In Northern California, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is located between the Sonoma and Napa valleys. Surrounded by redwoods and ferns with a creek running through, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a great place for bird-watching and generally enjoying the great outdoors.
Sonoma Ecology Center at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park has been working to improve accessibility visibility by hosting monthly limited-mobility outings on the ADA-compliant trail. Sugarloaf Ridge State Park also features other accessible trails, camping, and additional exhibits including an observatory.
Parking
Van Accessible ADA parking available at the Visitor Center, Main Day Use Parking Lot, and the White Barn Parking.
Picnic Tables
The picnic area across from the main parking lot is accessible, as are the pit toilets at both parking areas.
Camping
At the campground, spots #6, #7, and #12 are the ADA campsites, and the bath house, although lacking in automatic doors, has roll-in showers and accessible flush toilets. The nearby campfire center also has wheelchair access and is located by spot #12.
Trails
- The Meadow Trail, although not ADA-compliant, is passable by wheelchair and stroller and connects to the ADA Creekside Nature Trail for an additional 2 miles of trail roundtrip.
- The Nature Trail is a .5 mile (one-way) ADA trail. It starts from the main day-use parking lot and goes to the white barn parking lot. ADA parking is located at each end.
- The Meadow Trail is a gravel fire road that leads to a stream and is used as a trail by hikers, bikers, and equestrians. It is not ADA certified, but it is generally passable by most wheelchairs. It may be accessible for about .75 miles. Occasionally gravel works loose and limits accessibility. The trailhead is approached from the white barn parking lot and the observatory.
Robert Ferguson Observatory
The rooms and route to telescopes are generally accessible, but paths of travel in the library are only 30” wide. Telescope eyepieces may not suit everyone’s needs. Call observatory ahead at (707) 833-6979 to discuss your needs. From the parking lot, the route of travel is hard-packed gravel that may occasionally become loose and require assistance.
Toilets
Wheelchair-accessible restrooms available at:
- The Visitor Center (porta-potty)
- Main Day Use Parking (vault toilet)
- Observatory/Group Camp (porta-potty)
- Campground Main Restroom (flush with sink)
