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

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Every time I do a trail run here, we find new and exciting trails. Somehow they all link together at some point but the fact of the matter is, its beautiful! This place is well groomed and worth the hike to the top. I love running Phoenix Lake because its not heavily congested with other runners/hikers/bikers and an added bonus are the porta-potties that are scattered throughout. The views are breathtaking and after a light rain, the smell is amazing. read more

Me and the GF average one new park per month and this is one of our favorites. We were out on a Sunday and found the crowd light. Often times we were on our own pausing to spot woodpeckers, squirrel, bees and other little guys. The trail markers are a bit confusing so we were never quite sure where we were headed but after a few hours we ended up back at the dam. We'll be back. read more

Great for quick cardio session! :) Great place for a quick 2.8 mile run around the lake. Most of the trail is shaded with trees and has a few good hills for the extra boost in your work out! It's a breathtaking run, and it really doesn't feel that long at all. Also, has many good stairs for a good cardio session. Not too crowded either. The main road might have a few bikers, but big enough to share. The trail is much smaller, but not as crowded. read more

I love this lake! I used to go here as a kid and go fishiing with my dad and brother. We would catch lizards and snakes and look out for hawks. Its beautiful! There is a wide path that runs along one half of the lake, and then it turns into a narrower path that snakes it way up through the trees. Im not sure how long it is all the way around, but it makes for a great run. There is another trail around the (I believe) northwest side of the lake that will take up to the top of Mount Baldy. Its pretty awesome. There are picnic tables as well and its a great place to bring your kids for a day out in the open air. I'm mostly positive that dogs would be allowed as well. I think I remember bringing our dogs up there when I was a kid. It would be pretty lame if they weren't allowed! Awesome place. Check it out next time you're cruising through Ross. read more

Just discovered this place through a friend and went up a few days ago to hike and shoot some nature photography. The trails were clean and the sites were plentiful. Once in the thick of the woods the greenery is lush and full of vibrant colors. It's a great place that I will most certainly be back to. Enjoy nature! read more

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

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

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Very lovely spot. My friend invited me to take a little hike and we discovered this very accessible, dog-friendly, pretty, pretty spot. My dog discovered the joy of crossing a stream and then turning around and doing it again. Also, chasing lizards. Pack in a picnic and enjoy the sunny home of colorful flitting dragonflies and sparkling drops of sunlight on the surface of the lake. read more

There is much to love about this magical place. There are several benches around the lake itself, including one at waters edge, and another on a hill above. These are restorative spots for taking in views of the calming water as well as the symphony of birds, insects, and human voices in the distance. There is a trail going all around the lake that connects with the wider gravel path at two points, making it possible to hike all the way around the lake. It's a mostly mild hike with a few moderate inclines on the west side of the lake. There are a number of trailheads that connect here as well, making it a starting point for a variety of hiking adventures of varying difficulty. One of the trails leads to Lake Lagunitas. There is limited parking, which I consider a plus, minimizing noise and crowding, and making Phoenix Lake an appreciated destination for the true connoisseurs of Marin's stunning natural beauty. read more

I didn't know what to expect when visiting Phoenix Lake. It's very quiet there, so it seems like a great place to clear your head when walking. It's like Stow Lake, but without all the people and water boats, but way bigger. People seem to bring their bikes there and ride around. I went on a not so hot day, so the weather was fine. The walk around the lake seems great if you have a high energy dog who likes to exercise, but wouldn't be good for an old dog in my opinion. Maybe if you took lots of breaks and carried water for your dog. read more

This is a nice hike, especially if you start off and park your vehicle on Lagunitas Road. It's nice to see the beautiful homes along the street leading to the trail to Phoenix Lake. I've enjoyed hiking to Phoenix Lake and taking the Tucker Trail to Ben Williams Trail and get back to Phoenix Lake to walk around the entire lake. My dog loves this trail, as well. Great place for her! The add on of Tucker/Ben Williams trail is really pretty. There's some streams and flowing water, when there has been rain. These trails seem very less traveling compared to just walking around the lake. Some of Phoenix Lake is shaded & some of it is in the sun. Wear Sunscreen! read more

Phoenix Lake is a great dog friendly place to hike in Marin. It is far enough north that you're likely to escape the city fog and it seems to be a little less popular with tourists. Parking can be a bit of a challenge but if you don't find parking in the official lot try "Glenwood St.", there are some spots about a quarter mile away from the main entrance. I love the fact that the trails are dog friendly (although there is a leash law). There are enough trails to keep you very entertained for an afternoon and next time I go I'm planning to bring some picnic supplies. The lake itself is pretty small so the main source of enjoyment for me was the secluded trails that you had to yourself most of the time. read more

Whether you are a biker, runner, walker, or none of the above- get out to this oasis. It's a short 3 miles and difficulty level is about a 6/10. I LOVE running around Phoenix Lake because it has a few short climbs, but nothing to make you keel over. Totally gorgeous and feels like a get-a-way! If you are a biker, I highly recommend staying on the main path and climbing up to 5 corners. Head down into Fairfax and have a beer at Gestalt Haus! Trust me, people will think you are cool. read more

Perfect place to walk, or jog or bike ride. Nature at its best in Marin with peaceful water seemingly at every step. read more

Phoenix Lake is very beautiful in and of itself, but the fact that it's sooo close and easy to get to makes it even more beautiful! You can run around the lake in about 30min or walk it in about an hour. Also, you can go up Crowne Ridge Rd. for a pretty good hike (from the Phoenix Lake trail head go left around the lake and look for the Crowne Ridge Rd. sign on your lefthandside and go up the hill - actually, probably better to get a map!) I'm going to have to take away a star because parking can be pretty difficult, esp. in the mornings on the weekends (carpool people!) read more

I'm a big fan of Yelp and other review sites. I frequently use them to vet a product or service. But I found that when it came to leaving reviews myself, I was only doing it when I wanted to leave a bad review, when I'd had a bad experience. And of course that's not okay because if that's what everyone did, such sites would only be negative and unpleasant. So I have a rule that whenever I write a negative Yelp review, I have to write at least two positive ones! A pretty long explanation to get to reviewing Phoenix Lake! Giving Phoenix Lake a positive review is way, way too easy! It's a slice of heaven available to everyone. And it's in my backyard. I was born, raised and have always lived within ten minutes of Phoenix Lake. So I have a lot of memories, from high school and after. The most recent that come to mind are hiking up there with my children when they were just 4, 5, 6, 7, having a picnic near the water, skimming rocks, bumping into friends, hiking around the lake and exploring. Jogging around the lake and up the connecting trails has always been part of my repertoire, and many friends of mine, over the years. The latest time up there was about a year ago on a beautiful sunny day. My oldest daughter, fifteen at the time, who got out of school, had to get some pictures for her photography class and asked me if I'd like to join her. Heaven, pure heaven. read more

My family and I thought the lake was so beautiful! Our dog had an amazing time. They even have picnic tables ! Love it.

I was there last summer and loved this lake, it was so beautiful. The parking was already full and there was no parking space available in a mile radar, all the streets says no parking anytime signs. Between 4 of us we only took ONE car, by the way. We gave up and decided to do a different hike that my friend knew about .We ended up meeting wonderful gentlemen who are familiar with the trails and said we could still walk to the lake. We were thrilled! We basically followed them to the lake and reached this beautiful lake. It was worth the trip. read more

Beautiful hike - more of a stroll in the woods, really. Fairly easy if you just walk around the lake. Even my 85-year old granny has done this with me. You can make it more challenging if you follow other trails that stem off of it. Great for dogs too. read more

Beautiful and easy hike. Pretty flat the whole 2 mile loop around the lake with exception of a few stairs and moderate, gradual hills. There are plenty of trail runners and bicyclists. The parking is very tight, we waited about 15 mins for a spot to open up and this was on a Tuesday at 12 noon. I can't imagine the crowds on a weekend. The only other alternate parking is a 1/2 - 1 miles down the road in the residential neighborhood, and that is limited as we'll. Seeing all the exquisite estates in the area are a bonus! read more

Meh, the scenery's just okay here in my opinion. Maybe it's because I've gone walking and hiking in so many other places around SF that I didn't find it as inspiring as described in certain Bay Area hiking guides. At least here you don't have to pay for parking like you do at the nearby Bon Tempe and Lagunita Lakes. The parking lot does not provide spaces for too many cars (maybe about 20, if even that many), and if it's full the nearest parking is over a quarter mile away down the road. read more

Heavenly! Perfect for a walk and talk with a friend. Increase your cardio by running the trail around the lake. Parking is minimal in the lot, so park by the Ross post office and walk down charming Lagunitas Road to the base of the trail. read more

a great hiking spot which is definitely easy on the eye. Great memories of walking around the lake and just having a good time.

2011-02-06: Mt Tam watershed is such a great place that easily allows a quick escape of the hectic city for a few hours. Pheonix Lake is but one access point into this diverse trail system. What I really like about this watershed is that they do allow canine companions. You will also encounter runners and bikers. You can take it easy by taking a stroll around the lake or head high up into the ridges where you will be rewarded with 360 views. Parking is very limited at Natalie Coffin Park so I usually add a mile or so on by parking down in the residential area. Enjoy!!! read more

On Sat and Sunday parking can be tricky unless you have a friend who is a member at the Lagunitas Club. But worth the treck. I park downtown Ross, walk up Lagunitas Road and to the lake. There are some great trails from Phoenix to the top of Tam etc. read more

Love phoenix lake and walk around it almost every day. It's cool that there aren't many people through the week, but the parking lot is small and usually full. What is odd is lately there have been water dept trucks driving all over the place 5 or 6 of them, then yesterday a truck pulls a trailer up with a boat and they take a spin around the lake, all they were missing was a cooler full of beer & water skis! All the while trucks are cruising around the lake? it seems a bit excessive. read more

So we followed the directions from Yelp- totally a bad idea, because it took us on a wild labyrinth of a drive up crazy steep driveways of estates and the spotty cell signal wasn't helping- after scraping up the bottom of the car a half dozen times, we found a way easier way- park at Natalie Coffin Greene Park (maybe 25 parking spaces?) and take the trails to the lake! Very quick walk from the park to the lake, had some stairs right off the bat but it was alright! I'd recommend getting a map or knowing which trails go where- we wanted to walk around the lake but totally got off track and ended up on at least three other trails (beautiful though, totally not complaining) that were shaded half the time, almond river beds, we passed the Bill Williams Dam, crossed bridges, had lunch, somehow ended up in a residential area, then managed to get back to the lake! We were surprised by the lack of wildlife, we saw one lizard in the super exposed area of the trail by no birds at all! It's a dog friendly park, there are port-a-potties at the entrance of the trail, and you can pretty much decide on your own path which is nice because you can get away from everyone if you want. There were a few trail runners, and the water was so clear- beautiful place, we're planning on going again!! ....and taking the Jeep next time lol. read more

I love all of the trails running to and from Phoenix Lake, concrete pipe trail, five corners, its all so beautiful. I love the single track on the side and above Phoenix Lake, on of my favorite running spots. Just don't try to park in the parking lot, it a very long wait, its super easy to park in Ross and jog in. read more

Love Phoenix Lake. It is on our home town. The natural beauty is breathtaking. Parking can be a challenge on the weekends, so we usually walk from the Hub in town with the kids and then around the lake. Sometimes, we get lucky and find parking - but it is worth the walk. There are restroom (Port a potties) on site if you have little ones who need to go! The Lake is Beautiful ! read more

One of the most beautiful hiking spots in Marin...the only downside is that the parking is very limited. Aside from that, it is just beautiful! read more

Very nice quick hike around Phoenix Lake. Parking can be very crowded, so you may have to wait for a spot to open up. Highly recommended for a quick hike in a beautiful setting. read more

i've been running in this watershed for 10+ years. it's an amazing place to get away from the suburbs for a hike or a run. parking can be limited if you dont know where to go (ross commons, if you can stomach the mile+ walk to the dam). be sure to head up eldrige or shaver to lagunitas and bon tempe lakes. well worth the walk. yolanda is hands down the best trail in the area. and be sure to get on it at least once a week. it will do wonders for your mental state. read more

An amazing spot to hike/run...IF you can get a parking spot, which you can't unless you're extreeeeemely lucky. If you're up for a real trek, though, park in downtown Ross and walk the mile along Lagunitas to/from the Phoenix Lake trailhead. read more

Really amazing running/hiking paths that are a gem. I was so happy that my honey brought me here for a run. What a unique place and I can't believe I'd never been here before. The weather was hot but such a nice change compared to the foggy city. The trails are challenging which is great to keep you in shape. Can't wait to go back. read more

To anyone who walked around the lake today or anyone who walks around in the next few days: I have lost a small feather shaped trinket.. it's a tiny white stone in the shape of a feather, with a gold coloured tip....it is very special to me and I am desperate to find it... has anyone seen this?? read more