Restaurants

Explore the many coves on the 2,700 surface acres of water by canoe, sailboat or motorboat. Water skiing is allowed only in the areas designated on a map.

Boat launching ($3 launching fee) is provided at the public boat ramp on the west end of Warm Springs Bridge, and at Yorty Creek Recreation Area off Hot Springs Road (car top only). The marina is located off Stewarts Point Road and offers a boat ramp, boat slips, boat rentals and other services at a fee.

Information on fees and other questions regarding the marina may be obtained by phoning the Lake Sonoma Resort at (707) 433-2200. The Warm Springs arm is subject to closure due to fluctuating water levels.

Boating laws are enforced by the Corps rangers and the Sonoma County Sheriff.

Liberty Glen Campground

Whether you prefer the seclusion offered by primitive boat-in camp sites, or the convenience of a campsite in a developed campground, Lake Sonoma is for you.

Boat-in Campsite are situated near the lake. Nine of these primitive sites are also accessible by the hiking and equestrian trails. Back country camp permits are required and are obtained at the Visitor Center.

Lake Sonoma's Liberty Glen Campground contains 113 individual campsites and two group camp areas for recreational vehicles and tent campers. The campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are required for use of the group camp area and handicapped access sites.
To further your enjoyment, there are eight primitive campgrounds along the trail system. The campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and campers must obtain a back country camping permit at the Visitor Center. There is no potable water at these sites.

No camping is allowed outside these camp grounds. All campgrounds have restrooms, tables, grills and tent pads. You should carry your own water since the water you find along the trails is not drinkable. Washing your dishes. - or yourself - in springs, streams or the lake is not permitted.

At this time no water is available at Liberty Glen. In addition, the dump station, showers and restrooms are closed. Chemical vault toilets are available for your convenience. Campers should check in at the entrance station to Liberty Glen. Call to verify the water situation.

This day use area is located at Lake Sonoma, just a 45 minute drive north of Santa Rosa and a 2 hour drive from San Francisco. There are 6 large group picnic areas and smaller individual family picnic tables. Sport areas are available for 2 sand volleyball courts and a large play area for football, baseball, or other field sport. A small playground with tire swing, slides and climbing structures is also present.

Group picnic sites are available through reservation by calling the toll-free National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) at 1-877-444-6777 or visit the website at www.recreation.gov.

Yorty Creek Recreation Area

A nice family area for picnicking, swimming, bank fishing, and picnics, Yorty Creek is located far up the Dry Creek arm and can be accessed by car from the city of Cloverdale. Facilities include chemical toilets, free sheltered picnic areas, a car-top boat launch (no trailers allowed), and a swim beach.

Yorty Creek is managed as a day use area. Boat-in campers wishing to launch and park overnight at Yorty Creek must check in with the visitor center and obtain a parking permit to avoid receiving a citation. Swim at your own risk, as there is no lifeguard on duty and please keep an eye on your children.

Austin Creek State Recreation Area

Twenty miles of hiking and riding trails make it easy to explore and enjoy this wild and scenic area. Though the 5,683-acre park is close to urban development, its rugged topography gives a sense of isolation from the hustle and bustle of civilization. Elevations within the park range from 150 feet above sea level to almost 1,900 feet on Marble Mine Ridge. For more information, call California State Parks at 707-869-2015 or 707-865-2391.

Visitor center, outdoor amphitheater, nature trails and picnic facilities. The Colonel Armstrong Tree is over 1400 years old. Open daily 8:00am until one hour after sunset. 17020 Armstrong Woods Road, Guerneville, CA 95446 --  707-869-2015.

Fishing

Trees have been left in the upper stretches of Warm Springs Creek and Dry Creek in order to provide an underwater habitat for various species of fish. As a result, the lake provides some of the best bass fishing in the state. Game fish also include Sacramento perch, channel catfish and redear sunfish. For information about special provisions and limits, please refer to the latest copy of the California Fishing Regulations.

Like most other lakes, bass fishing at Sonoma is best during the spring months, but fish can be caught most anytime of the year. In the summer months the fishing gets tougher as the fish spent most of the daylight hours in deep water. Anglers use pig-n-jigs and plastic grubs to get to fish that are down as much as 45 feet. In the early morning and late evening hours, the bass move up to start feeding. Topwater techniques with Pop R's, Zara Spooks, and buzz baits entice fish into striking. Fall months can provide as good of fishing as an angler will find in the spring-time. Fishermen using spinnerbaits, Berkley Power Bait and Berkley Power Worms, and shad colored plastic worms and grubs in the the trees will have the best success. The bass tend to hold anywhere from 0 to 20 feet this time of year.

You'll find catfish, after the water warms up. Use night crawlers, anchovy or chicken livers in the coves, and on shallow sloping banks. Fishing at night is the best time since the cats do most of their feeding during the evening hours.

There's a good population of red ear sunfish in Lake Sonoma. These tasty panfish can be found most anywhere in the lake. Fishing red worms under a bobber will most often produce fish. Other preferred baits are minnows, night crawlers, and mealworms. Artificial baits such as panfish and jigs, among others, should do well.

Sport Fishing Regulations or
California Department of Fish & Game
916-227- 2245

Hiking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking

More than 40 miles of trails welcome hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers to Lake Sonoma, a 17,615 acre park 13 miles northwest of Healdsburg.

The trails provide access to hard-to-reach areas of the park. Passing through shady woodlands of oak, alder, bay and adrone, over sweeping grasslands and into redwood groves, the trails open onto impressive panoramas of the lake and surrounding hills. You will see a variety of wildlife including deer, jackrabbits and many birds. You may even be rewarded with glimpses of the rare peregrine falcons that nest here. For hints on what, where and how to look for wildlife and plant life, stop by the Visitor Center near the park entrance and talk to a ranger.

Picnicking

Picnic sites are located throughout the park for daytime enjoyment. Fires are permitted only in those barbecues provided. Groups may reserve two Group Picnic Areas located near the Park Headquarters. Yorty Creek Recreation Area picnic sites are located near the park's swim beach.

Lake Sonoma is about 45 minutes north of Santa Rosa, only minutes from downtown Healdsburg and a 2-hour drive from San Francisco. The lake boasts almost 100 boat-in sites for all to enjoy. All boat-in sites are located on various portions of the lake. Visitors have the option of selecting campgrounds that are close to the ski zones of the lake, or selecting a more secluded region for fishing or swimming. Boaters who wish to sleep on their boats for camping may anchor anywhere within the park if they have anchor lights; however, if they tie up to shore, they must be at one of the designated campgrounds. The park typically has cool, foggy, wet winters with hot, dry summers. Temperatures average in the high 90s during the summer with short periods over 100 degrees.

Directions from San Francisco to Lake Sonoma

Take the 101 North to the Dry Creek Road exit. (Drive time: one and half hours). At the bottom of the exit make a left onto Dry Creek Road. Take Dry Creek Road about 12 miles continuing straight through both stop signs. Dry Creek Road turns into Skaggs Springs Road where Lake Sonoma is located.

Directions from Ukiah to Lake Sonoma

Take the 101 South to the Dutcher Creek Road exit. (Drive time: one hour). At the bottom of the Dutcher Creek Road exit make a right. When you come to the stop sign make a left onto Dutcher Creek Road. At the end of Dutcher Creek Road, make a right onto Dry Creek Road. Dry Creek Road turns into Skaggs Springs Road where Lake Sonoma is located.

Reservations For
Lake Sonoma Campgrounds
3333 Skaggs Springs Road
Geyserville, Ca 95441
707-433-9483
http://www.spn.usace.army.mil/lakesonoma

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude)
Lat. 38.70833, Long.123.0