Walk-Up6/10
Sonoma Coast Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground permit
Environmental campground in coastal redwoods. Not on the reservation system — se...
Walk-UpOvernightModerate Demand
Willow Creek Environmental Campground Permit
Environmental campground near the coast. Not on the reservation system — self-register and pay on site.
“Eleven first-come walk-in sites shaded by willows near the Russian River — the only state park campground located near it.”
How to get Willow Creek
Willow Creek is issued by the agency rather than through a booking calendar. Their page has the current process and any dates.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
How to get Willow Creek
Willow Creek is issued by the agency rather than through a booking calendar. Their page has the current process and any dates.
Official permit pagePlanning another trip? See the permits we watch.
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Willow Creek Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodWalk-Up
Demand LevelModerate6/10
Cost$25 per night (self-register on site; cash or check only)
This permit is not bookable online
You get this permit in person at the trailhead or ranger station, or by phone. There is no online reservation to race for, so availability alerts do not apply. We still track key dates and season info for your trip.
Official permit page →Key Information
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodWalk-Up
Demand Level6/10
LocationSonoma Coast, CA
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
0.25 miles
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1-7 nights
Difficulty
EasyHighlights
- •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
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.
Hazards & Considerations
- !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.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
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74°
53°
Mon
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80°
57°
Tue
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83°
54°
Wed
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77°
51°
Thu
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75°
51°
Fri
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83°
54°
Sat
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83°
55°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Check the agency page for the process
This permit is not sold online. Confirm where and when it is issued — and any fee — at California State Parks before your trip.
2
Arrive early
Walk-up permits are issued first-come, first-served, and quotas can fill early on weekends and holidays.
3
Have backup plans
Popular trailheads may be full. Know alternative routes or dates in case your first choice is unavailable.
Learn More
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand1/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill1/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment1/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Anyone who wants a riverside night with no reservation to chase, birdwatchers, and campers who need one of the two accessible sites.
Recommended Experience
None. Carry all your water, bring cash, and call ahead to confirm the camp is open.
Not Recommended For
Dog owners, groups, horse parties, and anyone who needs certainty — eleven sites cannot be held.
About This Permit
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.
The Experience
Why It Matters
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 Route
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.
The Feeling
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.
Trailhead Information
Willow Creek parking lot, Willow Creek Road
The parking area and self-registration point; all campsites are within a quarter mile.
Restrooms
No water
Parking
Vehicles are only permitted in the parking lot; camping in a vehicle in the parking area is not permitted. Two vehicles maximum per campsite; extra vehicle $10.00 per night. Self-register with cash or check only — there is no credit card payment capability. One envelope per vehicle.
Getting There
Approximately half a mile east of Highway 1 on Willow Creek Road. Maximum speed limit 15 mph.
Nearest Services
Jenner. Park office: Sonoma Coast State Park, 3095 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, (707) 875-3483.
Rules & Regulations
- •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 Checklist
Required
- 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
- 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
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Willow Creek
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
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Key Landmarks
Willow Creek parking lot
Approximately half a mile east of Highway 1 on Willow Creek Road; every site is within a quarter mile.
Willow Creek Campground
Eleven primitive sites shaded by willows, two of them accessible.
Russian River
The camp is the only state park campground located near it. Swimming or wading is not recommended.
Goat Rock
Near the mouth of the Russian River, with a harbor seal colony; stay at least 50 yards back, especially during pupping season March to August.
Pomo Canyon Campground
Two miles further along Willow Creek Road, with 21 sites in second-growth redwood.
Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Willow Creek.
🐻
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Willow Creek FAQ
How do I get a Willow Creek permit?
Willow Creek is not sold online. It is issued in person or by phone, so there is no reservation to book and no cancellation to catch. PermitSnag does not send alerts for it — check the official permit page for the current process.
When is the best time to visit Willow Creek?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Willow Creek permit?
This permit has a demand score of 6/10, making it moderately competitive.
What if I can't get a Willow Creek permit?
On this permit there is no cancellation queue and no alert to set, because nothing is re-released onto a calendar we could watch. Bring backup dates, and check the official permit page for the current process and any closures.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Evening on the Russian River, looking toward the mouth and Goat Rock.
Best Light
Early morning on the water, before wind, when herons and egrets are feeding.
Beat the Crowds
Eleven sites go quickly on summer weekends. Midweek and shoulder season it is often near-empty.
Classic Shots
- 📍Willows over the campsites
- 📍Egrets and blue heron on the Russian River
- 📍The river mouth at Goat Rock
- 📍River otters, if you are lucky and quiet
- 📍Fog burning off the lower river valley
Can't Get a Willow Creek Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground
Same AreaTwenty-one first-come sites in second-growth redwood, two miles further east on Willow Creek Road.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
Nearly twice the sites and a shaded redwood setting, plus a 3½-mile trail to Shell Beach. But it is further from the river and the coast.
Steep Ravine Environmental Campground
Similar ExperienceSeven primitive walk-in sites on a marine terrace one mile south of Stinson Beach, with restrooms and water faucets nearby.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
It has water, and it sits directly above the Pacific. But it is reservable rather than first-come, and holds only seven sites.
Usal Beach Camp
Similar ExperienceA drive-in primitive camp at the southern end of Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, near the park's black sand beaches.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Far wilder. But the access road is approximately six miles of unpaved, steep, narrow driving, and there is no potable water in the park.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Willow Creek trip
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