MountTamalpais

State Park

®

SaveTheRedwoods.org/csp

Our MissionThe mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

Mount Tamalpais State Park801 Panoramic Highway

Mill Valley, CA 94941(415) 388-2070 · www.parks.ca.gov/mttamalpais

© 2007 California State Parks (Rev. 2016)

California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (415) 388-2070. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov.

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKSP.O. Box 942896

Sacramento, CA 94296-0001For information call: (800) 777-0369

(916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

The panorama from

the 2,571-foot peak

is breathtaking.

On a clear day, view the

Farallon Islands out to

sea, the Marin County

hills, Mount Diablo, San

Francisco, and the hills

and cities of the bay.

N orth of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Tamalpais State Park rises majestically from the heart of Marin County. Mount Tamalpais captures our attention with its sweeping hillsides cloaked with chaparral-covered ridges, grasslands, and oak woodlands. Deep canyons filled with solemn redwood groves intersect these ridges and slopes to create a diverse environment for a wide array of plant and animal species.

The breathtaking panorama from Mount Tamalpais’s 2,571-foot peak includes the Farallon Islands 25 miles out to sea, the Marin County hills, San Francisco Bay, the East Bay, and Mount Diablo.

Spring and summer temperatures are warm, with average highs in the 70s and 80s. Fall and winter can be cool, with temperatures in the 50s; fog is common.

CULTURAL HISTORY

Native PeopleThe Coast Miwok lived on or near Mount Tamalpais, staying near water sources throughout present-day Marin County. These Native Californians hunted small animals and deer, collected acorns, and gathered flora, marsh plants, and shellfish. They made baskets and clamshell disk beads, trading them for locally unobtainable resources, such as high-grade obsidian from Lake County tribes. The Coast Miwok had a rich culture and a complex and intricate language. However, their way of life changed soon after the arrival of Europeans.

In 1770 two explorers, Captain Pedro Fages and Father Juan Crespí, named the mountain La Sierra de Nuestro Padre de San Francisco.

This was later changed to the Miwok word tamalpais (tam-al-pie-us), which, roughly translated, means “bay mountain” or “coast mountain.”

Mount Tamalpais Scenic RailwayResidents of San Francisco, whose population exploded after the 1848 gold discovery, used Mount Tamalpais for recreational purposes. Trails were developed, and a wagon road was built to the top of the mountain in 1884.

The Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway, completed in 1896, carried visitors to the mountaintop and the Summit Tavern, a hotel and restaurant. The slope from Mill Valley to the summit was so steep that the railroad had to negotiate 281 curves, equivalent to 42 complete circles, billing itself as the “Crookedest Railroad in the World.” In the section known as the “Double Bow Knot,” the track paralleled itself five times within 200 yards. In 1907 the “gravity car” was designed to transport visitors from the top of the mountain to the redwood-filled canyon of Muir Woods. Requiring only gravity and a brake, open-air rail cars carried passengers down the mountain to Muir Woods at an exhilarating 12 mph. The railroad and gravity cars allowed sightseers to travel from Mill Valley to the summit, down to the Woods, and back to Mill Valley.

The Scenic Railway’s famous gravity cars were popular until the advent of the automobile and the construction of Ridgecrest Boulevard in 1925. A gravity car replica is displayed at the Gravity Car Barn on East Peak.

Conservation EffortsOver the years, millions have flocked to the mountain, affectionately called “Mount Tam,” to relish the spectacular views and hike its trails. Generations of Mount Tam enthusiasts have worked hard to protect the mountain and keep it open to the public. The oldest of these citizen groups is the Tamalpais Conservation Club, organized in 1912. In 1928 William Kent, an ardent Marin County conservationist, and his wife donated 200 acres of land in Steep Ravine to help create Mount Tamalpais State Park. The park was later enlarged through the efforts of several hiking clubs, led by the Tamalpais Conservation Club. These organizations orchestrated a grassroots campaign to purchase additional land for the state park.

Gravity car on Mount Tam’s Scenic Railway, ca. 1900

THE STATE PARK TODAYNow one of the oldest and most popular units of the California State Park System, the park has grown to 6,300 acres. Completely surrounding Muir Woods National Monument, the park is bordered by Marin Municipal Water District land on the north and by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area on the northwest and south.

NATURAL HISTORY

GeologyMany people think the 2,571-foot peak is the remnant of an extinct volcano. However, geologists believe that Mount Tamalpais was created due to its location near the San Andreas Fault, one of the world’s most active faults. Over time, the mountain has risen from the earth’s crust, while erosion has left only solid rock exposed in the highest peaks and ridges.

Common rock types here are graywacke (sandstone), shale, greenstone, chert, quartz tourmaline, and the easily identified green serpentine, California’s official state rock.

Plant LifeThe varied topography and soils of the park support a tremendous diversity of plant life. More than 750 plant species can be found in the park. Hikers pass through open grassland, chaparral, and oak-covered knolls, or they descend through dense stands of Douglas-fir and California laurel into deep, fern- and redwood-filled canyons.

In spring the slopes of Mount Tam come alive with the vibrant colors of wildflowers. Hillsides are sprinkled with California poppies, lupines, Douglas irises, goldfields, and shooting stars. Spotted

coralroot, fetid adder’s tongue, and Pacific trillium are among the plants that hide in the deep shade of the forest.

The Redwood ForestMount Tam’s legendary Steep Ravine Trail leads hikers along Webb Creek through a stand of tall redwood trees. The sound of rushing water prepares visitors for the fragrance of damp earth and the sight of ferns along the creek’s banks. The redwoods form a canopy above the water cascading over the rocks. Alongside the cascade, hikers must climb a steep ladder to return to the beginning of this beautiful trail.

Although the park can be foggy year round, some scientists are concerned that increased temperatures and decreased fog due to climate change may threaten the survival of the coast redwoods environment.

Animal LifeRaccoons, gray foxes, squirrels, bobcats, coyotes, black-tailed deer, and mountain lions sometimes roam the slopes. Bears and elk once wandered the land, but they vanished as a result of hunting and ranching before the park was established.

Birdwatchers can view more than 150 species of birds within or very near the park. Red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, and turkey vultures soar over the open grasslands by day, while the sounds of great horned, spotted, barn and screech owls fill the night. The hollow drilling of pileated, acorn, and hairy woodpeckers adds to the forest sounds. Along the coastline, there are numerous oceanic and intertidal birds to identify.

RECREATIONHiking — Hikers enjoy more than 60 miles of park trails, connecting to a 200-mile trail system over land managed by the Marin Municipal Water District and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.Cycling — Road bikers are challenged by the infamous Seven Sisters climb and the twisting road to the top. Mountain bikers can enjoy the Coast View and Dias Ridge multi-use trails as well as park fire roads.Day Use — Bootjack, on Panoramic Highway east of Pantoll, has picnic tables for up to 50 people, stoves, water, and flush toilets.

East Peak summit has picnic tables, an accessible restroom, and a visitor center staffed on weekends.

Red-tailed hawk

Mountain Theater — The 3,750-seat Mountain Theater, officially named the Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre, was built of natural stone in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps at Steep Ravine. Each spring since 1913, the Mountain Play Association theatrical company has presented outdoor productions of Broadway musicals. For dates and reservations of Mountain Theater performances, contact the Mountain Play Association at (415) 383-1100.

To hold special events in the park, see the park event application at www.parks.ca.gov.Camping — Bootjack and Pantoll campgrounds, on Panoramic Highway, each have 15 first-come, first-served sites about 100 yards from the parking area. Both campsites offer drinking water, firewood, and restrooms with flush toilets. There are no showers.

Rocky Point /Steep Ravine Environmental Campground, on a marine terrace one mile south of Stinson Beach, has seven primitive sites and nine rustic cabins. Each cabin has

a small wood stove, picnic table, sleeping platforms, and an outdoor barbecue, but no running water. Restrooms and water faucets are nearby. Reservations are required.

The Alice Eastwood Group Camp, located on the Panoramic Highway near the Mountain Home Inn, has two sites for organized groups of 25 to 50 people. Both sites have tables, grills, and a large tent spot.

Frank Valley Group Horse Camp, on Muir Woods Road about one mile north of Hwy. 1 at Muir Beach, has tables, fire rings, drinking water, pit toilets, horse troughs, and corrals for up to 12 horses.

Visit www.parks.ca.gov/mttamalpais or call (800) 444-7275 for campground and cabin reservation information. Reservations may be made seven months in advance.

INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMSAt East Peak, a visitor center and recreated Gravity Car Barn are open as volunteer staffing allows. At the Mountain Theater, free astronomy programs with telescope viewings take place on select Saturday nights April through October. Elsewhere on the mountain, guided hikes are offered year round. Visit www.parks.ca.gov/mttamalpais or www.friendsofmttam.org for details and links to interpretive programs and events, such as free guided weekend and moonlight hikes. Inquire at the Pantoll Ranger Kiosk about self-guided hikes and ranger-led programs for schools and other groups.

ACCESSIBLE FEATURES • The accessible half-mile Verna Dunshee

Trail at East Peak has fantastic bay views. Accessible tables, restrooms, and drinking fountains are nearby.

• Spectacular vistas may also be seen from an accessible .4-mile portion of the Old Mine Trail from Pantoll Station and .25 miles of the McKennan Trail.

• Pantoll and Bootjack each have accessible camping, restrooms, and parking.

• Cabin #1 and environmental campsite #7 at Steep Ravine are accessible.

• The Mountain Theater has a wheelchair platform on the right side of the theater.

• The Mountain Play Association offers signed performances and descriptive services during the first three play performances each season. For more information, call the Mountain Play Association at (415) 383-1100.

Spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay area can be seen from the Verna Dunshee Trail near East Peak.

Cardiac Hill

Joh nson

White Gate

McKennan Gulch Trail

Main

Trail

400

800

400

800

400

800

400

400

800

800

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

400

800

800

800

800

800

800

800

800

800

800

800

800

800

800

800

800

1200

1200

1200

1200

1200

1200

1200

1200

1200

1200

1200

1200

1200

1600

1600

1600

1600

1600

1600

16001600

1600

1600

1600

1600

2000

2000

2000

2000

2000

2000

2000

2000 2000

2000

2000

2400

2400

2400

2400

400

800

Dips

ea Tr

ail

Azalea Meadow

Trail

Cascade Drive

Hill

640 F

ire R

d

Trail

Ridge

Lower

Tourist ClubBohemian

Grove Trail

FourCorners

Old Air Force Station

Ridg e Avenue

1

1

1

1

1

1

to Hwy. 101

to Bolinas andPoint Reyes

Red Rock Trail

GullRock

Rocky Point

East Peak2571ft784m

Middle Peak

West Peak(Off-Limits)

2560ft780m

Bare Knoll1800ft548m

Twin Knolls1925ft587m

Knoll2560ft511m

Trojan Point

Table Rock

Tamalpais

MountAzalea

Meadow

MudFlats

Red Rock Beach

St i n

s on

Be

ac

h

Ridge

Bolinas

USGS BM2040ft622m

MudFlats

Ballou Point

ForbesBench

VisitorCenter

InspirationPoint

West PointInn

MountainTheater

O’Rourke’sBench

Bench

Muir WoodsVisitor Center

Kent Memorial

BohemianGrove

CathedralGrove

SlideRanch

Van WyckMeadow

PotreroMeadow

Hang GliderSite #3

Hang GliderSite #2

Hang Glider Site #1

Ray Murphy’s

Bridge

Throckmorton Fire Station

DoubleBow Knot

Stinson Beach Fire Station

North Entrance

East Entrance

South Entrance

WestEntrance

Ladder

Gravity Car Barn

Fire Lookout

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

AliceEastwood

Group Campground

Frank ValleyGroup HorseCampground

Rocky Point-Steep RavineEnvironmental Campground

Steep Ravine Cabins

BootjackCampground

andDay Use

Potrero

Rifle

Barth’sRetreat

LaurelDell

Monument HQ

Muir BeachOverlook

Rock Spring

AlpineLake

Morses

Gulch

Gulch

Stinson

Swede

Gorge

EastFork

Fork

West

Fork

Kent

Creek

Lone

Tree

BolinasLagoon

Pa c i f i c

Oc

ea

n

WebbCree

k

Silva

Gulch

HiddenLake

Table

Creek

Creek

ColierSpring

CataractFalls

Lone TreeSpring

Creek

Cataract

For

kW

est

Lag

unita

s

Cre

ek

LagunitasC

reekFork

Middle Lagunitas

Creek

Fork

East

McK

en

nan

Gulch Barth’s

Redwood

Spike Buck Creek

Creek

Redw

oodCreek

Cold

Stre

am

Canyon

Creek

Lagunitas

Rattlesnake C

reek

Rock

Middle

Creek

Fern C

reek

STINSONBEACH

Lower Northside Tr

ail

International

Temelpa

E-ko

o

Hoo-

Koo-

Trail

Davis

Trail

Alpi

ne TCC

Spur

Easy

Trail

TCC

Trail

Stapelveldt Trail

Coast

Trail

Trail

Owl

Cataract

Trail

Trail

Trail

Northside

Trail

Trail

Trail

Grade 80

Troop

Trail

Plevin Cut

Trail

View

TrailSun

Redwood

Trail

Trail

Trail

RockyPoint Trail

Kent

Hel

en

Markt Trai

l

High Marsh

Trail

Trail

OldStove

Trail

Kent

Trail

Davis

Trail

Trail

Matt

Trail

Dipsea

Dipsea

Trail

Old

Mine

Trail

Stee

pRav

ine

Trail

Simm

ons

TrailTrail

Benstein

Trail

Mickey O’Brien

Stoc

kin

g Trail

Trail

Trail

Bolinas

Trail

Davis

Trail

ViewTrail

Coast

Miw

ok Trail

Trail Ver

na

Dunshee

Miller Trail

TCCTrail

Trai

l

R&H

Trail

Bootjack

Matt

Trail

Trai

lC

olie

rSp

ring

Trail

Matt

Davis

Bourne T

rail

Fern Creek

Nora Trail

PanoramicTrail

Dipsea

N

orthside

Trail

Nor

thsid

e

Trail

Vic

Haun Trail

Cross

BoysCountry Tr

ail

Trail

Kent

Kent

Wheeler Tr

Lakeview

Trail

Tr

Tave

rnPum

p

Dias

Spu

r Tra

il

Ben Johnson Trail

MountainTheater Fire Tr

Mou

ntai

n To

p Tr

ail

Arturo Trail

Uppe

r Fern

Cree

k Tra

il

TrailDipsea

Spur

Trail

Camp Eastwood Trail

Dias R

idge

Trai

l

Redw

ood Creek Tra

ilView

Rock

Spr

ing

Cataract

PlankwalkTrail

Bolinas

Bolinas Ridge Trail

Trail

Ridge

Cano

py

Upper

Lost

Lower Old M

ine

Spur

M

att

Ben

Mui

r

Woods

Roa

d

(Fr

ank

Valley)

Ridgecrest

Blvd

Indi

an

Fire

Road

Hoo-

Fire

Grade

Old

Panoramic

Rd

Willow

Camp

Fire

Roa

d

Panoramic

West

Road

Rocky

Grade

RailroadRailroad

E–Koo

Eldridge Grade

Fire

Fire Road

Eldr

idge

Fire

West

Boulevard

West

Ridgecrest

Panoramic

HogbackFire Rd

Panoramic

Hwy

Shoreline

Rai

lroad

Grade

Fire

Old Grade

Fire

Grade

Ra

ilroad

Old

Sprin

gLa

guni

tas-

Fire Road

Rock

Spring

Fire

West

RidgecrestBlvd

Pantoll

Road

Ridgecrest Blvd

East

Old

Fire

Road

Koo-

Fire Roa

d

OldRailroad

Grade

Deer

Road

Fire

Park

Shoreline

Shoreline

Old Stage

Alice

Eastwood

East

Rid

gecr

est

Bl

vd

Blithedale

Road

Road

Blithedale

RidgeSummit Rd

Mid

dle

Peak Fire

Road

Miwok Fire Road

Point

Avenida Farralone

Ave

Belve dere

Fire Road

Dipsea Road

Sea Drift RoadCalle de Arroyo

Highw

ay

Woo

ds

M u ir

Ro

a d

Road

Road

Ro ad

Road

Laurel Dell

Fire Ro ad

Hig

hway

Highw

ay

Highway

Road

High

way

Road

Hwy

Highway

Bo linas-Fairfax Road

De e r P

ark

PA R K

M O U N T

TA M A L PA I S

S TAT E

G G N R A

G G N R A

M U I R W O O D SN AT I O N A L

M O N U M E N T

M A R I N

M U N I C I P A L

WAT E R

D I S T R I C T

G O L D E N

G O L D E N

G AT E

N AT I O N A L

R E C R E AT I O N

A R E A

R E C R E AT I O N

A U D U B O NC A N Y O NR A N C H

A R E A

N AT I O N A L

G AT E

Hillside TrailMajor Road

Fire Road: Hike, Bike & Horse

Campground

Campground: Environmental

Campground: Group

Exhibit

Campground: Horse

Parking

Picnic Area

Ranger Station

Restrooms

Spring

Accessible Feature

Trail: Hike

Locked Gate

Paved Road

Drinking Water

Trail: Hike & Horse

Accessible Trail (Hiking Only)

Trail: Hike, Bike & Horse

Legend

© 2010 California State Parks (Rev. 2016)

Viewpoint

Bridge

SanPabloBay

Pacific

Ocean

24

101

580

80

680

4

29116

37

1

121

12 29

101

1

0 15 Kilometers

10 Miles0

5

5

10

Petaluma

Novato Vallejo

Berkeley

RichmondSan

Rafael

Sonoma

OAKLAND

Tiburon

Benicia

SAN FRANCISCO

Napa

Mt Tamalpais SP

Golden GateNRA

Angel Island SP

ChinaCamp SP

Samuel P.Taylor SP

SFBay

Bench

Pantoll RangerStation Park HQ

PantollCampground

TenderfootTrail

Trestle Trail 800Edgewood Avenue Pipe line Trail

Edgewood Avenue

MUIR BEACH

P

Ridg

e

Trai

l

Dias

Sequ

oia

Valle

y Ro

ad

Edgewood Avenue

Homestead HillFire Road

Homestead Hill Trail

Middle GreenGulch Trail

(bikes uphill only)

Trail

Boo

tjack

Gra

vity

Car Fire R oad

Green

Coy

ote

Ridg

e

Trail

Kaasi Fire Road

PacificWay

Green Gulch Farm and Zen Center

Heather

Cutoff

SierraTrail

Gulch

Trail

to Coastal Trail

to DowntownMill Valley

Mountain Home

Rock

Lagu

nita

s-

BrokoSpring

1.5 Kilometers

1 Mile

Mount TamalpaisState Park

NEARBY STATE PARKS

Angel Island State ParkIn San Francisco Bay Ferries from Tiburon / Vallejo/San Francisco(415) 435-5390

China Camp State ParkFour miles east of San Rafael on San Pedro Road(415) 456-0766

Samuel P. Taylor State Park15 miles west of San Rafael on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard(415) 488-9897

PLEASE REMEMBER• The park is open from 7 a.m. to sunset. • All natural and cultural park resources are protected by law

and must not be disturbed or removed.• Camping and fires are permitted only in designated areas. • Except for service animals, leashed dogs are allowed only on

paved roads in developed areas, family campgrounds, and picnic areas. Dogs must be confined to a vehicle or tent at night.

• Horses and bicycles are allowed only on fire roads and posted hiking trails.

• Be alert for poison oak, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and ticks.• Bus transit serves the park. Visit www.marintransit.org or call

511 or (415) 526-3239 for schedules and stops.

This park is supported in part through the Friends of Mt. Tam

P.O. Box 7064, Corte Madera, CA 94976(415) 258-2410 • www.friendsofmttam.org