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Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is named for the shape of the ridge at its southern edge. In the 1800s, sugar was molded into cone-shaped loaves; many hills and mountains with a conical shape were whimsically called “sugarloaf.” The 4,020-acre park is located northeast of Kenwood in the Mayacamas Mountains between the lush Sonoma and Napa valleys.
Elevations in the park range from 600 feet at the entrance to 2,729 feet at the top of Bald Mountain, overlooking the Napa Valley and Mount Saint Helena to the north. On clear days, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge and the Sierra Nevada from Bald Mountain’s summit.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park contains the headwaters of Sonoma Creek. It runs through gorge and canyon, across the meadow floor, beneath scenic rock outcroppings, and is surrounded at times by redwoods and ferns.
A 25-foot waterfall flows after the winter rains. There is a self-guided nature trail along Sonoma Creek that starts near the picnic area. Dogs must be on a leash under your control at all times. Dogs are not allowed on trails. Dogs must be in a tent, camper or enclosed vehicle during the night.
With the oak woodland and chaparral, the park has 25 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding.
Deer, gray foxes, the occasional bobcat and coyote can be seen in the park. In spring, wildflowers provide a colorful palette across the green hills.
The non-profit Valley of the Moon Observatory Association provides year-round astronomy education and interpretation programs at the Robert Ferguson Observatory within Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Program fees vary, some are free with the payment of the park's day-use fee. There are three telescopes and the New Generation 40-inch Telescope Project at the Ferguson Observatory which will be one of the largest telescopes dedicated for public viewing.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Temperatures during spring and fall are mild. The wettest months - from November to April - can bring 30 to 40 inches of rain. Wintertime lows can drop into the 20s, but daytime highs average 50s and 60s. Summer is hot and dry, often in the 90s, cooling to the 40s in the evenings. Wear a hat, and bring drinking water.
Temperatures during spring and fall are mild. The wettest months - from November to April - can bring 30 to 40 inches of rain. Wintertime lows can drop into the 20s, but daytime highs average 50s and 60s. Summer is hot and dry, often in the 90s, cooling to the 40s in the evenings. Wear a hat, and bring drinking water.
Operating Hours & Contact
Day-Use Area: open daily
Camping Area: open daily
Telephone: 707-833-5712
Day-Use Area: open daily
Camping Area: open daily
Telephone: 707-833-5712
Camping
The campground, located around the meadow near Sonoma Creek at an elevation of 1,200 feet, has 49 campsites that can accommodate trailers and campers up to 24 feet. Each site has a table and a fire ring, with flush toilets and drinking water nearby.
The group campground accommodates up to 50 people. There is one large barbecue and fire ring, with water faucets and chemical toilets.
Make Campground Reservations
The campground, located around the meadow near Sonoma Creek at an elevation of 1,200 feet, has 49 campsites that can accommodate trailers and campers up to 24 feet. Each site has a table and a fire ring, with flush toilets and drinking water nearby.
The group campground accommodates up to 50 people. There is one large barbecue and fire ring, with water faucets and chemical toilets.
Make Campground Reservations
Activities
Picnicking
Across the creek from the campground are picnic sites with tables, barbecues and day-use parking.
Fishing
Trout fishing in Sonoma Creek is best in late spring and early summer (the creek is not stocked). Fishing season varies each year—please consult current California Fish and Game regulations. Anglers over the age of 16 must have a valid California fishing license.
Hiking
The park has 21 miles of trails that wind through the chaparral, oak and fir forest, and the redwoods in the canyon along Sonoma Creek.
The Robert Ferguson Observatory
The dark night sky here makes this a perfect location for an observatory. Named after a Sonoma county amateur astronomer, the observatory is located near the group campground and surrounded by a protective ring of hills, decreasing the light pollution from nearby cities. This astronomy observatory houses several telescopes. The observatory is open to the public on select weekends throughout the year for both night and solar viewing. Per-person fees are charged at the door for night viewing.
Planet Walk
This scale model of the solar system, designed to fit within Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, allows you to “hike” through the entire solar system by shrinking it more than 2,360,000,000 times. Our sun is large enough to hold a million Earths, yet it is only a middle-sized star. At the scale used for this model, the nearest neighboring sun is more than 10,000 miles away. Each step you take is equal to nearly one million miles of empty space.
To begin your walk, start at the sign representing the sun in the southeast corner of the observatory parking lot. If you take one step every five seconds, you will be walking at the speed of light, but plan on 1/2 to 2 hours for your hike.
Picnicking
Across the creek from the campground are picnic sites with tables, barbecues and day-use parking.
Fishing
Trout fishing in Sonoma Creek is best in late spring and early summer (the creek is not stocked). Fishing season varies each year—please consult current California Fish and Game regulations. Anglers over the age of 16 must have a valid California fishing license.
Hiking
The park has 21 miles of trails that wind through the chaparral, oak and fir forest, and the redwoods in the canyon along Sonoma Creek.
The Robert Ferguson Observatory
The dark night sky here makes this a perfect location for an observatory. Named after a Sonoma county amateur astronomer, the observatory is located near the group campground and surrounded by a protective ring of hills, decreasing the light pollution from nearby cities. This astronomy observatory houses several telescopes. The observatory is open to the public on select weekends throughout the year for both night and solar viewing. Per-person fees are charged at the door for night viewing.
Planet Walk
This scale model of the solar system, designed to fit within Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, allows you to “hike” through the entire solar system by shrinking it more than 2,360,000,000 times. Our sun is large enough to hold a million Earths, yet it is only a middle-sized star. At the scale used for this model, the nearest neighboring sun is more than 10,000 miles away. Each step you take is equal to nearly one million miles of empty space.
To begin your walk, start at the sign representing the sun in the southeast corner of the observatory parking lot. If you take one step every five seconds, you will be walking at the speed of light, but plan on 1/2 to 2 hours for your hike.
Natural History
The park encompasses three distinct ecological systems: chaparral-covered ridges, oak/fir woodland along the open meadows, and redwood forest in the Sonoma Creek canyon. Big-leaf maples, madrone, California laurels, gray pines and alders also grow here. California lilacs, coyote bush, toyon, and winebush make up some of the chaparral community. As you hike, watch out for poison oak and, along the creek, stinging nettles.
Sonoma Creek begins in the park and runs for three miles through its southern portion. The creek is not deep enough for swimming and often dries up by late summer. Following the winter rains, a picturesque 25-foot waterfall flows along Sonoma Creek below the campground. In the spring, the park comes alive with wildflowers such as California poppies, cream cups, penstemon, buttercups, shooting stars, trillium, and Indian warrior. Less common are golden fairy lantern, zigadene and fritillaria. Clarkia, scarlet larkspur, Mariposa lilies, monkey flowers and Indian pinks bloom in early summer. Invasive yellow starthistles and tarweed abound in late summer.
The park encompasses three distinct ecological systems: chaparral-covered ridges, oak/fir woodland along the open meadows, and redwood forest in the Sonoma Creek canyon. Big-leaf maples, madrone, California laurels, gray pines and alders also grow here. California lilacs, coyote bush, toyon, and winebush make up some of the chaparral community. As you hike, watch out for poison oak and, along the creek, stinging nettles.
Sonoma Creek begins in the park and runs for three miles through its southern portion. The creek is not deep enough for swimming and often dries up by late summer. Following the winter rains, a picturesque 25-foot waterfall flows along Sonoma Creek below the campground. In the spring, the park comes alive with wildflowers such as California poppies, cream cups, penstemon, buttercups, shooting stars, trillium, and Indian warrior. Less common are golden fairy lantern, zigadene and fritillaria. Clarkia, scarlet larkspur, Mariposa lilies, monkey flowers and Indian pinks bloom in early summer. Invasive yellow starthistles and tarweed abound in late summer.
Tips & Rules
•Pets must be controlled at all times. They must be on a leash no longer than six feet, and kept inside a vehicle or tent at night. They are permitted in the campground and picnic area, but not on park trails or in the backcountry areas. Please clean up after your pets.
•Fires are allowed only in the fire rings provided. You may use your portable stove or barbecue, but only in the established camping and picnic areas. Wood gathering is not allowed - dead wood is part of nature’s recycling system. Purchase firewood at the entrance station.
•Smoking is limited to developed areas. The park becomes tinder-dry in summer when fire hazard is high; please do not smoke on trails.
•Quiet hours are 10pm to 6am. Generators may only be operated between 10am and 8pm.
•Plants and wildlife are protected. Do not pick the flowers. Their seeds make next year’s flowers.
•For their welfare and your safety, please do not feed or attempt to pet wild animals. Please secure food items at night to keep raccoons from stealing them.
Mountain bikes
•Mountain bikes may only be ridden on designated fire roads and service roads.
•Maximum speed is 15 mph.
•If visibility is less than 50 feet, slow to walking speed.
•Alert trail users ahead of you of your approach.
•Yield to horses.
Horses and Bicycles
•Horses and bicycles may only be ridden on designated, named trails.
•Please note: some named trails are posted “no use” by horses and/or bicycles. Check postings at trailheads.
•Stay on trails - do not take “short cuts” or use unnamed trails.
•Obey signs. Some trails are subject to seasonal closure. Check with park rangers when planning your ride.
•Pets must be controlled at all times. They must be on a leash no longer than six feet, and kept inside a vehicle or tent at night. They are permitted in the campground and picnic area, but not on park trails or in the backcountry areas. Please clean up after your pets.
•Fires are allowed only in the fire rings provided. You may use your portable stove or barbecue, but only in the established camping and picnic areas. Wood gathering is not allowed - dead wood is part of nature’s recycling system. Purchase firewood at the entrance station.
•Smoking is limited to developed areas. The park becomes tinder-dry in summer when fire hazard is high; please do not smoke on trails.
•Quiet hours are 10pm to 6am. Generators may only be operated between 10am and 8pm.
•Plants and wildlife are protected. Do not pick the flowers. Their seeds make next year’s flowers.
•For their welfare and your safety, please do not feed or attempt to pet wild animals. Please secure food items at night to keep raccoons from stealing them.
Mountain bikes
•Mountain bikes may only be ridden on designated fire roads and service roads.
•Maximum speed is 15 mph.
•If visibility is less than 50 feet, slow to walking speed.
•Alert trail users ahead of you of your approach.
•Yield to horses.
Horses and Bicycles
•Horses and bicycles may only be ridden on designated, named trails.
•Please note: some named trails are posted “no use” by horses and/or bicycles. Check postings at trailheads.
•Stay on trails - do not take “short cuts” or use unnamed trails.
•Obey signs. Some trails are subject to seasonal closure. Check with park rangers when planning your ride.
Accessible Features
Camping
Campsites # 6, 7, and 12 are accessible. A restroom with showers is accessible. The campfire center is also accessible with a variety of wheelchair seating areas. The accessible route to the campfire center begins near campsite #12.
Picnic Area
The picnic area is accessible and includes an accessible vault restroom.
Trails
The Meadow Trail is an old fire road that leads to a stream and is used as a trail by hikers, bikers and equestrians. It may be accessible for about 3/4 mile. Occasionally gravel works loose and limits accessibility. The trailhead is approached from the day use parking lot. Restroom: An accessible portable toilet is near the visitor center. Parking: The day use parking area currently has no lined spaces, but the surface is firm and stable.
Exhibits/Programs
Visitor Center: The visitor center has accessible parking and routes to the building, portable restroom, and information area.
Robert Ferguson Observatory: Rooms and route to telescopes are generally accessible, but paths of travel in the library are only 30” wide. Telescope eyepieces may not suit everyone’s needs. Call observatory ahead at 707-833-6979 to discuss your needs. Restrooms are generally accessible. Parking: A designated accessible parking space is available in an adjacent lot. Route of travel from parking space is hard-packed gravel that is generally accessible. It may occasionally work loose and require some assistance, but the space is adjacent to the observatory.
Camping
Campsites # 6, 7, and 12 are accessible. A restroom with showers is accessible. The campfire center is also accessible with a variety of wheelchair seating areas. The accessible route to the campfire center begins near campsite #12.
Picnic Area
The picnic area is accessible and includes an accessible vault restroom.
Trails
The Meadow Trail is an old fire road that leads to a stream and is used as a trail by hikers, bikers and equestrians. It may be accessible for about 3/4 mile. Occasionally gravel works loose and limits accessibility. The trailhead is approached from the day use parking lot. Restroom: An accessible portable toilet is near the visitor center. Parking: The day use parking area currently has no lined spaces, but the surface is firm and stable.
Exhibits/Programs
Visitor Center: The visitor center has accessible parking and routes to the building, portable restroom, and information area.
Robert Ferguson Observatory: Rooms and route to telescopes are generally accessible, but paths of travel in the library are only 30” wide. Telescope eyepieces may not suit everyone’s needs. Call observatory ahead at 707-833-6979 to discuss your needs. Restrooms are generally accessible. Parking: A designated accessible parking space is available in an adjacent lot. Route of travel from parking space is hard-packed gravel that is generally accessible. It may occasionally work loose and require some assistance, but the space is adjacent to the observatory.
Park News Alert
Due to staff reductions and budgeting constraints:
Nov. 2011: Camping will only be available for Friday and Saturday nights
Dec. 2011, Jan. & Feb. 2012: Park closed
Due to staff reductions and budgeting constraints:
Nov. 2011: Camping will only be available for Friday and Saturday nights
Dec. 2011, Jan. & Feb. 2012: Park closed
Getting There
The park is about one hour away from San Francisco and seven miles east of Santa Rosa.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
The park is about one hour away from San Francisco and seven miles east of Santa Rosa.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Bald Mountain Trail, Vista Trail, and Meadow Trail Loop
A great overview hike of Sugarloaf State Park
A great overview hike of Sugarloaf State Park
Easy
4.2 mi
6.8 km
6.8 km
Guides
A great overview hike of Sugarloaf State Park
Community Trips
Barbara proposed to go hiking up to Bald Mountain in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. This is a park I have never been to and that I was recently looking at, so despite the long drive, I was in. And so was Pavla.One of the trails leading to Bald Mountain is part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail (B.A.R.T.) system so I thought it was also an opportunity to hike that segment.We decided...
I did a backpack conditioning hike today with my friend John on the Goodspeed trail in Hood Mountain Park Sonoma County, CA. We bumped into my friends Pat and Wanda who were doing a fund raising hike with a group of very nice people. I snapped a few photos of them too.
Burning off Thanksgiving dinner calories with Uncle Joel!
I brought a few friends along in celebration of my birthday, which had been earlier in the week.We followed Jane Huber's route. Along the way we stopped to search for four geocaches.Unfortunately the fog was very dense so no views from the peak, although it lifted later.
(WARNING: Spoilers may be present in the map data and description.)A group of 8 geocachers went out for a 10-mile hike at Sugarloaf SP. Our main goal was to get stages 1, 2, and 3 of the multicache Cro-Magnon. We did end up finding 10 other geocaches along the way.We met at the Pony Gate trailhead at 7:30am. The sun was just rising over the ridge as we began to ascend. There...
Got a hike in between all the rainy days lately with some friends and acquaintances.
