As one of the top places to visit in Santa Rosa, Trione-Annadel State Park has captured thousands of people’s attention as a great spot for hiking, fishing, and so much more.
This ultimate guide includes key details about the best things to do in Trione-Annadel State Park and what the area has to offer. Anyone thinking about visiting this fun location should take a look to get a headstart on their planning.
Trione-Annadel History
About 3,000 years ago, what is now known as the Trione-Annadel State Park area was once controlled and occupied by two indigenous tribes known as the Wappo and the Pomo people. Its main resource to these groups was the high amount of obsidian that could be found and carved into various tools like knives, spearheads, and arrowheads. As Spanish settlers arrived, the area was converted into farmlands and ranching space for cattle.
A Scottish immigrant named William Hood (the namesake for the nearby Mount Hood) purchased the land in the mid-1800s and converted it into a quarry that mainly produced cobblestone. Thanks to this development, the area played a pivotal role in the rebuilding of San Francisco after the major earthquake that hit in 1906.
The land was exchanged a few more times during the 1900s until a man named Henry Trione bought the area and established it as the protected Trione-Annadel State Park we know today.
How to Get to Trione-Annadel State Park
Located along the southeast border of Santa Rosa, there are limited ways to gain access to the park. The main entry point can be found by traveling east along Montgomery Drive and then heading south onto Channel Drive. You’ll travel about ¾ of a mile down until you find the Cobblestone Trailhead, leading directly into the main area of the park.
An alternate route can be taken from the city of Kenwood, where you’ll be able to start at the Lawndale Road Trailhead and head north into the Trione-Annadel State Park.
There is space to park your vehicle along the entrance road and there is also a parking lot once you enter the state park area. Keep in mind, no automobiles are allowed past these points.
Contact Information for the Trione-Annadel State Park
Address: 6201 Channel Drive Santa Rosa, California, 95409
Phone: (707) 539-3911
Are Pets Allowed in Trione-Annadel State Park?
While horses are permitted in the park, no other animals or pets are allowed to be brought into Trione-Annadel State Park. Leashed dogs may come as far as the entrance road and the parking lot, but cannot be taken on the hiking trails.
Best Things to Do in Trione-Annadel State Park
Covering almost eight square miles, there is plenty of room for fun things to do in Trione-Annadel State Park.
1. Trione-Annadel Trails
More than 35 miles of trails span the Trione-Annadel State Park, giving you plenty of options for difficulty, various views, and access to specific areas. The trails are open for running, hiking, and biking, as well as to those who would like to go horseback riding.
Some of the main trails you’ll find in Trione-Annadel State Park include:
- Cobblestone Trail Loop
- Orchard Trail
- Live Oak Trail
- Burma Trail
- Marsh Trail
- Lake Trail
- Warren Richardson Trail
- Ridge Trail
- Schultz Trail
Make sure you bring water with you because there is no potable water within Trione-Annadel State Park.
2. Picnics
What better way to enjoy a picnic than is a beautiful California state park? Visitors will find picnic tables scattered along the trails as well as dotted around the lake. Bring your own sack lunch and drinks to have anywhere you’d like.
3. Fishing
Providing some of the easiest access to fishing for people living in Santa Rosa, you’ll find a couple of great spots in Trione-Annadel State Park. Bait your hook and head over to Lake Ilsanjo for a calm, quiet, and secluded atmosphere where you can cast your line and relax. The lake is home to a great stock of black bass and bluegill, giving you plenty of chances to reel one in.
The nearby Ledson Marsh also offers the opportunity to fish, though it has a smaller supply and doesn’t get as many bites.
4. Wildlife Watching in Trione-Annadel
California is home to so many diverse and unique animals and the ones found around Trione-Annadel State Park are no exception. As you travel along the many trails, you may be able to spot everything from squirrels and raccoons to black-tailed deer and opossum. Every now and then, there have been reports of bobcats and mountain lions.
If you look up toward the sky, you’ll also have a chance of seeing numerous bird species such as woodpeckers, black phoebes, dark-eyed juncos, and California scrub jays. Near the water and marshy areas, you may also spot the occasional rough-skinned newt.
5. Trione-Annadel Visitor Center
Run by the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department, the family-friendly Environmental Discovery Center offers a variety of fun activities at the northern edge of Trione-Annadel State Park. Adults and children alike will learn about the local ecosystem with hands-on activities, while also performing unique experiments.
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You can also get a close look at some water animals in the living tide pool that houses a few species of turtles, starfish, snakes, and fish.
Environmental Discovery Center of Sonoma County, 393 Violetti Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95409
Great Places to Eat Around Trione-Annadel State Park
The incredible views that can be found all over Trione-Annadel State Park make it the perfect place for people in Santa Rosa who want to enjoy a scenic picnic. Find a place anywhere next to Lake Ilsanjo, Redwood Springs, the Ledson Marsh, or Madrone Spring and pull out your lunch bags. Multiple areas all around the park have tables available or you can simply lay down a blanket and enjoy your picnic the old-fashioned way.
If you’d like to grab a bite to eat before or after your visit, you’ll also find some great restaurants near Trione-Annadel State Park. Head over to the Trattoria Cattaneo for Italian cuisine or the East West Cafe for Mediterranean-style food. Anyone in the mood for a slice should stop by Mary’s Pizza Shack.
When to Visit Trione-Annadel
Thanks to the fantastic California weather around Santa Rosa, the Trione-Annadel State Park is a place you could go at any time of the year. And with an average of only about 31 inches of annual rainfall, you’ll rarely have to worry about getting rained out.
The park is open Sunday through Saturday from 8 am to Sunset every day, giving you plenty of time to experience the many things it has to offer. Whether you’re in the mood for a summer hike, a spring picnic, or a winter stroll, there’s no bad time to visit this gorgeous area.
Ready to Visit Trione-Annadel State Park?
Between its wide assortment of hiking trails, great picnic spots, and intriguing wildlife, Trione-Annadel State Park simply offers wonderful weather and spectacular views at all times of the year. Whether you’re in the mood for a jog through nature, a horseback ride, or some fishing, this place is a perfect spot to spend a day.
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