Steelhead Beach Hot Spot was a SUCCESS!

Steelhead Beach is a destination for summer fun on the Russian River in Sonoma County, California. Swimming, paddling, sunbathing, picnicking, and barbecuing are favorite activities during warm months. Fishing, birding, and wildlife viewing are popular activities year-round. Managed by Sonoma County Regional Parks, there is high visitation along this river primarily on the weekends during the summer months, with large groups coming from the greater San Francisco and Sacramento areas. 

The main impacts that Steelhead Beach is experiencing are centered primarily around the high increase in visitation, specifically from river floaters and paddlers. In turn, the high traffic is amounting to an increase in litter, human waste, and dog waste. There are also issues with overcrowding in the main parking lot, many of which have recently been mitigated with a new shuttle system. Many of the local residents expressed concern with the high traffic as the Russian River sits alongside several neighborhoods. The Sonoma County Regional Parks staff wishes to engage these local residents in a positive manner and also attempt to mitigate the impacts that are spilling over to the neighborhoods, such as parking and litter.

From August 3-8, 2022, a Subaru/Leave No Trace Team was onsite in Forestville, CA (Sonoma County) to lead the Steelhead Beach Hot Spot, which was one of our many Hot Spots this summer.

Some of the activation that our Team led onsite alongside Sonoma County Regional Parks included various clean up events (even one via kayaking down the Russian River), an Effective Communication of Leave No Trace workshop for land managers and other partner organizations, public outreach on a busy Saturday along the river, and more.

Steelhead Beach is one of the regional parks managed by Sonoma County, whose Tourism office currently holds a partnership with Leave No Trace to promote responsible recreation in this Northern California destination that is well known for its river recreation, wineries, and other outdoor activities.

Watch the video below to see some highlights from this Hot Spot, and stay tuned for more updates about other Hot Spots this year!

By the Subaru/Leave No Trace Teams. For over 20 years these teams have provided tangible solutions to serious issues facing our outside space and reach over 15 million people every year. Learn more about the important work of our mobile education teams.  Proud partners of this program include Subaru of America, REI, Eagles Nest Outfitters, Thule, Fjällräven, The Coleman Company and Klean Kanteen.