Boat-In Sites (Lake Sonoma)
24 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Sonoma's Boat-In Sites are scattered around beautiful Lake Sonoma, only a 45-minute drive north of Santa Rosa and a two-hour drive from San Francisco.
Outdoors
Hiking near Santa Rosa
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Santa Rosa, closest first.
23places to hike
24 mito the closest
7within 30 miles
October–Julybest months
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Closest picks
Cedar Roughs Wilderness
24 mi east · Bureau of Land Management
The Cedar Roughs Wilderness now contains a total of 6,287 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
Lake Sonoma
25 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Sonoma is located in the wine-growing region of Sonoma County, CA. A picturesque lake with secluded vehicle and boat-in camping available for the fishing and boating enthusiast.
Map of all 23 places
Map of 23 places loads as you scroll.
Within 30 miles (7)
Boat-In Sites (Lake Sonoma)
Lake Sonoma's Boat-In Sites are scattered around beautiful Lake Sonoma, only a 45-minute drive north of Santa Rosa and a two-hour drive from San Francisco.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Cedar Roughs Wilderness
The Cedar Roughs Wilderness now contains a total of 6,287 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Sonoma
Lake Sonoma is located in the wine-growing region of Sonoma County, CA. A picturesque lake with secluded vehicle and boat-in camping available for the fishing and boating enthusiast.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Liberty Glen (Lake Sonoma)
Liberty Glen Campground is located at the top of Rockpile Road overlooking Lake Sonoma. A short 45-minute drive north of Santa Rosa and a two-hour drive from San Francisco.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
Oak Shores Day Use Area (Ca)
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs east of Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa provides ample public recreation opportunities.
- Birding
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Guided Interpretive Walks
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Nature education
Point Reyes National Seashore
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 species of plants and animals to discover.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Point Reyes National Seashore Campground
Point Reyes National Seashore offers four backcountry hike in campgrounds and thirteen boat in campsites along Tomales Bay. Note: For reservation purposes, our campgrounds are organized under the "loop" column of the reservation grid.
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Horse Camping
30 to 75 miles (16)
Knoxville Management Area
Due to its close proximity to the Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area regions, and because of its varied terrain, Knoxville's 17,700 acres attract many off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts each year.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Berryessa
Nestled between Blue Ridge and Cedar Roughs, east of the Napa Valley, Lake Berryessa offers year-round recreation opportunities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Fs Owned
Lake Solano
Lake Solano Park, Solano Project , is located at the base of coastal foothills at the western edge of the Sacramento Valley and offers an array of recreational opportunities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Cache Creek Wilderness
The Cache Creek Wilderness now contains a total of 27,294 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wilderness
Muir Woods National Monument
Walk among old growth coast redwoods, cooling their roots in the fresh water of Redwood Creek and lifting their crowns to reach the sun and fog.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Cache Creek Natural Area
This secluded, hilly expanse of oak woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral is a combination of over 70,000 acres of BLM managed lands and 4,700 acres of State and County lands.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Picnicking
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Experience a park so rich it supports 19 distinct ecosystems with over 2,000 plant and animal species.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Haypress Campground
Haypress Campground is nestled within the coastal scrub of Tennessee Valley, near Mill Valley. The hike to this campground is 1 mile from the Tennessee Valley Trail head parking lot, which means car or RV camping is not allowed.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Kirby Cove Campground
Kirby Cove is located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at historic Battery Kirby. Visitors are awarded breathtaking views of San Francisco, its famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the rugged Pacific Coast of northern California.
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
- Water Access
Cow Mountain Recreation Management Area
Please visit the following sites for more information about North and South Cow Mountain. North Cow Mountain Recreation Area South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Recreational Shooting
John Muir National Historic Site
John Muir’s life was a tapestry of roles—fruit rancher, family man, writer—each interwoven with his deep love for nature.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels only (auxiliary engine OK)
Aquatic Park Cove is a vibrantly urban harbor that mimics a natural anchorage and is located on the Pacific shores of one of America's great West Coast cities.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
Rob Hill Group Campground
As San Francisco's only group campground, Rob Hill offers a national park camping experience just minutes from the city.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
Chekaka Recreation Area Lake Mendocino
Chekaka Recreation Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where redwood forests meet wine country. There is one reservable picnic pad in the Overlook Day-Use Area.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Kyen Campground And Oak Grove Day Use Area
Kyen Campground and Oak Grove Day-Use Area are conveniently situated on Lake Mendocino, in California's Northern Coast Range where redwood forests meet wine country.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
Pomo Day Use Area
Pomo Day-Use Area is situated on Lake Mendocino in California's Mendocino Range, where the redwood forests meet California wine country. The lake is formed by the Coyote Dam on the Russian River.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Disc Golf
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Santa Rosa. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Santa Rosa
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Fun Things to Do in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California
An activity Short shared by Sonoma County.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Day Trip Ideas | Santa Rosa, California
An activity Short shared by Visit Santa Rosa.
Watch on YouTube ↗Around Santa Rosa
More outdoors near Santa Rosa
- Camping near Santa Rosa
- Fishing near Santa Rosa
- Boating and kayaking near Santa Rosa
- Biking and mountain biking near Santa Rosa
- Picnic spots near Santa Rosa
- Horseback riding near Santa Rosa
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Santa Rosa
- Swimming holes and lakes near Santa Rosa
- Off-roading and OHV areas near Santa Rosa
- Parks in Santa Rosa
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Santa Rosa?
Boat-In Sites (Lake Sonoma) (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 24 miles northwest of Santa Rosa as the crow flies. Next are Cedar Roughs Wilderness (24 mi) and Lake Sonoma (25 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Santa Rosa?
Based on Santa Rosa’s average highs, October–July. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including National Park Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.