Shollenberger Park Loop is a 2.2 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Petaluma, California that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The Petaluma wetlands complex encompasses some 500 acres of tidal salt marshes and freshwater marshes, and has more than 7 miles of contiguous public trails that connect Alman Marsh, Shollenberger Park, and Ellis Creek. The wetlands are a birder's paradise; more than 225 species of birds have been identified here. On a clear day you can see Mt. Diablo to the south; to the east lies Sonoma Mountain, a long-dormant volcano. Shollenberger Park is tucked inside an industrial park on the banks of the Petaluma River. A 2-mile loop trail circles the park; a 1-mile extension to the north leads through Alman Marsh to the Petaluma Marina. At the park’s northeast end you can connect to a 3-mile network of trails circling the polishing ponds at the Ellis Creek water recycling facility. To the west, a portion of the trail system parallels the Petaluma River; beyond it are hills clustered with native oaks. Petaluma Wetlands Alliance offers docent-led tours at Shollenberger and the Ellis Creek ponds on various Saturdays each month. Check the calendar for dates and times. ACCESSIBILITY: There is designated accessible parking (van accessible, firm, level or slope no greater than 2%) for Shollenberger at the foot of Cader Ln. There are wheelchair-accessible bathrooms at the parking lots for Shollenberger and Ellis Creek. At Shollenberger, a few picnic tables are at the start of the trail and one is near the river, but all are dilapidated and uninviting. The 2-mile crushed gravel Shollenberger Loop Trail (a section at the beginning is paved) encircles city-owned dredge-spoil ponds that hold silt that has been dredged from the nearby Petaluma River. The typical width is at least four feet and the grade is estimated to be level. Pick up a self-guided tour brochure at the trail’s entrance to learn about the wetlands and their history (a curb blocks full access to the brochures). Trail users include mothers with strollers, business people on lunch break, joggers, and birders. When following the loop trail in a counter-clockwise direction, you can stay on a paved trail that parallels the gravel trail for 0.75 miles before the two merge, then continued on gravel the rest of the way. At the start, you briefly parallel Adobe Creek before reaching the turn-off for the 1-mile Alman Marsh Trail. Shortly after the trail curves south and follows the Petaluma River you come to a viewing platform, but the views are of a gravel factory and some abandoned buildings. You can extend your trip several miles by following the connector trail to the Ellis Creek water recycling facility ponds at the northeast corner of the loop.
Shollenberger Park http://www.petalumawetlandspark.org/HTML/Shollenberger.html
January 3, 2021December 22, 2020Great water views and wildlife.
December 3, 2020November 2, 2020Very hot and no shade. Peaceful though and nice to see a couple people on the trail here and there.
November 1, 2020October 25, 2020As of Oct 25, 2020 the loop is back open.
October 10, 20202 mile loop is closed
October 10, 2020As someone else posted, the first mile of this trail is open but Shollenberger Park is closed due to dredging until Oct. 25.
August 9, 2020More of a stroll than a hike, great for jogging or a nice bike cruise. NO shade, avoid during midday and/or bring water, can get quite humid and hot
August 9, 2020Easy walk, but boring. Sun is intense even if it’s not hot yet.
August 8, 2020No shade on the trail but still a very nice walk.
August 3, 2020Great walk. Well maintained!
May 17, 2020March 9, 2020I did both the ellis creek trail AND shollenburger. very beautiful. easy to walk. dogs on leash allowed.
January 3, 2020September 29, 2019Really pretty to look at the water throughout your walk. The terrain is very flat. Biggest detractor is that the long grasses are a breeding ground for ticks. Picked 3 off my dogs and one off me.
September 27, 2019Convenient. Parking is located behind Sheraton.
September 26, 2019August 2, 2019June 18, 2019Totally flat, birdwatcher's paradise. Stroller-friendly. Great for a morning walk or run. Some paved sections and some smooth gravel on the southern end of the trail. Lots of wetlands, but trail is dry unless there has been substantial recent rain.
April 20, 2019Lovely flat trail run, able to adjust mileage by extending a couple loops. Lots of gnats but worth it for the beautiful river/pond views! Plenty of free parking. Nice at sunset- no coverage so could be hot one on a sunny day.
April 14, 2019Great walk/run for anyone just wanting some level ground to trek on. Parking at the east side of the Sheraton Hotel parking lot puts you right at the West trail head of Shollenberger park leading you alongside the Petaluma river. After that you are greeted with birds, bugs and wide open landscape views of the Petaluma valley.
April 13, 2019January 16, 2019Strong 3. The first mile through the Alman Marsh is pretty muddy with lots of bikers, but the 2 mile loop around Shollenberger Park is great. Stilts, coots, vultures, red winged blackbirds, and just a good vibe. Good winter time jaunt.
January 9, 2019This walk (or jog) is not a hike at all. It is completely flat and partially paved. Good to go with a friend and walk the dog when it is a dry winter day. Warmer parts of the season gets bugs and a little stinky. Occasionally there are some shady characters hanging out at the far end by the river which is why I say go with a friend. That being said it has fairly high foot traffic. On a genuine scale of 1-5 (1 being terrible 5 being amazing) this is definitely not a five but a 3 is fair - it’s ok.
October 8, 2018Beautiful easy walk with views of the river. Lots of birds. Great place to walk your dog
July 30, 2018Nice walk half is paved good and easy for all ages, even people fishing in the river as you pass
June 17, 2018great to have nature signs that can be scanned by your phone
