Austin Creek Park (Future Park)
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Austin Creek Park, also known as Future Park, is located in Sonoma County, California.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park is a popular destination for hiking and camping enthusiasts due to its picturesque scenery and diverse wildlife.
One of the main reasons to visit Austin Creek Park is to hike its trails. The park offers over 20 miles of trails, ranging from easy to challenging, that wind through redwood forests, oak woodlands, and grassy meadows. Hikers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys, including the Russian River and the Santa Rosa Plain.
Another point of interest in Austin Creek Park is its campsites. The park has 22 campsites, including six hike-in sites, that are available year-round. Visitors can enjoy the park's peaceful ambiance while camping under the stars and listening to the sounds of nature.
Interesting facts about Austin Creek Park include the fact that it is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, mountain lions, and black bears. The park is also known for its rare plant species, such as the Sonoma skullcap and the coast wallflower.
The best time of year to visit Austin Creek Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the park's flora and fauna are at their most vibrant. The park is open year-round, but visitors should be aware that the park can become very hot and dry during the summer months.
Overall, Austin Creek Park is a beautiful and serene destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its scenic trails, peaceful camping sites, and diverse wildlife make it a must-see destination in Sonoma County.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Polo Community Park
North Rosedale Park
Almondale Park
Westdale Park
Riverlakes Ranch Park (Future Park)