Rush Creek Preserve

Easy-going roads and trails through tidal wetlands and oak woodlands

Rangers Recommend

Broad, level Pinheiro Fire Road is popular with hikers, bikers, and equestrians. It offers unimpeded views of a large wetland managed by the California Department of Fish and Game.
From the eastern end of the 522-acre preserve, look out across the Petaluma River delta to Sonoma County and beyond.
Less frequently traveled trails on the upper slopes boast groves of manzanita, and stands of black oak and California bay.
Novato Horsemen’s facilities are within walking distance of the preserve's eastern end.
The eastern end of Pinheiro Ridge drops down to a valley that contains the Bahia Valley Memorial Cemetery and “Cemetery Marsh.”
Dogs welcome, but must be leashed at all times.

Naturalist Notes

Marshland, tidal flats, and woodlands make this one of the best birding locations in the North Bay, with close to 200 regularly occurring species.
Bahia Trail borders the Petaluma River Marsh Wildlife Area for more birding opportunities. Water birds abound. Savannah sparrows and dark-eyed juncos nest in tall grasses and low shrubs.
See a rare blue oak woodland in Bahia, growing adjacent to salt marsh.
Anise swallowtail butterflies are active in spring.
Spring wildflowers include shooting star and snowberry.
Check out the iNaturalist field guide [External]. Add your own observations.

Activities

Bike

Dogs On Leash

Hike

Horseback Riding

Know Before You Go

Stay on roads and trails to preserve sensitive ecosystems and to avoid trespassing on private property.
Be courteous and safety conscious when sharing roads and trails. Go slow and say hello [External].
Dress appropriately for the weather. Trails can be muddy during rainy season.
Bring water.
There are no restrooms at this location.
Steer clear of poison oak.
After an outing, check for ticks.

There are two primary entry points for Rush Creek Preserve

Directions

Binford Road: From Hwy 101 in Novato, take exit 463 for Atherton Ave east. Turn left onto Binford Rd. The gate is on the right.

Bahia: From Hwy 101 in Novato, take the exit for Atherton Ave east approximately 1 mile. Turn left onto Bugeia Ln, which turns into Bahia Dr at the “y”. Follow Bahia Dr approximately 0.5 miles. Trailhead is on the left before Bahia Dr dead ends.

Parking

There is usually ample parking along Binford Road, which can also accommodate horse trailer parking. Near the Bahia entry, there is street parking only. Please be respectful of local residents. Do not block streets, gates, or driveways.

Public Transit

You can also dial 511 to find out about transit options from your location.

Map

Enter your location

38.118427

-122.564270

All visitors must respect rules to keep the preserves safe and sustainable.

Tab 3 Content

ALL VISITORS

No smoking or fires.
Weapons and hunting prohibited.
Motorized vehicles prohibited. (Individuals with qualified disabilities may operate certain kinds of zero-emission mobility devices on some roads,multiuse trails, and certain other facilities.)
Everyone must yield the right-of-way to horses. Bikes must also yield to pedestrians.
No model airplanes, drones, or other self-propelled crafts.
Dispose of waste properly. Pack it out.
Permit required for commercial use and groups of more than 15 people.
All resources are protected. Do not follow, approach, or feed wildlife.

DOGS

Dogs must be leashed at all timesLeash must not exceed 6 feet in length.
Dogs are allowed on signed fire roads and trails only. Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited.
Individuals accompanying dogs are required to clean up and remove pet waste.
A maximum of 3 dogs per person is allowed. No commercial dog walking permitted in this preserve.

BIKES

Permitted on signed fire roads and trails designated for multiuse and hikers/bikes.
Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited.
Speed limit is 15 mph or less. Must slow to 5 mph when passing others or around blind turns.
Electric bicycles are not permitted.

HORSES

Permitted on signed fire roads and trails designated for multiuse and hikers/horses.
Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited except when watering or resting the horse.

In an emergency, call 911. To report an incident or suspicious activity, call the Ranger Field Office at 415-473-2816 or submit an Incident Report.

Visitors are responsible for knowing and obeying all Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) regulations. Citations will be issued for violations. Read the official regulations: Marin County Municipal Code Appendix A.

Call 415-473-6387 for more information regarding allowable types and use of mobility devices for people with qualified disabilities.

The MCOSD is a special district pursuant to the California Public Resources Code. Marin County Parks oversees the management of the county parks system and provides public information on behalf of the MCOSD.