Experience · Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Forestville to Guerneville river paddle

by Burke's Canoe Trips

$95/canoe3–3.5 hrStarts in Forestville

The short answer

A family-run Russian River institution renting canoes and kayaks for a self-guided float from Forestville to Guerneville past redwoods and swimming beaches. You bring the picnic, so it pairs naturally with a stop at a west-county deli, and it's one of the cheapest full-day picnic adventures in the region. Price: No separate picnic fee: $95 per canoe or $60 per solo kayak, including paddles, life jackets and the return shuttle; bring your own lunch.

Checked September 2026 from burkescanoetrips.comStated on the venue's own website

Details

Price: No separate picnic fee: $95 per canoe or $60 per solo kayak, including paddles, life jackets and the return shuttle; bring your own lunch
Food on site: Nothing packaged. Bring your own lunch, snacks and soft drinks in an ice chest, plus a trash bag.
Groups: Canoes carry two adults, or two adults plus one or two kids aged 5–11. Solo kayaks available.
Dogs: No dogs allowed on the canoe/kayak trip
Kids: Children must be at least 5 and good swimmers; kids aged 5–11 can ride in a canoe with two adults.
Hours: Daily in season (late May–mid-October); about 3–3.5 hours of paddling
Season: 2026 season: trips from Saturday, May 23 (Memorial Day weekend) daily through mid-October
Prices: $95 per canoe; $60 per solo kayak
House rules: No alcohol, and no glass or styrofoam on the river. Call ahead to reserve.

What to expect

A self-guided, roughly 10-mile paddle through redwood country from Forestville down to Guerneville, with picnic beaches all along the way. Most groups spend 4–5 hours with swim and lunch stops; a shuttle returns you to the start.

Shade trees
Parking

Good for: Families · Groups · Budget-friendly

Picnicked here recently?Tell the next visitor how it went.

Share a photo of the picnic areaHelp others see the spot before they go. We'll credit you by name.

About Burke's Canoe Trips – Forestville to Guerneville river paddle (BYO picnic)

Classic redwood-lined river float with picnic beaches
$95 per canoe for two
No alcohol and no glass allowed on the river
Riverside camping on site; 2026 season opens May 22–23

More picnic spots nearby

Park

Steelhead Beach Regional Park

Russian River Valley· 0.3 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationNo alcoholDogs OK

Sonoma County's main Russian River beach park near Forestville is a summer swimming, paddling and tubing hub, with picnic areas and flush restrooms right by the lot. It's the usual starting point for tube floats down to Sunset Beach. Leave the wine at home in summer: alcohol is banned from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Steelhead Beach Regional Park

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026

Own food: yes
Wine allowed: no
Reservation: Not needed
Dogs: Yes
Fee: $8–$12/vehicle

Nearest picnic food: Mom's Apple Pie · 3.5 mi

Details

Golden evening sky over forested hills of the Russian River Valley, seen from the Gary Farrell hilltop

Winery

Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery

Russian River Valley· 1 mi

Reserved picnicsPurchase requiredVineyard views

A respected Pinot Noir and Chardonnay house on a ridge above Westside Road. Book 'A Picnic with a View' and you get a table on the Overlook for two hours to enjoy your own food with a bottle.

Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery

Reserved picnicsChecked Sep 2026

Own food: yes
Wine purchase: Required
Reservation: Required
Dogs: No
Fee: not confirmed

Nearest picnic food: Mom's Apple Pie · 4.1 mi

Details

Winery

Russian River Vineyards

Russian River Valley· 2 mi

Buy food on sitePurchase requiredNo reservationShade

A winery-with-kitchen on the road into Forestville where you can have lunch and wine outdoors on a shaded estate. The site sells its own food; it doesn't say whether you can bring yours.

Russian River Vineyards

Buy food on siteChecked Sep 2026

Own food: no
Wine purchase: Required
Reservation: Not needed
Dogs: not confirmed
Fee: not confirmed

Nearest picnic food: Mom's Apple Pie · 1.2 mi

Details

Panorama of the gravel river beach at Sunset Beach with sunshades, swimmers and wooded banks along the Russian River

Park

Sunset Beach River Park

Russian River Valley· 2 mi

Bring your own foodNo reservationNo alcoholDogs OK

A small county river park west of Forestville with a rocky beach and one of the prettier views on this stretch of the Russian River, toward the Hacienda Bridge and redwood hills. It's the end point for tube floats from Steelhead Beach and a relaxed place to swim and snack. As at Steelhead, alcohol is banned all summer.

Sunset Beach River Park

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026

Own food: yes
Wine allowed: no
Reservation: Not needed
Dogs: Yes
Fee: $8–$12/vehicle

Nearest picnic food: Mom's Apple Pie · 5.0 mi

Details

All picnic spots in Russian River Valley & West County →

Frequently asked questions

Are dogs allowed at Burke's Canoe Trips – Forestville to Guerneville river paddle (BYO picnic)?

No dogs allowed on the canoe/kayak trip.

Is Burke's Canoe Trips – Forestville to Guerneville river paddle (BYO picnic) good for kids?

Children must be at least 5 and good swimmers; kids aged 5–11 can ride in a canoe with two adults.

Sources & accuracy

We last checked this listing in September 2026 (freshest source: Official site shows 2026 season dates). Policies change — especially for groups and holidays — so confirm with Burke's Canoe Trips – Forestville to Guerneville river paddle (BYO picnic) before you go. How we verify.

burkescanoetrips.com

Suggest an update to this listing