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Hood Mountain Regional Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 20 Google reviews · Running trail in Santa Rosa, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
19 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Hood Mountain Regional Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surface19 miScenicDog-friendlyHillyRestroomsTrailhead parking

1,750-acre wooded park with campsites & 19 miles of scenic trails for hikers, bikers & equestrians.

What runners say about Hood Mountain Regional Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (20 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“It's mostly uphill to the summit, then if you want to head to gunsight rock, which has great views of Sonoma county, it will take you down hill a little ways to reach it.”

The parking area is tucked away in the back. You go down a long narrow road which turns into a one lane at times (be careful around the curves). There is a self service pay machine for the parking lot. Maps are provided at the parking lot as well.

★★★★★ — Super , Nov 2016

Some of the most remote trails you can access as part of the Sonoma County Regional Parks system. If you're not an intermediate hiker, most of these trails will be pretty difficult. For Sonoma County, the elevation gain is substantial.

★★★★☆ — Chris , Sep 2022

We enjoyed our hike up the mountain, picnicking in the forest next to a pond . The forest was quiet except for the birds singing. Beautiful park

★★★★★ — Wehikealot2 , Oct 2025

I live around the corner and it’s a great place to hike and enjoy nature , easy parking .

★★★★★ — Irene , Mar 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 20 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“It's mostly uphill to the summit, then if you want to head to gunsight rock, which has great views of Sonoma county, it will take you down hill a little ways to reach it.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 4 mentions

“It's mostly uphill to the summit, then if you want to head to gunsight rock, which has great views of Sonoma county, it will take you down hill a little ways to reach it.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“I live around the corner and it’s a great place to hike and enjoy nature , easy parking .”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 2 mentions

“Unfortunately, some one is leaving dog poop in bags on trails, who do they think is going to pick them up?”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+)

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🚻 Restrooms

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Plan your run at Hood Mountain Regional Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • Distance19 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteparks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
  • Phone+1 707-539-8092
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 am–8 pm
Tuesday 7 am–8 pm
Wednesday 7 am–8 pm
Thursday 7 am–8 pm
Friday 7 am–8 pm
Saturday 7 am–8 pm
Sunday 7 am–8 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Hood Mountain Regional Park

1450 N Pythian Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95409

Get directions

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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.