How to Get a Willow Creek Permit
Eleven first-come walk-in sites shaded by willows near the Russian River — the only state park campground located near it.
Check Willow Creek permit availability1-7 nights
Duration
0.25 miles
Distance
easy
Difficulty
About Willow Creek
When open, Willow Creek Campground offers 11 first-come first-served primitive campsites with fire rings, picnic tables and pit toilets. All of the walk-in campsites are within a quarter mile from the parking lot and there is no running water. It is the only state park campground located near the Russian River, with sites mostly shaded by willows and relatively close to a large beach for swimming and fishing. Willow Creek has two accessible campsites. These sites are not on the reservation system and are first-come, first-served only. You must self-register prior to occupying a campsite; there is no credit card payment capability and fees are payable with cash or check, at $25 per night. It is a dry campground — no water is available — and you pack in and pack out all trash. The camp is seasonal. The park page lists Willow Creek 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 before you drive out. To protect the wildlife, no dogs are allowed — not on the entrance road and not in the campground. Upper Willow Creek access is limited to current permit holders and no new permits are being issued.
Willow Creek is the smaller of Sonoma Coast's two environmental campgrounds, half a mile off Highway 1, and it is the only state park campground located near the Russian River. Two of its sites are accessible, which is rare in a first-come walk-in camp.
The Experience
Willows and river rather than redwood and ridge. Blue heron, egrets, osprey and occasionally river otters work the water a short walk from the tent.
When open, Willow Creek Campground offers 11 first-come first-served primitive campsites. There are fire rings, picnic tables, and pit toilets available. All of the walk-in campsites are within a quarter mile from the parking lot and there is no running water. This is the only state park campground located near the Russian River. The sites are mostly shaded by willows and are relatively close to a large beach for swimming and fishing.
The park adds that blue heron, egrets, osprey, and occasionally river otters can be seen by the river. To protect the wildlife, no dogs are allowed. These sites are not on the reservation system and are first-come, first-served only.
You must self-register prior to occupying a campsite; there is no credit card payment capability, and fees are payable with cash or check. Willow Creek Campground is a dry campground, which means there is no water available. Pack in and pack out all trash. Two campsites are accessible.
What to Expect
Eleven first-come sites you cannot reserve
Fire rings, picnic tables and pit toilets
No running water — a dry campground
Two accessible campsites
A walk of no more than a quarter mile from the parking lot
Cash or check only, self-registered on arrival
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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. Fires are not permitted on the beach, and do not gather firewood in the park.
Pets and dogs are not permitted on trails or in the environmental campgrounds. No dogs on the entrance road or in the campground.
No group camping available. No horses.
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; one envelope per vehicle.
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 check for self-registration
- •Bags to pack out all trash
- •Warm layers for river-valley fog
- •Camp stove or firewood brought in
Recommended Gear
- •An early arrival on summer weekends; eleven sites go fast
- •Binoculars for herons, egrets, osprey and river otters
- •Headlamp for the short walk from the lot
- •Insect repellent for a willow-shaded riverside camp
- •A call to (707) 875-3483 to confirm the season
Hazards & Safety
No water available anywhere in the campground.
Swimming or wading in the Russian River is not recommended; the river is treacherous due to submerged obstacles, uneven bottom and unpredictable current, with no lifeguard service available.
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.
No trash service, so food and trash must be managed overnight.
Seasonal operation with no published dates.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring through early autumn, while the camp is open for the season. Autumn gives the clearest coastal weather and the least competition for eleven unreservable sites. Always call before driving out — the season dates are not published.
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 Willow Creek permit?
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Willow Creek permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Willow Creek?
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Late spring through early autumn, while the camp is open for the season. Autumn gives the clearest coastal weather and the least competition for eleven unreservable sites. Always call before driving out — the season dates are not published.
How difficult is Willow Creek?
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Anyone who wants a riverside night with no reservation to chase, birdwatchers, and campers who need one of the two accessible sites.
What gear do I need for Willow Creek?
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Essential gear includes: All your drinking and cooking water — this is a dry campground, Cash or a check for self-registration, Bags to pack out all trash, Warm layers for river-valley fog, Camp stove or firewood brought in.
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