Welcome to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park contains the headwaters of Sonoma Creek. It runs through gorge and canyon, across the meadow floor, beneath scenic rock outcroppings, and is surrounded at times by redwoods and ferns. With 47 family sized campsites and 25 miles of hiking trails, it is the perfect place to spend time outdoors with your family!
Camping: We have 44 campsites open, both reservable and first-come, first-serve in our lovely creekside campground. And our Glamping sites opened April 1st – reservations available and booking fast! For first-come-first-served sites call at 10 am. Call ahead, these sites fill fast.
Bring a flashlight and your sense of wonder as you explore the park after dark. This hike begins at the White Barn and heads up to the viewpoint on Vista Trail or to Bald Mountain, where we will see the moon rise over the Mayacamas and the sun set over Sonoma Valley.
The Bald Mountain route is a strenuous 6.5 miles with 1500+ of vertical and some steep sections (not recommended for under 12). It leaves the White Barn parking lot at 5:45pm.
The Vista Trail route is a moderate-to-strenuous, 4-mile hike with 700ft of elevation and begins at 7pm. Not recommended for children under 8.
Tickets are $10 general, and $5 for students, youth (12-17 year olds), Sugarloaf members and Sugarloaf volunteers. Be at the meeting location at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the hike for a prompt departure. Bring water, snacks, and extra layers for the evening. Parking fees apply.
Help Sugarloaf with trail restoration work. Work includes bridge and step construction, installing signs, clearing, lifting, carrying and hiking. Bring gloves, hat, and water that you can carry hands-free (i.e. bring a backpack). Wear long pants, boots or sturdy shoes and sunscreen. Poison oak is present, so long sleeves are suggested. We have tools and trained crew leaders with tasks for all. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. We will provide tools, and if allowed, lunch.
If you are a current Sugarloaf volunteer, log in to Better Impact to sign up. Otherwise, start here to become a volunteer.
Join us for a 1.4-mile nature hike along the Sonoma Creek. On the hike your leader will teach you about the plants, animals, and aquatic life of Sonoma Creek. The hike starts outside the Visitor Center. Free. Registration is not required. Parking charges apply.
¡Estás invitado a nuestra aventura de Animales! Recorreremos los senderos Meadow y Hillside (2 millas) en busca de señales hechas por animales. Aprendemos sobre la comida y el comportamiento de algunos animales comúnmente encontrados en el parque como osos, culebras, y murciélagos. Nos reuniremos en el estacionamiento del granero blanco. Trae agua, repelente de insectos o una playera de mangas largas, un suéter, protector solar, y si lo deseas, un bocadillo.
Los boletos requieren un deposito de $10 por familia, los cuales devolveremos al final del evento. Para registrarse, llame a Alma al 707 833 5712 de viernes a domingo entre las 9am a 5pm. El estacionamiento, normalmente $10, es gratuito para este evento. Hay transportación disponible por vale para residentes del Valle de Sonoma que la necesiten.
Facilidad de acesso: no recomendado para silla de ruedas o carriolas. Los senderos Meadow y Hillside son caminos de grava para vehículos autorizados. Subiremos dos colinas de 100 pies de elevación y cruzaremos la cala un riachuelo. Carriolas o sillas de ruedas pueden avanzar alrededor de una milla en el sendero Meadow, el cual no es oficialmente un sendero ADA.
Este evento es respaldado por Route to Parks, una beca de Parks California.
La propuesta alianza de múltiples partícipes exclusiva a Parks California fortalece a comunidades mientras fomenta el amor y el cuidado de tierras públicas. La beca “Route to Parks” de $15,000 ayudará a que más gente tenga acceso a los recursos necesarios para vivir una vida sana fuera del programa Senderos Naturales. Parks California fué fundada como una organización asociada clave sin fines lucrativos asociada clave con el Departamento de Parques y Recreación del Estado de California para ayudar a fortalecer e inspirar a todos a presenciar estos lugares extraordinarios.
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English: Animals in Sugarloaf
Saturday, August 13, 6:30-8pm
You’re invited to our Animal adventure! We’ll take a walk on Meadow and Hillside trails in search of signs and tracks made by animals commonly found in the park including bears, snakes, and bats. We’ll meet at the White Barn lot. Be prepared to walk approximately 1 mile. Bring plenty of water, insect repellent or long sleeves, a sweater, sun protection, and if desired, a snack.
Tickets require a $10 deposit per family to be refunded after the hike. To register, call Alma at 707 833 5712 Friday-Sunday from 9am-5pm. Parking fees, usually $10, will be waived for this event. We have vouchers for Sonoma Valley residents in need of transportation.
This event is planned around a primarily Latino audience. Families from underrepresented groups are particularly welcome.
Ease of access: The entire walk is not recommended for strollers or wheelchairs. Meadow and Hillside trails are fire roads with two 100-foot hills and a small stream crossing. Meadow is passable by strollers or wheelchair up to the bridge, about a mile in, but is not officially an ADA trail.
Senderos Naturales is supported by Route to Parks, a grant of Parks California.
Parks California’s unique multi-stakeholder partnership approach strengthens communities while fostering love and stewardship of public lands. The Route to Parks grant of $15,000 will help more people have access to the resources they need to lead a healthy life outside Senderos Naturales. Parks California was founded as a key nonprofit partner of the California Department of Parks and Recreation to help strengthen and inspire all to experience these extraordinary places.
Many people know birds are most active at dawn, but dusk is second daily peak of bird activity, and you don’t have to be an early-bird to experience it. Join Dr. Dan Levitis at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park for a slow, wheelchair-accessible excursion designed for those new to bird-watching. Bring binoculars if you have them, but we’ll have a few pairs to lend, and will be doing as much listening as looking. By the time we finish it will be dark, so in addition to water, consider bringing a flashlight and a jacket. Tickets are $10. Meet at the White Barn lot. Parking fees apply.
Ease of access: the entire event will take place on the Creekside Nature Trail, our 0.9mi ADA-accessible trail. Some benches available along the way for resting for those who need them.
Join us for a 1.4-mile nature hike along the Sonoma Creek. On the hike your leader will teach you about the plants, animals, and aquatic life of Sonoma Creek. The hike starts outside the Visitor Center. Free. Registration is not required. Parking charges apply.
Storytelling is humanity’s oldest artform, likely originating before the cave paintings of the Stone Age. This summer we introduce “Sugarloaf Perspectives”, a storytelling series that brings new voices and people to the park while teaching about the natural environment. Every other Saturday, instead of our regular family campfire, we will have a Perspective.
On 6/25, world-renowned multi-disciplinary artist Bernie Krause will present how sound became his life-long pursuit, and how it applies to conservation.
On 7/23, Megan Walla-Murphy re-introduces bear culture to Sonoma County.
CANCELLED: On 8/6, we’ll learn about the secret lives of Alma and Arsel, leaders of the Senderos Naturales program.
On 8/20, we welcome Desi Harp, member of the Onasáti tribe (mistakenly called “guapo” by the Spanish and “wappo” by Anglo-American settlers) to regale us with song, dance, and the story of creation.
On 9/3 we are left gasping from laughter induced by SEC’s Educator Johny Ehlers, and finally, on 9/10, Sonoma Ecology Center’s ED Richard Dale and Park Manager John Roney relate how a partnership between non-profits, community, and government led to today’s operation of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
Tickets are $20. Meet at the amphitheater. We invite you to show up earlier than 7pm for a self-guided nature walk or picnic prior to the event. Parking fees apply.
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Read the Sonoma Ecology Center 2021 Impact Report!
Our parent organization, Sonoma Ecology Center, making great impacts in the areas of COMMUNITY, LAND, CLIMATE, WATER, and BIODIVERSITY in Sonoma Valley.
Camping at Sugarloaf
You can enjoy camping year-round at Sugarloaf with 47 family-friendly, alcohol-free camping spaces nestled in a large meadow and bordered by a year-round stream and a hillside forest.
Stargazing at Robert Ferguson Observatory
Completely dedicated to public viewing and education, the Robert Ferguson Observatory is the LARGEST in the western United States and it’s right here at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park.
Community-Operated Park
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is operated by Sonoma Ecology Center and Team Sugarloaf. Learn more by visiting the Team Sugarloaf Page
SUGARLOAF BLOG
Butterflies at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
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2017 & 2020 Wildfires at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
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Zoom from the Park with New Internet Service
Thanks to an upgrade at...
Sugarloaf’s PPPP (Personal Porta Potty Program)
Each campsite has its own porta-potty which our dedicated campground Staff cleans between each set of campers. “The feedback from campers has been overwhelmingly positive”, said campground manager Woody Woodbury. “They like the safety as well as the convenience of having a toilet near their site,” he continued.
SONOMA ECOLOGY CENTER BLOG
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- Wildflower Hikes in Sonoma CountyOne of our favorite ways to enjoy spring is to watch as nature puts on its show of breathtaking wildflowers. One after another, species burst into bloom with sprays of yellow, orange, purple and white, all across green fields and… Read more »
- Lions and Badgers and Bears: The Team behind Sugarloaf’s Amazing Wildlife FootageOn a foggy January morning, three Sugarloaf Ridge State Park volunteers gather at the Pony Gate trailhead with backpacks and hiking poles to complete what is for them, a typical volunteer shift– checking wildlife cameras placed around the park. Shuffling… Read more »