permit must be obtained.
- Bounce houses and other inflatable play equipment are not allowed.
- The use of confetti, mylar balloons, and/or Styrofoam products is not allowed.
- Do not attach or hang decorations to trees or structures. Posting of signage, flyers, etc. is prohibited unless Regional Parks gives written approval.
- Amplified music and/or voice are not allowed. The volume of stereos, CD players or any other noise must be kept at a minimal level.
- Requests for out-of-the-ordinary activities (catering, animal rides, etc.) must be submitted at least 30 days in advance prior to approval of reservation or permit, and may incur additional fees depending on type of activity.
- Park hours are 7 a.m.-sunset. Parking lots and entry gates close when parks close at sunset. Allow adequate time for event clean up.
- Pack out all trash, litter and food scraps. Bring your own trash bags, and if a park trash can is full, take your garbage with you until you can dispose of it properly.
- The permit/reservation holder will be billed for any damage and/or staff time for clean up beyond normal use.
Wildlife and Photography
- Feeding, disturbing or harassing the wildlife is prohibited.
- Protect wildlife – and your food – by securely storing your meals and trash. Many park campgrounds provide safe places to store your food and trash.
- Bears have been seen in and adjacent to some of our campgrounds. Protect yourself and bears. Learn more about how to recreate responsibly around bears.
- Observe or photograph wildlife and all grazing livestock from a distance using a telephoto lens or binoculars. Getting close to photograph or feed an animal may seem harmless, but each one of these interactions can lead to far-reaching consequences, including injury to humans and wildlife.
- Use social media to promote good outdoor stewardship. Be mindful of what your images portray, and what your images may encourage others to do. Think of the incredible potential that social media has to educate other outdoor enthusiasts about enjoying Sonoma County’s open spaces responsibly.
For more information
For additional details about Sonoma County Regional Parks policies, rules and regulations, please read the municipal code governing park policies.