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    Rush Creek Preserve

    4.4 (18 reviews)

    Rush Creek Preserve Photos

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    Stephanie S.

    It's been a long time I haven't hiked here. Oh man it was worth it! :) Definitely people do respect the mask and being more than 6ft apart from you. People do greet and notices when you are coming. I always hear "hello!" "Good morning" or "good afternoon" and "I'm on your left or right side" I've seen dogs coming by here and horses as well. And i also see wildlife animals (mostly birds). Its a relaxing hiking trail. Bring a small backpack to carry your water bottle and your small belonging. Don't leave anything in your car. :)

    Danielle M.

    Pleasant place for a nice relaxing walk on relatively flat land. There are a few length/loop options as well as the option of just turning around whenever & doubling back to the start. Plenty of space for parking along both sides of the road at the preserve main entrance. The trail is spacious with plenty of room to share for others. Walkers, runners, bikers and horseback riders can all be encountered here, but it's generally fairly non-busy and enjoyable. Keep an eye out and you may observe a fair amount of wildlife on your journey - critters, deer, many birds & waterfowl. Many spots for bird watching along the way. Most of the time I loop by just taking the first bridge right onto the fire road that runs along the homes to the sidewalk trail leading back around to the entrance point. Only downside is since being along a marsh & water the trail can be pretty messy during the winter and rain season. Will stay wet and muddy in a lot of spots quite a while after rain! Just don't accidentally come in your nicer shoes during those times :)

    Tina O.

    Took this hike for the first time the other day. The positives: - out of the way so not crowded - easy to get to off 101 - easy clean path with little change in altitude - peaceful Not so grand - the path is pretty far from the water so not able to see as much wildlife as we'd hoped But a nice quiet, unpopulated, easy hike.

    Running trail along Petaluma River
    Donna M.

    Rush Creek has become one of my favorite walking/ running/hiking spots. The acres of tree laden land, the smell of crisp air and adventurous atmosphere makes for a wonderful 2 -3 hour getaway.

    Pond from the trail
    Dani T.

    Beautiful hike! Great for all ages- young to old. Beautiful scenery and the pond had swans, geese and ducks! Enjoy!

    One of my favorite trails to run in Marin County.

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    10 years ago

    Nice trail, not to crowded and easy to find. Would recommend if you enjoy an easy and relaxing hike.

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    Review Highlights - Rush Creek Preserve

    “You can hike, bike or take a horse (I have never seen a horse but I have seen evidence) on the fire road.”

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    Indian Valley Open Space Preserve - Early wildflowers in February

    Indian Valley Open Space Preserve

    4.6(47 reviews)
    5.8 km

    Great trail with smaller off shoots. Go when it's not hot,…read moreas this area can be warm with little shade. Go after rains to see the waterfall gushing! But really, go anytime as the area is beautiful, and it's a peaceful, serene area. Lots of newts, frogs, raptors, birds, and other wildlife. Dog friendly trails are marked as such. We've come twice now and each time it looked gorgeous, and different due to various water levels. Leave no trace =)

    Indian Valley Open Soace is a quaint local park. Seems to be a great locals spot with a variety of…read moresingle track and wider fire roads. The terrains is varied between interesting woodland and open hillsides. It's all about the journey with no sweep vistas but a nice variety of wildflowers, mushrooms and a small waterfall (seasonal.) There's a large lot at the college in Novato, with an $8 parking fee. From the lot, you walk behind the ball fields and will get to the trail entrance..There's a park map and well signed trail. I opted to go left on Paheco Pond trail which eventually connects to the waterfall trail.. That wound up some gentle switchbacks through quiet woodland. The waterfall itself wasn't much to see after a dry January but the forest was still a pretty hike. From there, I took the Susan Alexander and Wixel trail down to the Indian Valley Fire road to complete the look. While there's a few short steep climbs, most of the loop was pretty mild and I really enjoyed exploring here. Seems like a great local park and if I lived nearby, I'd be a regular. Beautiful park.

    Photos
    Indian Valley Open Space Preserve
    Indian Valley Open Space Preserve
    Indian Valley Open Space Preserve

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    Olompali State Historic Park - A handsome vulture - he was less than 5 feet from me - overlooking his domain on the Loop Trail.

    Olompali State Historic Park

    4.3(39 reviews)
    3.7 km

    Only traveled on the floor level but it is beautiful, historic and calming park. Next to hwy 101,…read morethe freeway really doesn't affect the park settings that much. Plenty of trees for shade, picnic tables, a large fountain (unfortunately not operating) Some buildings & farm houses. Also easy access to restrooms. Will definitely go on the upper paths and hopefully see a view. Take a hike !!!

    Hello everyone! Well this state park has quite a bit of history to be honest but unfortunately, it…read moreis really very rundown. This property at one point was owned by a family that actually played a key role in developing this area of California and they ran cattle amongst other agricultural initiatives on the property. The Grateful Dead actually lived here for a bit in the 60's and held a number of rock rule festivals in the property as well but none of that is evident at this point. The original mansion suffered fire damage and is pretty much condemned. An original Adobe house belonging to a prior Mexican owner is pretty much a ruin at this point but it is protected. There is also a re-creation of an Indian village in the property which is not much to see but it's there. Something that was pretty cool was checking out some of the fountains and remnants of non native flowers and trees that are still on the property in the garden related areas. A shame that the State of California has not properly maintained this park. Not saying you should not check it out. Plan for a cool day so you don't have any issues hiking the trails, which are not bad. Hydrate as well whenever possible and don't leave anything behind except your footprints. Hope you all enjoy your visit!

    Photos
    Olompali State Historic Park - Hippie artifacts in the Visitor Center

    Hippie artifacts in the Visitor Center

    Olompali State Historic Park - Out buildings on the ranch at Olompali dating from the 19th century.

    Out buildings on the ranch at Olompali dating from the 19th century.

    Olompali State Historic Park - A lizard that stopped in front of me.

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    A lizard that stopped in front of me.

    Indian Tree Preserve

    Indian Tree Preserve

    4.7(14 reviews)
    8.7 km

    I realized I have not been on this hike in several years and decided today was the day to revisit…read more I've enjoyed this area in the past and I certainly remembered how pretty it was once we got going. Most of this hiking trail is shaded, which is helpful on the warmer days- however a few parts are out in the open. The trails are very well maintained, which is much appreciated. The views of Stafford Lake on one side of the hill and then looking towards the East Bay & Mount Diablo on the other side are both sensational. Dogs on leash are permitted.

    This hiking trail is located pretty far out down Vineyard Road which goes on forever and in an area…read morethat many Novato locals don't even know exists. There is a horse stable at the end of the road and people horseback ride through the trails. Be ready to dodge lots of horse poop. It's very calm and peaceful up here, it's not nearly as busy as many other Marin hiking trails. Parts of the trail look out to views of Mount Burdell and Stafford Lake. The main loop (Upper Meadow with Big Trees) is about 4 miles and takes about 2 hours. It isn't too difficult, but it does have about a 650ft steady elevation gain so you are constantly going uphill until the top where you loop around and descent. Most of it is shaded, but I'd still skip it in the summertime, unless going early in the morning. There are a couple of trails where you can branch out more at the top. I've tried the Ships Mast which ended up on the residential Rebo Drive. I wouldn't recommend that unless you had sturdy boots or hiking poles. When it turns into Indian Tree fire road there are parts that are STEEP. This is actually good if you want something rigorous for your calves on the way up but for the descent there were some parts I thought that were downright dangerous for slipping even with running shoes. There are a couple of trails on the AllTrails app that in person are overgrown and closed with signs saying 'H Ranch keep out'. Still can't figure out who owns H Ranch but I've seen signs like that at the Fairway waterfall and Indian Valley Preserve.

    Photos
    Indian Tree Preserve - Turkey Tail

    Turkey Tail

    Indian Tree Preserve - Looking east

    Looking east

    Indian Tree Preserve - Stafford Lake

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    Stafford Lake

    Dawn Falls - Dawn Falls Trail

    Dawn Falls

    4.5(48 reviews)
    21.1 km

    *****pay attention *****…read more Word, to the ignorant drivers who have never been on switchbacks DO NOT come here. As you blast down the very single car lane, not paying attention and laughing away isn't cute. Be mindful of cars and pediatricians. Believe it or not its not all about you! The road to the trail is all kinds of messed up. It's a single lane through a neighborhood with very little turnouts. Believe it or not, there are huge redwoods along this road. If you have never been on a road like this, please park at the bottom of the road!!! PLEASE! Even the folks who were walking up the road to the trail aren't alert. It's sooo fun to be surrounded by people who believe it's all about them yes, im being harsh, but it was that bad!

    Dawn Falls Trail is a 2.3-mile out-and-back trail near Larkspur, California. It's considered to…read morebe a moderately challenging route. It will take about an hour to walk through this beautiful redwoods round trip to the Dawn Falls. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running. The best part of the Dawn Falls trail is that it's not crowded but you may still see a few other people while exploring. This trail is open year round but the best time is from January through November. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. However, I do see local dogs roaming without their leashes. Only a few parking spots deter many visitors. However, if you will be willing to be patience, there will on a parkingspot for you. This trail is maintained so clean here, so please no littering! Enjoy!

    Photos
    Dawn Falls
    Dawn Falls
    Dawn Falls

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    Rush Creek Preserve - hiking - Updated September 2026

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