10 Best Hikes in Marin County, from Point Reyes to Mount Tam

Marin County’s best hikes fall into three groups: the open coast at Point Reyes National Seashore, the redwoods and ridges of Mount Tamalpais and Muir Woods, and the bayside parks and county preserves closer to town. These ten cover all three, from a flat walk through old redwoods to the Dipsea Trail’s 680 stairs.

Rules, fees and distances come from the National Park Service, California State Parks, Marin County Parks and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, checked in October 2026. Trail conditions change, so check the agency page before you go.

Quick comparison

Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes has about 150 miles of trails. Pets are not allowed on its trails, only in parking lots and along public roads (NPS: Pets at Point Reyes). Bluffs here are unstable; the park has recorded cliff collapses near Tomales Point and Arch Rock, so stay well back from edges.

1. Tomales Point

This out-and-back trail starts near the historic Pierce Ranch at the north end of the park and runs north along a narrow ridge between Tomales Bay and the open Pacific toward the tip of the peninsula. It passes through the Tomales Point tule elk reserve, which covers about 2,900 acres; the park’s 2023 count found at least 315 elk there (NPS: Tule Elk). Spring brings wildflowers along the bluffs. The trail is exposed and windy, so bring layers. Turn around whenever you like; the views are good the whole way.

2. Chimney Rock

A short, easy walk out a headland near the Point Reyes Lighthouse. From December through May, gray whales are often seen from the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock areas, and volunteers explain the elephant seals that haul out nearby (NPS: Point Reyes). Combine it with a stop in Inverness or Point Reyes Station on the way home.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

3. Tennessee Valley to Tennessee Cove

The trail runs about 1.8 miles from the parking lot to a small beach between dark bluffs. It is partly paved and gentle for most of its length, though the National Park Service notes the last stretch is steep. Bikes are allowed to racks partway down and at the cove. At low tide you may see the engine of the shipwrecked SS Tennessee in the sand. Swimming is not recommended. Dogs are not allowed (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy; NPS). The trailhead is just outside Mill Valley.

4. Point Bonita and the Marin Headlands

The Point Bonita Lighthouse Trail is a short walk with harbor seals, close-up geology and views back toward the Golden Gate. Nearby, the Batteries Loop Trail links old coastal defenses with views over Rodeo Beach, and the Gerbode Valley Loop is a harder climb through coastal chaparral (NPS: Golden Gate hiking). Check the National Park Service site for current lighthouse hours before you plan around it.

Muir Woods and Mount Tamalpais

5. Muir Woods National Monument

Flat boardwalk and trails wind through old-growth redwoods along Redwood Creek. Parking or shuttle reservations are required in advance through GoMuirWoods.com. Entry is $15 per person age 16 and older, and the reservation fee is separate. Pets are not allowed (NPS: Muir Woods; fees). Go early on a weekday for the quietest walk.

6. The Dipsea Trail

The Dipsea runs 7.4 miles from downtown Mill Valley to Stinson Beach, starting with the Dipsea Stairs: 680 steps in three flights from Old Mill Park. It climbs over the shoulder of Mount Tamalpais through redwoods and open grassland before dropping to the coast. It is the course of the Dipsea Race, held the second Sunday in June (Dipsea Race). Plan how you will get back before you start: hiking it both ways doubles an already hard day.

7. Verna Dunshee Trail, East Peak

For the big view without the big climb, drive to East Peak and walk the Verna Dunshee Trail, a 0.75-mile accessible loop around the summit with wide views of the Bay Area. Mount Tamalpais State Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. There is no main entrance fee, but the East Peak, Pantoll and Bootjack lots charge for parking. Note that the Matt Davis Spur Trail off Laurel Avenue in Stinson Beach is permanently closed; reach the Matt Davis Trail from the trailhead behind the Stinson Beach fire station (California State Parks: Mount Tamalpais).

Bayside parks and county preserves

8. China Camp State Park

On the shoreline of San Pablo Bay in San Rafael, China Camp has about 15 miles of trails through oak woodland and along the bay, shared with mountain bikers and riders. Day use is $5 per vehicle and the park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Dogs are allowed only in developed areas, not on trails (California State Parks: China Camp).

9. Ring Mountain Preserve

This 385-acre county preserve between Tiburon and Corte Madera has 360-degree views from the summit on clear days. The Phyllis Ellman Loop Trail is 1.76 miles through oak woodland and grassland. Look for Turtle Rock and the unusual serpentine geology, and in May for the Tiburon mariposa lily, which grows nowhere else. Parking is on the street, there are no restrooms, and dogs must be on a leash of six feet or less (Marin County Parks: Ring Mountain).

10. Roy’s Redwoods Preserve

A quieter redwood walk in the San Geronimo Valley, off Nicasio Valley Road. The preserve covers 293 acres, with short trails to a fairy ring of redwoods and a rugged 2.3-mile perimeter loop. Dogs must be leashed on trails and may be off leash on fire roads under voice control (Marin County Parks: Roy’s Redwoods). It is a good alternative when Muir Woods reservations are sold out.

Tips for hiking in Marin

• Bring layers. Fog and wind on the coast can make it much colder than inland, even in summer.
• Plan parking. Muir Woods needs a reservation, and popular coastal trailheads fill early on sunny weekends.
• Check dog rules for each agency. National park trails generally do not allow dogs; county preserves usually allow them on a leash.
• Watch for poison oak, ticks and, in late summer and fall, yellow jacket nests, which Point Reyes staff post at trail junctions as they are found.

Living near Marin’s trails

Trail access shapes daily life in Marin. Mill Valley sits at the foot of Mount Tamalpais and close to Tennessee Valley. San Rafael has China Camp on its east side. West Marin towns such as Inverness and Olema are minutes from Point Reyes. Browse Marin County homes for sale by town, and for weekend errands after a hike, see our guide to Marin County farmers markets.

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation to visit Muir Woods?

Yes. Parking or shuttle reservations are required in advance through GoMuirWoods.com, and the entrance fee is separate.

Where can I hike with a dog in Marin?

Marin County Parks preserves such as Ring Mountain and Roy’s Redwoods allow leashed dogs. Dogs are not allowed on Point Reyes trails, the Tennessee Valley Trail, in Muir Woods, or on China Camp trails.

What is the easiest hike on this list?

The Verna Dunshee Trail on East Peak and the main Muir Woods loop are the easiest. Tennessee Valley is easy until the final steep section.

Can I see tule elk without hiking Tomales Point?

Yes. The National Park Service notes that elk can be seen elsewhere in Point Reyes, including the free-ranging herds released in the wilderness area south of Limantour Beach.

If Marin’s trails are part of why you are thinking about a move, we can help you weigh towns by commute, setting and price. Start your home search with us.

Sources & notes

• National Park Service: Point Reyes pets, Point Reyes hiking, Tule elk, Tennessee Valley Trail, Golden Gate hiking, Muir Woods
• Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy: Tennessee Valley
• California State Parks: Mount Tamalpais, China Camp
• Marin County Parks: Ring Mountain, Roy’s Redwoods
• Dipsea Race

Last reviewed October 2026 by Matthew Martinez.