Forestville River Access
Forestville, California · on Russian River
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Forestville River Access
Forestville River Access, locally called Mom's Beach, is a Sonoma County Regional Parks day-use site on the Russian River in Forestville, California. A parking lot and short trail lead down to a sandy/rocky beach shaded by surrounding redwood forest, a classic redwood-country swimming hole used for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and river paddling, and an easy stretch of river to swim in.
The access sits just off River Road along the Russian River, with a rocky-to-sandy shoreline framed by redwood forest. It is a quieter, less developed alternative to nearby official beaches like Johnson's Beach in Guerneville, with views of paddlers passing by on the river.
Swimming at Forestville River Access
Visitors describe shallow water near shore suitable for kids and deeper sections further out for adult swimmers. There is no lifeguard on duty. The site is also popular for launching canoes/kayaks and for river tubing/float trips in summer.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Highway 101 in Santa Rosa, take the River Road exit and go west about 10 miles, passing Burke's Canoe Trips and Steelhead Beach Regional Park, then watch for the sign to River Drive at 10584 River Drive, Forestville.
Parking: Free parking lot on-site; no street parking allowed. The lot is small and fills quickly on summer days, with the park closing to new arrivals once capacity is reached; visitors are advised to arrive by mid-morning.
The hike in
- To the water
- Under 0.1 mi (a very short unpaved path/short flight down from the lot to the beach)
- Time on foot
- 1-2 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Trailhead: Starts at the on-site parking lot, 10584 River Drive, Forestville (reached via River Road, about 10 miles west of the River Road exit off Highway 101, past Burke's Canoe Trips and Steelhead Beach Regional Park)
Not a hike - just a brief walk-down from the parking lot to the river's edge
The path/steps between the lot and the beach are sandy/rocky and described as difficult for strollers, wheelchairs, or other mobility devices, even though the distance is short.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Shallow water close to shore suits younger kids (visitor reports describe it as good for wading/building sandcastles, with ducklings sometimes visible), and deeper water is available further out for adult swimmers. There is no lifeguard on duty at any time, so caregivers need to supervise directly. Visitor reviews also flag aggressive off-leash dogs at times despite the county's leash rule, and the unpaved path down from the lot is described as steep/sandy-rocky, which can be tricky with small children or gear.
Parking
Free
Free small on-site parking lot at 10584 River Drive, Forestville; no street parking is allowed. The lot fills quickly on summer days and the park closes to new arrivals once full, so visitors are advised to arrive by mid-morning.
Restrooms
Yes
Seasonal portable toilets on-site per Sonoma County Regional Parks, roughly May through September (one source says November). Note: at least one visitor review claimed there were no bathroom facilities, which may reflect an off-season visit or a since-removed unit, so don't count on this being present outside summer.
Hours
Daily, 7:00 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset
On the water
The access point is used as a put-in/take-out for Russian River canoe/kayak trips and summer tubing/float trips; the county page notes it as a spot to watch "summer paddlers heading down river." No motorized-craft mentions or electric-only/no-wake restrictions were found for this specific access.
Rentals nearby
Self-guided canoe (2-seat) and solo kayak rentals for a ~10-mile downstream trip on the Russian River from Forestville to Guerneville, with return shuttle
Prices: $95.00 per canoe; $60.00 per solo kayak (2026 season)
8600 River Rd, Forestville, CA (at River Rd/Mirabel Rd), about 1 mile north of Forestville and roughly 1 mile upstream of Forestville River Access · Open daily for the season starting Memorial Weekend (May 22-23, 2026); shuttle runs roughly every 30 minutes until 5:00 p.m.
Kayak, paddleboard (SUP), and canoe rentals/trips on the Russian River
16258 Main St, Guerneville, CA, roughly 4-5 miles downstream/west of Forestville River Access · Open 7 days a week, 8am-6pm, May-October (winter hours vary)
Canoe and pedal boat rentals
16215-16217 First St, Guerneville, CA, roughly 4-5 miles downstream/west of Forestville River Access
What regulars say
Visitor reports (Wanderlog) describe Forestville River Access as a relatively remote, less-crowded alternative to official Russian River beaches, with a small beach good for kids (shallow wading, sandcastles, watching ducklings) and deeper water further out for adults. Recurring complaints in visitor reports include trash/bottle buildup, occasional aggressive off-leash dogs, loud speakers and open alcohol despite the posted ban, and a recommendation to avoid visiting after dark. Visitors also note the small lot fills fast in summer, so arriving early is key, and that river levels vary seasonally and are worth checking before a trip.
Forestville River Access: FAQ
Does Forestville River Access charge a fee?
Free admission and parking.
Is Forestville River Access kid friendly?
Shallow water close to shore suits younger kids (visitor reports describe it as good for wading/building sandcastles, with ducklings sometimes visible), and deeper water is available further out for adult swimmers. There is no lifeguard on duty at any time, so caregivers need to supervise directly. Visitor reviews also flag aggressive off-leash dogs at times despite the county's leash rule, and the unpaved path down from the lot is described as steep/sandy-rocky, which can be tricky with small children or gear.
Do I need to hike to reach Forestville River Access?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Forestville River Access?
Free small on-site parking lot at 10584 River Drive, Forestville; no street parking is allowed. The lot fills quickly on summer days and the park closes to new arrivals once full, so visitors are advised to arrive by mid-morning.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Forestville River Access?
The access point is used as a put-in/take-out for Russian River canoe/kayak trips and summer tubing/float trips; the county page notes it as a spot to watch "summer paddlers heading down river." No motorized-craft mentions or electric-only/no-wake restrictions were found for this specific access.
When is the best time to visit Forestville River Access?
Summer, when the river level and weather are best for swimming, though this is also when parking is most congested.
What are the rules at Forestville River Access?
Open 7 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset. No lifeguard supervision. Dogs permitted but must be leashed (6 ft max) at all times, including while swimming. Alcohol and open containers prohibited from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Fires and barbecues prohibited on the beach.
What water body is Forestville River Access on?
Forestville River Access is on Russian River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Forestville
Sunset Beach River Park
Forestville, Californiariver
🥾 0.25 mi hike🛶🏄
Steelhead Beach Regional Park
Forestville, Californiariver
🛶🏄🛟
Johnson's Beach
Guerneville, Californiariver
🛶🛟
Monte Rio Recreation & Park District
Monte Rio, Californiariver
🛶🏄🛟
Patterson Point Preserve
Monte Rio, Californiariver
🛶🏄
Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach
Healdsburg, Californiariver
⛺🛶🏄🛟