Sonoma Valley Regional Park - Glen Ellen, CA
Sonoma Valley Regional Park – Dog-Friendly Hiking and Scenic Trails in Glen Ellen
Located in the heart of wine country, Sonoma Valley Regional Park is a top destination for pet owners seeking beautiful, pet-friendly trails and outdoor adventures. This dog park in Glen Ellen, California offers accessible, well-maintained walking and hiking trails winding around a tranquil lake and through stunning natural scenery. Locals and visitors alike love the easy-to-moderate grades, abundant wildflowers in spring, and the peaceful atmosphere – perfect for walks with your dog, a jog, or a family picnic.
Dog owners will find this park especially appealing due to its inclusive amenities: dogs are welcome (though leashes are required), there’s a dedicated dog park area, and plenty of open space to enjoy the fresh air. The park features picnic tables, barbecue grills, restrooms at the main entrance, and ample parking, with options to avoid fees by parking nearby and walking in. ADA-accessible entrances and parking make it easy for everyone to visit. While shade is limited and the trails can get muddy after rain, the unique birdlife and serene vibes make Sonoma Valley Regional Park a standout for dog-friendly hiking in Glen Ellen.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed at Sonoma Valley Regional Park? Yes, dogs are allowed throughout the park and on trails. A designated dog park area is also available.
- What are the leash requirements? Dogs must remain on leash while on the trails and open spaces.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, there is a dog park with a fenced area at the Hwy 12 main entrance.
- Are there restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are public restrooms/outhouses at the main entrance.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, the park has a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, there are picnic tables and barbecue grills available for use.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? There is a parking fee at the lot, but you can park nearby and walk in for free.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are benches and picnic tables throughout the park.
- How busy does the park get on weekends? The park is generally not crowded, even on weekends, providing a peaceful experience for visitors.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park features scenic trails around the lake and through surrounding hills – perfect for dog-friendly hiking in Sonoma Valley.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Shade is limited, so visitors are advised to bring hats and sunscreen.
- Are there poop bag stations or waste stations? There are limited poop stations on the trails, so it’s best to bring your own bags.
- Is there parking available? Yes, there is a main parking lot as well as free street parking nearby.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Some trails can be wet or muddy after rain.
- Are there activities for kids? Yes, the park is good for kids and offers kid-friendly hikes.
Reviews
What an incredible experience! My daughter and I went for a walk and sat in silence on a bench, in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere! The woodpecker sounds and watching their behavior as they protected their territory was so much fun. We sat on that bench for 30 minutes…easy. The greens, the gentle breeze and sounds of the trees was hypnotizing! What a special place…especially sharing it with my daughter. Locals running past us with their dogs was way cool too. Big smiles as they jogged by. Nice job Sonoma!
Awesome park that’s dog friendly. No shade, ll be prepared with sunscreen and hat. Best to be covered as the trail was narrow at parts, ticks possible. Dog friendly but they have to be leash.
I used to trail using all trails .. it’s was less than 400 elevation and 2.8 mile which goes through the lake. It was beautiful and there were all types of birds.
Excellent place to take your dog and have a nice hike with some beautiful views. Went around on the cougar trail and up the woodland star trail and back down around the lake. Very nice trails and decent grades to give a workout. Not that crowded which was a plus and did not have a single mountain bike on the trails we were on! Lots of people had dogs with them so be careful if you happen to have a dog that might be aggressive since some of the trails are very narrow. There was hardly any poop stations on the trails so bring extra bags if you have a dog with you. Right now there were flowers blooming all over, which made for some beautiful scenery.
Love this park. Easy to get to. Parking is easy. If you don’t want to pay the fee you can park in Arnold drive and walk in. Have a dog park and an out house on the Hwy 12 main entrance. Lots of picnic tables. Dogs are allowed. This can be super easy and mostly flat or you can challenge yourself a bit with moderate uphill.
Beautiful trails that loop around the beautiful lake. Trails were pretty wet, only down side. I didn’t see any restrooms. We came in through a back neighborhood, hiked up the hill, down and around the lake and then back. It was a little over 4 miles total. We could probably reduce it to 2 1/2 miles, depending on where you start.