Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve

Public Access

Initial public access to the property is available while the Master Plan and California Environmental Quality Act studies are underway.

Several miles of trails are already open. Most of these allow both pedestrians and cyclists, but Dutch Bill Creek Trail and portions of Monte Rio Redwoods Trail are pedestrian-only. The .2-mile Dutch Bill Creek trail is a gentle path through a shady redwood grove along the creek. Another popular route is the hillier 2.4-mile partial-loop route combining the Monte Rio Redwoods Trail and River Mountain Trail.

Monte Rio Redwoods currently has no restrooms nor drinking fountains or other sources of potable water.  There is currently a porta-potty on site.  The nearest public restroom is at Creekside Park in Monte Rio.

Future development will improve public access, including providing accessible features, to this biodiverse property. Regional Parks is also studying the potential to develop a separate, paved trail for pedestrians and cyclists through the park along Main Street. This transportation trail would be a step toward the long-range goal of providing a safe, enjoyable opportunity for people to travel between downtown Monte Rio and Occidental, without motor vehicles.

Park Context + Connections

Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve was acquired by Regional Parks in October 2020, with funding support from Sonoma County Ag + Open Space, the State Coastal Conservancy, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The 515-acre property encompasses stunning wildlands stretching from ridge to ridge along lower Dutch Bill Creek south of its confluence with the Russian River.

The park will preserve and protect the open space and scenic value of the property, plant and animal habitat, while providing valuable recreation opportunities in the lower Russian River area. This project will protect inspiring vistas, natural resources, habitats, watersheds, and forests. The park will also support habitat connectivity for wildlife moving along Dutch Bill Creek, and between upland forests to the east and west and the creek. Regional Parks is also assessing the potential to improve connectivity for people with a paved trail along Main Street to allow cyclists and pedestrians a safe way to travel north-south through the park and eventually, from Monte Rio to Occidental.

Work has begun to protect, preserve, and provide public access to the property. Parks staff has initiated or completed work surveying, marking parkland boundaries and cleaning up extensive garbage and debris on the property. The team is developing and implementing strategies to secure and protect the property, its wildlife habitat, and other important natural resources. Public access to approximately 3 miles of trails is currently open.

Importance for Local Native American Tribes

Native Americans have inhabited the North Coast region for over 10,000 years. Prior to European settlement, Native Americans lived on this property and throughout central to southern Sonoma County, from the coast to the Russian River. They stewarded and made use of the abundant resources in the area, including fish and game for food; riparian products such as reeds and sedges for baskets and nets; and forest products such as shredded bark. In summer, they traveled to the coast to collect seafood.

Natural Features within the Park

Monte Rio Redwoods includes a reach of Dutch Bill Creek, its floodplain, and the steep, forested slopes rising to both the east and west. Elevation ranges from 45 feet along the creek to 1,100 feet on the ridge to the west. The property is home to redwood and Douglas-fir forest, maple and alder riparian forest, Sargent cypress woodland, and serpentine chaparral.

Each of these habitats supports a rich diversity of native plants and wildlife. Several rare plant species inhabit the unique serpentine soils on the property’s east side. The creek provides important spawning habitat for steelhead and coho. The tiny Sonoma tree vole is found in the site’s tall Douglas-firs, living out its entire life in the canopy and relying on fir needles for food. The property’s stream corridor and its forested connections to adjacent undeveloped lands make it especially valuable for wildlife traveling across the landscape to find food, mates, and other resources.