Regional Parks River Shuttle

The Regional Parks River Shuttle is a low-cost transportation option for visiting Steelhead and Sunset beaches on the Russian River. Ride the River Shuttle to avoid full parking lots or the need to leave a car at each beach for float trips.

The shuttle runs weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. An all-day ticket is $5. Youth (ages 0-18) ride free but do need a ticket.

The shuttle departs every 30 minutes between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., traveling from El Molino High School, 7050 Covey Road, in Forestville to Steelhead Beach Regional Park and Sunset Beach River Park and back.

How to purchase tickets

• Go to RussianRiverShuttle.MyTrakk.com.
• Choose your ticket quantity. Each ticket is round trip and allows you to get on and off multiple times. (Youth 18 and younger ride free but do need a ticket.)
• Choose a date; departure times aren't needed. Shuttles run every 30 minutes. 
• Enter your contact information. (A QR code ticket will be sent to the email address and phone number you provide.)
• Enter your payment method, review your order and submit.
• You will receive an email and SMS text message with a link to view and manage your reservation/ticket.
• Show the QR code on your phone when boarding the shuttle.
• To secure a seat, arrive early to the shuttle stop.

Purchase tickets

How to float the river when arriving by shuttle

• Take the Regional Park River Shuttle from El Molino High School, 7050 Covey Road, Forestville (Leave El Molino High School no later than 2 p.m. to make the 6 p.m. shuttle pick up from Sunset Beach) 
• Coolers, deflated rafts/tubes, fishing poles and other gear are allowed on the shuttle.
• Get off the shuttle at Steelhead Beach. Use the park's free inflation station to inflate your raft or tube – or bring a hand pump to avoid waiting in line.
• Another option is to rent a tube at Steelhead Beach. Tube rentals can be booked in advance at the Russian River Tubes website.
• Float from Steelhead to Sunset Beach - travel time is about 4.5 hours. 
• Arrive at Sunset Beach and deflate your raft/tube to take with you on the return shuttle. All floats left on the beach are trash and can pollute the river and harm wildlife.
• Catch the shuttle back to El Molino High School. The last shuttle leaves Sunset Beach at 6 p.m.

Tube Rentals

You can rent a tube at Steelhead Beach and then drop it off at the end of your float to Sunset Beach. Tube rentals can be booked in advance from Russian River Tubes.

Rent an inner tube

For your safety

• Alcohol consumption is not allowed on the shuttle or in the parks. 
• Dogs are not allowed on the shuttle.

Secure your belongings, trash your trash

• There is no place to store valuables on the shuttles or at the parks. If you are floating the river, you need to keep your keys, phone and other belongings with you on the water.
• Keep your trash with you. Pack out your trash and practice other Leave No Trace principles to keep beaches clean and wildlife healthy.
• Restrooms are available at Steelhead, Forestville River Park and Sunset beaches.
• Learn more about planning a float trip on the Russian River.

Accessibility

All vehicles used for shuttle service are wheelchair accessible and configured to transport at least two wheelchair passengers at any time. Please check the park webpages for for park accessibility information: Steelhead Beach Regional Park and Sunset Beach River Park.

Schedule

The shuttle runs every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., looping from El Molino High School, 7050 Covey Road, in Forestville to Steelhead Beach Regional Park and Sunset Beach River Park and back.

Check the real-time location of the shuttle:

Real-time shuttle locator

SMART Train option

Take the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) to the Sonoma County Airport station, 1130 Airport Blvd., in Santa Rosa and then use the SMART Connect shuttle to connect to Steelhead Beach Regional Park.

There will be one SMART Connect Shuttle meeting the 10:47 a.m  northbound arrival and departing the station for Steelhead Beach at approximately 10:50 a.m.  

Return trips will use the Regional Parks Shuttle from Steelhead or Sunset beaches to return to El Molino High School, where SMART Connect will offer one pickup at 5:15 p.m., to meet the 6 p.m. Southbound SMART train.

Although transfer is free, trips require advanced reservations by calling C3 Transportation at 1-800-727-0279 (ext. 5 for SMART Connect). Due to capacity limitations, reservations at least 24 hours in advance are encouraged, though same-day reservations may be accommodated. The SMART Connect Transit is free with transfer from SMART, and SMART fares are free for senior and youth riders. For more information, go to SonomaMarinTrain.org.

Commercial/charter buses

• Summer Season (weekends and holidays only): On weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, commercial bus operators are not permitted to drop off or pick up passengers at the Regional Parks river beaches, with the exception of Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach. Commercial shuttle and charter buses may make free reservations with Code 3 Transportation to transport passengers on the Regional Parks River Shuttle at least 48 hours in advance by calling 415-727-7158.
  
• Summer Season (weekdays only): On weekdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, commercial bus operators will need to obtain a permit in advance before dropping off or picking up passengers at the Regional Parks river beaches. Commercial buses without reservations will not be allowed in the parks. 
• Off-Season (Fall/Winter/Spring): Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, commercial bus operators must obtain a permit before dropping off or picking up passengers at the Regional Parks river beaches. Commercial buses without reservations will not be allowed in the parks.

More information

If you have questions about the Regional Parks River Shuttle, contact the operator, Code 3 Transportation, at 1-800-727-0279 or 415-727-7717 or info@c3transit.com.