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Lake Sonoma is the newest major reservoir in Northern California and is only roughly a 45-minute drive north of Santa Rosa and 2 hours from San Francisco.

Warm Springs Dam was constructed as a flood control project and was completed in 1983. The dam is 319 feet in height (crest elevation 519 miles) and 3000 feet in length. It took 30 million cubic yards of material to construct it. The reservoir capacity is 381,000 acre-feet of water.

Lake Sonoma is primarily a boating lake. Explore the many coves on the 2,700 surface acres of water by canoe, sailboat or motorboat. Waterskiing is allowed only in the areas designated. Boat launching is provided at the public boat ramp on the west end of Warm Springs Bridge, and at Yorty Creek Receration Area off Hot Springs Road (car top only). The marina is located off Stewarts Point Road and offers a boat ramp, boat slips, boat rentals and other services.

For the fishermen, trees have been left in the upper stretches of Warm Springs Creek and Dry Creek in order to provide an underwater habitat for various species of fish. As a result, the lake provides some of the best bass fishing in the state. Game fish also include Sacramento perch, channel catfish and redear sunfish.

Lake Sonoma typically has cool, foggy, wet winters and hot, dry summers making fall and spring months the most pleasant weather for camping. Liberty Glen Campground provides campsites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is designed for a maximum of 8 people and two vehicles, but there are also several double sites for up to 16 people. Reservations only are accepted for handicapped access sites and two group areas which can accommodate approximately 100 campers each.

Lake Sonoma maintains 15 primitive campgrounds with sites that are accessible by boat or hiking only. Nine of these sites are accessible by the hiking and equestrian trails. Back country camp permits are required and are obtained at the Vistors Center. These sites contain tables, fire rings, lantern holders and chemical toilet facilities. There is no available drinking water. Campers must bring their own water.

The Warm Springs Recreation Area located below the dam has a number of picnic areas. There are five covered picnic areas for large groups which can be reserved for a fee. The Yorty Recreation Area contains picnic facilities and swim beach. This is also a good area for bank fishing.

The Milt Brandt Visitor Center and the Congressman Don Clausen Fish Hatchery are located at the park entrance and are open to visitors year round. Here, exhibits tell the story of Warm Springs Dam, explain the natural and early history of Dry Creek Valley, and offer a variety of audio-visual and ranger-led programs. You can call (707) 433-9483 ext. 3040 for more information.

Located behind the Visitor Center, the hatchery was built to replace and enhance salmon and steelhead spawning grounds. It is a Corps of Engineers hatchery operated by the California Department of Fish and Game. Tours can be arranged through the Visitors Center.