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Annadel State Park, located 60 miles north of San Francisco on the eastern edge of Santa Rosa, offers miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and trail riding.
For wildflower lovers, Annadel Park offers a great variety of flowers from early spring until early summer, especially on a hike around Lake Ilsanjo. The best months to see the park's wildflowers are April and May, but there are some plants in bloom as early as January and as late as September.
Lake Ilsanjo offers excellent fishing for black bass and bluegill. Black bass weighing nine pounds and more have been caught here. A purple plastic worm is a favored bait for the bass, while the bluegill favor garden worms, small crayfish, and grubs. If you are 16 years of age or older, you must have a California fishing license. Ledson Marsh dries up by late August or early September and so no fish are found there.
Getting There
The park is east of Santa Rosa and south of Highway 12 on Channel Drive via Montgomery Drive.
The park is east of Santa Rosa and south of Highway 12 on Channel Drive via Montgomery Drive.
Seasons/Climate
Temperatures during the summer are in the 80s and 90s. Wintertime highs are in the 50s. Rainfall averages about 30 inches a year, most of it during the winter and early spring. Snow is quite rare, and there is little fog.
Temperatures during the summer are in the 80s and 90s. Wintertime highs are in the 50s. Rainfall averages about 30 inches a year, most of it during the winter and early spring. Snow is quite rare, and there is little fog.
Operating Hours & Contact
Daily, from 8am to sunset
Telephone: 707-539-3911
Daily, from 8am to sunset
Telephone: 707-539-3911
Tips & Rules
•Annadel State Park is a day-use park only. Open from sunrise to sunset.
•A day-use fee is required to park beyond the ranger station.
•Motorized vehicles are allowed only on Channel Drive, the park’s entrance road and the parking lot.
•Lock your vehicle and protect your valuables.
•Dogs are allowed only on Channel Drive, the park’s entrance road and in the parking lot. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
•Drinkable water is located near the ranger station and in the main parking lot at the east end of Channel Drive. No other water in the park is potable.
•Use only the named trails shown on the park map.
•Open fires, camp stoves and barbeques are not allowed.
•Camping is not permitted. Camping may be available at Spring Lake County Park, which adjoins Annadel State Park to the west, and at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, about 6 miles east, up Adobe Canyon Road.
•Horses and bicycles are allowed only on designated, named trails. Off-trail riding or trailblazing is prohibited.
•Bike jumping ramps and bike launches are prohibited.
•California Bicycle Helmet Law is enforced. Riders and passengers less than 18 years of age must wear an approved helmet.
•A fishing license is required. Anglers 16 years of age or older must have a valid California fishing license visible on their person.
•No lifeguards are on duty nor are there any lifesaving devices at Lake Ilsanjo. If you enter the water, you do so at your own risk.
•California law protects all park features.
•Annadel State Park is a day-use park only. Open from sunrise to sunset.
•A day-use fee is required to park beyond the ranger station.
•Motorized vehicles are allowed only on Channel Drive, the park’s entrance road and the parking lot.
•Lock your vehicle and protect your valuables.
•Dogs are allowed only on Channel Drive, the park’s entrance road and in the parking lot. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
•Drinkable water is located near the ranger station and in the main parking lot at the east end of Channel Drive. No other water in the park is potable.
•Use only the named trails shown on the park map.
•Open fires, camp stoves and barbeques are not allowed.
•Camping is not permitted. Camping may be available at Spring Lake County Park, which adjoins Annadel State Park to the west, and at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, about 6 miles east, up Adobe Canyon Road.
•Horses and bicycles are allowed only on designated, named trails. Off-trail riding or trailblazing is prohibited.
•Bike jumping ramps and bike launches are prohibited.
•California Bicycle Helmet Law is enforced. Riders and passengers less than 18 years of age must wear an approved helmet.
•A fishing license is required. Anglers 16 years of age or older must have a valid California fishing license visible on their person.
•No lifeguards are on duty nor are there any lifesaving devices at Lake Ilsanjo. If you enter the water, you do so at your own risk.
•California law protects all park features.
Camping
There is no camping in the park. Fires, camp stoves, and barbecues are not allowed.
Campsites are available at the county campground at Spring Lake and at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, about ten miles east of Annadel via Highway 12 and Adobe Canyon Road.
There is no camping in the park. Fires, camp stoves, and barbecues are not allowed.
Campsites are available at the county campground at Spring Lake and at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, about ten miles east of Annadel via Highway 12 and Adobe Canyon Road.
Accessible Features
Two accessible picnic tables sit on a firm surface under a tree off the main parking lot at the end of Channel Drive. There is an accessible portable restroom nearby and the parking lot includes one site designated accessible. The packed dirt lot and path to restroom and table are generally accessible.
Two accessible picnic tables sit on a firm surface under a tree off the main parking lot at the end of Channel Drive. There is an accessible portable restroom nearby and the parking lot includes one site designated accessible. The packed dirt lot and path to restroom and table are generally accessible.
Recreation
Hikers, equestrians, mountain bicyclists, runners and nature lovers can choose from over 40 miles of trails. Elevation gains and degree of difficulty vary with each trail. Enjoy and protect the park’s natural beauty—it is against the law to disturb any of its features.
Hikers, equestrians, mountain bicyclists, runners and nature lovers can choose from over 40 miles of trails. Elevation gains and degree of difficulty vary with each trail. Enjoy and protect the park’s natural beauty—it is against the law to disturb any of its features.
Trails
Warren Richardson Trail (fire road): This trail, commemorating a prominent cattle rancher and hop grower, begins at the parking lot at the end of Channel Drive and goes uphill through a forest of Douglas fir, bay and redwood trees. Parts of the trail are home to the pileated woodpeckers and pygmy owls, and in the spring keep an eye out for the calypso or the Redwood orchid between the Two Quarry and Steve’s “S” Trail junction. At the 900-foot elevation, the forest gives way to open meadows and mixed oak woodlands, and you will get your first glimpse of Lake Ilsanjo when you intersect the North Burma Trail. The trip will take you an hour or less to cover the 2 ½ miles to Lake Ilsanjo. There is a restroom at the eastern shore of the lake and picnic tables are scattered along the shoreline. Circle the lake and return via Steve’s “S” Trail for a 6-mile loop hike.
Cobblestone Trail: This narrow, 2 mile trail beginning at the auxiliary parking area on Channel Drive, is rocky on the bottom third then flattens as it nears the boundary of the park. Farther along this trail you will reach the Wymore Quarry. At one time there was a gravity-powered, narrow gauge tramway that took the cobblestones produced at the quarry to a small gauge railroad line, which is now Channel Drive. The stones were then transported to San Francisco and Sacramento, where you can still see the old cobblestone streets. The trail ends at Rough-Go Trail; turning left will take you to the lake.
Spring Creek Trail There are two access points to this trail, one is the service road from Spring Lake’s horse trailer parking area and the other is from Santa Rosa’s Viet Nam Veteran’s Trail. At the beginning, the trail increases in elevation. This trail is completely shaded by alders, redwoods and arching bay trees that grow along the creek canyon, making this one of the most pleasant trails in the park on a hot summer day. The trail ends at beautiful Lake Ilsanjo.
Canyon Trail (fire road): This 2-mile trail begins at the intersection of Spring Creek Trail, by a wooden bridge. The trail’s elevation increases steadily. At the top is a great view of Santa Rosa, the coastal mountain range, Mt. Saint Helena and the geysers in Napa County. The colorful “Indian Warriors,” bloom from March through May and grow at the Marsh Trail intersection. Canyon Trail ends at Lake Ilsanjo, after passing by Hunter Spring where a horsewatering trough is located.
Marsh Trail: This trail climbs steadily from its beginning at the intersection with Canyon Trail. Marsh Trail skirts the northern flank of Bennett Mountain. Higher elevations provide views of Lake Ilsanjo and the Mayacamas Mountain Range. The trail runs through prime oak woodlands, grasslands and cool islands of coastal redwoods. The threatened California red-legged frog, popularized by Mark Twain’s Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, lives at Ledson Marsh where the trail terminates. (Please step with care.) The structures attached to various trees surrounding the marsh are nesting boxes for wood ducks. A restroom is located at the Two Quarry Trail intersection.
North Burma Trail This trail begins 1/3- mile beyond the ranger station on Channel Drive. It follows a seasonal creek, which receives its water from False Lake Meadow, a highland vernal pool, and passes through areas of chaparral and mixed forests. In the vernal pool near the Live Oak Trail area, look for the tiny very rare white fritillary from March through May. The trail borders several meadows and will end at the Warren Richardson Trail, where there is a wonderful view of Lake Ilsanjo.
Rough-Go Trail: Once you start on this trail, you will know how it got its name. It is a steep, rough path with full southwestern sun exposure and will take you past rocks, boulders and grassland meadows on your way to Lake Ilsanjo.
Lawndale Trail: This trail begins at the eastern end of the park, located off of Lawndale Road from Highway 12, near Kenwood.
Steve’s “S” Trail: This trail, which is for hikers only, begins and ends at the Warren Richardson Trail. It is a steep hiking trail and is quite shaded by firs and bay trees. The trail gets its name from Steve Hutchinson, the grandson of the Hutchinson family, who had his own secret trails throughout the ranch, thus the “S” is for secret. You will walk over a large area of obsidian chips, which was a very important resource for the Native Americans of the area. (Please remember do not collect any minerals or flowers.)
Channel Trail: This trail starts just past the ranger station on Channel Drive and ends at the main parking lot. The old dumpsite between the trail and the road was used to dispose of farm items such as hop kilns and metal frames when the land was known as the Annadel Farm. About three-fourths of the way on the trail, you will need to exit the trail and go along the asphalt Channel Drive for a very short distance before returning to the dirt trail. This area was one of many quarries sites that are located in Annadel.
Warren Richardson Trail (fire road): This trail, commemorating a prominent cattle rancher and hop grower, begins at the parking lot at the end of Channel Drive and goes uphill through a forest of Douglas fir, bay and redwood trees. Parts of the trail are home to the pileated woodpeckers and pygmy owls, and in the spring keep an eye out for the calypso or the Redwood orchid between the Two Quarry and Steve’s “S” Trail junction. At the 900-foot elevation, the forest gives way to open meadows and mixed oak woodlands, and you will get your first glimpse of Lake Ilsanjo when you intersect the North Burma Trail. The trip will take you an hour or less to cover the 2 ½ miles to Lake Ilsanjo. There is a restroom at the eastern shore of the lake and picnic tables are scattered along the shoreline. Circle the lake and return via Steve’s “S” Trail for a 6-mile loop hike.
Cobblestone Trail: This narrow, 2 mile trail beginning at the auxiliary parking area on Channel Drive, is rocky on the bottom third then flattens as it nears the boundary of the park. Farther along this trail you will reach the Wymore Quarry. At one time there was a gravity-powered, narrow gauge tramway that took the cobblestones produced at the quarry to a small gauge railroad line, which is now Channel Drive. The stones were then transported to San Francisco and Sacramento, where you can still see the old cobblestone streets. The trail ends at Rough-Go Trail; turning left will take you to the lake.
Spring Creek Trail There are two access points to this trail, one is the service road from Spring Lake’s horse trailer parking area and the other is from Santa Rosa’s Viet Nam Veteran’s Trail. At the beginning, the trail increases in elevation. This trail is completely shaded by alders, redwoods and arching bay trees that grow along the creek canyon, making this one of the most pleasant trails in the park on a hot summer day. The trail ends at beautiful Lake Ilsanjo.
Canyon Trail (fire road): This 2-mile trail begins at the intersection of Spring Creek Trail, by a wooden bridge. The trail’s elevation increases steadily. At the top is a great view of Santa Rosa, the coastal mountain range, Mt. Saint Helena and the geysers in Napa County. The colorful “Indian Warriors,” bloom from March through May and grow at the Marsh Trail intersection. Canyon Trail ends at Lake Ilsanjo, after passing by Hunter Spring where a horsewatering trough is located.
Marsh Trail: This trail climbs steadily from its beginning at the intersection with Canyon Trail. Marsh Trail skirts the northern flank of Bennett Mountain. Higher elevations provide views of Lake Ilsanjo and the Mayacamas Mountain Range. The trail runs through prime oak woodlands, grasslands and cool islands of coastal redwoods. The threatened California red-legged frog, popularized by Mark Twain’s Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, lives at Ledson Marsh where the trail terminates. (Please step with care.) The structures attached to various trees surrounding the marsh are nesting boxes for wood ducks. A restroom is located at the Two Quarry Trail intersection.
North Burma Trail This trail begins 1/3- mile beyond the ranger station on Channel Drive. It follows a seasonal creek, which receives its water from False Lake Meadow, a highland vernal pool, and passes through areas of chaparral and mixed forests. In the vernal pool near the Live Oak Trail area, look for the tiny very rare white fritillary from March through May. The trail borders several meadows and will end at the Warren Richardson Trail, where there is a wonderful view of Lake Ilsanjo.
Rough-Go Trail: Once you start on this trail, you will know how it got its name. It is a steep, rough path with full southwestern sun exposure and will take you past rocks, boulders and grassland meadows on your way to Lake Ilsanjo.
Lawndale Trail: This trail begins at the eastern end of the park, located off of Lawndale Road from Highway 12, near Kenwood.
Steve’s “S” Trail: This trail, which is for hikers only, begins and ends at the Warren Richardson Trail. It is a steep hiking trail and is quite shaded by firs and bay trees. The trail gets its name from Steve Hutchinson, the grandson of the Hutchinson family, who had his own secret trails throughout the ranch, thus the “S” is for secret. You will walk over a large area of obsidian chips, which was a very important resource for the Native Americans of the area. (Please remember do not collect any minerals or flowers.)
Channel Trail: This trail starts just past the ranger station on Channel Drive and ends at the main parking lot. The old dumpsite between the trail and the road was used to dispose of farm items such as hop kilns and metal frames when the land was known as the Annadel Farm. About three-fourths of the way on the trail, you will need to exit the trail and go along the asphalt Channel Drive for a very short distance before returning to the dirt trail. This area was one of many quarries sites that are located in Annadel.
Other Features
Lake Ilsanjo: This is a man-made 26-acre lake. There is a restroom at the eastern shore and picnic tables are scattered along the shoreline. Fishing is permitted and does require a valid license for those over 16 years old. The lake is not stocked, but there are blue gill and big mouth bass present. No lifeguards are available. No diving is allowed from landbased features.
Ledson Marsh: First built as a reservoir to water eucalyptus trees, the marsh is now mostly overgrown with cattails, tules and native grasses. During the winter months, water is collected here and overflows down into Schultz Canyon. There is a bridge at this spillway, which helps to protect the rare red-legged frog.
Lake Ilsanjo: This is a man-made 26-acre lake. There is a restroom at the eastern shore and picnic tables are scattered along the shoreline. Fishing is permitted and does require a valid license for those over 16 years old. The lake is not stocked, but there are blue gill and big mouth bass present. No lifeguards are available. No diving is allowed from landbased features.
Ledson Marsh: First built as a reservoir to water eucalyptus trees, the marsh is now mostly overgrown with cattails, tules and native grasses. During the winter months, water is collected here and overflows down into Schultz Canyon. There is a bridge at this spillway, which helps to protect the rare red-legged frog.
Park History
For thousands of years, the Southern Pomo lived near what is now the park. No permanent village sites have been found in the park, but these lands were important as trading grounds and as a source of obsidian, a stone that was traded with other native people who would turn it into scrapers, knives, arrow points and spearheads. In the early 1800s, Russian and Aleutian fur trappers who arrived in the area to establish Fort Ross found the Pomo willing traders and hard workers. It is believed this was the native people’s first contact with non-natives. By the mid-1800s, many native people had been drawn into nearby Mission San Francisco Solano. The gold rush miners and settlers, who wanted the Pomo lands, forced them into indentured servitude - despite California’s prohibition against slavery - or moved them onto reservations. Though the native people resisted these drastic changes to their way of life, many succumbed to overwork and to European diseases to which they had no resistance.
With the arrival of Europeans, cattle ranching and farming gradually replaced the native pattern of hunting and gathering. In 1837 this area was part of Los Guilicos Rancho, a Mexican land grant covering about 19,000 acres. Eleven years later the property was acquired by William Hood, who came here from his native Scotland. In the late 1800s, sheep and cattle grazing gave way to the quarrying of cobblestones. This was the major source of income for the Wymore and Hutchinson families, the area’s principal landowners, until the early 1900s. Cobblestones were used in the building of San Francisco and other west coast cities, as well as in their reconstruction after the 1906 earthquake. However, cobblestone roads were not suitable for use by motorized vehicles, and by the 1920s demand for them had significantly declined.
In the 1930s entrepreneur Joe Coney bought 3,200 acres of oak woodlands near Santa Rosa from Irish immigrant Samuel Hutchinson. Samuel Hutchinson had named his ranch by combining the name of his daughter, Annie, with dell (a small, secluded, wooded valley). Under the Coney’s ownership it became known as “The Annadel Farm”. Coney built a hunting and fishing retreat for his friends. He stocked the property with game birds, and his manmade lake, Lake Ilsanjo (built in the mid 1950s and named for the Coney couple, Ilse and Joe), he filled with black bass and other fish. When his fortunes began to diminish in the 1960s, Joe Coney decided to sell the ranch. California State Parks acquired Annadel in 1969, and it became a state park in 1971.
For thousands of years, the Southern Pomo lived near what is now the park. No permanent village sites have been found in the park, but these lands were important as trading grounds and as a source of obsidian, a stone that was traded with other native people who would turn it into scrapers, knives, arrow points and spearheads. In the early 1800s, Russian and Aleutian fur trappers who arrived in the area to establish Fort Ross found the Pomo willing traders and hard workers. It is believed this was the native people’s first contact with non-natives. By the mid-1800s, many native people had been drawn into nearby Mission San Francisco Solano. The gold rush miners and settlers, who wanted the Pomo lands, forced them into indentured servitude - despite California’s prohibition against slavery - or moved them onto reservations. Though the native people resisted these drastic changes to their way of life, many succumbed to overwork and to European diseases to which they had no resistance.
With the arrival of Europeans, cattle ranching and farming gradually replaced the native pattern of hunting and gathering. In 1837 this area was part of Los Guilicos Rancho, a Mexican land grant covering about 19,000 acres. Eleven years later the property was acquired by William Hood, who came here from his native Scotland. In the late 1800s, sheep and cattle grazing gave way to the quarrying of cobblestones. This was the major source of income for the Wymore and Hutchinson families, the area’s principal landowners, until the early 1900s. Cobblestones were used in the building of San Francisco and other west coast cities, as well as in their reconstruction after the 1906 earthquake. However, cobblestone roads were not suitable for use by motorized vehicles, and by the 1920s demand for them had significantly declined.
In the 1930s entrepreneur Joe Coney bought 3,200 acres of oak woodlands near Santa Rosa from Irish immigrant Samuel Hutchinson. Samuel Hutchinson had named his ranch by combining the name of his daughter, Annie, with dell (a small, secluded, wooded valley). Under the Coney’s ownership it became known as “The Annadel Farm”. Coney built a hunting and fishing retreat for his friends. He stocked the property with game birds, and his manmade lake, Lake Ilsanjo (built in the mid 1950s and named for the Coney couple, Ilse and Joe), he filled with black bass and other fish. When his fortunes began to diminish in the 1960s, Joe Coney decided to sell the ranch. California State Parks acquired Annadel in 1969, and it became a state park in 1971.
Park News Alert
Park is open daily from 8am - Sunset
Channel Drive entrance gate closed Monday - Friday to vehicle access during city's Channel Drive project August 29th - November 2011
Channel Drive entrance gate
Open Saturday & Sunday. Park access is restricted due to Service Reductions and/or City of Santa Rosa construction project.
City of Santa Rosa project is impacting access to Channel Drive entrance.
Project information provided by the City of Santa Rosa:
"....through November of 2011, Channel Drive will be used to transport construction equipment and materials as needed to relocate approximately 2500 feet of City owned trunk sewer main that is currently located immediately adjacent to Oakmont Creek. The new trunk sewer main will be located away from the creek, north of, and roughly parallel to Channel Drive, east of the gated entry near the Annadel State Park trailer at 6201 Channel Drive. The new trunk sewer main will not be located on State Park property.
The City of Santa Rosa awarded the Oakmont Trunk Sewer Relocation Project to Mountain Cascade, Inc, of Livermore, CA on July 21, 20ll. The permissible contractor's work hours are from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm.
Two project information signs and a construction sign were to be installed Friday, August 19, 2011. Additional construction signage will be place on Channel Drive once construction commences.
Maximum speed limit on Channel Drive is 15 MPH."
Park is open daily from 8am - Sunset
Channel Drive entrance gate closed Monday - Friday to vehicle access during city's Channel Drive project August 29th - November 2011
Channel Drive entrance gate
Open Saturday & Sunday. Park access is restricted due to Service Reductions and/or City of Santa Rosa construction project.
City of Santa Rosa project is impacting access to Channel Drive entrance.
Project information provided by the City of Santa Rosa:
"....through November of 2011, Channel Drive will be used to transport construction equipment and materials as needed to relocate approximately 2500 feet of City owned trunk sewer main that is currently located immediately adjacent to Oakmont Creek. The new trunk sewer main will be located away from the creek, north of, and roughly parallel to Channel Drive, east of the gated entry near the Annadel State Park trailer at 6201 Channel Drive. The new trunk sewer main will not be located on State Park property.
The City of Santa Rosa awarded the Oakmont Trunk Sewer Relocation Project to Mountain Cascade, Inc, of Livermore, CA on July 21, 20ll. The permissible contractor's work hours are from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm.
Two project information signs and a construction sign were to be installed Friday, August 19, 2011. Additional construction signage will be place on Channel Drive once construction commences.
Maximum speed limit on Channel Drive is 15 MPH."
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Lake Ilsajo, Buick Meadow Loop - Annadel State Park
Connecting several trails to cover the central third of the park with not a hint of the city just over the hill.
Connecting several trails to cover the central third of the park with not a hint of the city just over the hill.
Moderate
8.7 mi
14.0 km
14.0 km
Guides
Connecting several trails to cover the central third of the park with not a hint of the city just over the hill.
Community Trips
Mapped out a route for a group ride, but I needed to test it out. So instead of going to work on a Friday, I went to Annadel. I think I made the right choice. It was a great ride. Good Technical Climbs and fun descents. Some of the trails might be fun to take the other way, but this is the way I will take the group.
Summary Data
Total Time (h:m:s)
4:41:18
10:47...
Aubrie, Twist, Chopper and I headed out to Annidale on a crisp clear Sunday afternoon. It was my first trail ride in Annidale. We rode for about three hours mostly walking up to the Lake Trail. We saw deer, wild turkeys, hawks, lots of bicycles most of which were courtious, hikers, and also furry mountain lion poop.Both horses were wonderful loading up right away both times. I think they like their new...
This is a loop but I started the GPS late so the first bit from the start to the Fairway View Homeowners Association I drew in freehand.
Great trail!--------------------------------This trip was created with the REI Bike Your Drive App
--------------------------------This trip was created with the REI Bike Your Drive App
