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California | Sonoma County / Forestville

Russian RiverHealdsburg Avenue dam carry to Sunset Beach River Park

A longer Russian River day paddle from Healdsburg Memorial Beach to the public Sunset Beach take-out, using the documented Wohler, Mirabel and Steelhead corridor as intermediate bailouts.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 11.5 river miles
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAllow 6–9 hours with seasonal-dam
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Russian River broadens near Jenner on California’s north coast.
River contextRussian River near Jenner; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 11.5 river milesHealdsburg Avenue dam carry to Sunset Beach River Park
DifficultyeasyThe selected lower reach is generally Class I with slow current and seasonal shallow water; hazards and channel conditions change after storms and summer recreation structures.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle first, then drive to the named upstream public beach.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm current Sonoma County parking, seasonal launch, shuttle and closure rules before unloading.
CampingDay tripNo overnight camping is included; use separately permitted sites and obey park rules.
SeasonJan-DecCheck live discharge, rainfall, water quality, seasonal beaches or dams, and current Sonoma County access notices before launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A longer Russian River day paddle from Healdsburg Memorial Beach to the public Sunset Beach take-out, using the documented Wohler, Mirabel and Steelhead corridor as intermediate bailouts.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach / below Healdsburg Avenue dam
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use only named public access sites and obey posted seasonal and water-quality notices.

Finish

Take-out

Sunset Beach River Park river entry
Open mapDirections to take-out

Use only named public access sites and obey posted seasonal and water-quality notices.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only named public access sites and obey posted seasonal and water-quality notices.

Watch for

  • Seasonal Healdsburg and Wohler-area dams
  • Strainers, shallow bars and changing current
  • Sunset Beach parking, water quality and crowding

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Checking trend.

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Russian River broadens near Jenner on California’s north coast.
Russian River near Jenner; same-river context, not an endpoint or current-conditions photograph river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons contributor
Wikimedia Commons license on linked file page

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Access and distanceHealdsburg Avenue dam carry to Sunset Beach River Park; 11.5 miles

    California State Parks and Sonoma County Regional Parks identify the selected public boating access sites; OSPR publishes mapped site coordinates.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 11464000

    Direct Russian River gauge near Healdsburg; recheck current telemetry and trend before launch.

    Source

  • Gauge contextUSGS 11464000 near Healdsburg

    Direct Russian River telemetry; California Creeks’ numeric route guidance does not cover this endpoint pair. Check current flow and local conditions without treating this gauge as a score.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

Paddler reports

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Photos

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in California

All 50 routes
California route guideBrowse every tracked California route.Sonoma County / ForestvilleJump to routes in this region.

More on Russian River

All 37
Alexander Valley Road / campground river access (water-entry edge) to Del Rio Woods public beach (water-entry edge)Sonoma County / Cloverdale to Monte RioModerate · About 11 river milesAlexander Valley Road / campground river access (water-entry edge) to Healdsburg Memorial Beach below Avenue dam (water-entry edge)Sonoma County / Cloverdale to Monte RioModerate · About 14.6 river milesAlexander Valley Road / campground river access (water-entry edge) to Monte Rio public boat launch (water-entry edge)Sonoma County / Cloverdale to Monte RioModerate · About 43 river milesAsti Summer Bridge / Washington School Road river access (water-entry edge) to Alexander Valley Road / campground river access (water-entry edge)Sonoma County / Cloverdale to Monte RioModerate · About 11 river miles

Quick answers

Russian River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Healdsburg Avenue dam carry to Sunset Beach River Park route on the Russian River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Healdsburg Avenue dam carry to Sunset Beach River Park route on the Russian River start and end?

This route starts at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach / below Healdsburg Avenue dam and ends at Sunset Beach River Park river entry, about 11.5 river miles on the water.

Is the Healdsburg Avenue dam carry to Sunset Beach River Park route on the Russian River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a easy route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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