Cross Marin Trailhead

The northern access to the Cross Marin Trailhead.

NPS Photo / A. Kopshever

Quick Facts

Location:

Cross Marin Trailhead at the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Platform Bridge Road, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin County, California, Geographic Coordinates: 38.0502, -122.7603

Amenities

3 listed

Parking - Auto, Pets Allowed, Trailhead

The Cross Marin Trailhead is at the northern end of the multi-use, dog-friendly 5.3-mile-long (8.5-km-long) Cross Marin Trail. The Cross Marin Trail follows the historic North Pacific Coast Railroad right-of-way as it parallels Lagunitas Creek, resulting in a very family-friendly trail that has relatively little change in elevation. From its northern trailhead to its southern terminus along the southeast border of Samuel P. Taylor State Park, the Cross Marin Trail connects with the Jewell Trail, the Shafter Grade Trail/Road, and a number of other trails within the state park. While designated as part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the northern 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of the Cross Marin Trail are managed by Point Reyes National Seashore; the southern 3.8 miles (6.1 km) are managed by the state park.

Suggested Routes From This Trailhead

Cross Marin Trail: up to 10.6 miles (17 km) roundtrip, easy – bikes, dogs, horses permitted

Park Regulations

• Take only pictures; leave only footprints: Almost everything one finds at Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area is protected by law, including shells, rocks, fossils, flowers, and artifacts.
• Please only travel on authorized trails, respect posted signs, and practice Leave No Trace principles when recreating in the park.
• Check current conditions and trail advisories and closures before your visit.
• Bicycles are permitted on the Cross Marin Trail. Please ride responsibly and yield to hikers and horseback riders.
• Pets are permitted on the Cross Marin Trail, but must remain on a leash (shorter than 6 feet) at all times. 
• Horses and pack animals are permitted on the Cross Marin Trail. Please visit Point Reyes National Seashore's Horse Riding page for more information.
• Drones are not permitted anywhere in Point Reyes National Seashore or Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Parking

The northern trailhead for the Cross Marin Trail is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Platform Bridge Road, 1.8 miles (2.9 km) east of Olema. This trailhead is approximately 5 minutes by car from the Bear Valley Visitor Center. 

There is limited parking along the old (now largely decommissioned) route of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard north of and parallel to the current highway west of the bridges that cross Lagunitas Creek. Please make sure your vehicle does not block other vehicles from using the decommissioned roadway or driveways in this area. From this parking area, walk a short distance east toward Lagunitas Creek and turn right on to the Cross Marin Trail (the paved path that parallels the creek on its west side as it passes under Sir Francis Drake Boulevard).

Additional roadside parking is available along the west side of Platform Bridge Road just north of its intersection with Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Walk across the Old Tocaloma/Platform Bridge (which is closed to automobile traffic) and turn left onto the Cross Marin Trail.

Directions to Bear Valley
Directions from Bear Valley to the Cross Marin Trailhead