How to Get a Pomo Canyon Permit
Twenty-one first-come walk-in sites in a second-growth redwood forest above the Sonoma Coast, with no water and no reservation system.
Check Pomo Canyon permit availability1-7 nights
Duration
0.25 miles
Distance
easy
Difficulty
About Pomo Canyon
Pomo Canyon Campground offers 21 first-come, first-served primitive campsites, which are not on the reservation system. There are fire rings, picnic tables and porta-potty toilets. All of the walk-in campsites are within a quarter mile from the parking lot, and the campsites are shaded and located in a second growth redwood forest. To protect the wildlife, no dogs are allowed in the campground. It is a dry campground — there is no running water and no water available, and there is no garbage service, so pack in and pack out all trash. You must self-register and pay prior to occupying a campsite; there is no credit card payment capability and fees are payable using cash or personal check. The rate is $25 per night. The campground is seasonal. The park page lists Pomo Canyon simply as open or closed for the season rather than publishing calendar dates — it is marked open for the season as of August 2026. Call (707) 875-3483 to check before you drive out. Fires are allowed only in the fire rings provided, and you may use your camp stove; fires are not permitted on the beach, and do not gather firewood in the park.
Pomo Canyon is 21 first-come, first-served walk-in sites you cannot book and do not have to. It is also the inland end of the 3½-mile Pomo Canyon Trail from Shell Beach, so you can walk here from the ocean.
The Experience
Shaded second-growth redwood a couple of miles inland, quiet enough that the surf does not reach you. Then you walk over the hill and the whole Sonoma coastline opens up.
Pomo Canyon Campground offers 21 first-come, first-served primitive campsites; these campsites are not on the reservation system. There are fire rings, picnic tables, and porta-potty toilets available. All of the walk-in campsites are within a quarter mile from the parking lot. There is no running water. The campsites are shaded and located in a second growth redwood forest.
You self-register and pay before occupying a campsite. There is no credit card payment capability — fees are payable using cash or personal check. Pomo Canyon Campground is a dry campground, which means there is no water available, and you pack in and pack out all trash as there is no garbage service in this area.
The walking is the reward. The Pomo Canyon Trail from the Shell Beach parking lot winds over the hill 3½ miles to the Pomo Canyon Campground. The Red Hill Trail Loop is 1.25 miles. Nearby, the Kortum Trail begins at Wright's Beach and travels north to Blind Beach.
What to Expect
Twenty-one first-come sites you cannot reserve
Fire rings, picnic tables and porta-potty toilets
No running water at all — a dry campground
A walk of no more than a quarter mile from the parking lot
Cash or personal check only, self-registered on arrival
Seasonal operation with no published dates — call ahead
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Permit Requirements
Each campsite may have up to 8 persons including children. Two vehicles maximum are allowed per campsite.
Check-out time is noon. Check-in is 2 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators may only be operated between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.
You may stay for a maximum of seven consecutive days per stay; no more than 30 days per year.
Fires are allowed only in the fire rings provided; you may use your camp stove. Do not gather firewood in the park.
Pets and dogs are not permitted on trails or in the environmental campgrounds, Pomo Canyon and Willow Creek.
Vehicles may not be driven into the campsites, and camping in a vehicle in the parking area is not permitted.
Use the self-registration system, selecting an available campsite and filling the envelope according to instructions. One envelope per vehicle.
The maximum speed limit is 15 mph.
Pack it in, pack it out — there is no trash service provided.
A parent or guardian must accompany youths under 18 years of age.
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •All your drinking and cooking water — this is a dry campground
- •Cash or a personal check for self-registration
- •Bags to pack out all trash
- •Warm layers for coastal fog
- •Camp stove or firewood brought in
Recommended Gear
- •A backup plan, since sites cannot be reserved and there are only 21 of them
- •Headlamp for the walk from the lot after dark
- •Rain shell outside high summer
- •Long sleeves and long pants for trailside brush
- •A phone call to (707) 875-3483 to confirm the camp is open for the season
Hazards & Safety
No water available anywhere in the campground.
The Sonoma Coast is not for swimming — strong rip currents, heavy surf and sudden ground swells make surf play dangerous.
The shale bluffs and rocks are unstable and unsafe for climbing — stay on trails and heed warning signs.
Swimming or wading in the Russian River is not recommended; it is treacherous due to submerged obstacles, uneven bottom and unpredictable current, with no lifeguard service.
Duncan's Landing is the most dangerous point along the Sonoma Coast due to large and unpredictable surf.
No trash service, which means food and trash must be managed carefully overnight.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early autumn, while the camp is open for the season — the park publishes no dates, so call before you drive. Summer weekends fill early because nothing can be reserved. Autumn brings the clearest coastal weather and the least competition.
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Pomo Canyon permit?
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Pomo Canyon permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Pomo Canyon?
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Late spring through early autumn, while the camp is open for the season — the park publishes no dates, so call before you drive. Summer weekends fill early because nothing can be reserved. Autumn brings the clearest coastal weather and the least competition.
How difficult is Pomo Canyon?
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Anyone who wants a spontaneous coastal-redwood night with no reservation to chase, and hikers linking the campground to Shell Beach on the 3½-mile Pomo Canyon Trail.
What gear do I need for Pomo Canyon?
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Essential gear includes: All your drinking and cooking water — this is a dry campground, Cash or a personal check for self-registration, Bags to pack out all trash, Warm layers for coastal fog, Camp stove or firewood brought in.
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