Yes — Spring Lake Regional Park has picnic areas open to the public. No reservation is needed for the picnic area. Fee: Parking $8 per vehicle fall–spring, $12 in summer. Wine and other alcohol are allowed (see the rules below).
Parking $8 per vehicle fall–spring, $12 in summer; free for Regional Parks members. Lagoon swimming is free; the inflatable Water Park is $10–$14 per person per session.
Food on site
Spring Lake Café by the swimming lagoon (Violetti Rd entrance) sells burgers, hot dogs, tacos, sandwiches, salads, ice cream, cold drinks and beer.
Groups
Only the group areas can be reserved; other tables are first-come, first-served. Group areas: Shady Oaks 25–99, Lower Jackrabbit 25–150, Upper Jackrabbit 25–50, Great Horned Owl 25–50, River Otter 25–99, Pond Turtle 25–50. Fee $75 for 1–99 people, $130 for 100–150 (non-refundable), plus parking for every car. Book online 3 days to 12 months ahead; the reservations team is at (707) 565-2267, Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Electrical hookups aren't available at every site.
Dogs
Leashed dogs (6-ft max) welcome except at the swimming lagoon; off-leash only during the post-season Water Bark events.
Kids
Very family-friendly: free lifeguarded lagoon swimming with loaner life jackets in summer, a Water Park (ages 6+, 42 inches+, must swim) and the Environmental Discovery Center nature exhibits.
Hours
Daily 7am–sunset
Season
Open year-round. Lifeguarded lagoon swimming, the Water Park and kayak/paddleboard rentals run Memorial Day weekend–Labor Day, when parking rises to $12. After the swim season the lagoon hosts off-leash 'Water Bark' dog-swim weekends (2026: Sept 19–20, 26–27, Oct 3–4).
House rules
Alcohol: Allowed. Sonoma County Code §20-13 bans drinking in a county park only where Regional Parks has ordered and posted a prohibition, and Spring Lake is not on the county's list of restricted parks (Steelhead, Sunset and Forestville river beaches in summer; Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach and Guerneville River Park year-round; Larson Park and Maxwell Farms outside permitted group areas). The county parks code has no glass-container ban, and the lagoon café itself sells beer. Obey any posted signs at the swim beach. Other: fires only in grills, portable barbecues or stoves (§20-10); charcoal and wood fires banned on Red Flag Warning, high-wind and Spare the Air days (gas stoves/BBQs allowed unless noticed); no amplified music, bands or bounce houses at group picnic sites; boats electric-motor only.
What the picnic area is like
Picnic tables with barbecue grills are spread around a 72-acre, gas-motor-free reservoir framed by forested hills. The liveliest spot is the swimming lagoon, where a sandy beach and redwood-shaded lawns hold several picnic sites; reservable group areas elsewhere in the park take 25–150 people.
Good for: Families · Groups · Large parties · Dogs · Budget-friendly
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About Spring Lake Regional Park
One of Sonoma County's most popular regional parks, Spring Lake circles a small reservoir on Santa Rosa's east side with a paved 2.3-mile loop, a summer swim lagoon, boat rentals and a campground. It is a full-day family picnic destination with grills everywhere, and its trails link straight into Howarth Park and Trione-Annadel State Park.
Barbecue grills at picnic tables throughout the park
Alcohol allowed under county rules; lagoon café even sells beer
Free lifeguarded lagoon swimming Memorial Day–Labor Day
Bring your own foodNo reservationWine allowedDogs OK
A 5,500-acre state park on Santa Rosa's eastern edge with more than 40 miles of trails through redwood, fir and oak woodland and wildflower meadows, centered on Lake Ilsanjo. It suits hikers who want to carry lunch to a lakeside table; there are no grills, and dogs are barred from the trails.
Bring your own foodNo reservationWine allowedDogs OK
Santa Rosa's 138-acre flagship community park wraps around Lake Ralphine, with fishing, seasonal boat rentals, tennis and pickleball courts, playgrounds, trails that connect to Spring Lake, and a kids' ride area. It has the most picnic infrastructure of any city park and is one of the few where you can legally drink, but only at certain hours and never from glass.
A neighborhood-scale community park on Santa Rosa's east side, handy for a family barbecue near the Highway 12 wineries and Annadel. It has a dog park, playground and reservable picnic sites.
A big east Santa Rosa community park with barbecues, a dog park and an unusual fly-casting pond, plus one of the city's largest reservable picnic sites. Most tables are first come, first served.
Yes — Spring Lake Regional Park has picnic areas open to the public. No reservation is needed for the picnic area. Fee: Parking $8 per vehicle fall–spring, $12 in summer. Wine and other alcohol are allowed (see the rules below).
Can you bring your own food to Spring Lake Regional Park?▾
Yes. Outside food is allowed at Spring Lake Regional Park.
Can you drink wine at Spring Lake Regional Park?▾
Yes, alcohol is allowed at Spring Lake Regional Park. Alcohol: Allowed. Sonoma County Code §20-13 bans drinking in a county park only where Regional Parks has ordered and posted a prohibition, and Spring Lake is not on the county's list of restricted parks (Steelhead, Sunset and Forestville river beaches in summer; Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach and Guerneville River Park year-round; Larson Park and Maxwell Farms outside permitted group areas). The county parks code has no glass-container ban, and the lagoon café itself sells beer. Obey any posted signs at the swim beach. Other: fires only in grills, portable barbecues or stoves (§20-10); charcoal and wood fires banned on Red Flag Warning, high-wind and Spare the Air days (gas stoves/BBQs allowed unless noticed); no amplified music, bands or bounce houses at group picnic sites; boats electric-motor only.
Do you need a reservation to picnic at Spring Lake Regional Park?▾
No reservation is needed to use the picnic area. Only the group areas can be reserved; other tables are first-come, first-served. Group areas: Shady Oaks 25–99, Lower Jackrabbit 25–150, Upper Jackrabbit 25–50, Great Horned Owl 25–50, River Otter 25–99, Pond Turtle 25–50. Fee $75 for 1–99 people, $130 for 100–150 (non-refundable), plus parking for every car. Book online 3 days to 12 months ahead; the reservations team is at (707) 565-2267, Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Electrical hookups aren't available at every site.
Is there a fee to picnic at Spring Lake Regional Park?▾
Parking $8 per vehicle fall–spring, $12 in summer; free for Regional Parks members. Lagoon swimming is free; the inflatable Water Park is $10–$14 per person per session.
Are dogs allowed at Spring Lake Regional Park?▾
Leashed dogs (6-ft max) welcome except at the swimming lagoon; off-leash only during the post-season Water Bark events.
Is Spring Lake Regional Park good for kids?▾
Very family-friendly: free lifeguarded lagoon swimming with loaner life jackets in summer, a Water Park (ages 6+, 42 inches+, must swim) and the Environmental Discovery Center nature exhibits.
Sources & accuracy
We last checked this listing in September 2026 (freshest source: Park page with Sept–Oct 2026 closure notices and events; June 2026 Regional Parks newsletter). Policies change — especially for groups and holidays — so confirm with Spring Lake Regional Park before you go. How we verify.
Picnic rules at a glance
What the picnic area is like
About Spring Lake Regional Park
Make a day of it
Pick up picnic food nearby
More picnic spots nearby
Frequently asked questions
Sources & accuracy