Our book, Hiking Marin, 141 Great Hikes in Marin County, ©2006 by Don and Kay Martin., identifies 66 hikes that dogs can go on. These dog hikes are shown at the beginning of each section. Here is some general information about where to take dogs in Marin County. Note: Be sure to bring water for your dog, especially in summer and fall.
State Parks
In general, the state parks, Angel Island State Park, China Camp State Park, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, Olompali State Park, Tomales Bay State Park do not allow dogs on trails.
The only exception is Samuel P. Taylor State Park, where dogs on a leash are allowed on the Cross Marin Trail/bike path between Redwood Grove and the eastern park boundary.
Marin County Open Space
Dogs are allowed on almost all trails in the Marin County Open Space District. You must carry a leash at all times. Dogs can be under voice control on fire roads and controlled by a leash on trails or in sensitive areas. There are some signed wildlife areas, where dogs are not allowed. Also, dogs are not allowed at Stafford Lake Park.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Dogs are allowed on the ocean side of Rodeo Beach, Muir Beach and Stinson Beach, but not Tennessee Cove. Dogs are also allowed on several trails, including the loop around Hill 88, taking the Coastal trail, Wolf Ridge trail, and Miwok trail. For a complete list of dog trails in the Marin Headlands, pick up a map at the Marin Headlands Visitor Center. Note that leashes are required, even on the beaches.
Marin Municipal Water District
Dogs are allowed on roads and trails and must be on a leash at all times. Note that there is lots of poison oak on water district lands. Narrow trails are the worst, especially around the lakes and oak-bay woodlands.
Muir Woods National Monument
No dogs allowed.
Point Reyes National Seashore
No dogs allowed on trails. Dogs are allowed on the following beaches, Limantour, North, South and Kehoe. They must be controlled with a leash 6' or shorter. Dogs can be taken down the 0.5 mile Kehoe trail to Kehoe Beach. Dogs are also allowed on the 12 mile Bolinas Ridge trail, which is near Point Reyes, but part of GGNRA. However, this trail gets a lot of bicycle use.
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