Sunset Beach River Park
Forestville, California · on Russian River · Sunset Beach Staging Area
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $8
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Sunset Beach River Park
Sunset Beach River Park is a Sonoma County Regional Parks day-use site on the Russian River in Forestville, California, offering an official swimming beach with a rocky/gravel shoreline. As monitored swimming holes go it is a safe bet: it is one of the county's freshwater swim beaches tested weekly for bacteria during summer, a dependable stretch of river to swim in, and a popular put-in/take-out point for river tubing and paddling.
The park sits on the Russian River off River Road near Forestville, with a rocky/gravel beach reached by a short (about a quarter-mile) unpaved trail from the parking area. Visitors get views upstream of the river, the Hacienda Bridge, and redwood-covered hillsides along the banks.
Swimming at Sunset Beach River Park
Swimming is the primary summer draw alongside sunbathing and paddling; the river here has gentle currents suitable for swimming and wading, making it accessible for casual swimmers and families, though no lifeguards are on duty. The beach is also the recommended takeout point for tubing trips that start upstream at Steelhead Beach.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located at 11403 River Road (also listed as 11060 River Road), Forestville, CA 95436, on River Road along the Russian River; a paid parking lot serves the site, with a short unpaved trail leading down to the beach.
Parking: On-site lot with about 80 total spaces (roughly 40 paved, including 3 accessible spaces, plus 40 unpaved); entrance closes once the lot reaches capacity and there is no street parking alternative. A seasonal Regional Parks River Shuttle (9am-6pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day) offers an alternative to driving.
The hike in
- To the water
- approximately 0.25 mi one-way
- Time on foot
- about 5-10 minutes one-way on foot
Difficulty: easy walking distance, but the unpaved surface is soft/rutted and described by the park as difficult for wheelchairs or other mobility devices; the final stretch requires hand-carrying gear (a trip report notes a wagon helps partway but not all the way)
Trailhead: Starts right at the Sunset Beach River Park parking lot off River Road (11403 River Road, Forestville, CA); the unpaved beach-access path leaves directly from the lot.
Not a backcountry trail, a short, unpaved access path running the entire quarter mile from the parking lot straight to the rocky river beach.
Paddlers must also carry canoes/kayaks/paddleboards down this same path from the lot to the water, there is no drive-up boat launch.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Gentle river currents and free loaner life vests (summer) make it workable for families, but there are no lifeguards on duty, the shoreline is rocky/gravel rather than sandy, and reaching the water means a ~0.25 mi unpaved carry from the lot (hard with strollers or young kids in arms). No source specifies a distinct shallow/wading zone.
Parking
Paid, $8 (fall/winter/spring) or $12 (summer); free for Sonoma County Regional Parks members
On-site lot with about 80 spaces (roughly 40 paved incl. 3 accessible + 40 unpaved). Entrance closes temporarily once the lot fills and there is no street-parking alternative; rangers monitor capacity. Seasonal Regional Parks River Shuttle (9am-6pm, Memorial Day-Labor Day) is an alternative to driving.
Restrooms
Yes
Portable/chemical toilets located near the parking area, including an ADA-accessible unit; no flush restrooms on site.
Hours
7:00 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset, daily
On the water
Restrictions: No motorized boats are mentioned anywhere in official materials. There is no drive-up boat ramp, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards must be carried (walked) down the ~0.25 mi unpaved beach-access trail from the parking lot to launch.
The official Sonoma County Regional Parks page confirms canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are permitted year-round, launching directly from the gravel beach. The park is also used as a popular takeout point for river-tubing trips that start upstream at Steelhead Beach.
Rentals nearby
Canoe and solo kayak rentals (paddles and life jackets included); self-guided ~10-mile Russian River trip from their Forestville landing down to Guerneville
Prices: $95 per canoe (fits 2 adults, or 2 adults plus 1-2 kids ages 5-11); $60 per solo kayak
8600 River Rd, Forestville, CA, about 1 mile north of downtown Forestville and a few miles upstream of Sunset Beach River Park along the Russian River · Open daily for the season starting Memorial Day weekend (2026: canoe/kayak rentals begin Saturday, May 23) through mid-October
Kayak and paddleboard rentals; a customer testimonial also references canoeing the Forestville-to-Guerneville stretch
16258 Main St, Guerneville, CA, a few miles downstream from Sunset Beach River Park · 7 days a week; May-October 8am-6pm, winter hours vary
Self-guided Russian River canoe trips, plus guided e-bike tours and a combo road/river adventure package
Forestville, CA (exact street address and distance to Sunset Beach not published on the site)
What regulars say
First-hand visitor notes: the beach is gravel/rocky rather than sand, so visitors recommend bringing a padded blanket or low chair; a wagon can help haul gear partway down the access path but the final steps to the water require hand-carrying; rangers actively monitor the paid lot and turn cars away once it's full, so arriving early on summer weekends is advised, or use the seasonal Regional Parks River Shuttle instead of driving.
Sunset Beach River Park: FAQ
Does Sunset Beach River Park charge a fee?
Day-use parking fee: $8 in fall/winter/spring, $12 in summer; free for Sonoma County Regional Parks members.
Is Sunset Beach River Park kid friendly?
Gentle river currents and free loaner life vests (summer) make it workable for families, but there are no lifeguards on duty, the shoreline is rocky/gravel rather than sandy, and reaching the water means a ~0.25 mi unpaved carry from the lot (hard with strollers or young kids in arms). No source specifies a distinct shallow/wading zone.
How hard is the hike to Sunset Beach River Park?
A hike is required, about approximately 0.25 mi one-way to the water (about 5-10 minutes one-way on foot). Wear real shoes, since approaches to natural swim spots are often rocky or rooty.
Where do I park for Sunset Beach River Park?
On-site lot with about 80 spaces (roughly 40 paved incl. 3 accessible + 40 unpaved). Entrance closes temporarily once the lot fills and there is no street-parking alternative; rangers monitor capacity. Seasonal Regional Parks River Shuttle (9am-6pm, Memorial Day-Labor Day) is an alternative to driving.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Sunset Beach River Park?
The official Sonoma County Regional Parks page confirms canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are permitted year-round, launching directly from the gravel beach. The park is also used as a popular takeout point for river-tubing trips that start upstream at Steelhead Beach.
When is the best time to visit Sunset Beach River Park?
Summer (roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day) is peak season for swimming, paddling, and tubing; the park is used year-round for fishing and bird watching.
What are the rules at Sunset Beach River Park?
Dogs allowed on leash only; alcohol prohibited Memorial Day through Labor Day; no fires or barbecues on the beach; flotation devices/life vests cannot be left on the beach; open 7 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset.
What water body is Sunset Beach River Park on?
Sunset Beach River Park is on Russian River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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