The Austin Creek State Recreation Area

With nearly 6,000 acres and 20 miles of trails through meadows and woodlands and across rolling hills, Austin Creek State Recreation Area is a dream for anyone who wants to enjoy the great outdoors.

It’s a beautiful place to explore in every season with year-round streams, oak trees crowning hilltops, and views that cause you to stop in your tracks. In spring, intense green meadows bring colorful wildflowers, while summer’s grasses shine gold with spots of purple lupine. In autumn, when the land turns pale, leaves blaze with color. A mild winter brings magic of its own, like wisps of white fog, raindrops glittering like diamonds in the sun, and the flash of a red-tailed hawk against blue sky.

The park’s wildflowers include Douglas iris, Indian paintbrush, buttercups, lupine, brodiaea, California poppies, and shooting stars. Streams and creeks have trout and salmon as well as newts and salamanders. Bullfrog Pond contains sunfish, black bass, and, yes, bullfrogs. Streams are closed to fishing, but you may fish Bullfrog Pond with a license. 

Austin Creek has plenty to make birdwatchers happy with wild turkeys, wood ducks, the rare spotted owl, great blue herons, California quail, black-shouldered kites, woodpeckers, a variety of hawks, and more. As for animals, they include coyotes, bobcats, foxes, mountain lions, deer, squirrels, and an occasional black bear.

Among all this beauty, Austin Creek offers an amazing opportunity for outdoor activity. With elevations that range from 150 to 1,500 feet, you can choose a challenging trail for a great workout. Summer can be hot, so you may wish to try the long, steep hikes in the cooler seasons of spring, fall, and winter. 

Four main trails in Austin Creek State Recreation Area:

Gilliam Creek Trail (moderate)

This narrow, steep trail runs alongside the creek while winding through shaded oak woodlands. After close to four miles, it meets the Austin Creek Trail at the confluence of two creeks. During winter rains, this trail may be impassable at lower elevations due to high waters.

Pool Ridge Trail (moderate)

With redwood trees below and forested hills above, this dramatic 4.2-mile one-way trail drops only 500′ in elevation, with some steep portions. Continue along the East Ridge Trail for a longer hike. 

East Ridge Trail (moderately strenuous)

Offering varied terrain with great views, this four-mile trail curves through forests. Spanning between the Armstrong Redwoods park entrance and Bullfrog Pond in Austin Creek, this trail has 1,500 feet of elevation gain and can be used as part of a loop by hiking one way and returning via the Pool Ridge Trail.

Austin Creek Trail (strenuous)

This spectacular, nine-mile hike is an unpaved service road that snakes downhill through a canyon filled with meadows and forest, dropping in elevation from 1200′ to 300′. Just before the 5-mile mark, the trail meets the Gilliam Creek Trail to return you to your starting point.

Austin Creek State Recreation Area shares its park entrance with Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. This popular park contains a redwood grove with short, gentle hiking trails. For more information, check out the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods. 

More To Explore in Guerneville

Check out the wonderful — and wonderfully old-fashioned — shops that line Main Street in the town of Guerneville. At Guerneville 5 & 10, you’ll find candy brands and toys from your childhood, collectibles, camp supplies, and novelty items. Stop in at Sonoma Nesting Company to see beautiful antiques, art, and collectibles for the home and garden.

Get a delicious bite to eat. Main Street Bistro serves up live acoustic music with its traditional menu favorites, while boon eat + drink highlights the local bounty.

For more dining options, read Where to Eat: Guerneville Restaurants or check our listings of Sonoma County Restaurants and click on Guerneville. 

Find more to explore in this part of Sonoma Wine Country with this Guide to the Russian River Resort Area.

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Written by Sonoma Insider Suzie Rodriguez