Verissimo Hills Preserve

A protected ridge above two residential valleys in western Novato

Rangers Recommend

On the edge of suburban development, the 115-acre preserve connects to private open rangeland running all the way to the Pacific ocean.
Stafford Lake Trail, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, links to Little Mountain Preserve and Indian Tree Preserve.
Dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed on trail, and under voice command on fire roads, with leash readily available.

Naturalist Notes

The habitats here are predominantly grassland mixed with oak and bay woodlands.
Western bluebirds hunt the grasslands, joined by Say’s phoebes and yellow-rumped warblers in winter.
Look for blooming wildflowers, including lupine and brodiaea, in spring.
This habitat supports wildlife like bobcats and coyotes, but these shy animals are rarely seen.

Activities

Bike

Dogs Voice Control

Dogs On Leash

Hike

Horseback Riding

Know Before You Go

Stay on roads and trails to preserve sensitive ecosystems and to avoid trespassing on private property.
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.

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Convenient access to open space in western Novato

Directions

From Hwy 101 in Novato, take the Atherton Ave/San Marin Dr exit west on San Marin Ave (San Marin Ave becomes Sutro Ave after Novato Blvd junction) and turn right onto Oak Valley Dr. Trailhead is at the end.

Parking

Street parking only. Please be respectful of local residents. Do not block streets, gates, or driveways.

Public Transit

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

Map

Enter your location

38.106610

-122.622851

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

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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.
Dispose of waste properly. Pack it out.
Permit required for commercial use and groups of more than 15 people.
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 with exception granted through commercial use permit.

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.