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    Baltimore Canyon

    4.7 (18 reviews)

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    Kevin B.

    Nestled deep in downtown Larkspur, Baltimore Canyon offers something for everyone (runner, walkers, dog-owners, etc.). Although steep in parts, this isn't the most challenging of trails. Everything is well paved. Even a hiking novice will feel comfortable here. If you come here in the morning, you'll be rewarded with fresh air, friendly wildlife (birds, squirrels, and more), flowing cascades, and and other hidden nature surprises. When you trek through this breathtaking Redwood forest, you can't help but feel like you're a Hobbit traversing Middle Earth. Or, at the very least, you feel like you're on your way to the Ewok Village. Word to the wise - parking is very limited. It's best to park on the neighborhood streets a few blocks away. I always just park on Magnolia Street near Perry's Restaurant and Equator Coffee. From there, it's just a 15-minute stroll to the trailhead. After your hike, I'd recommend doing a picnic in Dolliver Park on Madrone Ave. They have plenty of tables, a playground for kids, and a public restroom (though I'm not sure it's open right now during this Corona Climate). As much as I love Muir Woods, Baltimore Canyon is truly my go-to choice for a wonderful walk in the woods with friends and my pooch. I hope you have the chance to experience it for yourself.

    Great Mt. Tam views
    Ashley J.

    Perfect [mostly] shady trail for sunny days when you want to hike, but don't want to burn. I jogged downhills and shady areas, walked uphills and most sunny areas. Off of Magnolia in Larkspur, turn onto Madrone (only 1 way to turn) and go all the way down. Park within the established white parking spaces. There are 5 all the way at the end, and a few scattered further upward the road. I parked right where I wanted to be and jogged down. A couple really cute, typical Marin trail bridges, but surrounded by gorgeously tall redwoods. If you go during the winter/spring, you'll jog along the rustling Larkspur creek, which dries up during the summer/fall months. I took the main trail to the Lady Bug trail, then to the King's Mountain trail, which is a loop. Along the way, I passed a few other walkers, a couple joggers, a gorgeous man with two little dogs (must be wifed up), and an unexpected pretty stellar view of the North Bay toward the Richmond Bridge. Took me about 90 minutes RT. The King Mtn trail looped me back to almost where I started and I knew the way back from there. This is a go to for trail runners and someone who just wants to enjoy a peaceful walk. You never quite feel as insignificantly special as you do surrounded by luscious greenery that existed long before you, and will long survive you.

    Mid-way view from the top
    Janell D.

    Baltimore Canyon is a wooded, fern covered vista. The first part of the hike is through a real low, wooded area full of man made switch backs pretty much until you get to the first plateau. Once you reach your first destination you get a pretty clear view of East bay- on a real clear day you can see part of the city. If the first stint hasn't got you out of breath you can hike up higher which is about another 5 miles. From that point you can see all over the bay and the views are breathtaking. Although this hike used to have small waterfalls and streams, the last time I went they were pretty dry. I would consider this a moderate to easy hike and the first stint is probably five miles round trip. Great for a Sunday afternoon!

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    13 years ago

    I came here by accident, but I'm glad I did. The view is absolutely breathtaking.

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    Ask the Community - Baltimore Canyon

    It sounds like there is no official parking lot, so that makes me wonder are their bathroom facilities or porta potties anywhere?

    No facilities, street parking only and it is difficult on weekends!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Baltimore Canyon

    Nestled deep in downtown Larkspur, Baltimore Canyon offers something for everyone (runner, walkers, dog-owners, etc.).

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    Dawn Falls - Dawn Falls Trail

    Dawn Falls

    4.5(48 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    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!

    *****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!

    Photos
    Dawn Falls
    Dawn Falls
    Dawn Falls

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    Mt. Tamalpais Watershed/Phoenix Lake Trailhead

    Mt. Tamalpais Watershed/Phoenix Lake Trailhead

    4.6(8 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    Secret Trail! This…read moreis one of my favorite areas for mountain biking. All of the lakes are are incredibly beautiful. You should know, however, that the parking is a real problem at Greene Park.. Even if you get there at 7 a.m. there are only a few spots left. Today, when I arrived promptly at 7 am, there were only two spots left. They were gone in a few minutes. The Coffin families have a great history in this area. If you get a chance you can research. It's a very interesting story. I recently discovered something unique about the Watershed. There is a secret way from this Watershed into the Cascade waterfall! Here's the secret way--please don't tell anyone else. Up above Concrete Pipe path, you can access Pine Mountain Tunnel Road. From there, there's a secret path--completely legal, to go to the Cascade Falls. There's one hitch however. You can't take your bike through Carey Camp Trail. You have to leave it there and hike in to go see the waterfall. Plan on an hour round-trip.

    Great place to come on a bright sunny day. The parking lot is small but it didn't take long to find…read morea spot. Most of the hike is pretty exposed so if you are looking for a more shaded hike this is not the one. Still it's a great beginners hike made even more enjoyable by the lake which you can follow the trails around. The views are beautiful but as Janell mentioned, not so many high elevation views.

    Photos
    Mt. Tamalpais Watershed/Phoenix Lake Trailhead - Standing up on the big 8 foot pipe

    Standing up on the big 8 foot pipe

    Mt. Tamalpais Watershed/Phoenix Lake Trailhead - This is the secret way into Cascade Falls

    This is the secret way into Cascade Falls

    Mt. Tamalpais Watershed/Phoenix Lake Trailhead

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    Bon Tempe Lake - Coming back to the lake.

    Bon Tempe Lake

    4.5(28 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    This is actually just one of several reservoirs that make up the Mount Tamalpais Watershed. There…read moreare also creeks and a dam that add to the features. One of the main roads to get up there is just above the town of Fairfax in Marin County. It is a windy road but short, like 10 minutes or so. There are also a lot of bikers who like this area, so watch out on those narrow roads. Once you get closer to the park, the pavement stops and you will have to drive on large gravel for quite a bit, so don't be bringing your high end luxury car here. Lol Once there, an $8 parking fee through a kiosk awaits. I did a 6 mile loop starting at the dam and starting on Alpine lake. Easy start for the first mile or so, with most of it being lakeside. Then the middle 3 miles goes deeper into the forest cover and is more strenous, a constant climb that will speed up the heart rate. Love doing this amongst forest air. Deep in city confines...not so much. The descend will bring you back to where Alpine Lake and Bon Tempe Lake meets, by the dam. The top of hike is exposed and rocky but still gorgeous. Actually reminded me a bit of Tahoe with rocky trails and exposed blue skies. There will be a view of the lower elevations of Southern Marin County. There will also be many glimpses of neighboring Mt. Tam. And after that great morning workout, I was able to have a nice relaxing outdoor meal at one of the many charming independent restaurants in Fairfax, just 10 minutes down the road. Great way to start my stay-cation.

    A post on NextDoor.com caught my attention. Someone had just moved to the neighborhood and was…read moreasking how they could hike without paying the $8 parking fee they'd noticed in some areas. The deluge of responses made it clear: if you're paying to park in Marin County, you're doing something wrong. With only a single exception in memory, I don't think I've paid to hike anywhere in the county and these days all I do is hike. But, if you want to hike the grounds of the Mount Tam Watershed it is true that there's a $8 cost to that. You can get around this by purchasing an annual parking pass or checking a pass out from the Marin County Library system. Bon Tempe Lake is my favorite hike within this area of the Mt. Tam Watershed. With an easy to follow, well-trod, 4.8 mile path around the lake's perimeter, and situated only minutes from downtown Fairfax, Bon Tempe is a quintessential Marin experience. You're in nature, beside a gorgeous, placidly serene lake yet only 10 minutes from a good brunch or latte. There's nothing difficult about the hike around the lake and though it isn't flat, it's elevations are quite gentle. If you need more, add a loop around Lake Lagunitas (the two paths intersect) to increase your hike by another 1.2 miles. Fishing is allowed here (but no swimming) and the parking area - for Bon Tempe in particular - fills up early on weekends. All the more reason to make time for Bon Tempe on a weekday. There's lots of hiking options here in the Watershed but for my money, the half-shaded-half-sunny path around Bon Tempe is the loveliest of them all.

    Photos
    Bon Tempe Lake - Morning Blues. (That's Mt Tam out yonder)

    Morning Blues. (That's Mt Tam out yonder)

    Bon Tempe Lake - Start to climb. Through redwoods.

    Start to climb. Through redwoods.

    Bon Tempe Lake - Gloomier morning, but it cleared up within an hour.

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    Gloomier morning, but it cleared up within an hour.

    Lake Lagunitas

    Lake Lagunitas

    4.5(26 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    It was absolutely Beautiful. We hiked around the lake. It was an easy hike and so fun. They have…read morelots of picnic tables and so many trees. You have to pay for parking and it's at the station a little before you actually park I gave the lake five stars but the road to get up there two stars. It's a very skinny road and only one car can pass with two way traffic. Yikes.....But we made it and it was worth the trip!

    Such a cool place -- and it's one of those locations that not too many people go to unless they are…read morein the area. Somewhat of a "locals" spot for hiking, biking, and trail running. In addition, it's also a beautiful drive up! The road eventually becomes one-lane, so drive slowly when the road bends. People like to drive a little faster than they should on it, unfortunately. The parking is ample. After you pay the entrance fee, you'll see several opportunities to park on your way down the road. The main Parking lot is all the way at the end where the bathroom and shelter/picnic area is. There's also a neat creek and man-made waterfall over here as well that comes from the reservoir up top. The hike itself is really fun. We hiked up to the top where the reservoir is and really loved the view. My Apple Watch says that our walk around the perimeter of the reservoir was roughly 2 miles. I wouldn't call it a hike, per se, but it was a nice, leisurely walk in a beautiful place which is just as nice! There are tons of redwoods, oak trees, and wild flowers here, but also poison oak. The trails seem pretty well-maintained, so there isn't much need to worry about poison oak as long as you don't wander too far off the trail. Great for kids, as there isn't much incline on this trail. I would definitely come back and try more of the trails here.

    Photos
    Lake Lagunitas
    Lake Lagunitas
    Lake Lagunitas

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    Baltimore Canyon - hiking - Updated May 2026

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