It's a long walk, on concrete, very shaded, and next to a beautiful reservoir where we get all our clean drinking water (after passing the reservoir, you basically only see trees). The main con is that you have to turn back since there's no loop (about 6 miles one-way), so you have to figure out where your stopping point is, otherwise the trail spans across multiple cities (north entrance in Millbrae, southern entrance in San Mateo). No pets allowed. There are restrooms at the beginning of the trail, and in the middle after going a good amount of distance. There were a lot of wildlife to be seen, like random families of deer, lizards, turkey couples, and even turkey vultures. In some puddles along the path, there were newly-hatched tadpoles. If you want a peaceful, quiet, long and shaded walk or bike ride, this is a solid choice. You will run into other groups along the way, as it is a popular and well-maintained trail. Sawyer Camp Trail's purpose is pretty niche, though, as I'd much prefer a path that loops or an option for elevated terrain. read more

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Really nice paved trail that my boyfriend brought me to so that we can enjoy a nice walk together. It was a beautiful sunny spring day, and the sunlight glittered on the water like diamonds. I'm not a big hiker, so I appreciate that this was mostly flat and paved, and we could go at a leisurely pace. Lots of people on their bikes come here too. Very comfortable hike. Just make sure you use the restroom before coming here. read more

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Sawyer camp south trailhead: yay there are shaded areas along the trail because there are so many trees! Feels good when you're walking for a while and you go in and out of shade, it's a natural cool down to regulate your temperature. Especially when there's just a small breeze it's wonderful The best view is at the beginning of the trailhead. If you just want to check out the view then just got the first mile worth. Then turn around. After that you don't see the reservoir as much, it's mainly covered by trees. Restrooms and trash/recycle bins along the way Mile markers are helpful read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Nice, paved and mostly exposed to the sun. Nice views of the reservoir. On weekends / holidays expect an increase in bikes, motorized boards and people. Good for families, but if you're looking for a "hike" versus a "walk", this is not for you. Given there's so many other cool hiking trails, I won't be back to this one. read more

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This trail is a nice quick water scenic walk in the peninsula! Fresh smell of trees as you wind downwards towards the water, ample parking at the top, and honestly a nice getaway that can be 20 minutes or a full few hours. highly recommend! read more

Beautifully paved trail right by the reservoir. I like to run and walk on this trail. There are a couple restrooms with hand sanitizer, but no water fountains. I've encountered deer and rabbits on this trail. Some spots of shade and wonderful views of the water. Parking is available near the trailhead and on the side of the road. I love seeing all the active people and families enjoying the serenity. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Nice flat trail that's great for walking or biking. It can be pretty crowded at the start, but once you get a few miles in, there are way fewer people and it feels much more peaceful. There are nice views along the way and a few bathrooms spaced out on the trail, which is really convenient. The trail is well kept overall. One tip: do not route yourself to the trailhead on the south side, as it took us to the Crystal Springs Golf Course access road, which does not actually have trail access. read more

Rain or shine, sawyer camp trail is beautiful. Ever since I discovered this trail, it's made my time in the bay so much more pleasant. I love the long flat running trail by the beautiful reservoir and the lush greenery. There are views of the water, secluded portions with big trees shading you and even bathrooms and water fountains throughout. Parking can be busy, but you can just park along the street. This is my all time favorite running trail in the bay and I would highly recommend it! read more

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Over the past decade, I've observed a lot of construction on this trail... and noticed one thing has always remained the same: beautiful, flat trails, which offer stunning views of the Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir [which unfortunately you aren't currently allowed to swim in! so beautiful & tempting, as a swimmer :-)] There are plenty of opportunity for plogging, too! This station added only a few years ago. Safe and friendly for the whole family, however keep an eye out for speeding pedal and e-bikes, as this is a popular commuting trail for SF Bay Area techies. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

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This area remains a favorite for me. Well-used paved smooth trails and views of Crystal Springs are relaxing. It's the end of August and the area is so dry, poison oak is bright red and mosquitoes and lizards are out in abundance. Bring water for the walk! There are bathrooms and benches available along this path (at the trail head and in the middle). Mile markers are helpful along the trail. Enjoy the fresh air and lake views. Parking is easy on weekdays ... and easier in the morning, it can get crowded on weekends and around 4 - 6 pm. read more

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Great area for walking in a safe area, surrounded by beautiful views! Restrooms available at start and at certain miles. Very clean! read more

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North of Hwy 92 exit on 280. Long paved trail along Crystal Springs Reservoir. Beautiful walk, joggers and bikers love it too. Weekends are more crowded with more bikes and runners mixed in with families and strollers. Looks mysterious when foggy. Nice breeze off the water most days. Brink water, and a hat. Benches along the trail for a rest. Watch out- poison oak along trail. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Trail head. - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

Not more than 10 minutes from downtown San Mateo is this beautiful trail along the water I've always seen driving down 280 freeway. It was such a pleasant view while I was doing a light run. Parking is available but gets busy. I went on a Wednesday around 9am and when I left around 10am it was pretty full! Notes: completely paved path so running after a rainy day isn't too bad. No pets and there is a restroom at the beginning and maybe around 0.5 mile mark. San Mateo residents are so lucky to have this trail. I look forward to my next visit here. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Deer along the trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

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This is such a nice casual trail for if you're just looking for some fresh air and nice views. Even with all the rain when I was here, it was still quite a beautiful area to go for a stroll. I highly recommend it if you find yourself in the area. There is a nice paved trail, gorgeous greenery, and of course the reservoir itself. Makes for a nice relaxing walk, and some great photos! read more

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Great hiking trail, part of it was shut down due to damage. Really beautiful sights to see (water), lots of wildlife, we saw two deer and a baby dawn. Nice to hike out on a sunny day and several park benches around. This place also has monuments built by a civil engineer commemorated at the end of the path near the parking lot. Harder to find parking. read more

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Beautiful park and trail along the reservoir. Great place for a long walk, run , people are bike riding. Everything is quiet and it's a good place to get away from the city for a while. There are some limited parking spaces and the rest are along the road. All free. There are some restrooms along the path. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

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A lovely place for a leisurely walk with friends or solo. It is pretty easy to park in the latter afternoon. read more

I can't really walk uphill for a long period of time because of a leg injury I got long ago. I was looking for a light hike and this was it! It was most certainly a beautiful and sunny day for a walk. If you walk on the trail, it goes about 6 mile or so. There are a lot of cyclists on the trail too. It faces the beautiful Crystal Springs. And if you don't know what Crystal Springs is, then you're sleeping on this one. It is so beautiful as you walk by this large body of water that almost looks blue. There is some wild life to observe around here; I ran into a family of wild turkeys trying to cross the trail. It was very cute. I also saw a hawk in the trees, some resemblance of a large bird that could take me out without much effort. There are signs to avoid rattle snake. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

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My favorite local running trail. Gorgeous views. Gentle hills add difficulty. There's a handy bathroom at the southern entrance, as well as one about a half mile north on the trail for any emergencies. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail is a 6 mile trail in San Mateo County near the San Mateo Highlands. The path is paved in asphalt and is used by walkers, joggers and cyclists. Dogs are not permitted on the trail. The tail is marked in on posts every 1/2 mile. There are restrooms and benches along the way. Sawyer Camp is an easy trail perfect for kids. From the trail Crystal Springs Reservoir is on your left, you will see ducks, turkeys, deer and birds. At 3.5 miles you will reach the Jepson Laurel area. The Jepson Laurel is established as being over 600 years old and the largest Laurel in California. read more

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During our visit we found out that the latter half of the trail was close for some maintenance. Even thought this was the case, it was an extremely pleasant hike due to the magnificent view of the water. At the start of the trail, there is not a lot of coverage, but after about .5 mi. you'll enter a small grove of trees. Insects might be a bit pestering, so if this annoys you, some light bug spray should help. There are many benches on the way if you need to rest or would like to take in the nature experience. Last, parking is not difficult but you may be forced to do street parking. Be sure to take valuables with you, because smash and grabs do happen here. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

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What a beautiful place! It's a short drive from San Mateo and totally worth it as you completely escape from all the hustle and bustle. Parking is not that bad but you may have to park further away from the trail if you come during the popular times on the weekends. Please note no dogs, which is a bummer but understandable as it can get really busy with all the bikers. Its super peaceful and relaxing: I saw wild turkeys, and deer multiple times while I was there. read more

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I have been here a handful of times with family. My sister lives near by. We always drive to the closest end to her which is literally next to a freeway exit. We park under the overpass which is limited but we always manage to find parking. There are two points, Hillcrest Blvd (North), and the other is on Crystal Springs Road and Skyline Blvd (South) with plenty more parking. There are shaded spots, benches to take a break, curves on the roads, and a lot of hills so be prepared. Once you walk further into the trail you won't hear the freeway traffic which is nice. There is a large body of water you can look at which is also great for pictures. There were many people walking, biking and running on these trails, it's very popular. There is a bathroom in the north end and a pay phone if you need it lol it's always nice to go and enjoy nature. read more

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Truly one of the most beautiful, relaxing trails in the peninsula. Been coming here for years. Wonderful spot to walk or bike and decompress with wonderful scenery. Bathrooms at the trailhead entrance and then about a mile or so in. Parking can be challenging during peak periods but there's so many people coming and going that if you wait a few minutes something will open up. This is a NO DOGS trail and even with clear signage at the entrance I still spot people with dogs almost every other visit. I love dogs but it's frustrating to see how some people can't abide by simple rules. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail has been sitting on top of my to-do list for a while now. It was nice and sunny today so I decided to go out for a walk. Initially I thought it was just a small trail next to the reservoir but I thought wrong. First mile in was a piece of cake, but as I kept walking and walking, the trail never seemed to stop.... I was that annoying kid who kept asking "Are we there yet?" Pulled out the map and sheeshhh.. we were barely half way through the trail. Eventually I reached the 3 mile mark and turned back. All together it was a 6 mile walk in the hot sun. But it was all worth. Overall, I'm glad I bookmarked this place. The view of the reservoir was beautiful! The pavement was nice and smooth. Bikers were mindful. Bugs and baby lizards(?) here and there. Only sad part was no dogs allowed. Street parking can be a little difficult. Next time I'll be back with a bike or skates. 04.11.2021 | Sunday 12:45pm read more

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A decent trail for walking, running, or biking along the water. As of 12/31/21, it is open up to the 3.5 mile mark due to flooding beyond that point. It was paved and pretty flat (up to 60 ft elevation gain per Strava). You may encounter some deer along the trail! It gets very busy on weekends in the late morning and afternoon. There are restrooms and trash cans sprinkled throughout the trail. Personally not a fan of the trail for long runs due to the winded parts. I also don't enjoy how there are so many flies in the summer. Parking usually isn't an issue. It is a quick walk to the front gate, which marks the trailhead. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

A 2021 goal of mine is to explore 2-3 new trails a month, which led me to this entrance of the Sawyer Camp Trail. My rating is actually more of a 3.5, but it really depends on what time/day you go. A Saturday afternoon, never again lol The trail itself is all-paved, with multiple benches throughout the hike. You'll get a lot of nice waterfront views, but TBH, the hike was pretty boring. There's little to no elevation and not very challenging if you are looking to get that heartrate up. If you a beginner runner like myself, this trail is nice and easy to navigate your way through since it's so flat. No dogs allowed, which is a good thing here because with all the folks packing this trail and bikes going by, it would be too dangerous for the 4-legged family member. If you are looking to social distance, this is not the best hike. I'm normally a morning hiker, but decided to do a late afternoon walk here. The parking lot and the off-street parking surrounding the entrance on a Saturday was JAM-PACKED. Although majority of people were wearing masks, the trails are just to packed to be enjoyable. The trails are too narrow to stay socially distant from other walkers, while at the same time trying to give ample space for bikers to whiz by. The amount of times I almost got hit by bikers going full speed kept me on my toes the entire time lol This hike is perfect if you are looking for something super easy to get steps in while also soaking up nature. I'd recommend heading to the Millbrae entrance to this hike where it's typically less crowded. I'd avoid this spot on the weekends but I think this hike would be perfect mid-week, when not a lot of ppl are out on the trail. read more

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Go here! What a beautiful 6 mile scenic trail. But leave your dog at home, unfortunately this hike is not dog friendly. I came here on a Saturday morning with a 9am meet up with friends at the Sawyer camp trail entrance. I would suggest allowing yourself 15 min to find parking. If the parking is full, you may have to walk 1/2 a mile down to walk to the entrance, parking was pretty full, street only. Upon entry there is a bathroom and signs enforcing masks. When I went everyone social distanced and many kept there masks on. The roads are paved and wide, perfect for a nice walk, run or bike ride. We did about 5 miles (2.5 and turned around to do the rest) total. I would highly recommend coming here. read more

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Trying to stay fit during COVID has been a real challenge, with all the gyms and many parks (and their parking lots) closed to the public. Fortunately for me, there are some open spaces like Sawyer Camp Trail that are open to the public. Sawyer Camp Trail has ample street parking at the North trailhead near Hillcrest Blvd. My friend and I chose Sawyer Camp Trail since it was rated as an "easy" hike on All Trails. Prior to COVID, I was much more physically active and can handle strenuous, hilly hikes. Given that we were a little out of shape now, the trail was a little more strenuous (at some points) than we anticipated. The hike is mostly flat, but there are areas of the trail that are inclined/hilly. So if you're out of shape due to the quarantine/COVID, make sure to take it easy! Despite the fairly strenuous parts of the hike, it was still very enjoyable. The trail runs parallel to the freeway, but remarkably, the trail is very quiet. As such, I was able to appreciate the tranquil serenity of the Crystal Springs reservoir and admire the majesty of the Jepsen Laurel tree (which is over 600 years old!). All in all, it took us about 3 or so hours round trip from the North trailhead to the Jepsen Laurel tree, with a few rest breaks in between. I enjoyed my hiking experience here, and hope to come back...although I will need to do a little training beforehand. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

I met up with my friend to do some walking here back in August. Parking is along the road which is not too bad; it was a short walk from where I parked to the entrance of the park. The trail is paved with slight inclines, declines, and flats. It's perfect for runners, cyclists, and skaters. There's a mix of shaded areas and non-shaded ones. I like the big lake at this park. We saw a family of deer during our visit. Cute! read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

Sawyer Camp Trail is beautiful and the lake is amazingly calm. The trail is partially shaded & it's about 6 miles long from what I heard. We didn't get to walk too far because it got hot way too fast on a Friday early morning. We tried going on a weekday to avoid the crowd, but it was crowded anyway. There was a lot of signs that said to wear face mask, but the problem with this was, not everyone really follows it. There was a lot of joggers, bikers, and groups of people who did not wear a mask and with the pandemic still on the rise, I did not feel safe. Also the trail had a fence on both sides so I felt confined without any place to go trying to dodge others without mask. I feel everyone should just do their part to help flatten the curve. Please don't be selfish. At least be considerate where you walk. So there you have it folks. It looks like I won't be coming back for a while. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Sawyer Camp Trail - no deer sightings today - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Fire place. I go here all the time with my family. Friendly people friendly vibe. The place is always clean

Nicely paved trail with a beautiful lake view, highly recommend! Trail is shared among bikers, runners, as well as people who just want to get some steps in. Most people if not all were wearing masks when I went. Trail was spacious enough that it didn't feel packed with people. The trail is just a straight road with no forks, so it's impossible to get lost. I got about 6 miles total going out and back (not a loop), but could have done a lot further. Parking along the street only. I went around 8am Saturday morning and it was already full. Had to park further down and walked a short distance towards the trail entrance. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Nice lake view - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

Nothing like moving back home home during COVID to make you appreciate nature and Sawyer Camp Trail. I hadn't come here in years and now I come almost every day--I'd say it's one of my favorite trails ever! It's open to bikers, runners, and walkers. Be prepared to see deer and lots of kids! It gets hillier the farther you go. There's lots of trees, plants, and good views. There's free parking but it gets crowded on weekends. read more

Beautiful, green area with a gorgeous lake view in the initial mile of the "hike". Parking was relatively easy - just followed other cars parked alongside the road. Wanted to fine a new trail and found this thru Yelp. I should've looked into it more as this is a flat land hiking trail - probably better suited for running or biking. Nonetheless we had a nice walk/mini jog about 4 miles in and 4 miles back. Lots of shade and the first 2 miles had pretty decent views. Nothing too exciting afterward, and pretty boring after an hour. Would come again if I wanted a jog vs a hike, but probably not worth the 25 min drive for me. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Five. It can be crowded on some weekend mornings, kids toddling around can slow me and my bike down (yes I know the speed limit) but the deer and birds ,the water the fresh air-get here before it is hot in summertime, the views, just a twenty-minute drive from home makes for a great hour long 12ish mile round trip on the old Gary Fisher. read more

As COVID continues, my need for longer trails continue. After eating a heavy lunch nearby, we decided to go on a leisurely family stroll to walk off the food babies in our bellies. Usually I start at the other end of the trail in Burlingame at Hillcrest. At this end on a sunny Saturday afternoon, parking was crowded along Skyline Blvd and families of all kinds were everywhere -- most wearing masks. We even saw several families of deer foraging. As many reviewers have noted, this southern end of the trail is much more flat in comparison to the northern end. Most people stay around the first two miles of the trail and then eventually turn around, so you will begin to see less and less people as you get towards the middle of the trail. It is very possible to complete a round trip 12 mile walk in 4 hours though. Besides the bathrooms at both entrances, there are two more bathrooms spread out along the trail. Do note that they're nonflushable portapotty type of bathrooms. The middle portion of the trail can get hot so dress appropriately depending on your heat tolerance. Terrain wise it's paved with fairly flat to small inclines until you get to the last mile going northbound towards Hillcrest. read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Deers often seen near San Mateo end of trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

A beautiful and easy paved trail a few minutes from my home, but Sawyer Camp Trail is NOT dog friendly. Dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Try Pulgas Ridge or Water Dog read more

One of my fav trails in the Bay Area, especially if you prefer a flat terrain, or are looking to bike. Very kid friendly as well. It's 10 miles back and forth with beautiful views of the crystal springs reservoir along the entire stretch. You will likely find deers hidden between the trees. There is lots of street parking at the trailhead, we park at the south side entrance. You might need to park a little further away if you are there during peak hours but it's worth it. read more

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Came here over the weekend to do some light hiking, and I'm glad I finally got around to checking this place out! Situated right along the edge of Crystal Springs Reservoir, trail around the chain fence is the closest that you can get to this beautiful natural preserve. I entered at the Crystal Springs segment of the trail, which you can enter at the intersection of Hwy 35 and Crystal Springs Road. There are plenty of parking all along the front and sides of the road, however despite the abundance of parking spots, still gets incredibly packed if you do not arrive early. The Crystal Springs segment of the trail is 6.7miles long, and there are markers every .5 miles to let you know how far you've hiked. The entire trail is paved, which makes for a very smooth and easy hike. No dogs are allowed, however there are bicyclists so make sure to walk on the right side to avoid collisions. There are restrooms and trash cans at set intervals throughout the trail, and there are plenty of bench seating to enjoy the view and take a break if you get tired. The area itself is very picturesque, and while I didn't personally see any, was told that there are plenty of wildlife in the area including snakes, deer, a variety of bird species, and giant bass and trout in the lake itself. There are plenty of hikers and bicyclists going up and down this trail, so you never truly feel alone. Plus the park ranger occasionally comes through so safety is not really an issue. Overall, the trail is very clean and is a wonderful place for family members of all ages to come enjoy! read more

Sawyer Camp Trail - Hiking Near Me - San Mateo, California

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