Tolay Lake Regional Park is located about 8 miles southeast of downtown Petaluma, bordered by hills between the Petaluma River and Sonoma.
The park is now open daily, after having been open weekends only while the park master plan was developed. Visitor permits are no longer required.
At 3,400 acres, Tolay Lake is the largest of Sonoma County's regional parks. It is named for the seasonal lake that forms in the valley between its hillsides. The park includes Tolay Creek, extensive grasslands, and open ridges with views of San Pablo Bay, the San Francisco skyline and Bay Area peaks.
The park offers trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding and is the site of the annual Tolay Fall Festival each October.
Note: Tolay Lake is a seasonal body of water that forms only after rains and is not a recreational lake.
Tolay Lake Regional Park offers more than 11 miles of trails across mostly open grasslands. With the park's permanent opening, visitors have new access to its southern acreage via an extension of the West Ridge Trail.
The park is known for its significant Native American and ranching histories. It also provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, especially golden eagles, burrowing owls and other birds of prey.