If you’re planning a fall vacation in Sonoma County, you’re in for the time of your life! You’ll not only have access to some great Wine Country vacation homes and exceptionally reduced-rate Sonoma County vacation rentals but also some parks and trails that you ought to check out. This area has beautiful weather all year long, but fall is the ideal time to get out on the trail while avoiding the excessive heat of the summer months. Yes, Sonoma County is rich and beautiful and full of life, and there is much to be explored here. One of the must-see destinations in this area is the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Read on to find out why you can’t miss it!
Explore These Trails
Overdue for that fall vacation in Sonoma County, CA? Looking for some great fall hikes in Sonoma County altogether? Then start right here! Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is an excellent spot for the entire family since the trails range from beginner to advanced. No matter which trail you choose to embark on, you’re in for some of the most beautiful views of your life! Best of all, each trail is relatively short, so you should be able to tackle all of them even if you only have one day to explore.
Pioneer Nature Trail
To begin your journey through the reserve, you have the one and only Pioneer Nature Trail, a great one to talk about right off the bat. The Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is quite proud of this trail, as it’s one of the most picturesque destinations you can find in the area. As you venture along the path, you’ll be surrounded by stunning redwoods and all kinds of other local plant life. Best of all, this trail is wheelchair accessible so that every single guest can enjoy themselves here. You’ll find that the trail is mostly flat and level, ideal for visitors of any age. Plus, the entire journey is just 1.5 miles round-trip, so it’s not too strenuous and can be taken at your own pace.
East Ridge Trail and Waterfall
Another popular trail within the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is the East Ridge Trail and Waterfall. What is unique about this little excursion is the simple fact that you do not need to have a full day’s worth of energy in your physical and mental tank, so to speak, to enjoy the best of this trail and waterfall. All it takes is about 20 – 30 minutes to get to the very top of the whole thing. And once you get there, you will truly feel on top of the world! You can gain an incredible elevation by taking this trail all the way through; as a matter of fact, you get approximately 600 feet in added elevation from where you were before embarking on this trail. As you make your way to the peak, you’ll, of course, be surrounded by gorgeous redwoods. Keep in mind that this trail is almost entirely uphill, so while it’s not for the faint of heart, you’ll feel the burn and come alive in a whole new way.
Armstrong Redwoods Grove Loop Trail
The park calls the Armstrong Redwoods Grove Loop Trail a self-guided walk, and rightly so! Some also refer to it as an interpretive walk. You get to pass right alongside some old redwoods and reflect on all of the history and nature that has come and gone in this area. Neat, eh? And to add to that, this trail fully loops itself around, hence the cool name of “Loop Trail.” It’s only 1.6 miles all around, so not too shabby of a walk, either, especially if you’re not feeling like doing a huge hike on any certain day. This one’s an easy hike for when you want to take it slow or bring the kids along to enjoy the journey with you. Plus, you’ll experience 98 feet of added elevation when along this trail, so you can certainly feel the difference but shouldn’t struggle too much. On top of that, there are a whopping 19 different waypoints on this trail, each carefully marked out. Numerous marked trees and trailheads account for this, all in all. It sure helps when reorienting.
Park Hours
Know, first off, that the entrance fee for Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is only $10 per car that passes in. Seniors receive a bit of a discount at just $9 per car. If you’re coming in on foot or your bicycle, you can pass in for free! For larger groups, there is a special bus fee of $50 for 10-24 passengers. This one-time fee allows you to explore the park for the entire day since it’s open from 8 a.m. each day until just an hour after the official sunset. And that, of course, gives you and your crew plenty of time to explore. A full day’s worth is just $10…. you just can’t beat that!
You’ll find the park located three miles north of Guerneville. Once you make your way onto Armstrong Woods Road, follow the road to the very end, and you’ll find yourself in the park. If you’re driving in, you’ll immediately come to a kiosk where you can pay your entry fee. Thankfully, there is no additional cost to park your car.
Park Rules
The most basic rules remain the same as with just about any other U.S. state park. First, make sure not to pollute, as you can incur fines and risk harming the beautiful wildlife and plant life all around you. Do not feed any of the wildlife you may run into (no matter how cute or hungry they appear!). Stay within a reasonable distance of any blocked-off areas, obstructions, or “do not enter” signs or zones. Be respectful of the property and other visitors and tourists, and of course, do not touch certain artifacts, monumental ornaments, or statues displayed. Additionally, since wildfires can be a significant concern here, fires are only permitted in specifically designated facilities.
Also, be respectful of local and state law enforcement when you’re in the parks. Follow any additional guidelines or precautions they may give you, and if you see something suspicious which deserves their attention, let them know of it and do not keep silent. Report major issues or concerns as you see them. Please help keep the peace and help keep the park and its areas safe — in general, that is all that they ask of anyone visiting.
Plan Your Next Stay
We hope that you’ll consider coming to check out the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve and everything else that this area has to offer you. Hopefully, learning about trails, vacation rental homes, and all else in between here as it relates to Sonoma County has convinced you that this is where you need to spend your next vacation! Contact our expert staff and us today to learn some more and help plan your next visit to Sonoma County, California.
Where to Stay
There is a wide array of fantastic vacation rental homes near the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve that you can choose from, and Wine Country Life Vacations lists dozens online every day. Of the many available to pick from, there are typically tons of 2 and 3 bedroom homes to start with. And if you like them, you can think about upgrading to something like one of our 4 or 5 bedroom ones on the next trip after that. Once you enjoy Sonoma County and this amazing state park, you’ll want to come back for more, and Wine Country Life Vacations will be ready and willing to help you book that ideal home to stay in once more. Heck, you could even look at Wine Country homes with pools, homes with hot tubs, or homes with both! These homes tend to offer in-home laundry facilities, which helps with those more extended stays. Other amenities you can expect to find high-speed WiFi, spacious living and dining areas, tons of outdoor space, flat-screen TVs, and so much more. Each rental is a bit unique, but they’re always designed with your comfort in mind.
