It's fairly impossible to review Phoenix Lake itself in so much as touching its surface qualifies as a punishable offense. But you can review the trail around the lake which steers you completely clear of touching the water at all. The trail around Phoenix lake's circumference is easy, taking less than 1 hour to traverse. Leashed dogs are welcome. It'd be difficult to get lost. I always hike it counter-clockwise. If you're coming from San Francisco to hike but what you really want to do is have brunch, the brief hike around Phoenix Lake will allow you to achieve both your goals. Owing to the drought, the lake has looked quite sorry in the past few years but right now it's looking quite nice. Less dirt, more water There's a small parking lot and port-a-potties at Natalie Coffin Green Park, the entrance nearest the lake and trails, but you'll rarely find parking there. Parking on the nearby streets is also generally prohibited (welcome to Ross!). The best way to enjoy this space is to park for free behind the Ross Post Office and walk yourself all the way down Lagunitas Road until you get to the park, the full parking lot, and the lake. The benefit is that you'll actually then get in enough exercise to justify your brunch. It'll take a bit longer but it's an easy stroll to the lake and back. The hike around the lake has its ups and downs but never even begins to qualify as difficult. I'm not generally a fan of such a short, non-strenuous hike but must admit that the lake was looking remarkably pretty on a recent hike. read more

Almost 4 mile trail. Absolutely stunning views. If you're a photographer (like me) don't rush these trails. Walking sticks are handy! Some Bicyclist have zero road side courtesy be very careful. Lots of locals who know these grounds very well. Newbies beware, and take your time. read more

See all

I saw this place on Yelp since we were nearby at the flower garden and OMG it was so beautiful and had great foliage/tree line coverage!!! We did have to wait a bit for a parking spot until a bicyclist got into their car, it was 85° outside and with the beautiful tree foliage felt like maybe 70?! We were so lucky to have found this great little nook!!! As we walked, one trail to the right hand side, there was a broken bridge, and my dogs got a little scared with all the bicyclist speeding down the trail, so we decided to go back and take the left-hand trail. Upon doing so we found a broken bridge, but there was another slightly, further trail to the far left maybe 10 feet over the little creek. My dogs were able to cross easily! In the end, my dogs didn't want to walk all the way to Phoenix lake, sadly they're older, 10 years old and they get picky and since this was later in the afternoon and we already went 5 miles at Isabel this morning they were not into doing another hike! Lol so we will definitely come back and hike out till Phoenix lake! But this little glimpse of a journey was so beautiful and relaxing. I loved it!! read more

See all

One of the most beautiful hikes in Marin. Easy hiking, although not fully ADA compliant. Dog friendly--leashes & clean-up, please. Lots of hikers, runners, cyclists, kids, and dog walkers. It has lovely shaded areas and beautiful waterfalls after rains. The parking lot can get crowded. There is limited street parking in neighboring areas. read more

Gorgeous hike by the water. I've been coming here for decades, and it never gets old. The whole loop around will take about an hour and is simply magical. It's got waterfalls, trees, turtles sunning on logs. Perfection! read more

Lovely lake to hike around. You can also mountain bike to Mount Tam from there. Parking can be challenging on weekends.

Great little hidden hike around Phoenix Lake is a highlight in Marin. We love to walk in nature, and some days we want a strenuous hike with some grueling, "work hard for" views, other days we just want an easy, mellow hike, mostly flat with some gentle ups and downs and the reward of a gorgeous view. Phoenix Lake is the later. The complete walk around the lake can be done in 45 minutes, coming in at three miles. A gentle walk around a small watershed is especially wonderful in the first few weeks in November when the leaves are in the process of turning in the area. There is some up and down steps and some sheer drops on the backside of the lake, so if you bring an older hiker (parent or grandparent) you might just aim for half of the hike without the steps & ups and downs, which will still get you around half the watershed. If you mountain bike, you can start from the parking lot here, and peddle out towards the Laguintas Watershed from Phoenix Lake. The one major limitation of hiking at Phoenix Lake is its very small, parking lot. You may not find a spot to park, or may have to wait a while. read more

See all

One of the most gorgeous Lakes on Planet Earth! I come here occasionally to mountain bike around the Three Lakes. That bike ride is cleverly named "The Three Lakes Ride." On a spring or summer day there's bound to be lots of people here. The locals pretty much know how beautiful this area is. The easiest way to access the lake is to park at Natalie Coffin Greene Park. Then it's a brief slight uphill hike to get to the lake. The lakes in this area are part of the Mount Tamalpais watershed. That is, the water is actually used to provide a Municipal Water Supply. That's why they don't allow you to jump in the lake. So please don't do that. The Marin Water District is in control of this land, and they have Park Rangers who helped watch out for hikers. I happen to meet a very nice Ranger today, who happened to see my bike left near a trail, ans was afraid something had happened to me. He actually waited a half hour to make sure I was okay. The only bad thing about this lake is the access. There are literally only 23 parking spaces at Green Park, which is the main entrance to get to the lake. This morning, at 6:45 a.m., there were literally only four spots left. The spots were all taken at 7 am. read more

See all

To walk around the circumference of the lake is a little under 3 miles. I think most people come just for this and to picnic afterwards but you really can veer off go off on all sorts of different trails in all directions. I've done a few different variations like hiking up to Bald Hill (around 3 miles RT with an amazing view), Deer Park, and to Bon Tempe Lake. You can even get to Mt. Tam from here. My favorite trail is the Bill Williams Trail because it's canopied in trees and you feel like you are in the deep in the woods. During the rainy season there are waterfalls on this part of the trail. The parking situation is pretty sparse, there are only a handful of spots so unless you want to be that person that idles in their car and stalks people waiting for someone to leave it's best to just park in downtown Ross and walk an extra mile. I actually like Bon Tempe and Lake Lagunitas better because you see more lake and I enjoy the drive out there however Phoenix lake is better if you want something closer to civilization and don't want to pay $8 for parking. read more

See all

It's been a long time since my last visit to Phoenix Lake. I did the hike recently around the lake and soaked up all the breathtaking viewpoints of the lake. I couldn't stop taking pictures! The hike from the parking lot is a gradual incline and some steps before you see the lake. The majority of the trail is flat with a few inclines here and there. It's a great hike if you want to get your heart rate up. There are some pretty cool steps about the half way point. The redwood trees are stunning, you don't have to go to Muir Woods to see these magnificent giants. Getting to the lake can be a bit tricky. Turn left at the stoplight in front of the Marin Art and Garden Center in Ross. Parking is limited so make sure you get there extra early on the weekends. read more

Phoenix Lake - Hiking Near Me - Ross, California

I feel so guilty to now only being exposed to this wonderful outdoor location right in my backyard. I guess this falls into the "better late than never" saying as I was very happy to spend some time trekking it up at this location. Fearing the parking situation I decided to show up early, and when I say early, I mean over an hour before a group activity either to wait or worst case explore the area. Found a parking space right away and started the journey solo for an hour, absolutely stunning grounds and connects to many other local trails, so forget about a short trek if that is what you believe you stumbled upon. A huge plus is the fact that the multiple trails offer different levels of exertion, and me being the foolish self that I am, I found the most difficult one to hike solo (Eldridge Ridge). I feel bad that I missed out on all the other trails today, but count me in for round two through 20 or until all are complete. Side note, beware of the three leafed menace that is overtaking paths during the warm months. read more

See all

It was a great hike! A little under 3 miles.. Lots of shade! It was hard to find parking. We had to park down the street & walk up. It wasn't that bad... about 15 min walk up. read more

Phoenix Lake - Hiking Near Me - Ross, California

See all

Totally worth the hunt for parking. Don't expect to find any parking at the actual lot because it's likely already full. And don't get discouraged by all the No Parking signs in the surrounding streets, the hidden cameras, or the lack of sidewalks. It all adds to the adventure of finding a lovely place to start your family hike. We parked over on Ferndale and took a lovely stroll over to the Ross Trail which starts directly in front of the country club (it might actually be on their property). From there, it's a scenic little journey to the lake. We made a right at the lake and followed the fire road all the way to the old log cabin. Had it been earlier in the day, we would have done the big loop around the lake. But alas, it was getting late so we turned around and headed back. We saw families, couples, friends, cyclists, and other fellow fans of nature. Great spot to air out children. read more

Phoenix Lake is still one of my favorite places to hike. As I mentioned in my previous review (2015), this park is a "slice oh Heaven on earth." Or, at the very least, it's like a little piece of Europe in our backyard. Pros: - Spectacular scenery (the lake; the trees; the friendly wildlife) - can't beat it! - Dog-friendly (so long as they're on leash) + Biker-Friendly. - plenty of benches with beautiful, lake-side views - hiking trails for all fitness levels (if you're not much of a hiker, you can still enjoy yourself without working up too much of a sweat.). - the entire property is beautifully landscaped and maintained. Everything is immaculate! - bathrooms in the parking lot Cons (actually, I only have two... but they're big ones): - The parking situation. You have this spectacular park and only 15 parking spaces in the lot. What really sucks is that there's plenty of space in their parking area to accommodate more cars, but they don't open it up. And then the nearest spot to park your car is a good half mile away. It really takes away from the whole experience. - If you've never been here before, it's kind of hard to find. Don't rely on GPS because it might take you on a wild goose chase. All in all, Phoenix Lake is totally worth a visit. Whether you're a hiker or biker, there's plenty to see here. read more

Phoenix Lake - Hiking Near Me - Ross, California

See all

Here's a multipurpose getaway not far from civilization. It's a cute little lake that offers a good range of options. One is to hike around the lake itself. This is a short jaunt which, while not very easy, is still easy enough for most people to do. I just went around the lake with a hunny that needs walking sticks for these kind of trails and did not have them this time, and a 7-year-old girl, and they both handled it fine, although my hunny was a little tired at the end. The beginning is tough if you're out of shape because it's all uphill, but it's not a steep uphill. And there are several wooden staircases on the foot-traffic-only portion, one is the infamous 70 steps. Your dog will love it too. The other is to use Phoenix Lake as a trailhead for a long trek into the Marin Watershed. Eldridge Grade starts here, and you can hike or bike to the top of Mt. Tam. Or you can bike to Five Corners and go in many different directions, and the trails range from somewhat flat to quite gnarly. The scenery is typical inner Marin County: muy bueno. The lake is pretty even when it's low on water. Lots of shade on the trail, with several exposed areas. We even heard a coyote howl, then saw that same coyote a few minutes later. Little water and few restrooms. For more photo options, you can go on the long treks. As a bonus, there's a small picnic area at the small parking lot. I'd love to give it 5 stars, but there are two things that probably can't get fixed: (1) Small parking lot, and the surrounding streets are No Parking zones, so you're looking at a much longer walk if you need to park outside. Weekends are the worst. You can solve this problem by buying one of the surrounding little abodes for only five million dollars, and walking in; such a deal! (2) Most mountain bikers are considerate, but on the first portion, we were almost run over by a yahoo who came around a blind curve fast without bothering to slow down. I found in my mountain biking days that this is to be expected, and as much as the biking community pleads for everyone to be considerate and SLOW DOWN on these blind curves, the yahoos will always be with us to spoil it for the rest. A gorgeous hike that I hope you can fit into your schedule. read more

See all

This lake SORELY needs some water!!!! A good 10-15 feet of it markedly absent as we rounded the lake counter-clockwise style, taking the wide pebbled path around.... Going this way affords one an easy downhill trail descending steps toward the end of the hike. Takes about 2hours to complete, from PO back to PO parking. Straight up the hill on Lagunitas, passing country club on left. When trail first offers a split near Yolanda trail, veer to left. Always take the left option!! When trail splits off again to Shaver grade and Fish, you've got to backtrack a bit and take the trail going along the creek called PHOENIX ORD. In order to hook onto Gertrude Trail. If one wants to check out more walking and go toward Five Corners or Lagunitas Lake, still, one needs to backtrack to Gertrude in order to circle the lake. Once around Gertrude, go around and take a right at Old Ross Tr..just past Allen Trail.NO MAPS FOR THE AREA... Read many reviews where folks got bit lost. There is a whole day's worth of hiking if one wants to start at this trailhead and go over to Lagunitas and Bon Tempe, though I wouldn't recommend it. Parking lot at the lake directly holds approx 20 cars. Parking at post office plentiful, but 3 hour limit for weekends & hols. Enjoy nature!!! Easy to mildly moderate hike grade. Very popular bike and run location. read more

Is there a better way to get some exercise and still relax than a hike around Phoenix Lake? It's a stroll, really, so green that you can feel how fresh the air is with every breath. The hike easily lends itself to a conversation along the way. Be sure and stop every so often and appreciate your surroundings. It's the kind of hike that doesn't require a whole day to plan, find, and conquer. Just a refreshing walk to rejuvenate your day, catch up with a friend, clear your head and still have the energy to get back to business afterwards. On the weekend we often run into other Marinites that we know, and their kids, setting out for a hike or bike ride that is eminently do-able for the young ones. often, after we have walked the circumference of the lake itself, we peel of and take one of the trails that lead away, like spokes on a wheel, until we're ready to head back. Of course, there are longer interpretations of those trails that take a much more ambitious loop back to the car, if you're feel like achieving g a goal. Keep in mind that the parking lot is small, so it fills very quickly. To counter that, we like to get our heart rate up with a walk in from the Ross, where we park the car by the Common. Sea' there! read more

St Patrick's Day brought a welcome respite from the rain. To celebrate all things green on this day, the girlfriend & I made it out to Phoenix Lake, yet another hidden pocket of outdoor beauty in Marin. At the trailhead to the lake there is a parking lot, but it's tiny. To get 1 of these precious few parking spaces, the best time to go is during the week, on a Holiday, right when most folks are heading to pubs. At least that's how it worked out for us. The Phoenix Lake area isn't nearly as big as some other outdoor places in Marin, but there's no lack of little hiking trails through the hills surrounding the lake. Also, despite it's smaller size, Phoenix Lake still delivers that mystical sense of isolation that so many places in Marin provides. Not too far away is the city, but there's no hint of that here. Phoenix Lake is a beautiful little hidden gem that is a wonderful & not distant place for fresh air, outdoor activity & quick decompression, if you can find parking. read more

See all

Gayle and I try to take a good hike every weekend, except maybe when my son is in town. He needs the exercise too, but actually getting him on the trail is often more effort than the hike itself. We like to take Yogi too, and as long as we bring a bowl and some water, this happy and sure footed dog will go for miles. I vaguely remember looping around Phoenix Lake with a friend about 5 years ago, and kept this hike in the back of my mind for a repeat trek. Yesterday was the day, as we were looking for an invigorating walk, a pretty locale, and a decent road trip. We skipped the Ross Commons "park and walk" idea and headed straight to the end of Lagunitas Road. Maybe it was the heat or our Noon arrival, but parking spots were plentiful, and we almost had the entire peaceful lake to ourselves. We should have perhaps paid more attention to the map or our on-line research. After walking up to Phoenix Lake, we immediately turned left, thinking we would loop around clockwise. However, we missed the required right turn up the canyon and ended up following the creek some more and looping up and left to Phoenix Road and then back down to our original lake trail. At the same time, we felt virtuously exercised, and eager to return soon to Phoenix Lake soon to get it right. The only other thing I would have liked to know before coming here, was where to go after wards for outside seating, a cold beer, and an adjacent place to park the dog. It turned out that the Marin Brewing Company in Larkspur was one of those places. read more

Phoenix Lake is a great place to go for a lifetime of workout motivation. I love biking the trails here up to 5 Corners, but it's always humbling to have a 60-year-old woman pass you on the way up. Since it's Marin, she's most likely been training since I was born. Regardless of your speed, the trails here are so much fun. From the parking lot in Ross, it's a quick climb to the beautiful lake where hikers and dog walkers share the trail. There's an easy, shaded loop around the lake for hikers, but if you stay to the right of the lake, the trails continue up Mt Tam. There are multiple paths to choose from, but I like the one up to 5 Corners. It's a nice, continuous upward slope to five more paths. There's one that continues up the mountain at the steeper incline and another that allows you to race down to Fairfax. You can also coast down the one you just came up. What's really nice thing about Phoenix Lake is that there are trails for any level. It's a hiker and bikers' playground with endless possibilities for adventures. read more

See all

Check out the directions below. Definitely do not input into Google Maps or you will be driving around in circles through many neighborhoods. Beautiful 3 mile loop, perfect for a nice run. Very serene and not too crowded. I went on a Saturday afternoon, 80 degrees out. Parking was limited but we got lucky. Directions From San Francisco: 1. Take US-101 North to Sir Francis Drake Blvd in Larkspur (exit 450B). 2. Merge onto Sir Francis Drake Blvd. 3. Turn left onto College Ave. 3. After passing the College of Marin, turn left onto Lagunitas Rd. at the stoplight. 4. Proceed 1.1 miles to the end of the road, entering the Natalie Coffin Park (also known as Phoenix Lake Park). Hope this helps save others a good 45 minutes :). read more

Parking: limited, which is great because it limits the amount of people on the trail. Trail: easy. I jogged it and only walked a couple times (mostly because I'm out of shape). Shade to sun to shade to sun. If you're going for the loop around trail, I might recommend long pants. Beware of poison oak along the beaten path. You can easily park, walk up about a quarter mile and park yourself on a bench in front of the gorgeous, glistening lake with a snack, book and a friend. read more

See all

As an avid diver who is well traveled, I had the fortunate opportunity to advance this site for our dive group. Upon arrival the technician was extremely knowledgeable and always put the safety of the diver first. The site A/O is pristinely kept and affords several options for divers and non divers alike. Air fills are quick and affordable. The dive shop itself is completely under rated on the web site. This site is easily ratable as a 5 Star facility. The surrounding area has plenty of tree canopy and the parking area is a quick walk to the plunge. read more

Phoenix Lake is a hidden gem. Having grown up in San Rafael, it still took me 28 years to make a trip out there. If you want to be able to park in the parking lot you should either get there VERY early or you have to wait quite a while for a parking spot. We parked about a mile down Lagunitas Rd. and walked into the park which was perfect for us because we wanted a few more miles on our hike. The loop around the lake is very mellow in hiking terms-- little batches of stairs but other than that nothing extreme. It is a beautiful little walk around the lake. My favorite part is the creek and the bridge that goes over it. We stopped for lunch and saw SO many mountain bikers so now I am dying to take my mountain bike out there next time. read more

Another Beautiful hiking spot. I wish I would have checked out the reviews we drove in circles but finally made our way. Breath taking view and love the historic log cabin.Definitely recommend getting here early parking lot is very small had to wait till someone left. A bonus is it is dog friendly so you can bring your pooch. read more

My favorite easy hike in Marin! It's a 3 mile trek to go around the reservoir. Always very serene and rarely crowded.

If you're serious about walking, get in your car and drive to the Ross Post Office. It is the real trailhead for Phoenix Lake. Also, you can park there free upto three hours. Turn onto Lagunitas uphill -- a long, rolling, slow rise -- good for mild cardio workout and extra good for everyday walking. The road is mostly tree-lined and shaded and the houses are some of the nicest in Marin. Most of them are in the $2-million to $10-million bracket, so leave your checkbook at home. There are two water fountains along the way. If you don't know where they are, bring a quart bottle full. As you pass the Country Club on the left, choose either to stay on the road or to take a dirt trail on the left. I usually take the road going up and the trail coming down (the trail has a lot of exposed roots and rocks, so it's a bit of an ankle-twister). When you get to the lake level, your choices are to start around it clockwise or counter-clockwise. Most people go clockwise. I don't know why they do that. Maybe clockwise is a cultural thing, or perhaps it's written that way in a guidebook. I usually go counter-clockwise. Why? Because there's is a course of about 70 steps UP in the clockwise direction and that stairway is DOWN if you go counter-clockwise. That's it. The whole walk (Post Office to Post Office) is less than two hours depending on how long you stop to take pictures. To get a recognizable shot of the endangered Western Pond Turtles, you will need at least a 150 mm lens or longer. Last week I followed a Great Blue Heron around the southern shore. Definitely need a polarizer for any shots near the lake. read more

Phoenix Lake has a perfect loop around a gorgeous lake. When I run, I like to run on soft narrow trails that wind through the woods...this is what you get here...and the loop is just long enough that when I'm really booking it takes me about 35 minutes, just perfect for a short run...My dog Neo loves it too, and I do let him off leash while we run, though some other runners remind me that he should be on leash... There are lots of side trails that go up into the surrounding areas, past waterfalls and up the ridges. And to get there, you have to drive through Ross - definitely my favorite part of Marin - the old growth trees and large yards remind me of my home in Atlanta. The only troublesome part is the parking - there is a relatively small lot , and if you go at peak times you're likely to have to wait in line for a spot. But, be patient - it's totally worth the wait, and enjoy!! read more

I love to run, but I am too bored with running on the treadmill at the gym. Nothing gets the blood pumping like fresh air, hills and nature! Phoenix lake is the perfect beginner level hiking spot for anyone looking for a great evening hike, or a long ass kicker on the weekends. I love to do a quicky evening run here from time to time. If you come around 6:15-6:30 you will always find a parking spot in the lot and finish your run just in time for the sun to start setting. The lake trail is the perfect balance of flats, hill climbing, and a few sets of stairs for running. The weekends can be tricky, so I would park near the church on Lagunitas Road and add a little more to your walk/hike/run. There are so many other trails that connect near the lake so you can turn your short hike into an all day adventure. This place is dog friendly, but be sure to carry a leash and poop bags because this is a local's spot and they will let you have it if you break the rules. Happy trails to you! read more

This is a stunningly beautiful place, with water views of the lake, or a stream, at virtually every turn through various types of trees, redwoods, firs, manzanitas, and others I can't identify. We walked the 2.7 mile lake loop today after parking maybe a mile away from the actual parking lot (which was packed with a waiting line at around 2 PM). If you are luck enough to get street parking (3 hours on one side of the street only) the walk through the posh but pretty neighborhood is an easy warm-up. When we got to the lake, we chose to go counter clockwise and avoid the large number of stairs that can be challenging to start off with if you choose to turn left instead of right when given the choice. That didn't mean that we avoided stairs: there were a decent number of them throughout the trail, but they were not as many steps as the single stairway that will meet you if you choose to go clock-wise around. The trail is very well maintained and, for the wider parts, on a weekend, very well traveled by bikers as well. There was a large dark beautiful log cabin (which is fenced off) that overlooks the lake and appears quite magical with its thick wavy-grained wood frames around each window and the tall spire. I don't know if it is currently occupied but it really is not your ordinary cabin in the woods. If you're a birder, bring your binoculars because there are quite a few woodland birds, (creepers, kinglets, woodpeckers) and dabbling birds (mergansers, greebs, etc). As a regional protected watershed, this place is kept vey much natural and I loved seeing the snags with all the woodpecker holes, the fallen tree trunks with all the wood funguses, the heavy mosses growing on the trees (and ferns growing from the mosses). You owe it to yourself and family to try this wonderful treasure. read more

This is a hidden gem - a lovely spot that probably doesn't get too crowded because the parking lot can only hold 2 dozen cars. It's much better than Lake Merced for running or strolling. The path around the lake is mostly a narrow, well-worn dirt path. It's not flat. The elevation changes and there are several short staircases to climb. You get to run through an area with tall trees, hear the birds calling and actually feel like you're in nature. The path around the lake also leads to other trails that I haven't had the chance to explore. Plus it takes you back to the starting point. Bathroom facilities are available but not much else. Free parking. read more

Favorite trail run in the north bay! Start at Ross Commons Post office because the parking lot for the actual lake gets super crowded and is really small. If you do have to park there, go early.. Start at the post office parking lot, and run to the parking lot for phoenix lake...(pass the tennis courts and the super secret water fountain)...go up the trail...when you get to an intersection you can go around the lake for a nice two mile run, fairly flat, some small hills/steps/bridges...or go straight and around the lake counter clockwise and head up shaver...super steep but worth it...and then down on the yolanda trail (down, up, down...mostly)...single track...and back through the neighborhood... favorite one! Never crowded but usually enough people to make you feel that if you fell and broke your leg someone would find you pretty quickly... read more

If you are looking for a lake with a diverse climate, a place to take the kids, a flat place to walk your dog, jog or embark on a bike trip through Mt. Tam, Phoenix Lake is the place for you. To get to Phoenix Lake, turn onto Lagunitas Ave. from Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and if it is a weekend, turn into the Ross Post Office Parking Lot and park there. On the weekends, Phoenix Lake is absolutely packed with locals out taking a hike, biking or fishing. There are trail options along the lake such as the Yolanda Trail and the Bill Williams Trail which are less crowded but on the most packed days, even they may not escape the overflow of people. Back to directions: continue on Lagunitas Rd, passing through the woodsy Ross which should be a precursor to the even more isolated Phoenix Lake. If you see a full parking lot however, you will think not. Lagunitas Rd ends at Phoenix Lake parking lot which charges a fee. Around the trail head, there are bathrooms and a picnic table so if you are already feeling tired from looking for a spot, you can sit down. If you want a route with less people and more redwoods, follow the trail leaving the picnic area which soon leads to a steep climb. If you want a more gradual route, do not care strongly one way or the other about a redwood grove or do not mind a biker flying down the hill, take Phoenix Lake fire road. In about 7-9 minutes, these two routes end at Phoenix Lake Dam. From here, there are numerous options. You could loop around the lake by continuing left or right to the Gertrude Ord trail. Left and right on the fire road both are a mix of grassland and trees which can be hot in the summer so leave your sweater at home. Gertrude Ord trail is another story with a mixed forest of redwoods and hardwood trees. It is biker free and although there will be an occasional hiker, jogger or dog walker, it gives a cooler feeling and has a less hectic vibe. A loop around Phoenix Lake from Phoenix Lake parking lot is 2.8 miles. Other options include Worn Spring Fire Rd, Yolanda Trail, the fire roads at Phoenix Lake Junction, Bill Williams Trail and the Harry Allen Trail. I will explain these options further in a different review. I have a few words about one that stands out: Bill Williams Trail. It traverses a redwood filled canyon that has barely anyone. It is not even steep except for one tiny section. There is even an old dam on the trail from an old water source from 100 years ago. Also, this is one of the first trails I visited on Mt. Tam so it helped me become very interested in the mountain at a young age. A loop from the parking lot with Bill Williams/Tucker/Harry Allen trails would be 3.1 miles. Pros: Phoenix Lake is a good place because it is about seven minutes from Downtown Ross, it has great options for other hikes, the trail around the lake is flat so you can take the kids and the dog. Cons: It can be crowded on the weekends, hot in the summer and it is difficult to find a place to park (parking in Ross gives a nice beautiful walk to Ross so if you are not pressed for time, it could be a pro.) read more

Walking distance from my house and I've taken every girlfriend of mine here with great results. But I'm not married and maybe that's a good thing? It's one of the more peaceful parts in this area except for the weekend bikers who often come too close to pedestrians! You can spend hours going off the numerous trails. Real treat. read more

Last week the pooch and I had a very enjoyable walk on the path around the lake. It was very peaceful and quiet - in fact, the silence really struck me! It's been a while since I've been somewhere that quiet! Lots of wild life - birds, turtles, lizards. Few people when I was there too - just the occasional biker coming down the fire road across the lake. Good hills for a mild workout - watch out for slippery steps though! The underbrush is dense and things tend to be damp. If your pup is with you, be on the lookout for ticks! I found one on my poochie's face but was able to swipe it off before it took hold. The loop took us about an hour, which included some little breaks to take in the beautiful views. Lots of other trails that shoot off the main to check out next time. Beautiful, beautiful little lake. read more

I try to hike or run up here as much as I can. It's beautiful all year long and the trails range from easy to challenging. My favorite trail is Yolanda, which is up to the right of phoenix lake. Bald mountain also has some pretty spectacular views from the top (and it's a great place to watch the fireworks from on 4th of July). On your way down, Hidden Meadow is also a beautiful trail that winds through trees, shrubbery, and of course, a meadow. If you want an easier hike, you can just go around the lake, which is mostly flat. I absolutely love this area, and will continue to frequent it as often as possible. read more

Great hike with the the Yelp group today. Kevin takes such great care of us and the hike was beautiful, mostly shaded and only slight inclines. The parking lot is very small but if you are going for a hike then who cares if there's an extra hike from parking in town. Just add 1 mile either way. read more

See all

Nice hike around lots of pretty water! When I went, the lake was too full to even finish the last loop of the hike, since the trail must have been underwater. Beautiful waterfalls, easy hike. read more

Decided to check out some of the hikes Marin has to offer and ended up here! We drove in from Berkeley on a Saturday afternoon at about 2PM (there is a toll coming from that direction, btw) and parked at the Ross Post Office. Once you turn onto Lagunitas you'll turn onto Ross Common and there's plenty of parking in that area, since the actual lot near the trailhead is tiny, with 10-15 parking spaces at most. There's 3 hour parking which is plenty of time for you to walk to the trailhead, hike around the lake, relax, and be back before your three hours is up. It's a small town so it looks like even if you did go over the 3 hour mark it wouldn't be a problem. To get to the trailhead you just continue down Lagunitas and further on you can decide between the trail or the road; I chose the trail because we came to hike afterall. Beautiful and very nature-y, fairly shady as well. Once we got to the lake it was GORGEOUS! It was also a nice low 70s kind of day, perfect for a hike like this. I know people said to avoid going clockwise because of the stairs, which is why I decided to go clockwise to check it out. The stairs aren't bad at ALL so why not go clockwise for an extra little workout :) The route along the lake itself was a mix of shade and sun; I assume that on a hotter day you would probably get a little more tan than I did that day. I think I saw bathrooms somewhere by the lake, and if not there are definitely porta-pottys by the post office if you keep walking down Ross Common. Personally I hate porta-pottys but this one was probably twice the size of a normal one and not bad at all! There's also a cute park/school/lawn area that you can picnic on across the street from the post office. Since it was the weekend before 4th of July they had already started decorating and the red white and blue everywhere was picture perfect, just like little towns from old movies! Overall I HIGHLY recommend the hike. I went on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn't too crowded, but with just enough people to let you know it's an enjoyable place. Also great for pictures :) read more

I think this hike is beautiful and moderately easy. We have been year many times whether it was for hiking, just stroll along the lake, or enjoying the nature. The place is hidden behind a neighborhood in Ross. Hubby loves it too, he likes to run on the trails. Come early, parking is limited inside the park, but if you don't mind, you can park in the neighborhood and walk inside. The neighborhood looks beautiful in the fall anyway! read more

See all