Baltimore Canyon Preserve

A 193-acre preserve with a secluded canyon and cascading waterfall.

Rangers Recommend

Don't miss 30-foot Dawn Falls when it's running strong.
Cross a footbridge over Larkspur Creek, an important tributary of the Corte Madera Creek watershed.
Towering redwoods are the relatives of 1,000 year old giants that grew here before European settlers began logging in the 1800s.
Diverse woodlands and chaparral include Douglas firs, maples, and madrones. In winter, mossy trees are magical. In summer, trails are cool and shady.
See the remnants of an old quarry, where blue basalt was taken for a dam and other projects back in time.
There's a bit of rock history here. Janis Joplin and Jerry Garcia both lived in homes near the Dawn Falls Trail.
Connect to fire roads that traverse the north slopes of Mount Tamalpais. You can also travel through to King Mountain, Blithedale Summit, or the charming town of Larkspur.
Dogs are welcome. Dog must be leashed on trail, and under voice command on fire roads, with leash readily available.

Naturalist Notes

Parts of the creek run year-round. Watch for steelhead and California giant salamanders.
Trail plant (Adenocaulon bicolor) is abundant in some locations. The arrow shaped leaves were used to mark paths through the woods.
Look for wildflowers in spring, especially near Hoo-Koo E-Koo Trail.
Pileated woodpeckers are common in the main canyon.
To protect sensitive wildlife species, some trails are subject to seasonal night closures. Observe trail closure signs.
Check out the iNaturalist field guide [External]. Add your own observations.

Activities

Bike

Dogs Voice Control

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.

An expansive preserve west of Larkspur.

Directions

East access: from Hwy 101 in Larkspur, take the exit for Tamalpais Dr west. Turn right onto Tamalpais Dr, slight left onto Redwood Ave, take the second right onto Corte Madera Ave, continue onto Magnolia Ave, left onto Madrone Ave, right onto Redwood Ave, left onto Oak Rd, continue onto Wilson Way, and follow to end (dead end).

West access: from Hwy 101 in Larkspur, take the exit for Sir Francis Drake Blvd west 2.1 miles. Turn left onto College Ave, right onto Woodland Rd, left onto Evergreen Dr. Continue uphill to the intersection with Ridgecrest; 50-feet uphill from this junction, left onto Crown Rd, and follow to end (dead end).

Parking

Street parking only. Please be respectful of local residents.

Public Transit

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

Map

Enter your location

37.931138

-122.550745

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 may be off-leash on fire roads only if kept under voice control. Leash must always be readily available.
Dogs are allowed on signed trails and must be leashed. Leash must not exceed 6 feet in length.
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 permitted with exception granted through commercial use permit.

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.

Baltimore Canyon Preserve

Rangers Recommend

Naturalist Notes

Activities

Know Before You Go

Directions

Parking

Public Transit

Map

ALL VISITORS

DOGS

BIKES

HORSES

Preserve Map

Hours

February to July

August to January

Alerts & Closures

Related Info

Calendar