Location
Cloverdale River Park is a simple, flat concrete path that follows the Russian River just east of Cloverdale, CA. There are two possible trailheads at both the northern and southern entrances.
Parking at the Sonoma County Regional Parks' Cloverdale River Park parking lot off of McCray Road is not free, but the area is well maintained and there are picnic tables and a restroom nearby. Parking at the southern end of the trail just off of Crocker Road is free but has no amenities.
History
According to Sonoma County Regional Parks (SCRP), in 1999 Cloverdale was the only incorporated area within the county that did not boast of a regional park. In concert with the City of Cloverdale, which owns the southern half of the park surrounding the water treatment plant, and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District (SCAPOSD), which purchased the northern half of the park's land the SCRP is now tasked with maintaining the park for all to enjoy.
Surprisingly, this park is the only point of public access to the Russian River between the Mendocino County line to the north and the city of Healdsburg to the south.
The Trail
Coppertone approaches a bridge over a creek crossing along the trail.
The trail is paved throughout its course and completely flat. It should be ADA compliant, particularly if you park at the northern end of the park where handicapped parking is available.
The trail following the course of the Russian River. Depending on the spot along the trail and the time of year you may, or you may not, be able to descend a short distance down to the river itself. When water levels are not high the more diminutive stream meanders along the riverbed and at times occupies a channel on the opposite side of the bank from the trail giving the hiker the impression that the river has run completely dry.
The trail surface is paved and flat throughout its course.
Near the southern end of the park, the trail passes through some buildings and storage facilities for the area's water treatment plant. It's a bit of an industrial outlier compared to the remainder of the hike, but doesn't detract from the outing too much.
Sonoma County is in the heart of Wine Country. So it should come as no surprise if you happen to find wild grape vines growing in spots along the path.
Highway 101 is not far off the west and thus car noise is fairly omnipresent though not too loud. Thus, solitude is not particularly in abundance even if there might not be many people using the trail.
At the southern terminus of the trail lies an interesting cemetery with lots of historical gravestones. One can add some mileage and elevation gain by walking through the plots as the cemetery climbs a hill that occasionally provides scenic views over vineyards on the opposite side of the Russian River.