Indian Valley Preserve

A 558-acre preserve wrapping around the College of Marin's Indian Valley campus

Rangers Recommend

Forest shade will keep you cool in summer. The Ad and Gloria Schwindt Trail offers a pleasant loop through oak and bay forests. Or take trails that traverse the north slope above the valley.
Waterfall Trail leads to a beautiful rainy season cascade.
Black oaks on Alexander Trail (hikers only) provide fall color.
Dogs welcome and must be leashed on trail, and under voice command on fire roads, with leash readily available.

Naturalist Notes

Near the beginning of the Indian Valley Fire Road, just past the college baseball fields, is a small pond with a surprising array of amphibians, including western toads, tree frogs, and newts.
Listen for birdsong. This is a warbler paradise.
Check out the iNaturalist field guide [External]. Add your own observations.

Activities

Bike

Dogs Voice Control

Dogs On Leash

Fish

Hike

Horseback Riding

Know Before You Go

Stay on roads and trails to preserve sensitive ecosystems and to avoid trespassing on private property. Make sure dogs do not enter the pond.
Be courteous and safety conscious when sharing roads and trails. Go slow and say hello[External].
Dress appropriately for the weather. Trails can be muddy during rainy season.
Bring water.
There are no restrooms at this location.
Steer clear of poison oak.
After an outing, check for ticks.

An expansive preserve connecting central Marin communities

Directions

East access: from Highway 101 in Novato, take the Ignacio Blvd/Bel Marin Keys Blvd exit west on Ignacio Blvd. approximately 2.5 miles all the way through campus. Park in the far west end (parking fee). Trailhead entrance is on the right near the station.

West access: from Hwy 101 in Novato, take the exit for Rowland Ave west, turn right at South Novato Boulevard, turn left at Arthur St, turn left at Indian Valley Rd, and follow approximately .9 miles. MCOSD gate is on the left.

Parking

There is usually ample parking at the west end of the Indian Valley College campus. Depending on when you travel, there may be a parking fee.

Public Transit

You can also dial 511 to find out about transit options from your location.

Map

Enter your location

38.074998

-122.577970

All visitors must respect rules to keep the preserves safe and sustainable.

Tab 3 Content

ALL VISITORS

No smoking or fires.
Weapons and hunting prohibited.
Motorized vehicles prohibited. (Individuals with qualified disabilities may operate certain kinds of zero-emission mobility devices on some roads,multiuse trails, and certain other facilities.)
Everyone must yield the right-of-way to horses. Bikes must also yield to pedestrians.
No model airplanes, drones, or other self-propelled crafts.
Permit required for commercial use and groups of more than 15 people.
Dispose of waste property. Pack it out.
All resources are protected. Do not follow, approach, or feed wildlife.

DOGS

Dogs may be off-leash on fire roads only if kept under voice control. Leash must always be readily available.
Dogs are allowed on signed trails and must be leashed. Leash must not exceed 6 feet in length.
Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited.
Individuals accompanying dogs are required to clean up and remove pet waste.
A maximum of 3 dogs per person is permitted. No commercial dog walking permitted in this preserve.

BIKES

Permitted on signed fire roads and trails designated for multiuse and hikers/bikes.
Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited.
Speed limit is 15 mph or less. Must slow to 5 mph when passing others or around blind turns.
Electric bicycles are not permitted.

HORSES

Permitted on signed fire roads and trails designated for multiuse and hikers/horses.
Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited except when watering or resting the horse.

In an emergency, call 911. To report an incident or suspicious activity, call the Ranger Field Office at 415-473-2816 or submit an Incident Report.

Visitors are responsible for knowing and obeying all Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) regulations. Citations will be issued for violations. Read the official regulations: Marin County Municipal Code Appendix A.

Call 415-473-6387 for more information regarding allowable types and use of mobility devices for people with qualified disabilities.

The MCOSD is a special district pursuant to the California Public Resources Code. Marin County Parks oversees the management of the county parks system and provides public information on behalf of the MCOSD.