An amazing network of trails of all levels can be found at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, as well as informational trails that are great for kids. You can pick up a list of trails and rough map at the entrance. We meandered creekside, and looped Hillside Trail to meadow trail, all with amazing scenery. Very clean and well-maintained park, with plenty of rangers. Loads of great picnic areas as well. Can't wait to return and try more hikes. read more

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - Parks Near Me - Kenwood, California

This state park was relatively easy to get to despite the long drive and heavy traffic from Peninsula. However the road leading up to the park was relatively straightforward. We are getting into camping this year and this was our trial run with all the new gears we bought. We rented camper site #1 which is labeled as "premium". Maybe it was a bit bigger than the regular sites but other than that it didn't feel particularly premium. Since #1 and 48 are the first and last sites in the campground loop and closest to the visitor center, they had the best WiFi reception. The downside is we were the farthest to the bathrooms and showers which were located on the opposite site of the loop. This made trekking over at night a bit inconvenient. The bathrooms were somewhat clean and the showers are coin-operated at the cost of 25c per minute. Shampoo and body wash were provided which is nice. All in all this was a nice introductory experience for us. If we were to come back to camp at this park we will opt for site #3 which is nicely tucked into the shaded corner and is fairly close to the bathrooms. read more

See all

There are 47 camping spaces surrounded by a large meadow. The campsites are a bit close together. It's $35 a night for regular sites or $45 per night for premium sites. They also offer camping for Tents and RVs, and glamping sites. There is a fire ring, picnic tables, and food storage boxes. Some campsites have food storage bins instead. Showers (25 cents a minute) and bathrooms (flush toilets) are a major plus. There's even WiFi available around the Visitor Center. Quiet hours start at 8:00 pm and is strictly enforced at 10:00 pm. At the state park, there are trails for hiking. We did the Meadow-Hillside Loop (2 miles) and the Nature Trail (.5 mile one-way). We saw a herd of deer, which was the best part. read more

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - Parks Near Me - Kenwood, California

See all

Stayed at the campground (campsite #43) here which was well maintained and has coin-operated showers available. Bathrooms are single stalled (toilet, sink, mirror, trash bin) which is nice and offers more privacy. For parents, this is great for corralling the kids into one stall so as to not disturb other campers too much. There's also some other flush toilets scattered across the campground but don't have a sink - just hand sanitizer outside. The staff and volunteers at Sugarloaf Ridge are friendly and helpful. The volunteers don't mess around though- I saw them ticketing cars that were parked along a road they weren't supposed to be parking in! read more

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - Campground bulletin board posting - Parks Near Me - Kenwood, California

I love this place! It's one of my favorite camping spots bc you can see all of the stars and there's an observatory attached to it. They have clean bathrooms and showers at this campground. There's WiFi by the visitor station. I saw deer running around, wild turkeys and other little critters. I really enjoy the creek :) read more

This was our 1st time to Sugarloaf, we stayed in site 4 with our 28' TT. Site 4 was uneven and required a good amount of leveling. The water spigot is just across the road from site 3, so I filled up the RV before backing in. There are no RV hookups in Sugarloaf. Generator hours are 10am-8pm. Site 4 is shaded nicely with the fire ring and picnic table behind the site parking area. Site 4 shares parking with site 5. If there were 2 RV's in each site, it'd be way too cramped. Thankfully for us, site 5 were tent campers. There is a nice paved loop throughout the campground that the kids just loved riding their bikes and scooters on. The visitors center was nice and well stocked with ice cream, some camping supplies and swag. The staff were excellent. Alma got us checked in right away and Danny showed us where our site was and updated us on all the various guided hikes and star watching parties that were taking place throughout the weekend. Sugarloaf Campground has clean flushing toilets and paid showers available to all campers. All were immaculate whenever we used them. The wide open fields in the middle of the campground are perfect for family games. The trails around the area are great hikes and vary by skill level. We did the docent nature hike at 10am on Saturday, which was very informative and the kids got to see lizards, turkeys and deer. Sugarloaf also had a Star Gazing celebration on Saturday night at the observatory. The kids and adults loved looking through all of the telescopes to see different stars and constellations. It was a blast! Sugarloaf Campground clearly prides itself on being family oriented and it shows. The campground is quiet and well spread out, so that each family has their own space. We would definitely recommend Sugarloaf Campground to others. read more

See all

I've been enjoying the hiking trails at Sugarloaf for years yet have never camped here before- until a few days ago. Our annual family camp trip is typically on the coast but this year opted for something closer to home. My entire family (ages 4 to 68) had a fantastic time here. Our site was quite large which accommodated our 3 tents. And it backed up to the creek which brought hours of pleasure for the grandkids. The bathrooms were mostly clean and had hot water & flush toilets as well as showers. We enjoyed several hikes. The longest one being 4 miles round trip to see the waterfall. I was grateful there was still enough water and the kids delighted in playing in the stream below it. Another hike we took was the "Quest Hike" which had educational spots throughout. The kids learned so much and earned ice cream sandwiches for completing the challenge. The campground store offered almost anything one could need while camping which would be a life saver if you've forgotten an essential. Lisa, one of the camp hosts was friendly & knowledgeable. There is also a lot of nature exhibits to take in. As WiFi was only available at the store, we would walk there daily to check for urgent messages. There is a wrap around deck with some tables on the creek which made it a nice spot to stop. We all agreed we'd return to the beautiful campground that has so much to offer. I recommend coming in mid to late spring while there is still water in the creeks and not a fire danger zone. read more

See all

8/11/2023: I decided camping at Sugarloaf State Park-AGAIN, i.e., three-peat~LOL; however, I ended up camping at Campsite #6 so, I already posted photos in 2018 what the campsite's appearance looks like. More importantly, I really like camping here: The entire area is tranquil, absolute chill, the campsites are neat, clean, and quite large, too as well as the bathroom facilities are comfortable and the ADA accommodations I find are the best. Surprisingly, there are red buckets placed at every campsite for dousing campfires which at other CA State Parks do not supply at all! Aside, there is a locking, wood cabinet for storing dry goods and firewood underneath at every campsite, too. BTW: In 2018, I cleaned Campsite #6's cabinet. FYI: I cleaned the same Campsite #6's cabinet again-this time camping, too: Unfortunately, the wood cabinet doesn't appear as if, the cabinet hasn't been cleaned since, 2018; for future Campers, I left a plastic tablecloth, a broom, and an empty soda bottle in order, thoroughly sweeping the dust inside the cabinet, washing down the cabinet with a soda bottle filled with H2O, and lining the wood cabinet with the plastic tablecloth remnants . . . Just so you know WHO CLEANED THE WOOD CABINET . . . Moi~LOL! Moreover, Sugarloaf State Park's location is just minutes away from Kunde Winery, Glen Ellen's awesome restaurant, and a little drive away from Santa Rosa CA which is very cool, indeed. read more

See all

This was the noisiest campground I have ever visited. Kids screaming. Music blasting. For hours. Also, there are 4 plumbed toilets for 47 campsites; the rest looked like porta potties or pit toilets. I packed up my SO and toddler and left at 8:30 pm. Given the hours of loudness before then, I had little confidence that the quiet hours would be honored or enforced. All of the employees I met were super nice, though. read more

The path is well-maintained and the bathrooms are clean. $10 to park. Hiked to the top of bald Mountain again. You can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco on a clear day. Definitely not an easy hike for me but absolutely doable. read more

See all

We have camped here before, but hadn't been here for a few years. This place is great!! Clean, well maintained, campgrounds & bathrooms; trails of all different levels (including ADA accessible trails); and friendly staff. They now offer 3 'glamping' sites where the tent (complete with cots) is pre set up for you; there are 5 sites available (on a first come first served basis) for drive up campers (w/o reservations); and there are nice day use facilities too. The park is close to Jack London State Park and lots of wineries. I would highly recommend this campground. read more

I loved it! My son and I didn't make it to the waterfall this trip, however, we saw some nice greenery, beautiful hills, fury, creatures, and little critters. We walked along the creek via the disabled, beautiful rock lined disabled trail. There are a few bridges along the way. An observatory sits off in the back and tables with benches. There is on site camping and a host of activities that take place. We arrived just in time to speak with a gentleman having a butterfly exhibit. The sounds we heard coming from the area far and near was awesome! We saw California quails, turkeys, deer, jack rabbits, lizards, beautiful birds, butterflies, and even woodpecker's . read more

See all

Absolutely gorgeous campground, with on-site hosts and a friendly visitor's center that carries souvenirs and essentials (at a convenience $$ price). Close to town and wineries. We tent camped in a site next to a creek (great bedtime sound) and under some trees. Only neighbors on one side with bushes between us and not super close. Unfortunately it rained so we didn't hike, but the area was pretty - lush green with a huge central grassy meadow, we saw/heard lots of birds (including a resident turkey flock gobbling regularly) and something smallish and four-footed investigated our table overnight but didn't disturb anything. Will definitely be back in better weather! read more

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - Looking at the rest of the "spur" across the meadow. - Parks Near Me - Kenwood, California

See all

This was our first time at this park and we were so happy that we came here and can't wait to come back! They have plenty of hiking trails and waterfalls. We saw 2 waterfalls on the side of the road on the way to the trailhead alone. They also have camping and an observatory if you want to camp at this site or if you enjoy stargazing. The park is very clean and the rangers keep this park very well maintained. We hiked the Bald Mountain hike, which is about a 5.1 mile hike with a 1,500 elevation gain. The hike is out and back with a steady incline and all downhill on the way back. Bring lots of water for your hike and dress in layers because the climate can change. There is not much tree cover so this hike is probably best in the winter months or during times of the year when it is not really hot out. The view from the top is spectacular! It was such a beautiful day out and we were even able to see San Francisco buildings off in the distance from the top. We also saw Cobb mountain, which had snow on it, and saw Mount Saint Helena. The trail has picnic benches and benches along the way if you want to bring lunch or a snack to have along the way or just want to stop to soak in the incredible views. Parking is $10 a day and they accept credit cards. If you have a state parks pass, parking is free. I can't wait to check out the other trails at this park! This park spans 3,900 acres in Kenwood with lots of trails and we can't wait to explore this place more! read more

See all

So I've got some history with this place going back several decades. This was one of the first campgrounds I ventured into as a young adult. Before this, camping was always with family/parents in tow. Once I turned 18, I started going out on my own/friends. I even celebrated my 21st bday here with my then best friends. Instead of going to Vegas or some big city to drink the night away into obscurity, I chose this instead. Camped...relaxed in nature and since we all reached legal drinking age, drank responsibly here instead. But there's a kicker. Instead of burying ourselves in a cooler of cheap beer and liquor, we decided to try out wine tasting, something that none of us newbies had ever done. And this place literally sits above the Sonoma Valley, which is similar to Napa's, but just on the other side of the hills. Also much less snooty...well at least in those times. So we tasted in the day hours, and brought back bottles to have with dinner and the campfire. A new brand of camping was discovered. Back when tastings were mostly free or close to it. Now it is far from that, it is now a business and selling point. I still like to do it, but to have done it in those times, just seems like we hit a golden age of wine country that will no longer ever be experienced. Just revisited after over a decades worth of not. I had probably brought friends here maybe a half dozen of times in the past. But this was the longest stretch where I had not come. Mostly the same, but definitely some notable changes. First like I already mentioned, the wine country below is not what it used to be. It is definitely more bougie than it ever was, but still nothing like Napa. I still find the wine host on this side of the hill to be still quite down to earth. Everything is also much more expensive, but that is just a natural progression of life. Even though the natural features of this park are the same, they built new bathrooms and showers that used to not be there. This totally glamps up the experience but it is a welcoming one for me. I love to camp deep in nature, but I do tend to look for those that have running water and plumbing. I'll still sleep in a tent and cook over fire, but to have those basic amenities makes a huge difference. To be able to take a nice shower (you'll need quarters tho) after a good hike, just makes me feel like a million bucks. #trust The hiking here is undeniably great. There are some nice peaks/climbs here that will definitely give you a workout. I just did Bald Mt. which climbs over 1700 ft and provided a satisfying sense of accomplishment. The top of this peak (at 2730 ft) is slightly higher than Mt. Tam or Mission Peak in the Bay Area. Except on my recent weekday trek, I ran into zero humans up or down. That will NEVER happen at Mission Peak or Mt Tam. Lol. I also got to witness the Glass Fire of 2020's path that went through here. You'll see scorched trees but many of them just scarred but still standing. You'll see the new growth from the earth, that just reaffirms how resilient nature is. So outside of the great views that I always just absorb, I also received a nice lesson on nature up close. Lots of animal life out in the campgrounds. Mostly deer, wild turkeys, quails, raccoons and squirrels with bushiest tails I've ever seen. Most campsites you'll be next to a hillside, but facing an open meadow. Whilst chilling on the picnic bench, I often saw animals walking by, sometimes even from the hillside, so just several feet beyond my campsite. I just quietly observe them in admiration. I try and not disturb their day, anymore than I already am. In my 4 day stay, I really got used to them walking around at breakfast time or at dusk, while the campfire was just starting. Really put a stamp on this trip. So to come back after all these years, just got me to realize how far me and this place goes. We've both evolved and grown over the years. We've both had our ups and downs. But like how life entails, we both just keep moving on. I'd give this place a thousand stars. read more

See all

My boyfriend and I have been a couple times in the past few months and I always enjoy the beauty of being in nature. There are a variety of levels of intensity in trail options, some have more shade than others too. I haven't camped there recently, but saw that they have glamping tents that you can rent. read more

See all

This is my second time hiking up Bald Mountain. For someone that doesn't hike often it may be a little tough at times but just make more stops. I was so proud of myself when we got to the top, my body hurt but it felt good. Can't wait to hike it again.. once I can walk normal again. read more

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - Parks Near Me - Kenwood, California

It's one of my favorite campgrounds. If you want peace and quiet, reserve sites that are not "lumped". It has great trails and it's in Sonoma. Mt. Hood is not too far. Grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and civilization is also 12 minutes away. I bought Chinese food for dinner because I don't want to cook and clean. LOL! Enjoy the mother deer and her doe(s). read more

Just got back from a 2-night camping stay at Sugarloaf and can't rave about it enough. Granted nature played a huge part by timing the peak of the recent meteor showers right when we were there, which made the stay that much more memorable as we saw multiple shooting stars streak across the sky, making it feel like we were watching a Fourth of July fireworks display! But getting back to the camp... it's spacious, clean and close to multiple family friendly hikes to keep everyone (kids included) active. Despite the warmer weather, being up at a higher elevation meant cool breezes, making the hikes less enduring and the overnight stay very comfortable. We chose Site 8, which was close to the washrooms and entry to the nature hike pathway. There was also a creek next to us, with enough water to keep the kids entertained (looking for tadpoles and other water bugs) and the Parents not as concerned about drowning accidents!! The other campers were very considerate and not as noisy as we've experienced at private campgrounds (except for those who chose to arrive late at night and shine their high beams while we were stargazing ). Finally, the docents at the Visitor Center were super friendly and informative. The campsite manager who stays at the campsite itself was soooo helpful, especially when we had issues with our camp stove not igniting. He brought us his spare camp stove and even gave us a free propane tank that someone had donated. We were beyond grateful, given it was getting late and the kids were getting hangry! Overall, we had a wonderful stay and I highly recommend this State park and campsite. Do go up to the Observatory if you get the chance. It's a short and easy hike, and you may get the chance to see some cool things on their telescopes! read more

If you can handle very basic necessities it's lovely and quaint. I must say the drive is a bit treacherous if you are towing a trailer and it is quite hot without hookups but in the fall I think it'd be perfect. read more

This place was just okay. We went for a hike to see the waterfall that was at the state park, but with the drought there wasn't much to see. (There was no waterfall). It was $10 for a day pass and we had three cars so it added up. The views weren't anything spectacular either and you can get the views elsewhere for cheaper or even free. read more

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - Hike to the "waterfall" - Parks Near Me - Kenwood, California

I don't normally write reviews about businesses where I host events. But since this is a state park, and our event was a hike/picnic, I feel like my can give an unbiased Yelp review. So here it is... Up until recently, I had never even heard of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Located in Sonoma Valley (a few miles away from Chateau St. Jean Winery), this is one of the North Bay's most spectacular and scenic spots. It's a hikers' and campers' paradise. Our group tackled the Pony Trail. It's a challenging 3-mile trek that rewards hikers with picturesque waterfalls, giant Redwood trees, wild mushrooms, and other natural delights. We certainly worked up a good sweat. Lots of hills and some slippery slopes. This was indeed nature's StairMaster. The park boasts plenty of different trails (for all levels), picnic tables, campgrounds, parking, and bathroom facilities. I was truly amazed by how immaculate and pristine everything was. The rangers clearly do a stellar job of maintaining this property. Two minor down-sides: 1) Parking is $10 a day (fortunately, they accept credit cards). 2) Dogs aren't welcome here. So Fido will have to stay at home. 3) It's a "dry" park (translation: no booze for all you rowdy campers). All in all, Sugarloaf Ridge Park was a wonderful discovery. I can't wait to come back and explore more of its offerings. read more

See all

My son and I adventured together to Sugarloaf State Park and we had a blast! We completed the Planet Walk (did not make it to Pluto, the dwarf planet)! This trail starts with the Meadow trail, which is flat. From Uranus to Neptune it's a mile hike uphill, which was narrow in many parts. With kids, be mindful. My little guy is 5 and did it like a boss! (With some water and snack breaks in between.) We went during a weekday, so we only came across one family and a few couples. There were a few spots along the way for picnicking, which was nice. This park offers family hikes - check their schedule online. We were going to join, but got there early and started the Planet Walk. Instead of going back to join the group, we pushed on and finished that hike at Neptune and then trekked back. After kids finish a hike, the Visitor Center offers free hot chocolate to kids. There were plenty of port-a-potties around busy areas, which were all super clean! They have campsites available, which we didn't use. They have an observatory there for evening events, which would have been cool to check out, especially having done the Planet Walk. Next time! read more

Absolute beauty and pure bliss. I was amazed by Sugarloaf. After 8 years of being a Sonoma County resident, I had to ask myself what took so long to make it to this park! We set sail on the Bald Mountain trail. It is a moderate to strenuous hike with 70% sun exposure and takes about four hours. What an exciting challenge!! The hike up was steep but instantly gratifying with views and fresh air. You can see the burn damage but it is teeming with new life. We saw a group of deer drift across the mountains. The vista point is a 360 view and is absolutely phenomenal. The hike down (we did grey pine) is a little risky and hard on the knees considering it's semi soft gravel that descends quickly. The bottom line is this park has everything. Beautiful views, meadows, streams, wildflowers, trees, and most importantly, serenity. I will return ASAP!! read more

See all

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park... a big sugary loaf of bread that you want to devour because it tastes so good, but you also want to save it for later so that you can savor the moment. I bet that's how it got its' unique name! Probably not, but I thought that it sounded pretty clever! Sugarloaf Ridge is a beautiful park located amongst the Sonoma valley in the small town of Kenwood. I explored this beauty while hiking with my group a few months back. I was instantly enamored by the vast amount of greenery and wildlife located within the park. I had a bit of trouble actually getting to the park as the entry point from my GPS actually directed me to a private residence. Luckily, I was able to find a local who lived in the area, and she told me to continue all the way down the street until I reached the end of the hill. From Sonoma Highway 12, turn onto Adobe Canyon Road and continue all the way down until you reach the ticket booth. This is where the entrance to the park is located. Parking costs $8 and it is paid through a machine, so you must either bring exact cash or use a debit or credit card for payment. Sugarloaf Ridge is known for its' extensive hiking trails, beautiful camp grounds, and flowing waterfall. I didn't camp this time around. However, I passed by many campers and even changed my clothes in one of the shower rooms. It's been a while since I've been camping, but Sugarloaf is on the top of my destination list for campgrounds! The campgrounds are clean, fertile, and spacious with tons of trees that provide shade for those warms days. The restrooms and showering areas are absolutely immaculate! They are super large and ridiculously clean! Very well maintained, and there were tons of stalls open when I used them. Lots of open space available for trailers and large tents. Our hiking excursion started near the visitor center by the entrance. We started on the short trail down to the waterfall and then continued down to the Pony Gate trail to Bald Mountain. If you're just interested in viewing the waterfall, take the short waterfall trail down and back from the entrance. The walk is a bit rocky down, but reveals a beautiful waterfall surrounded by gorgeous rock formations. We continued up the Pony Gate trail to the Bald Mountain trail and ended up looping back to the entrance. The Pony Gate trail is fairly mild but does have some gradual inclines. The path is paved and there is lots of shade along the way...that is, until you connect to the Bald Mountain trail. The Bald Mountain trail is pretty much all in the name... bald! Bald meaning, limited shade. This trail is wide and has a paving similar to a driveway, but it's all uphill. Climbing up this trail was the most challenging part of our hike at Sugarloaf. We didn't take this trail all the way up to the top, but we definitely got a great workout hiking the portion that we did. If you are looking for something more challenging, I would definitely recommend this trail! What I really enjoyed most about hiking Sugarloaf was the beautiful scenery! There is beauty everywhere you turn. From the gorgeous greenery, to the active wildlife; there is no shortage of nature here. The weather was wonderful when we went as well, but it can get dangerously hot around those parts. Lots of water is recommended, especially on high incline trails with limited shade like the Bald Mountain trail. And, the best part... this trail is located super close to a ton of wineries! You can hike your ass off and then reward yourself with some tasty wine afterward! A win-win! I'm so looking forward to returning for another hike and maybe even camping here soon! read more

See all

I would go in the spring when the hills are green. I like the solar system trail for kids and the flora fauna signs. There is an observatory with weekly programs for a few. The campground is on a loops so kids could ride bikes and they'd be visible to parents. read more

*HIKING*WATERFALLS*CAMPING*OBSERVATORY* We are so fortunate to live amongst such beauty and wildlife. Sugarloaf state park delivers just that. With pristine hillsides and hilly terrain, this park offers hiking trails for the novice and the expert level hiker. YES---- ITS TRUE..... NO ALCOHOL allowed in the campsites. I agree that it's nice to crack a cold one after you've set up camp. Its part of camping to drink your adult beverage, put your feet up and watch the fire. But on the flip side, it's nice not to have an obnoxious drunk kill your family camping trip or little loan burn the forest down for being a drunken idiot. I've seen it all! THE WATERFALL..... ooooo yes.... the waterfall. Its little to non existent during the summer months. After a good rain, that suck gushes like mad! There are 2 entrances. On higher in elevation that provides a trail straight down, in return, you have to come straight back up. Or, there is an easier shorter path before you make your way up the road from the main gate. You will see it marked "WATERFALL" read more

See all

We went for 3 days last weekend (5/15). It's a nice clean campground. Showers work. Every camping spot has it's own portable restroom. Shared restrooms are not available. read more

See all

I've hiked Sugarloaf Ridge twice-once in the fall of 2016 and again post fire just this past Saturday-December 2018. The trails and park are open after nearly 80% of it suffered fire damage in October 2017. It's remarkable to see both the natural regrowth and the man made improvements made since the fires. Sign posts, foot bridges, visitor info and trails are all repaired and well maintained post fire. Considering the damage sustained from the fires, this is quite an amazing achievement and I encourage any hikers or even causal nature lovers to come visit this underrated but lovely state park. They do accept the CA State park's Golden Poppy Day use pass-otherwise it's a $10 parking fee. On the weekend I came, both times, they had a volunteer at the entry kiosk but there is also a self registration option. In terms of hiking, the park has a variety of different terrain to enjoy and hikes of all levels. Not to be missed in the rainy season is the Canyon trail which is about .7 miles one way and features a 20-25 foot tall waterfall. I bided my time to visit and waited for a few rainy weeks to catch the falls. It didn't disappoint! As for my chosen hike, I put together an interesting loop that featured diverse scenery and took me through some popular park trails. Parking at the main entrance, you can walk out on Adobe Canyon road to the Canyon trail which dips you down in to a lovely canyon with lush green and a seasonal stream. You can also park along the road in designated spots but I opted for the main lot since my loop would lead me back to that area. After the waterfall I continued on the trail and up towards the road again (different trail entrance) crossed over and headed up the Pony Gate trail. That features a moderately steep climb through woodlands where you can see the marks left by the wildfires. Still very scenic and peaceful. After about .7 miles, you will reach a junction of Stern and lower Bald Mountain trails-go left and again make another left on to the Bald Mountain trail. I've yet to make it to the summit since both times I visited I was short on time and daylight hours. But the half mile I did hike of it, provided some views of the surrounding parkland. It's on this trail that the fire damage is most prevalent (at least on the trails I took) and I noticed quite a difference between 2016 and 2018. On my chosen loop, I then made a right on the Vista trail which is a lovely trail that winds its way on the side of the mountain giving you sweeping views before it dips you back down in to woodlands featuring oaks, manzanitas and a seasonal stream. It's this frequent change in scenery that I love most about Sugarloaf Ridge! At the bottom of the Vista trail, I made a right and headed towards the Meadow trail, following that past the Observatory and eventual signage that points you back to the main parking area. It ended up being 4.7 miles and took about 2 1/2 hours which included photo time at the waterfall and some slow huffing and puffing up the Bald Mountain trail. All this diversity and I've only seen a fraction of the park! I definitely would like to come more often and try some other trails. For families and more novice hikers, I'd recommend the Canyon and Meadow trails. Finally, if you follow the park on Facebook they post trail conditions and seem to host a ton of events (hiking yoga, hiking workshops for beginners, full moon hikes and kids winter camp!) This is a true community park with something for everyone and well worth the trip out on Sonoma Highway. Beautiful place in the Sonoma area not too far from the wineries or Kenwood. read more

See all

What a gorgeous park. I haven't hiked it yet but we went to their "Funky Friday" music last night and it was grand fun. What a perfect setting and grand evening. They have spacious campsites with big fire pits, nice clean restrooms, friendly and helpful staff and a gorgeous setting. So lucky to have it so close to home. Do go and enjoy the music and the lovely park - the tickets are only $10 - a great way to support our parks and have fun too! read more

See all

What an awesome camping / hiking spot in the Bay Area! Did an overnight camping trip slightly last minute - they have a number of "walk-in" campsites that can't be reserved online. Instead, they allow you to call in the day of and reserve a campsite over the phone with credit card. A much better option than driving early, only to be disappointed at not getting a walk-in campsite. We got site #34 which was a little deeper into the woods, but gave a sense of privacy from the other tents. Just right for a single tent for 2 people... for groups/families it will feel tight. It was also a little bit on a slope, which made sleeping bags/mats a little difficult at night. We managed though. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill. They sell firewood for $10 a bundle or $25 for 3 bundles. One bundle was enough for a campfire at night with marshmallow roasting. They also have some programs in the state park, like night time hikes or campfire programs for the kids... they'll give this information when you check in for your campsite. Some clarifications on the bathrooms - yes, all restrooms on the campground map are flush toilets. However the restrooms that do not have a shower also do not have a sink, and only have a hand santizer pump. But they are fairly clean and can be convenient if they are close to your tent. So if you wish to brush your teeth or wash your face, you will have to walk to the main restroom with the showers. These bathrooms are big and even have counter space and hooks for changing. The other clarification is the showers - yes they have hot showers. It's not 25 cents a minute for hot water... but 25 cents a minute for any water from the shower. I only took a shower with 2 quarters. I used one quarter to rinse myself, then did the soap and shampoo. I used by second quarter for just rinsing off the soap and shampoo. Easy to do, and there was a lot of space in the shower room for changing. Also plenty of hooks for hanging your towel and clean clothes. I would recommend bringing slippers though since the floors were a little dirty from the mix of dirt and water stepping in. I was a little worried about mosquitos, but the only bugs that really bothered us were the bees/wasps. Not too many of them, but we also camped towards the end of the summer. Potable water is also available near the campsites; the water isn't the clearest but they say it's safe to drink. We mostly used it for boiling water and cleaning dishes (with a dish pan). Wifi is available for free near the visitor center, but it was pretty shody and I was unable to use it on my phone. There is practically no cell reception around the park... however, if you walk all the way up Bald Mountain Trail to the viewpoint, you will have signal at the top. That was how I was able to check in on Yelp. For hiking, there are plenty of options from easy, moderate, to strenuous... and they're all pretty much accessible from the campgrounds. We did the Bald Mountain Trail all the way up to the view point. This hike is about 3-4 hours depending on your pace, and it's moderate/strenuous. Very little option for shade along the way, and it gets pretty steep. We took some breaks along the way at the benches to rest or enjoy the view wherever we were. I always enjoy how the green fields turn golden in the summer, so it makes for some reall nice photo opps. I was so close to giving up a few times along the way because of how tiring it was on the legs and the heat really gets to you. Bring plenty of water, because you'll need it on the trail! Luckily we persevered and managed to get all the way top of Bald Mountain, some 2700 ft high later. The views were amazing and offered full 360 degree views of Sonoma/Napa ... now if only it wasn't so hazy! Oh well, we could still see a lot from the top. They even have a guide to identify what mountains you see or what area is in a particular direction. While going up took about 2 hours, while going down took only an hour... much easier going down, but it puts some strain on your legs. Thank goodness there were showers at the campgrounds - it felt super refreshing to take a shower after a sweaty hike. With hotels being so expensive in Sonoma/Napa county, I think it was a fun alternative to go camping instead. The campsite is also close to a bunch of notable wineries, like Chateau St. Jean and B.R. Cohn Winery! it's a great spot if you're a beginner at camping. I took my boyfriend here for his first camping trip ever, and he loved it. Can't wait to come back again. Ideally I'd like to camp when the waterfall along one of the hikes is more full. read more

See all

Oh my heavens this place is a gem in Sonoma county! So incredible that this in our backyard for trekking, hiking, and camping pleasure. I've come for several hikes and runs to make my way to bald mountain for that mountain top vista point. I want to be very clear in this review, this hike is not for the faint of heart. The most recent hike was last night for their annual 4th of July fireworks evening hike. It was an incredible experience and all proceeds went to the parks department. Once at the top after the steep 3 mile climb you were rewarded with beer, wine, soft drinks, and nibbles. The observatory had telescopes set up to view constellations and planets once the sun set. And of course the glory of it all, fireworks. On a clear night this viewing point could cover 14 different city spectaculars. Only Sonoma and Saint Helena were the most active when we went up. This hike up makes you part billy goat. I think I'm in decent shape and I was huffing, puffing, swearing and being passed by 75 year old folks. Clearly I need more hill hiking time. I don't regret one moment of last night despite my b***hing it was one of the most beautiful nights I've experienced in a long time. We watched the sunset until almost 10pm; we stayed warm wrapped in blankets and drinking wine. Best way to hike! read more

See all

I've been to Sugarloaf Ridge SP twice now and really enjoy it. They have a 25 foot waterfall from the waters of Sonoma Creek, short hike to see and pretty small waterfall. Then we climbed to Bald Mountain at 2729 elev. On a clear day you supposedly can see views of the Sierra Nevada and the Golden Gate..don't think I saw those things. On the way down my friend found a nature trail to read about the various planets..that was cool. Robert Ferguson Observatory is inside the park. Other Yelpers have mentioned it..would be interesting to see the stars here, but why down in the park on the low grounds? Weird. Sun 3/18/07 3 of us hiked Gunsight Rock just on the Left on Adobe Canyon Road before the main entrance and no parking fee here! The hike is seriously strenuous. It's a rocky trail w/ lots of up and down, plus one big stream crossing that you have to cross. Skip hiking to Mt. Hood (2730 elev) cuz there is not much of a view and no survey marker that you can brag you made it. Gunsight Rock is worth it..we had lunch there with views of the Sonoma Valley. We started 9:40am-finished at 3:45pm. Long day and hike (7-10 miles)! Warm too which makes it tough. From Fremont it's almost a 2 hr drive each way. Parking Fee inside the park $6. Trailhead for Gunsight Rock don't need parking fee. pics above. ------ Updated 1/26/08: Went here w/ 2 friends to hike w/ Dave & Bill: http://www.sonic.net/~fmi/daveandbill.html We wanted to go to Bald Mtn & the Historic Red Barn. We started at 10am at the main parking lot, parking was $6 self service. We hiked: Bald Mtn Trail - Vista Tr-Headwaters Tr-Red Mtn Tr-Gray Pine Tr-High Ridge Tr-Bald Mtn tr-Lower Bald Mtn Tr. We finished by 3pm. 1 pit toilet by parking lot, another pit toilet by Visitor's Center that is only open 10-2pm! read more

See all

First family camping trip here, and we loved it even with the challenges of bringing kids--a 4 yr old, 2.5 yr old, small dog, and we forgot baby wipes! I only had about 10 wipes from my go-bag in my car, LOL! Anyway, I think what made this camping trip extra refreshing was that it doesn't feel like we're in a pandemic, and camping is still camping with just a few differences--only 1 family per campsite, each campsite has its own port-a-potty, each site has hand sanitizer (in the port-a-potty) so no need to risk getting germs at the communal bathrooms. Although, the communal bathrooms were open to use. Showers were very clean and you pay by quarters. During this time of year, the hottest time of day is 4p, which unfortunately for us, is when we arrived. Let's just say it was too hot at that time to pitch the tent, unload, keep kids occupied (out of the way), prep picnic area, and start fire for making dinner. Next time, I think we should have come 2 hours earlier, pitch only the tent, and drive out to some water area to stay cool. This park has a quest hike for the kids, also a hike to the waterfall. At this time of year, we couldn't see the waterfall, but the kids enjoyed the hike. They got to see the pool of water, walk on the bridges, and see the creek. This place is a safe getaway. At night, we could see shooting stars. Next time, we hope to check out the observatory. I would also bring bikes to bike around the campsites for the kids to enjoy. read more

This was my second time hiking in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Started from Baldmountain trail and hiked up to the top of Bald Mountain. 360 view. Incredible. Mt.Diablo, Mt.St.Helana were visible. You can make a loop Gray Pine Trail (total 8 miles), or Brushly Peaks Trail (total 12 miles), after attacking Bald Mountain. read more

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - From the summit of Bald Mountain - Parks Near Me - Kenwood, California

I don't k ow how I've lived in Napa for so long and hadn't ventured over to Kenwood to this state park! It's mine and my family's favorite spot now! So many cool trails to explore and there something for everyone whether you're a experienced hiker or a beginner just wanting to get outside! I tried to visit last year, however the fire took its toll on the area and I had to wait until a month ago to visit. It was worth the wait! Lots of waterfalls and creeks, plenty of wildlife. Super green and lush since it's spring. read more

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - Parks Near Me - Kenwood, California

See all

I'm a biased local. Sonoma county resident since 1973, Kenwood resident since 2007. March 2018, Here's the link with the info you need to know about the park: https://www.sugarloafpark.org/ The October 2017 fire did considerable damage. With the winter rains the grasses are sprouting up green. By no means do the burned areas look healed, time will slowly erase the damage scars. This place is peaceful, far from the maddening crowd. Come. You will relax, clear your head and be happy. read more

First off the website does not do this place justice. My family and I, like so many others, were looking for a close and safe getaway. With how crazy things have been this place executed it perfectly! The staff was very friendly and helpful, and they did a great job keeping things clean, people distanced, all while giving you the true camping experience. We had so much fun, we've already booked our next stay. read more

Sugarloaf Ridge State Park - Campsite 9 - Parks Near Me - Kenwood, California

Before covid I would have given this place 4 stars but COVID changed everything and now unfortunately I would give it zero. Before booking we read the website and it said port-a-potty at each campsite for individual campsite use and bathrooms cleaned 3-4 times a day. We were comfortable with that so we booked. They also are requesting a $10 donation a night for the port-a-potty in addition to your nightly camping fee. We arrive Wednesday and our site is nice, socially distanced although both sites next to us our were booked. The port-a-potty was empty and clean...fast forward to Friday and we get to move campsites. The port-a-potty is used and dirty we are less then 9 feet away from campers on either side of us. The main bathroom are closed and locked requiring port-a-potty use only. There is no hand washing station. Hand washing better than hand sanitizer in response to covid. I had to wash with a bar of soap at a community hose. The port-a-potty is not locked, they are on top of each other like the campsites and there is no way to know if someone else used yours. The port-a potty might be cleaned between families using the site but the urine and feces are still in there which can have covid if the prior person was infected. By locking the bathroom there is no place to get electricity so no blow dryer, flat iron, recharge your laptop and nowhere to wash your hands. So if you're looking for a primative campground to the tune of $40 a night and being packed in like sardines this is the place for you. It's so sad because I loved this place and now it's a SKIP! read more

The place to go for camping and hiking. Stop in at the Visitor Center and view the footage of most of the park animals the critter camera crew has captured on video. read more