This review is for the MTB trails on Camp Tamarancho, not the camp itself. It's a very challenging trail and I love it out there. Lots of bikers and not too many hikers. Beautiful scenery and mixed terrain. A lot of good people are putting in lots of hours to make this trail what it is. Especially for the Endor Flow Trail, which is awesome! Tips: - This is an intermediate/advanced trail. If you are a newbie, you'll probably have more fun at China Camp (which is also awesome). - You have to park in Fairfax and ride up. Don't try driving up the hill... it doesn't work. You can park in the neighborhood near scenic. I really like parking at Deer Park or further away and riding a bit before starting to climb, but that's just me. - Most people go in the clockwise direction. I recommend that! - Try the flow trail! Just remember to put your seat down. - Don't forget your pass. You can pick one up online or at the bike shops in Fairfax. - Be safe! I want to give it five stars, but I think I should leave that for Downieville, Northstar, Moab, Whistler, etc... when I make it to those places (eventually). read more

Camp Tamarancho - The trailhead - Parks Near Me - Fairfax, California

I can't say anything about the camp itself but I can say the surrounding trails are just gorgeous and the Mountain biking is awesome One of the joys in life is my daily hikes up there and we are very fortunate in Fairfax do you have AJ as the Ranger read more

Great mountain biking in the heart of Fairfax and it is LEGAL singletrack. Riding in Marin only leaves you with a few OPTIONS as far as singletrack for bikes: China Camp which is great for beginners to advanced if you know where to look, intermittent trails dotted all over Mt. Tam like Tenderfoot, Coastal, Dias Ridge, Old Springs, etc, And then there is Tamarancho! On the private property owned by the Boy Scouts and lovely maintained by great volunteers. This 9+ miles of PRIME singletrack is a delight to ride. You NEED to either purchase a day pass at Sunshine Bicycle Center in downtown Fairfax or an annual pass online. That is the deal. Day pass is $5. To get here park in the BIG parking lot right before you reach downtown Fairfax. Directly across from Iron Springs Brewery and Sunshine Bicycle Center. Brewery and Bike shop my WET dream! Pack up all your stuff and head out, ask for directions to the trailhead. It is a few miles of road to get there. Trails are one big loop, you can ride it clockwise or counter. Clockwise has the best FLOW. And if you stick around for more than one LOOP. Do it both WAYS! Trails have different names that reflect their personalities. Wagon Wheel is littered with rocks, B-17 leaves you bombing through Redwood Trees and across bridges and Alchemist has enough switchbacks to throw make you DIZZY. Such varied terrains out here, one minute you can be rolling over rocks in an open meadow with views of Mt. Tam or rolling through a redwood grove surrounded by firs. Excellent place for any mountain bike enthusiast and for people to work on their skills. I still manage to CRASH and fall over attempting stuff here. Make the TRIP! Plus on the ride back to the car there is a BREWERY awaiting you. read more

The Tamarancho Boy Scout Camp has a well-maintained 6.7 mile singletrack loop winding through dense forest and rolling across meadows. To reach Camp Tamarancho from San Francisco, head north on US101 to San Rafael and use Exit #452. Head west on 3rd Street which turns into 2nd Street. Veer right heading west on Sir Francis Drake Blvd to Fairfax. Park in town at either Java Hut or Fairfax Cyclery. Start riding west on Sir Francis Drake Blvd to Olema Road. Veer left on Olema Road briefly to Manor Road. Turn left on Manor Road and then Right on Rockridge Road. Veer left on Iron Springs Road heading up for about 0.75 miles. The trails start on the left. For more information and a printable map, visit http://www.trailsource.com/scripts/four.asp?ID=22389&TYPE=BIKE read more

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Camp tamarancho has a great single track mountain bike trail. It is on the intermediate to advanced level so be ready for some more treacherous terrain if you are new to the bike scene. There are some great hillside views and lots of branching trails to explore. I got a $5 day pass from a local Fairfax shop where I rented a bike from for the day. read more

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Another new spot I tried with my biking group. Again I've heard and read a lot and finally I have experienced it. This place is located in the heart of Marin in a little town of Fairfax, Ca. The only drawback is there is really no place to park. You have to park in a commercial lot about 2 miles from the entrance but it's really not too bad. The ride up to the main trailhead is about 2 miles of gradual uphill. At the trailhead it's pretty much switchbacks up and down with a few straightaways towards the back of the mountain. The nice single tracks are really flowy with lots of roots to play with on top a few rock gardens to test your skills. Most of the trails are wooded so you have plenty of shades. I would love to go back and ride ,ore of it. Oh btw, Please ride clockwise if you go.. Happy Riding........... read more

This trail really does have it all and it's definitely one of, if not THE best in the bay area. As others have mentioned you'll need to purchase a permit before riding the trail. I picked mine up at Sunshine bicycle for $5 which is a bargain. Be prepared for a challenge. This trail is tough especially if you don't have much experience riding single track. I'm a semi-beginner and I finished the trail in about 2 hours in the clockwise direction without wiping out so it is doable even if you aren't the best rider. It' was intimidating and in some sections outright scary. I was really glad to have a full suspension bike on the rocky sections (of which there are plenty). I had a few close calls and started cramping up near the end but I made it! This is great place to practice switchbacks. There are a bunch of them and they are really really tight. I'm still learning so I had use my feet a lot and take them slow. The Alchemist section at the beginning and end is jam packed with hairpin turns. I'm not in fantastic shape so I thought the climbs were pretty grueling. My legs are still hurting as I type this. I was in the low gear for a huge portion of the ride and had to stop to take some breaks. I'm sure some other bikers could hear me yelling and swearing at the trail. It's tough to maintain balance and navigate the obstacles while ascending here so concentration is key. Once you get near the top the trails really starts to open up for some nice views. Stay focused on the trail though or you are gonna eat some dust. Overall this is really fun and challenging ride. You'll definitely improve your chops and gain some major confidence in your riding ability. I'll be back for sure. read more

I finally was able to ride Tamarancho for the first time a couple months as I've been meaning to try it out for years. Best $5 I've spent in a long time. Good job, boys scouts! These trails are really in great shape! I ended up going with a group of guys (including the hubby) knowing I'd be the weakest link. Apparently, I wasn't too far behind (or they were just being nice). Mind you, I'm definitely not a beginner and I try to ride at least 3x a week and have been riding for years, but definitely not as fast as the boys. Long story short, this place is super fun! I didn't find the climbing very hard - it was all very gradual and very doable. I stayed in my middle chain the entire time (I know I'm struggling or if it's too steep when I use the lil chain of my front deraileur). Pretty smooth singletrack with some rocks and roots, but at least the rocks weren't loose, once I realized that, I felt more comfortable rolling over them. Lots of coverage but some periods of open spots (meaning, when it was open and then i felt hot, we'd be back in the forest again). Good place to practice switchbacks, there were tons of switchbacks. It was great! Wish it was closer because for 10 miles, it's a little too far to drive up from San Jose. **note to self, there was a bathroom approx 3 miles into the trail read more

All riders at Tamarancho must have a Day Pass or an Annual Pass to ride the trails on property owned by the Scouts. Day Passes cost $5. You can buy one online and print out pass on your own printer at: www.BoyScouts-Marin.org Or you can buy Day Passes at Fairfax Cyclery or Sunshine Bikes in Fairfax. (They open at about 10am). Annual passes, valid for unlimited riding for one calendar year, cost $25-$65 (depending on the time of year and if purchasing an individual or family pass.) To buy an Annual Pass go to: www.BoyScouts-Marin.org Support Bike Legal Singletrack. Danny Forer Tamarancho Bike Coordinator D4er@comcast.net read more

I rode Tamarancho for the first time today. It was Father's Day. That's fitting, because I got to do a lot of guy stuff up there: fall, get bruises, overextend myself, cramp up, bleed, get dehydrated, and generally bite off much more than I could chew. My previous singletrack experience was China Camp, a nice beginner-rated trail north of San Rafael. This is a different animal entirely. Tamarancho warns bikers to expect intermediate-advanced level challenges, and they aren't kidding. The Wagon Wheel trail is the most difficult part of the ride -- technical climbing over lots and lots of rocks. It's also exposed, hot, and generally punishing. But the scenery is incredible -- everything from dry Marin meadows to deep, shady redwood groves. To get there, park by the Java Hut in Fairfax, and buy a day pass at Sunshine Bicycle. Don't forget the day pass. It matters. read more

I can't really add much value beyond what Ryan D. has already written about Tamarancho. I just went for the first time and had a blast, following the loop clockwise as suggested. I went later in the afternoon (3:30) and the weather cooperated perfectly -- not too hot, not too cool. I also did battle with a local resident after parking in front of her house (in a perfectly legal spot). I'll spare the details of the encounter, but the upshot is that some local residents aren't thrilled about having mountain bikers in the area. Part of me is sympathetic, and the other part makes me wonder why they think they control who comes and goes on public roads. Best to take the path of least resistance on this and simply park where Ryan D. suggests. Have a good time! read more

Great singletrack. Only a few things that I would add to the below reviews. First, riding up from Fairfax is actually a nice way to warm up for this ride and parking in the neighborhoods would not really save you any climbing anyway. Also, it is confusing navigation here. I recommend that you go your first time with someone else who has been there before. If not go on a nice day on on the weekend so you can ask people questions. I thought I would be ok with the map that they give you with your permit. It is the most worthless document in the history of cartography. read more

This is what mtb is all about. Before riding Tamarancho the only places I had ridden were Mammoth and Northstar. I loved all the downhill and I was scared that I might have spoiled myself too early in my mtb career with lift rides and full suspension bikes. I headed up to the trail head on a single speed bike I had ridden once before (in golden gate park, no less) and only 4 mtb rides under my belt. I must say that Tamarancho is mind blowingly awesome. I had seen helmet cam footage and I have ridden serious trails at resorts, and Tamarancho topped all expectations and helped me undertand what single-track is all about. The climbs are fun, enough downs with the ups to distract you from the pain until the tip top. Once you get out of the trees there really isn't any time to rest, there are too many awesome views to be had and new trails to experience. The variety of trails makes me think that I have seen better riding in a single loop than sad saps in other places see in a year of riding. techy climbs, serene cruises around hillsides, and the funnest shredding through redwoods I can imagine. We rode it clockwise and without hitting up the extension, next time I think adding the extension will add a bit more awesomeness to the day, or if my friends and I have it in us a second lap. Fairfax is beautiful and the two bike shops I visited were awesome. I did not get a chance to eat in town, but the burger place in between the two shops looks great, and there is a great little market to grab a quicker bite to eat. If you have any kind of mountain bike and skill enough to get around a switchback (i admit to some foot-downs) skip china camp and mt tam and have your mind blown by Tamarancho. ps: print your ticket online and save some time: http://www.doubleknot.com/Registration/CampaignDetail.asp?ActivityKey=896376&OrgKey=1235 read more

Alright, this is a pretty kick ass trail - and it thoroughly kicked my ass yesterday, but what a ride! We took it counter-clockwise which takes you through the most challenging bits first and rewards you with a velvety-delicious ride through redwoods towards the end. It is some of the best singletrack that I've ridden. A caveat: this trail is definitely not for beginners. I would classify myself as an intermediate and it was as mentally challenging as it was physically challenging. If you're looking for an easier trail, check out China Camp or some of the trails around Tennessee Valley. read more

Great rare single track biking in Marin and Bay area generally. Good etiquette from riders generally. Intermediate to advanced terrain with lots of choices of different paths. Can divert around some of the most challenging spots. Support the local Boy Scouts with a pass for $55. read more

This place has everything. Rollers, roots, baby heads, rock gardens, arduous climbing, tight switchbacks (LOTS OF IT), precipitous exposures, and super flowy downhill portions all on single track. The trail system is challenging, alright. But the work you put in has plenty of paybacks: nice views when you hit the ridges, cool canopies in the woods, the soil surface is loamy and hardly any sandy spots at all. And the trail system is very well maintained. We even saw a guy with a branch trimmer strapped on his hydration pack. Talk about commitment. Your $5 day pass is well worth it. If you live in SF or Marin, get the season pass. It's only $45 bucks and it goes back to the folks who maintain the trails. Sincerely, A 205 lbs short and chubby cyclist. read more

Good Stuff, Maynard Flying amongst the Oaks California sun drenched single track Deep Blue Skies Roots And Rocks Happy Trails read more

www.boyscouts-marin.org for the day/season pass. I broke my wrist riding here..........it was my fault though. Going way too fast considering the muddy conditions on Feb 12, 2012. Nevertheless, I had the most fun doing so! This has got to be one of the best single track trails in NorCal!! I have been riding Skeggs, Waterdog, Lake Tahoe region, Soquel, and I just love Tamarancho. It has a great combination of roots, ruts, mud, rocks, shade, and open space. Great for technical riding. Following one loop either clockwise or counter, you don't have to stop and look at a map to figure out where you are going. Just follow the intermediate (not for beginners) trail and pedal to your heart's content. The climbs are easy and the entire trail seems to stay within an elevation range of 600 ft. I could be wrong. The only negative to the space is that it can get fairly crowded on weekends. There are many "bike skills" classes for the scouts and sometimes you have to wait for a pretty large group to pass before bombing through the trail again. My accident occured when I was fast approaching a skills class coming around a switchback. I breaked hard, hit a large rock in the middle of the path and did a superman over the handle bars. Aside from that, I can't wait to heal in 8-12 weeks after a titanium screw in my scaphoid bone heals. I will be back! :) read more

Awesome sets of single track trails. Much better than the Marin headlands with their boring bare hills, this mount has awesome trees, forest, and technical features all along. Esp the switchbacks, really fun. Passing folks can be tricky as there is no priority rule but riders are generally very cooperative and friendly. I have gone a few weekends already and am getting to the limit of the place as there aren't that many trails after all and the mount is not that big. Not sure why there is a $5 fee, oh well. As a last note, Fairfax is such a quaint town, i love going there just for hanging out there after our rides. read more

I feel very lucky to have this trail so close to my home. For the $55 dollar yearly pass, I probably ride "Tamo" about 30-40 times a year. Trails are regularly maintained by a group. I did not see in any of the other reviews anyone mentioning the "Endor Flow Trail," which has been part of the Tamo loop for 3+ years. The Flow Trail is about a mile long and consists of roller coaster bumps and berms to rail. Tons of fun and a great way to improve your riding. Easiest way to access the Flow Trail is to enter near Brown's Bridge and climb Porcupine Trail til you see the single track trail on your left entering the Boy Scout property (B17 Trail). Gets 5 stars as it is challenging technically for most, has great views, and many beautiful spots to stop and and hang with friends. Hint: Unless you are there on extreme off hours, you should ride the loop in a clockwise direction. Since the Flow Trail has been installed, traffic is up. There has been a noticeable increase in riders coming from out of town in the last 3 years. Parking: Pay attention to signs that ask you not to park in their parking lots. A good place to park is next to Fairfax Cyclery near the Bike Museum. read more

A sentiment overheard from an anonymous young rider and which I fully endorse was "get me off this bitch!" You'll be lured by the climbs which are nothing; maybe 1000' vert and not steep. The trail however is pure gnarl. The most critical apexes of the numerous switchbacks are narrow and littered with huge boulders. Many turns are so sharp and vertical that you cannot put a foot down. So whether climbing or descending you're going to need lots of brake and a lower than normal saddle height. Before even starting the ride I saw one guy with a pinch flat, another with a snapped handlebar; his arm in a sling, another with a bent derailleur hanger. On the top of the ascent which I survived, I mentioned to my buddies that there was probably no dearth of helicopter "life flights" out of this place. Indeed I experienced my own bit of hijinx on the descent. I started getting tired and went over the bars. I cartwheeled over boulders, rag dolling a good 10-15 feet. My back, shoulder, right elbow (contused), knee (contusion) and left wrist (contusion) got scraped and bruised up good (no breaks thank you sweet Jesus.) Returned to my bike to find both hydraulic brake actuators had disengaged from the plungers, handlebars off center by 20 degrees and chain off. Crowded, exposed and potentially deadly. It's sensory overload for Mt. biking. Fun! read more

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This is the best place to get your singletrack fix in Marin. Legally at least. You can get your tickets online ahead of time or buy a yearly pass to support the local Boy Scouts who maintain the trails. The trails here are infamous, and you will not regret paying any money to ride on them. Just dreamlike single truck. The flow trail really is Worth the price of admission alone. You'll feel like a kid in a candy shop, on a roller coaster there. Smiles for miles. read more

Rode Camp Tamarancho for the 1st time this past Sunday. This place is 95% single track, with many switchbacks. It's challenging because there's no room to stop and it forces you to keep on cranking or somebody will pass you. Get's kind of crowded on weekends. There's a new "Flow Trail" near the top that's fun. This is a must go place if you're into cross country mountain biking. read more

Camp Tamarancho may be the only true legal singletrack in Marin County, and I'd recommend that only Intermediate or Advanced riders tackle this, particularly the Wagon Wheel trail, where I recently gave blood - http://marinfattire.blogspot.com/2009/03/giving-blood-at-camp-tamarancho.html - doing the main loop clockwise. Other than a few dicey sections and hard technical switchbacks, this is beautiful and well-maintained singletrack. Strong riders should be able to complete the main loop in under an hour. To avoid the parking problems mentioned by other reviewers, I'd park in downtown Fairfax and ride up to the trailhead -- for directions check out -- http://www.marinfattire.com/CampTamaranchoTrails.html. Also, these trails are owned and maintained by the Boy Scouts, and you should have a day pass or season pass on you to ride these trails, which you can easily purchase online via the Boy Scouts of Marin website -http://www.boyscouts-marin.org/, or pick up at Sunshine Cycles in Fairfax. Happy riding, and don't donate blood on the trail like I did! read more

Just went there yesterday and had a total blast. The trails are mixed and fun, with beautiful scenery to reward your hard-working climb. I only did the clockwise loop. That took me almost two hours. Take plenty of rest and water breaks, as the loop is mixed with plenty of climbing and descending. My only complaint is that there isn't much to choose from other than the main loop, which may leave you wanting more after going once around, but doing it again may be too much to ask. Finish off going down the Goldman trail to the Alchemist trail to return to the trailhead. A must-visit for mountain bikers. Just come prepared with plenty of water and a snack when resting. read more

So many hills! Camp Tamarancho has lots of sweet single track, with fun descents and some long, hot climbs. There are some great switchbacks and lots of rocks and roots, oh, and did I mention the climbs. They pack a lot of hills in to those 8 miles! I am an out of shape climber, but I go reasonably fast on the descents and it took me about 3.5 hours. I'm sure there are some racer boys who do it in an hour on their rigid single speeds, but I have to say I appreciated my gears, suspension, and gravity dropper seat post. Over all a great ride. Just look out for the poison oak, oh, and did I mention there is some climbing ;) read more

All I am saying is this is our favorite ride in the bay area. But I'm not saying anymore. No way, no how. I don't want any one else knowing about it and going there. So there! read more

this is a challenging area. fair amount of climbing but not super steep. The switchback trails are challenging. Some rocky areas on the climb as well. But Its worth it at the top. Beautiful views. Really fun up and down areas. not for a novice. read more

Phenomenal loop. . . take it clockwise or counter-clockwise, but be prepared for riders on the corners. Good solid singletrack with fantastic views. What I find compelling about this course, is the contrast in scenery for an eight-mile loop. You start with somewhat dense trees and flat rocks, climb to an open space with sprawling meadows, head downhill past a few streams, do some bouldering, and finally find yourself shaded among the redwoods. For a longer ride, many people will do two loops or add on Solstice. Be sure to get a permit. This camp is maintained by the Boy Scouts and they do a solid job maintaining the trails. They deserve our support. You can buy season passes for $45 or day passes for $5. http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=4023 read more

The views were awesome. The trails were cool as well. I really liked the flow trail Endor. That was awesome and I would've given it 5 stars but getting to it is a bitch! It's definitely a Trek to get there and after you're done with the flow trail, it's a bitch to get back up and do it all over again. I will definitely return as I need all the excercise I could get, I just need to wear more pads as Endor isn't the safest flow trail in the world. It's definitely for above average riders. Try to go on a weekday as you don't want to be like and hold everyone else up if you're just starting out. Oh yeah, bring a Camelbak! You'll need it! read more

Great mountain biking trails!

Amazing riding and super good trails, would appreciate downhill courses to accommodate a wider rider selection, duthie hill for instance is a perfect example, love that place! read more

Awesome place. If you do the full loop clockwise, it's a pretty punishing, but really rewarding and enjoyable single track climb. Technical in places, but not too hard. The only bummer with going clockwise is that the downhill portion is on wide, not-so-steep trails in many places, so it's doesn't feel as rewarding as you might expect after a solid uphill. Still tons of fun though and make sure to pay the $5. read more

Great little XC loop. Certainly worth the drive. Some technical bits, but any intermediate rider will have fun. Better go clockwise to avoid traffic, especially on weekends. Don't forget to buy a pass! read more

Amazing, varied trail that's easily accessible from fairfax cyclery (if you need to rent a bike).