There are several Parks, a recreational trail and public use facilities within the City of Sonora. They range from a small "tot lot" with little children's playground equipment to the 35 acre natural trail called Dragoon Gulch. Below is a brief description of the various parks within our city.

    Dragoon Gulch Trail                  

Dragoon Gulch Trail Location

The Dragoon Gulch Trail is located in the northwesterly corner of the City of Sonora. Access to the Trail is available from Woods Creek Rotary Park along N. Forest Road. A secondary access will be off of Alpine Lane were the parking lot is under construction.

When the project is fully completed trail markers will guide hikers from Woods Creek Rotary Park, the main staging area, to the Trail. However, while the project is being completed please contact Rachelle Kellogg, City of Sonora at ( 209) 532-7725 for directions. 

About the Dragoon Gulch Trail

The Dragoon Gulch Trail, situated on 35 acres of oak woodland in northwestern Sonora , is the first natural trail to be located within the City of Sonora .  This property was originally slated to be a housing development but through a Roberti-Z’berg-Harris Grant, under the Department of Parks & Recreation, the City was able to acquire the property to develop a trail system.  The project is currently under construction however the trails have been completed and are open to the public.  The trails will accommodate those wanting a leisure stroll to those looking for a strenuous workout.  The final construction phase, parking lot, signage, markers, N. Forest Rd. Trail improvements and benches, are slated for completion in late spring 2007.  

The name, Dragoon Gulch, came from being the camping place for a group of dragoons, or cavalry soldiers of the United States Army, who stayed there and mined for gold in the ravine.  The origin of the dragoons who mined there is unknown, as well as whether they were deserters from their units or on legal furlough to dig for gold.  Desertion from the ranks became common following news of the discovery of gold as miners were reported making more in one day than the common soldier received from a year of service.  

The whole of Dragoon Gulch was heavily worked by placer miners.  Placer mining occurred on the Gulch as early as 1849, but not extensively until after 1852.  These miners left their mark in the form of tailings, glory holes and ditches.  Another interesting event that occurred within this Gulch occurred on June 10, 1851 , when a miner, Captain George W. Snow, was murdered by three individuals.  Two were captured, and taken to Dragoon Gulch and hanged at the scene of the crime.  Their bodies were then buried in the graves which they had prepared for their victim.

In 2006, the City was also successful in obtaining an additional Roberti-Z’berg-Harris Grant to purchase the 67 acres of undeveloped oak woodland adjacent to the original project site, which, in a future date, will be included within the Dragoon Gulch Trail Project thus creating a 102 acre trails park.

Sonora Parks   


Woods Creek Rotary Park is located off of HWY 49/Stockton Road on Woods Creek Drive. A pic,nic area lined with elms and a year round creek is a great place for any occasion. This park includes a small playground for children, BBQ pits and tables for entertaining. A  baseball diamond is located beside the park where one can sit and watch a little league game. 

49er Rotary Park,  is located off of Greenley Road adjacent to the  Tuolumne County Library. This park includes a skate park and the  "Heaven for Kids" playground. It is owned & operated by Tuolumne County

Coffill Park, is located off of historic Washington Street and is below street level. Once the site of horse stables it is beautifully maintained by "Sonora Beautiful Volunteers", This park includes a tree lined picnic area and a year-round creek.

Grisby Park, is located just behind Coffill Park across Green Street. This small Tot Lot is perfect for younger children.

Prospector Park, is located off of Bradford Street. This small park is home to historic mining equipment.

City of Sonora
94 N. Washington St.
Sonora, CA 95370
Phone: (209) 532-7725
Fax: (209) 532-3511