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Park · Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Riverfront Regional Park picnic guide

Picnics welcomeWine allowed$8–$12 parkingGroup sites

Can you picnic at Riverfront Regional Park?

Yes — Riverfront Regional Park has picnic areas open to the public. No reservation is needed for the picnic area. Fee: Parking $8 (fall–spring) / $12 in the summer season (May 23–Sept 7 in 2026). Wine and other alcohol are allowed (see the rules below).

Checked September 2026 from parks.sonomacounty.ca.govStated on the venue's own website

Picnic rules at a glance

Picnicking
Picnics welcome
Bring your own food
Allowed
Alcohol
Allowed
Purchase required
No
Reservation
Not required
Fee
Parking $8 (fall–spring) / $12 in the summer season (May 23–Sept 7 in 2026); free for Regional Parks members. Group site $75 (1–99 people) or $130 (100–150), plus parking for every car
Groups
Individual picnic sites in the redwood grove are first-come, first-served. The Redwood Grove group site (25–75 people, about 10 tables, large BBQ, ADA accessible) is reservable online 3 days to 12 months ahead ($75 for 1–99 people, $130 for 100–150; non-refundable); changes and cancellations (707) 565-2041. County Code §20-20 requires a permit for gatherings of 25+.
Dogs
Leashed dogs (6-ft max) allowed.
Hours
Daily 7 a.m. to sunset
Season
Open year-round. Summer parking fee applies late May–early Sept. Low sections of the Lake Trail flood in wet weather (as of Sept 2026 the back of the Lake Benoist loop is impassable; rest of park open).
House rules
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. Barbecues: use the grills provided or your own gas stove/BBQ; charcoal and wood fires are banned on Red Flag, high-wind and Spare the Air days. No swimming in the lakes; non-motorized boats only. Dogs on a 6-ft leash. No amplified music or voice; no smoking or vaping; no drones.

What the picnic area is like

Picnic tables are tucked into a grove of coast redwoods right next to the parking lot, a shady, cool spot even on hot valley afternoons. A short walk away, two former gravel-pit lakes ringed by a flat gravel trail offer fishing and paddling, and a spur leads to a small gravel beach on the Russian River, all in classic wine-country surroundings.

  • Picnic tables
  • Shade trees
  • Pond or lake
  • Hiking trails
  • BBQ grills
  • Restrooms
  • Parking
  • Wheelchair accessible

Good for: Groups · Families · Dogs · Budget-friendly

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About Riverfront Regional Park

A County park on Eastside Road between Windsor and Healdsburg, in the heart of Russian River Valley wine country, with a shady redwood-grove picnic area, two fishing lakes and an easy loop trail. It is one of the best north-county picnic stops for wine-tasters, and County rules don't ban bringing your bottle.

  • Picnic tables in a redwood grove beside the parking lot
  • Reservable Redwood Grove group site (25–75 people) with a large BBQ
  • Flat 2-mile Lake Trail with a spur to a Russian River gravel beach
  • Alcohol not banned (no posted County ban here)
  • Accessible parking, restrooms, picnic sites and about 2 miles of accessible gravel trail

More dog-friendly spots in Sonoma CountyMore family-friendly spots in Sonoma CountyMore free spots in Sonoma CountyMore best views spots in Sonoma CountyMore groups spots in Sonoma CountyMore parks that allow wine spots in Sonoma County

Make a day of it

Stock up at a deli nearby, then picnic close by — a short, easy loop.

  1. Mom's Apple Pie

    Deli & market · Sebastopol · about 6.4 mi away

  2. Riverfront Regional Park (this park)

    Park · Russian River Valley

  3. Gracianna Winery

    Winery · Russian River Valley · about 1.2 mi away

Pick up picnic food nearby

More picnic spots nearby

Winery

Gracianna Winery

Russian River Valley· 0.9 mi

Reserved picnicsVineyard views

An intimate family estate on Westside Road's 'Miracle Mile' that hosts picnic groups by appointment. Groups choose a spot around the Pinot Noir vineyard and may bring their own food.

Gracianna Winery

Reserved picnicsChecked Sep 2026
Own food
yes
Wine purchase
not confirmed
Reservation
Required
Dogs
not confirmed
Fee
not confirmed

Nearest picnic food: Mom's Apple Pie · 5.1 mi

Details: Gracianna Winery
Winery

Bricoleur Vineyards

Russian River Valley· 1 mi

Buy food on sitePurchase requiredDogs OKVineyard views

A food-focused family winery in Windsor with gardens and room for kids to run. You can't bring outside food, but its Essentials Picnic comes in a wicker basket with a red wagon to wheel it across the estate.

Bricoleur Vineyards

Buy food on siteChecked Sep 2026
Own food
no
Wine purchase
Required
Reservation
not confirmed
Dogs
Yes
Fee
not confirmed

Nearest picnic food: Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market · 5.0 mi

Details: Bricoleur Vineyards
Winery

Rochioli Vineyards & Winery

Russian River Valley· 1 mi

Bring your own foodVineyard views

One of the Russian River Valley's pioneering Pinot Noir families, with a modest tasting room on Westside Road. Guests are welcome to picnic on the patio overlooking the estate vines, but it's adults-only and pet-free.

Rochioli Vineyards & Winery

Bring your own foodChecked Sep 2026
Own food
yes
Wine purchase
not confirmed
Reservation
not confirmed
Dogs
No
Fee
No fee listed

Nearest picnic food: Quail & Condor · 4.9 mi

Details: Rochioli Vineyards & Winery
Historic stone hop kiln with three wooden towers, picnic table and lawn at Landmark's Hop Kiln Estate
Winery

Landmark Vineyards at Hop Kiln Estate

Russian River Valley· 1 mi

Buy food on sitePurchase requiredReserve aheadDogs OK

The landmark stone hop kiln on Westside Road, long known as Hop Kiln and later HKG Estate, is now run by Landmark Vineyards. Picnicking with your own food isn't allowed for the public, but you can buy cheese and charcuterie to go with an outdoor tasting by the pond.

Landmark Vineyards at Hop Kiln Estate

Buy food on siteChecked Sep 2026
Own food
no
Wine purchase
Required
Reservation
Required
Dogs
Outside
Fee
not confirmed

Nearest picnic food: Quail & Condor · 4.9 mi

Details: Landmark Vineyards at Hop Kiln Estate

All picnic spots in Russian River Valley & West County →

Frequently asked questions

Can you picnic at Riverfront Regional Park?

Yes — Riverfront Regional Park has picnic areas open to the public. No reservation is needed for the picnic area. Fee: Parking $8 (fall–spring) / $12 in the summer season (May 23–Sept 7 in 2026). Wine and other alcohol are allowed (see the rules below).

Can you bring your own food to Riverfront Regional Park?

Yes. Outside food is allowed at Riverfront Regional Park.

Can you drink wine at Riverfront Regional Park?

Yes, alcohol is allowed at Riverfront Regional 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. Barbecues: use the grills provided or your own gas stove/BBQ; charcoal and wood fires are banned on Red Flag, high-wind and Spare the Air days. No swimming in the lakes; non-motorized boats only. Dogs on a 6-ft leash. No amplified music or voice; no smoking or vaping; no drones.

Do you need a reservation to picnic at Riverfront Regional Park?

No reservation is needed to use the picnic area. Individual picnic sites in the redwood grove are first-come, first-served. The Redwood Grove group site (25–75 people, about 10 tables, large BBQ, ADA accessible) is reservable online 3 days to 12 months ahead ($75 for 1–99 people, $130 for 100–150; non-refundable); changes and cancellations (707) 565-2041. County Code §20-20 requires a permit for gatherings of 25+.

Is there a fee to picnic at Riverfront Regional Park?

Parking $8 (fall–spring) / $12 in the summer season (May 23–Sept 7 in 2026); free for Regional Parks members. Group site $75 (1–99 people) or $130 (100–150), plus parking for every car.

Are dogs allowed at Riverfront Regional Park?

Leashed dogs (6-ft max) allowed.

Sources & accuracy

We last checked this listing in September 2026 (freshest source: Regional Parks press release May 15, 2026; park page current Sept 2026 (trail closure notice)). Policies change — especially for groups and holidays — so confirm with Riverfront Regional Park before you go. How we verify.

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