Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach
Healdsburg, California · on Russian River · Healdsburg Beach
Verified · 5 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $8
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach
Veterans Memorial Beach is a City of Healdsburg park on the Russian River in Sonoma County, California, that functions as an official public swimming beach each summer. A temporary seasonal dam installed from July through Labor Day backs up the river to create a wide, sandy swimming hole, and the beach is staffed by lifeguards over the same summer season.
The park sits along a wide, sandy stretch of the Russian River in the town of Healdsburg, with shaded picnic areas, lawns, and a fitness circuit set back from the water; a historic steel-truss Memorial Bridge is visible nearby.
Swimming at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach
Swimming, wading, and paddling take place in a broad swim area created by a temporary dam that is installed each July and removed after Labor Day, which raises the water level and calms the current for a sandy-beach swimming experience suited to families and casual swimmers; lifeguards are on duty and free loaner life vests are provided during the summer season.
How to get to this swimming hole
The beach is located at 13839 Old Redwood Highway in Healdsburg, CA, along the Russian River.
Parking: On-site parking with a day-use fee: $8 in fall/winter/spring and $12 in summer (free for Sonoma County Regional Parks members); the entrance closes when the parking lot fills, which happens on busy summer weekends and holidays.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up day-use beach: parking lot leads directly to the sandy river beach across a short, sloped bank. No trail or hike is needed to reach the water; the only access note found is that the slope makes the return trip from shore to parking lot hard for wheelchairs/strollers.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Wide, sandy beach with a gentle sloped entry; lifeguards on duty Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; free loaner life vests provided in summer. Main caution is the sloped bank itself (called out by the park as hard for wheelchairs/strollers, not swimmers) and general river current once past the shallows near the temporary dam.
Parking
Paid, $8 (fall/winter/spring) or $12 (summer) per vehicle, day-use fee; free for Sonoma County Regional Parks members
On-site paved lot with accessible parking spaces; entrance closes when the lot fills, which happens on busy summer weekends and holidays.
Restrooms
Yes
On-site flush restrooms plus an outdoor shower and drinking fountains, located in the day-use area near the parking lot (per official park page).
Hours
7 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset, year-round.
On the water
Official park page confirms swimming, wading, and paddling/kayaking are all permitted in the dam-created swim area. No explicit rule on motorized craft was found in official sources, but the site is set up as a shallow family swim beach behind a temporary summer dam, not a boat launch.
Rentals nearby
River inner-tube rentals and ice chest rentals; named as the tube-rental provider for Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach on the official Sonoma County park page. (Despite "Kayaks" in the business name, only tube and ice-chest rentals were found listed on their site.)
Prices: Steelhead Beach tube rental $30/day (weekends/holidays); Pick-up & Go tube rental $25/day (weekdays); ice chest rental $15/day
Based at 16297 Main St Suite A, Guerneville, CA, with a second seasonal pop-up location at 9000 River Rd, Forestville, CA (Steelhead Beach) -- roughly 15 miles downriver from Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach. The official Sonoma County park page lists them as the tube-rental provider for this specific beach, implying delivery/service here, but no Healdsburg-based storefront was confirmed.
Backstory
The park includes a fish ladder at the site's dam, used for steelhead smolt releases from the Warm Springs Fish Hatchery, and sits near a historic steel-truss Memorial Bridge.
Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach: FAQ
Does Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach charge a fee?
$8 (fall/winter/spring) or $12 (summer) per-vehicle day-use parking fee; complimentary for regional parks members.
Is Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach kid friendly?
Wide, sandy beach with a gentle sloped entry; lifeguards on duty Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; free loaner life vests provided in summer. Main caution is the sloped bank itself (called out by the park as hard for wheelchairs/strollers, not swimmers) and general river current once past the shallows near the temporary dam.
Do I need to hike to reach Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach?
On-site paved lot with accessible parking spaces; entrance closes when the lot fills, which happens on busy summer weekends and holidays.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach?
Official park page confirms swimming, wading, and paddling/kayaking are all permitted in the dam-created swim area. No explicit rule on motorized craft was found in official sources, but the site is set up as a shallow family swim beach behind a temporary summer dam, not a boat launch.
When is the best time to visit Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach?
Summer, specifically Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, when the temporary dam is in place (dam runs July through Labor Day) and lifeguards are on duty.
What are the rules at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach?
Open 7 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset. Alcohol and open containers are prohibited year-round. Dogs must be leashed and are not permitted on the beach or in the river.
What water body is Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach on?
Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach is on Russian River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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