Spring and late winter is time to come when everything is nice and green. By May the grass dries up and looks like straw. The marsh looks out to Mount Burdell and Sonoma County. This is a great place for birdwatching with lots of ducks, geese, swans, herons and others swimming in the marsh. At about a mile and a half in you can turn around and go back the way you came or take a loop taking you along Atherton Boulevard where parts of the path are adorned with irises, oleander, and lavender. Both of these are around 3 miles. For something longer you can add the Bahia loop which is another 4.5 miles. I usually prefer a loop to an out and back hike, however here I rather do out and back since I prefer be closer to the water than a street with cars going by. read more

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A great mountain bike ride (or hike) that's not too strenuous but plenty of small terrain elevation to make it fun. Years ago we started at the trailhead alongside Highway 101, now we drive down Atherton and turn on Bugeia Lane (which turns into Bahia Drive). Park at the trail head and take the Bahia Loop trail. There are trails all over the preserve but our favorite is a 6-mile out and back. The first part you drive through the hills fronting the Petaluma River Wetlands. There is some up and down but not extreme, but watch for hikers and horses (we always stop for horses and ask to pass). It's a single track that's fun to ride, beware of poison oak that creeps over the trail in Spring and summer. The 2nd part of the ride is on a fire road - you make your way up and overview the marshlands. We take the fire road and turn around at the wooden bridge. It's very common to see flocks of ducks, egrets and even pelicans here. A fun ride (or hike) out in nature. read more

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I was so pleasantly surprised with this hike. I had always thought it might be boring and short. We ended up hiking 8 miles and it was gorgeous. I definitely think early spring would be better than summer when most the greenery will have turned brown. I can see it might get hot here too. We enjoyed seeing wildflowers, many cool birds (including a snowy egret & blue heron) and some nice views. If I could change one thing it would be to add in some benches here and there. With a 8 mile hike it's nice to have a spot in to sit & eat a snack. read more

It's been a long time I haven't hiked here. Oh man it was worth it! :) Definitely people do respect the mask and being more than 6ft apart from you. People do greet and notices when you are coming. I always hear "hello!" "Good morning" or "good afternoon" and "I'm on your left or right side" I've seen dogs coming by here and horses as well. And i also see wildlife animals (mostly birds). Its a relaxing hiking trail. Bring a small backpack to carry your water bottle and your small belonging. Don't leave anything in your car. :) read more

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Pleasant place for a nice relaxing walk on relatively flat land. There are a few length/loop options as well as the option of just turning around whenever & doubling back to the start. Plenty of space for parking along both sides of the road at the preserve main entrance. The trail is spacious with plenty of room to share for others. Walkers, runners, bikers and horseback riders can all be encountered here, but it's generally fairly non-busy and enjoyable. Keep an eye out and you may observe a fair amount of wildlife on your journey - critters, deer, many birds & waterfowl. Many spots for bird watching along the way. Most of the time I loop by just taking the first bridge right onto the fire road that runs along the homes to the sidewalk trail leading back around to the entrance point. Only downside is since being along a marsh & water the trail can be pretty messy during the winter and rain season. Will stay wet and muddy in a lot of spots quite a while after rain! Just don't accidentally come in your nicer shoes during those times :) read more

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Took this hike for the first time the other day. The positives: - out of the way so not crowded - easy to get to off 101 - easy clean path with little change in altitude - peaceful Not so grand - the path is pretty far from the water so not able to see as much wildlife as we'd hoped But a nice quiet, unpopulated, easy hike. read more

Rush Creek Preserve - Hiking Near Me

Here is the What3Words for the trail head and parking; talked.formed.gangs What3Words is a free navigation app for your phone that will guide you to places without an address. The trail was flat and followed the edge of wetlands. It was very easy to hike. A bit soggy in short sections this wet season. Wear real hiking shoes and you'll be fine. Bring binoculars to see the water fowl. read more

This is one of my favorite trails in all of Novato, even in the rain it delights. There are two ways to take the trail, one off Binford Rd (just off Atherton/101) and the other is out in Bahia. The Binford Rd fire road has a waste can for dog poop and bags for people to use on the trail (use the bags people, if you don't you are really a bad person at this point) and ample parking along the side of the road. You can hike, bike or take a horse (I have never seen a horse but I have seen evidence) on the fire road. This is a really wide and unshaded road that is great for a quick jog or to stomp in the puddles with the kiddos. You will see lots of birds and the occasional plane taking off or landing at Gnoss Field. I like jogging until you get to Cemetary marsh then then looping back. There is a trail that follows the fenceline to the right that goes up and single tracks around to the sidewalk. Sometimes I go on this trail then scamper up a trail that goes up very quickly then follows the ridgeline until it drops onto the sidewalk and you can loop back. This offers really nice panoramic views and is more woody than the fire road. The Bahia trail is a single track that is woody and has more ups and downs, a dedicated trail runners trail. Parking is on the street and you have to bring your own dog waste bags. About a mile in you will see the tree marked with a sign indicating there is a live bee hive and if you look below it you will see the rusted out body of an old car on the hillside. I love wondering about how that got there. This is the trail that is usually quiet and you will see a few hikers or bikers but it is never really busy. It is a really wonderful way to get out of the city and still be only 5 minutes from downtown. I think that is a big reason I love living in this area. read more

This is a great place to hike - I did the circle which is about 3 miles last Friday. Ran into deer several species of birds I have never seen before. I love also taking photos along the way. Here are several nice scenic shots of this great wildlife preserve and open space and some of the wildlife. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wdunby/sets/72157633261281433/ read more

What a nice place to bike and hike, ride horses as well! I hike and bike few times per week here..is a very easy hike specially with kids.. Enjoy! read more

Rush Creek has become one of my favorite walking/ running/hiking spots. The acres of tree laden land, the smell of crisp air and adventurous atmosphere makes for a wonderful 2 -3 hour getaway. read more

Rush Creek Preserve - Running trail along Petaluma River - Hiking Near Me

Beautiful hike! Great for all ages- young to old. Beautiful scenery and the pond had swans, geese and ducks! Enjoy! read more

Rush Creek Preserve - Pond from the trail - Hiking Near Me

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Great place to hike, bike, or run! It's peaceful, less crowded, and located right off of 101. It's beats sitting in traffic!! read more

Rush Creek Preserve - One of my favorite trails to run in Marin County. - Hiking Near Me

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Lovely place for an easy hike if you stay on the lower trail that follows the water's edge. Climbing up the hill and seeing the more distant views makes for a more challenging hike. It's fun to discover the old rotted out car stuck between two trees. How did it get there? read more

What a lovely little hike! It's flat, tree-lined (in parts), along the water (in parts) and just a very relaxing stroll. It was not at all crowded when I went and there was ample parking. I hadn't been planning on hiking/walking so I was wearing tall boots, but it was fine! read more

My husband and I walked the loop trail around the small pond (from the bugeia entrance) at Rush Creek this morning. We saw a devil ray in the narrow waterway where the pier sits that holds the water cutoffs. Is this common? We also saw 2 foxes, a jack rabbit, ducks, egrets, stilts, pelicans, yellow finches, red-winged blackbirds and hawks! Beautiful!!! read more

Located just off of Atherton exit in Novato, there is a lovely place to hike called Rush Creek. With some street parking and maps at the entrance, one will find oneself after a few minutes in a beautiful setting that is quiet and serene. Cranes and various waterbirds can't be found throughout as you walk around a large creek bed just nestled be on the houses off of Atherton. I have done this walk twice and both times I am amazed by how clean and well-kept the pathways are. The hike around is a few miles and it is an easy place for anyone any fitness level to enjoy. While I highly recommend this area to hike, a part of me wants to keep it a secret. It's so relaxing to be out here walking either by myself or with a friend that I would hate for it to be overwhelmed with too many visitors. On the other hand, I think many of those who want to be in nature but don't want to travel far will find wonder in this magical little place. read more

Nice trail, not to crowded and easy to find. Would recommend if you enjoy an easy and relaxing hike.