Hike Route: From the Lake Lagunitas Parking lot => Loop around the Lake
This is a very easy hike on a wide multi-use trail with great views of the Lake, Mt. Tam, and even turtles getting some sun - if you are lucky! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in the Mt. Tam watershed and makes for a very quick easy hike.
This lake has a large parking lot -- yet had very few visitors when we arrived on a Sunday. I think most folks dont come this far into the watershed normally. There is way to make this hike a much longer 7+ mile hike by continuing on to Bon Tempe Lake. On this day, we just did a quick hour hike around Lake Lagunitas.
The parking lot is easy to find after going about 1.5 miles after paying $8 at the watershed pay station.
The trail up from the parking lot leads to the main dam of the lake and back of the Rangers house. From here you have a great view of the lake and Mt Tam in the distance.
This hike is a loop around the lake so you can go right or left - we chose to continue up the dirt steps to the left.
There are great peek-a-boo views of the lake along the way. Fishing is allowed here and at all seven of the district reservoirs but is regulated by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG). Fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 years of age and older. For info on fishing these lakes, click here
The hike route is very easy to follow, there are some intersections -- but just follow the trail closest to the lake.
The Trail around the lake is very wide and bikes are allowed. There are no major uphills or downhills so the bikes on the trail dont cause too much danger.
There are a couple bridges along the way -- all are very well maintained and can accommodate bikes, horses and hikers just fine.
There is a outlook deck on the lake right before the dam as you finish the hike. Be sure to look for the turtles on the wave logs. They are easy to miss if you arent looking for them.
From the outlook deck, you will see the trail leading back across the dam to the where you started the hike.
Another option is to continue on the other trail (slightly uphill) toward Bon Tempe Lake. This is another 5+ mile hike around the nearby bigger lake. In case you have second thoughts, after a short distance on this trail, you will reconnect with the Lake Lagunitas trailhead parking lot.
There is a bathroom and water available at the parking lot. Be sure to bring a hat/sunglasses and water bottle on a summer day as it can be very sunny and hot in Marin during this time of the year.The Marin Watershed area has over 130 miles of trails and unpaved roads, many of which connect with adjacent national and state parks and county open space district lands. Its a very nice area and VERY well maintained.
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Basics:
Area - Marin Municipal Water District's Mt. Tamalpais Watershed
Trails - Loop Trail
Map - Visitor Maps
Length - 1.5 miles Loop very easy hike
Trail - Well maintained dirt road and trail
Dogs - Yes, on a leash
Bikes - Yes, trail is very wide
Views - Views of the Lake and Mt Tam along the way
Getting There - See below
Fee - $8 per car at Park Entrance Pay Station ($20s not accepted) - updated Jan2012
Weather - Some sunny spots, otherwise mostly in the shade
Other Trails - Yes, connects to Bon Tempe Lake
Facilities - restrooms and water at the trailhead/parking lot.
How to get there -- (This is easier than it looks)
Take Highway 101 North to the Central San Rafael Exit. Make a left turn on Third Street. Stay on Third. It will turn into Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Stay on Sir Francis Drake until you get to Fairfax town limits. You will go over a small hill and as you head down look for a “Valero” gas station on your left. Make a left immediately after the gas station at the wooden “Fairfax” sign (unfortunately there is a well hidden street sign that many motorist do not see, but the cross-street is Pacheco). At the stop sign make a right onto Broadway. At the next stop sign make a left onto Bolinas Rd. Go up Bolinas road approximately 1.5 miles (you will pass the Deer Park Villa restaurant). At 700 Bolinas Road there is a wooden sign on your left saying “Lake Lagunitas”. Make that left turn onto Sky Oaks Road; go up approximately 1/4 mile and Sky Oaks Watershed Headquarters is on the left at the crest of the hill. You are also at the entrance to Lagunitas and Bon Tempe Lakes. (If you miss the Sky Oaks Road turn-off and you get to the Meadow Club golf course you have gone too far). A $7.00 Vehicle Entrance Fee is required daily. The Lagunitas picnic area is about 1½ miles beyond the entrance Kiosk/Pay Station. After you have paid your entrance fee, stay on the paved road and within a mile or so you will come to a long straightaway and then a T-intersection. Go right at the intersection; within 100 yards you will be at the Lake Lagunitas parking area.