Park · Cloverdale, Sonoma County
Yes — Cloverdale River Park has picnic areas open to the public. No reservation is needed for the picnic area. Fee: Parking $8 (fall–spring) / $12 (summer). Wine and other alcohol are allowed (see the rules below).
Checked September 2026 from parks.sonomacounty.ca.govStated on the venue's own website
A quiet strip of meadow and streamside cottonwood-and-walnut woods on the west bank of the Russian River at the north end of Cloverdale. Several picnic tables sit near the McCray Road parking lot and along the paved Makahmo Trail, with benches in the meadow and short spurs down to the river; paddlers and anglers use the launch.
Good for: Quiet · Dogs · Budget-friendly
The northernmost Sonoma County river park, just off Highway 101 in Cloverdale, with a flat 1-mile paved trail, a boat launch and simple picnic areas along the Russian River. It's a handy, low-key lunch stop at the top of Alexander Valley or on the way to Anderson Valley, and alcohol isn't banned.
More dog-friendly spots in Sonoma CountyMore free spots in Sonoma CountyMore parks that allow wine spots in Sonoma County
Stock up at a deli nearby, then picnic close by — a short, easy loop.
Deli & market · Dry Creek Valley · about 12 mi away
Cloverdale River Park (this park)
Park · Cloverdale
Winery · Alexander Valley · about 8.8 mi away
Dry Creek Valley · 9 mi
Alexander Valley· 7 mi
A small family winery on Chianti Road in the far north of Alexander Valley near Cloverdale, known for down-to-earth hospitality and valley views. It arranges pre-ordered box lunches and saves you a shady picnic spot.
Nearest picnic food: Dry Creek Peach & Produce · 2.8 mi
Dry Creek Valley· 7 mi
The Sbragia family's estate at the top of Dry Creek Valley offers an inexpensive booked picnic lunch to go with a tasting, and groups of up to 50 can reserve a terrace picnic.
Nearest picnic food: Dry Creek Peach & Produce · 2.6 mi
Dry Creek Valley· 7 mi
Lake Sonoma's main picnic grounds sit at the head of Dry Creek Valley, about 11 miles from Healdsburg: roofed group shelters and free single tables on a big, shady lawn below the dam, next to the Visitor Center and fish hatchery. Federal rules allow alcohol unless an area is posted otherwise, so it makes a relaxed end-of-tasting-day stop, especially for groups.
Lake Sonoma – Warm Springs Recreation Area (Visitor Center & Fish Hatchery)
Nearest picnic food: Dry Creek Peach & Produce · 2.6 mi
Dry Creek Valley· 8 mi
A family-owned estate at the north end of Dry Creek Valley with sweeping vineyard views. The winery says several of its tasting options are designed for guests who bring a picnic, and it is one of the most dog-friendly stops in the valley.
Nearest picnic food: Dry Creek Peach & Produce · 1.3 mi
All picnic spots in Healdsburg, Dry Creek & Alexander Valley →
Yes — Cloverdale River Park has picnic areas open to the public. No reservation is needed for the picnic area. Fee: Parking $8 (fall–spring) / $12 (summer). Wine and other alcohol are allowed (see the rules below).
Yes. Outside food is allowed at Cloverdale River Park.
Yes, alcohol is allowed at Cloverdale River Park. Alcohol: Allowed by default. Sonoma County Code §20-13 bans drinking in a County park only where Regional Parks has ordered and posted a ban, and this park is not on the posted-ban list (the year-round bans are at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach and Guerneville River Park; Steelhead, Sunset and Forestville River Access are banned in summer). Obey any signs posted on site. Caution: the trail runs south toward First Street/Crocker Bridge past City of Cloverdale facilities, and the City lists its own adjoining 'River Park' open space (trailheads by the cemetery lot and the south end of McCray Road) where City park rules ban alcohol unless permitted (Cloverdale Municipal Code 9.08.100; City parks open 7 a.m.–10 p.m.). Keep your picnic on the County side near the McCray Road lot. Charcoal and wood fires banned on Red Flag, high-wind and Spare the Air days. Leashed dogs OK. No drinking fountain, so bring water. No amplified music; no smoking or vaping.
No reservation is needed to use the picnic area. Individual and group picnic areas exist, but the group area isn't on Regional Parks' reservable list, so presumably first-come, first-served. County Code §20-20 requires a permit for gatherings of 25+.
Parking $8 (fall–spring) / $12 (summer); free for Regional Parks members.
Leashed dogs (6-ft max) welcome, including on the multi-use trail.
We last checked this listing in September 2026 (freshest source: Park page current Sept 2026). Policies change — especially for groups and holidays — so confirm with Cloverdale River Park before you go. How we verify.
Picnic rules at a glance
What the picnic area is like
About Cloverdale River Park
Make a day of it
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Frequently asked questions
Sources & accuracy