Environmental campground in coastal redwoods. Not on the reservation system: self-register and pay on site. No water.
“Twenty-one first-come walk-in sites in a second-growth redwood forest above the Sonoma Coast, with no water and no reservation system.”
Plan your Sonoma Coast State Park trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Pomo Canyon
Pomo Canyon 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 alert on.
Pomo Canyon permit season
- route distance, out and back
- 0.25mi
- max group size
- 8people
How to get a Pomo Canyon permit
No reservation. You get the permit when you arrive.
Arrive at Pomo Canyon parking lot, Willow Creek Road
Fill in the permit and pay
See the fees below.
Head out
1 to 7 nights is typical.
Sonoma Coast trailheads and fees
- Pomo Canyon parking lot, Willow Creek Road
- Shell Beach parking lot
The two Sonoma Coast trailheads in full
Primary
Pomo Canyon parking lot, Willow Creek RoadThe parking area and self-registration point; every walk-in site is within a quarter mile.
- Restrooms
- No water
Parking
Vehicles are only permitted to be parked 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 and pay before occupying a campsite: cash or personal check only, one envelope per vehicle.
Getting there
About 2½ miles east of Highway 1 on Willow Creek Road, two miles beyond the Willow Creek campground turnoff. Maximum speed limit is 15 mph.
Nearest services
Jenner. Park office: Sonoma Coast State Park, 3095 Highway 1, Bodega Bay, (707) 875-3483.
Alternate
Shell Beach parking lotThe coastal trailhead for the 3½-mile Pomo Canyon Trail over the hill to the campground.
Getting there
On Highway 1 north of Wright's Beach.
Nearest services
Jenner or Bodega Bay.
As of September 2026, Pomo Canyon in Sonoma Coast State Park, California requires a permit issued via walk-up. Pomo Canyon rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Pomo Canyon route covers 0.25 miles, rated easy.
- Type
- Overnight
- Location
- Sonoma Coast, CA
How this permit is issued
Get this permit in person at the trailhead or ranger station, or by phone.
Official permit page →Step 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.
Step 2: Arrive early
Walk-up permits are issued first-come, first-served. Where the agency sets a daily quota, popular trailheads can run out on weekends and holidays.
Step 3: Have backup plans
Popular trailheads fill fast. Know alternate routes or dates.
More on Pomo Canyon: Live availability activity
How much a Pomo Canyon permit costs
Pomo Canyon permit fee: $25 per night (self-register on site; cash or check only).
The Pomo Canyon hike
- Distance
- 0.25 miles
- Route Type
- Out & Back
- Duration
- 1-7 nights
- Difficulty
- Easy
Pomo Canyon landmarks
- 1Pomo Canyon parking lot
About 2½ miles east of Highway 1 on Willow Creek Road; all walk-in sites are within a quarter mile.
- 2Pomo Canyon Campground
Twenty-one shaded primitive sites in second-growth redwood.
- 3Shell Beach
The coastal end of the Pomo Canyon Trail, 3½ miles over the hill from the campground.
- 4Red Hill Trail Loop
A 1.25-mile loop between the canyon and the coast.
- 5Goat Rock
Near the mouth of the Russian River, home to a colony of harbor seals; stay at least 50 yards away, especially during pupping season March to August.
Twenty-one first-come walk-in sites in a second-growth redwood forest above the Sonoma Coast, with no water and no reservation system.
About this permit
Pomo Canyon Campground offers 21 first-come, first-served primitive campsites, which are not on the reservation system. There are fire rings, picnic tables and porta-potty toilets. All of the walk-in campsites are within a quarter mile from the parking lot, and the campsites are shaded and located in a second growth redwood forest. To protect the wildlife, no dogs are allowed in the campground.
It is a dry campground: there is no running water and no water available, and there is no garbage service, so pack in and pack out all trash. You must self-register and pay prior to occupying a campsite; there is no credit card payment capability and fees are payable using cash or personal check. The rate is $25 per night.
The campground is seasonal, and it is marked open for the season as of August 2026. Call (707) 875-3483 to check before you drive out.
Fires are allowed only in the fire rings provided, and you may use your camp stove; fires are not permitted on the beach, and do not gather firewood in the park.
The route
Pomo Canyon Campground offers 21 first-come, first-served primitive campsites; these campsites are not on the reservation system. There are fire rings, picnic tables, and porta-potty toilets available. All of the walk-in campsites are within a quarter mile from the parking lot. There is no running water. The campsites are shaded and located in a second growth redwood forest.
You self-register and pay before occupying a campsite. There is no credit card payment capability. Fees are payable using cash or personal check. Pomo Canyon Campground is a dry campground, which means there is no water available, and you pack in and pack out all trash as there is no garbage service in this area.
The walking is the reward. The Pomo Canyon Trail from the Shell Beach parking lot winds over the hill 3½ miles to the Pomo Canyon Campground. The Red Hill Trail Loop is 1.25 miles. Nearby, the Kortum Trail begins at Wright's Beach and travels north to Blind Beach.
Why it matters
Pomo Canyon is 21 first-come, first-served walk-in sites you cannot book and do not have to. It is also the inland end of the 3½-mile Pomo Canyon Trail from Shell Beach, so you can walk here from the ocean.
The feeling
Shaded second-growth redwood a couple of miles inland, quiet enough that the surf does not reach you. Then you walk over the hill and the whole Sonoma coastline opens up.
Pomo Canyon hike highlights
- Twenty-one first-come sites you cannot reserve
- Fire rings, picnic tables and porta-potty toilets
- No running water at all: a dry campground
- A walk of no more than a quarter mile from the parking lot
- Cash or personal check only, self-registered on arrival
- Seasonal. Call the park for dates.
How hard the Pomo Canyon hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required1/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential2/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route1/5
Best for: Anyone who wants a spontaneous coastal-redwood night with no reservation to chase, and hikers linking the campground to Shell Beach on the 3½-mile Pomo Canyon Trail.
Recommended experience: None. Carry all your water and bring cash.
Not recommended for: Dog owners, anyone who needs a guaranteed site on a summer weekend, and anyone without cash or a checkbook.
When to hike Pomo Canyon
Best time to visit
Late spring through early autumn, while the camp is open for the season. Call the park for dates before you drive. Summer weekends fill early because nothing can be reserved. Autumn brings the clearest coastal weather and the least competition.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Backcountry Tips
- Day 6: Extreme heat (95°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
Today
70°
49°
Tue
79°
57°
Wed
83°
57°
Thu
87°
57°
Fri
93°
60°
Sat
95°
65°
Sun
91°
64°
Pomo Canyon photography guide
Golden Hour
From the ridge on the Pomo Canyon Trail, where the coast and the Russian River mouth open up to the west.
Best Light
Morning fog moving through the second-growth redwoods around the campsites.
Beat the Crowds
First-come means arriving early on summer weekends, not avoiding crowds once you are there. Weekdays this campground is quiet.
Classic Shots
- Redwood canopy over the campsites
- The Sonoma coastline from the Pomo Canyon Trail ridge
- The Russian River mouth at Goat Rock
- Harbor seals on Goat Rock beach, from 50 yards
- The Kortum Trail between Wright's Beach and Blind Beach
Pomo Canyon rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- All your drinking and cooking water: this is a dry campground
- Cash or a personal check for self-registration
- Bags to pack out all trash
- Warm layers for coastal fog
- Camp stove or firewood brought in
Recommended gear
- A backup plan, since sites cannot be reserved and there are only 21 of them
- Headlamp for the walk from the lot after dark
- Rain shell outside high summer
- Long sleeves and long pants for trailside brush
- A phone call to (707) 875-3483 to confirm the camp is open for the season
Rules & regulations
- 01Each campsite may have up to 8 persons including children. Two vehicles maximum are allowed per campsite.
- 02Check-out time is noon. Check-in is 2 p.m.
- 03Quiet 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.
- 04You may stay for a maximum of seven consecutive days per stay; no more than 30 days per year.
- 05Fires are allowed only in the fire rings provided; you may use your camp stove. Do not gather firewood in the park.
- 06Pets and dogs are not permitted on trails or in the environmental campgrounds, Pomo Canyon and Willow Creek.
- 07Vehicles may not be driven into the campsites, and camping in a vehicle in the parking area is not permitted.
- 08Use the self-registration system, selecting an available campsite and filling the envelope according to instructions. One envelope per vehicle.
- 09The maximum speed limit is 15 mph.
- 10Pack it in, pack it out: there is no trash service provided.
- 11A parent or guardian must accompany youths under 18 years of age.
Hazards & considerations
- No water available anywhere in the campground.
- 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. Stay on trails and heed warning signs.
- Swimming or wading in the Russian River is not recommended; it is treacherous due to submerged obstacles, uneven bottom and unpredictable current, with no lifeguard service.
- Duncan's Landing is the most dangerous point along the Sonoma Coast due to large and unpredictable surf.
- No trash service, which means food and trash must be managed carefully overnight.
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Pomo Canyon.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Pomo Canyon · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Pomo Canyon FAQ
How do I get a Pomo Canyon permit?
Pomo Canyon is issued directly by the agency. It is issued in person or by phone, so there is no reservation to book and no cancellation to catch. Bring backup dates and check their page for the current process.
When is the best time to visit Pomo Canyon?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Pomo Canyon permit?
This permit has a demand score of 6/10, making it moderately competitive.
What if I can't get a Pomo Canyon permit?
The agency awards this permit directly. Bring backup dates and check the official page for the current process and any closures.
Pomo Canyon trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
Be the first to ask about Pomo Canyon.
Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Pomo Canyon permit
- Same AreaNo permit needed
Willow Creek Environmental Campground
Eleven first-come primitive sites half a mile east of Highway 1 on Willow Creek Road, with pit toilets and two accessible campsites.
Tradeoffs
Closer to Highway 1 and to the Russian River, with a beach nearby. About half the sites, so it fills faster.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Steep Ravine Environmental Campground
Seven primitive walk-in sites on a marine terrace one mile south of Stinson Beach.
Tradeoffs
Directly above the Pacific rather than inland in redwood, with restrooms and water faucets nearby. But it is reservable rather than first-come.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Bear Harbor Camp
A walk-in environmental camp on the Lost Coast in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park.
Tradeoffs
Far wilder and far more remote: the park warns its roads may be impassable in wet weather, and there is no potable water anywhere in the park.
Where to stay near Pomo Canyon
- Sonoma Coast State Park Wright's Beach (sites 1-27) campgroundSonoma Coast State Park
- Sonoma Coast State Park Bodega Dunes campgroundSonoma Coast State Park
- Austin Creek Sra Tom King campgroundAustin Creek SRA
- All California campgrounds
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