HomeCaliforniaPetaluma › Shollenberger Park

Shollenberger Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 551 Google reviews · Running trail in Petaluma, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Loop distance
2 mi
Shape
Loop
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Shollenberger 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.

Mixed2 miLoopShadedScenicDog-friendlyFlat & fastRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

This park with 165 acres of wetlands offers paths for walking & cycling, plus a fishing pier.

What runners say about Shollenberger Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (551 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“While on the trail, we could see the mountains which made for a great viewing.”

🌳 shaded & cool 4 mentions

“Nice easy flat partly paved path for walking but there is no shade even around the randomly placed benches for resting.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“Flat, easy trails good for all ages.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 5 mentions

“My dog Rosie a chihuahuaha loved the adventure.”

This is a great park and trail in Petaluma near the wetlands. It is mostly well managed, with pertinent information about each section of the trail along the way. The sections are called stations, and you can scan the barcodes at those stations to know more about it. It was fascinating to read about all of it.

★★★★★ — Akshat , Nov 2021

Lovely, mostly paved walking spot with tall grass and a lot of birds. On leash dogs welcome. It's a big circle around marshland. There is no shade but a few benches along the way to sit. The Petaluma river is along the way. Bring water and wear sunscreen. It's free too.

★★★★★ — Kathleen , Apr 2019

Easy walk around nature. Nice selection of benches spread through the trail. Seemed to be about 2 miles. My dog Rosie a chihuahuaha loved the adventure. Bathrooms conveniently located right at the front entrance and parking lot. Parking is free. It's tucked away in a business complex area off Cader Lane.

★★★★★ — Nancy , Nov 2023

Nice little nature preserve in Petaluma. If you’re staying at the Sheraton right by it then I would highly recommend taking a stroll on the trail during your stay. Dog friendly and lots of wild life!

★★★★★ — Ashley , Apr 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 551 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 9 mentions

“Lots of people walking their dogs (most are well-behaved and leashed in my experience), plus a decent amount of runners and some cyclists.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 8 mentions

“The parking lot is a bit small, but I've always been able to find a spot (helps that my car is 4WD and can park in dirt a and lumpy areas.”

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Flat & fast 7 mentions

“Nice easy flat partly paved path for walking but there is no shade even around the randomly placed benches for resting.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 5 mentions

“I spent several years fighting Amy Dutra & their asphalt plant @ countless Sonoma County Supervisor Meetings & many Petaluma City Council Meetings.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 5 mentions

“You'll always find your way back, and the thoughtful placement of many benches means you can stop for a breather any time, and take in the view.”

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🚻 Restrooms 5 mentions

“There's also a bathroom at the beginning near the parking lot and plenty of free parking.”

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🔁 Loop trail 4 mentions

“Parts of the outer loop trail follow along the Napa River and sometimes you can watch the boats go by.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 4 mentions

“Nice easy flat partly paved path for walking but there is no shade even around the randomly placed benches for resting.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 3 mentions

“The biggest loop is, I would say, maybe 2/5 pavement and 3/5 gravel.”

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🚰 Water fountains

“Finally, there is a restroom and human/dog water fountain at the entrance.”

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Plan your run at Shollenberger Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • Loop distance2 mi back to where you parked
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitecityofpetaluma.org
  • Phone(707) 778-4380

Hours

Monday 8 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–7 PM
Thursday 8 AM–7 PM
Friday 8 AM–7 PM
Saturday 8 AM–7 PM
Sunday 8 AM–7 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 Shollenberger Park

1400 Cader Ln, Petaluma, CA 94954

Get directions

Running trails near Petaluma

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

Ellis Creek trail

3.7 ★★★★☆ 3 reviews

Petaluma, CA

under a mile away

Petaluma Marsh

4.3 ★★★★☆ 12 reviews

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Dog-friendly

under a mile away

Petaluma River Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 22 reviews

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Dog-friendly

1.7 miles away

Wiseman Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 150 reviews

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ShadedDog-friendly

1.8 miles away

McDowell Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 38 reviews

Petaluma, CA

Dog-friendly

1.9 miles away

Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 182 reviews

Petaluma, CA

Dog-friendly

Site of historic adobe building, ranch & creek, with educational tours & special events offered.

2.3 miles away

All running trails in Petaluma, CA →

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.