Steelhead Beach Regional Park
Forestville, California · on Russian River · Steelhead Beach Fishing Access
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $8
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Steelhead Beach Regional Park
Steelhead Beach Regional Park is a Sonoma County-operated day-use park on the Russian River just north of Forestville, California, centered on a sand-and-gravel river beach that serves as the park's swimming hole. It is an officially developed swim and paddle-launch site, making this stretch an accessible river to swim in, with the county providing free loaner life vests in summer, though no lifeguards are on duty.
The park sits within riparian woodland along the Russian River, with cottonwood, big-leaf maple, Oregon ash, and other streamside trees, and views toward redwood-covered hills and the nearby Hacienda Bridge. A short unpaved path leads from the parking lot and picnic area down to the rocky/sandy river beach, and a network of short trails forms a roughly 1-mile loop through the woods along the riverbank.
Swimming at Steelhead Beach Regional Park
Swimming and paddling are treated as core summer activities by the park operator: canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and tubes launch directly from the beach, and the county stocks free loaner life vests on the beach during the summer season. There is no lifeguard, and a tourism-board description separately cautions that swimming can be discouraged at times due to strong river current and submerged obstacles, so conditions vary with river flow and season.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park entrance is at 9000 River Road, Forestville, California, on the Russian River north of town; a short unpaved trail from the parking area leads past a picnic ground to the river beach.
Parking: On-site parking lot at 9000 River Road; day-use parking fee (per official site) is $12/vehicle during summer (roughly May 23-Sept 7) and $8/vehicle in fall/winter/spring, free for Regional Parks members. Park hours are 7 a.m. to sunset daily.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is required. A short, flat, unpaved path leads from the parking lot/picnic area directly to the river beach. A separate ~1-mile loop trail winds through riparian woods along the riverbank for those who want to walk further, but it is optional and not part of reaching the swim spot.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
County treats swimming/tubing/paddling as core family activities and stocks free loaner life vests on the beach in summer, but there is no lifeguard on duty and a tourism-board source separately warns swimming can be discouraged at times due to strong river current and submerged obstacles. Beach is sand/gravel entry (no cliffs), so entry itself is easy, but adults should supervise closely and check current conditions before letting kids swim unsupervised.
Parking
Paid, $12/vehicle in summer (~May 23-Sept 7), $8/vehicle fall/winter/spring; free for Regional Parks members
On-site paved lot at 9000 River Road, Forestville; entrance closes once the lot reaches capacity on busy summer days.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets located at the parking lot/picnic area near the park entrance (per official Sonoma County Regional Parks page).
Hours
7 a.m. to sunset daily
On the water
Restrictions: Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and tubes may launch from the beach year-round. Launching larger motorized craft is restricted to October through mid-May and requires a separate annual boat-launch permit ($45 recreational / $75 commercial). Tubes/rafts may not be left on the beach overnight.
The park is a well-known put-in/take-out point for Russian River tubing and canoe trips between Forestville and Guerneville.
Rentals nearby
Canoe rentals (2-person) and solo kayak rentals for self-guided Russian River trips, plus riverside camping; includes complimentary shuttle service back to the start point.
Prices: Canoes ~$95/canoe; solo kayaks ~$60/each (per business website, 2026 season)
8600 River Road, Forestville, CA, at River Road/Mirabel Road, about 1 mile north of Forestville and essentially adjacent to Steelhead Beach (a few tenths of a mile away, same stretch of River Road). · Open daily (7 days/week), seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through early October; shuttle runs roughly every 30 minutes until 5 p.m.
Kayak and paddleboard rentals and guided/self-guided canoe trips on the Russian River, including the Forestville-to-Guerneville route that passes Steelhead Beach.
16258 Main St, Guerneville, CA, roughly 3 miles downstream/west of Steelhead Beach Regional Park. · May-October: 8 a.m.-6 p.m., 7 days a week; winter hours vary
Steelhead Beach Regional Park: FAQ
Does Steelhead Beach Regional Park charge a fee?
Vehicle day-use fee, $8-$12 depending on season (see parking); a summer weekend river shuttle is offered as a low-cost alternative to parking. Boat-launch use for larger craft (Oct-mid May) requires a separate annual permit ($45 recreational / $75 commercial).
Is Steelhead Beach Regional Park kid friendly?
County treats swimming/tubing/paddling as core family activities and stocks free loaner life vests on the beach in summer, but there is no lifeguard on duty and a tourism-board source separately warns swimming can be discouraged at times due to strong river current and submerged obstacles. Beach is sand/gravel entry (no cliffs), so entry itself is easy, but adults should supervise closely and check current conditions before letting kids swim unsupervised.
Do I need to hike to reach Steelhead Beach Regional Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Steelhead Beach Regional Park?
On-site paved lot at 9000 River Road, Forestville; entrance closes once the lot reaches capacity on busy summer days.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Steelhead Beach Regional Park?
The park is a well-known put-in/take-out point for Russian River tubing and canoe trips between Forestville and Guerneville.
When is the best time to visit Steelhead Beach Regional Park?
Summer (roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day), when life vests are stocked, the swim/tubing season is active, and the summer parking fee and shuttle apply.
What are the rules at Steelhead Beach Regional Park?
Dogs permitted on leash, including while swimming; open alcohol containers prohibited from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; no fires or barbecues on the beach; tubes/rafts may not be left on the beach; no lifeguard on duty.
What water body is Steelhead Beach Regional Park on?
Steelhead Beach Regional Park is on Russian River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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