Location: County: Sonoma. Nearest City: Guerneville. See map 5.

Campsites, facilities: There are 23 sites for tents or RVs up to 20 feet long. No trailers are allowed. (The access road is very narrow.) Picnic tables, fire grills, piped water, and flush toilets are provided. Pets are permitted on leashes in the main campground. There are also four primitive, hike-in, backcountry campsites with tables, fire rings, and pit toilets, but no piped water is available and no pets are permitted. The camps are 2.5 to four miles from the main campground. Obtain a backcountry camping permit from the office.

Reservations, fees: No reservations; $10-$12 per night, $1 pet fee.

Contact: Phone the park at 1-707-869-2015 or 1-707-865-2391.

Operating hours, seasons: Call the park for information; open all year round.

Directions: From Santa Rosa on U.S. 101, turn west on Highway 12 (it becomes Highway 116 at Forestville) to Guerneville. At Armstrong Woods Road, turn right and drive 2.5 miles to the entrance of Armstrong Redwoods State Park. Continue 3.5 miles through Armstrong Redwoods to Austin Creek State Recreation Area to the campground.

Weather, clothing: The weather can be changeable; layered clothing is recommended.

Trip notes: Austin Creek State Recreation Area and Armstrong Redwoods State Park are actually coupled, forming 5,000 acres of continuous parkland. Most visitors prefer the redwood park. Austin Creek State Recreation Area features open woodlands and hillsides adjacent to the dark, primeval redwood forests of Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve. The highlight at the recreation area is a system of hiking trails that lead to a series of small creeks: Stonehouse Creek, Gilliam Creek, and Austin Creek. They involve pretty steep climbs, and in the summer it's hot here. There are many attractive side trip possibilities, including the adjacent Armstrong Redwoods, of course, but also canoeing on the Russian River, and fishing (smallmouth bass in summer, steelhead in winter). The reserve nurtures a variety of wildlife, including many bird species such as ducks, great blue herons and black-shouldered kites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to go Camping

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Miwok Lodge 439