Bald Hill Preserve

Scenic elevations and a stretch of greenbelt overlooking San Anselmo.

Rangers Recommend

The summit, nicknamed Baldy, is a beloved landmark in Ross Valley.
At the top of Worn Springs Fire Road you can see all the way to San Francisco on a clear day.
Extend your travels from this 107-acre preserve into adjacent Marin Municipal Water District lands.
Day-use features for equestrians, including pipe panel corral and water, are available at the location of the former Sky Ranch, added to the preserve in 2016.
After a rainstorm, streams run through hollows along the northern slope.
Dogs are welcome and must be leashed on trail, and under voice command on fire roads, with leash readily available.

Naturalist Notes

Anise swallowtail butterflies are active in spring.
Savannah sparrows and dark-eyed juncos nest in the tall grasses and low shrubs.
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 the rainy season.
Bring water.
There are no restrooms at this location.
Steer clear of poison oak.
After an outing, check for ticks.

Access Bald Hill Preserve by hiking past Phoenix Lake.

Directions

The following directions are to Phoenix Lake, which is part of the Marin Municipal Water District, and offers the easiest access to Bald Hill. From Hwy 101 in Larkspur, take the Sir Francis Drake Blvd exit west towards Ross, turn left at Lagunitas, and follow to the parking lot.

Parking

There is a dirt parking lot at the end of Lagunitas. Car parking is also available at Nathalie Coffin Greene Park in Ross.

Public Transit

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

Map

Enter your location

37.959340

-122.571928

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.
Permit required for commercial use and groups of more than 15 people.
Dispose of waste properly. Pack it out.
All resources are protected. Do not follow, approach, or feed wildlife.

DOGS

Dogs must be leashed at all times. Leash must not exceed 6 feet in length.
Dogs are allowed on signed trails and must be leashed.
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.