Description

Samuel P. Taylor State Park consists of 2882 acres of countryside located in the rolling hills of central Marin County north of San Francisco. The park offers contrasting natural landscapes of the shady Coast Redwoods and sunny grasslands. The park is named for Samuel Penfield Taylor, who came to California from Boston in the 1849 gold rush. After two years in gold country, he cashed in and began looking for other business ventures. The pursuit of lumber led Taylor to buy 100 acres of timberland along what is now known as Lagunitas Creek within the present state park. Instead of lumber he built a paper mill, the first on the West Coast, producing newsprint for the San Francisco dailies and paper bags. Taylor also built a resort hotel and Camp Taylor became one of California's more popular recreational resorts in the 1870s and '80s.

Today the state park offers campgrounds and picnic areas for families/friends or larger groups. Hiking trails take visitors through the shady woods or the sunny slopes of Mount Barnabe. A paved bike trail runs three miles through the park along the flat Cross Marin Trail. Besides the paved path, bikes are allowed on fire roads, but not on hiking trails. Horses are allowed on fire roads and selected hiking trails. Dogs are welcome in the picnic and campground areas and the Cross Marin Trail. Dogs must be on leash at all times and are not allowed in the creek, on fire roads, or trails.

The redwood community includes the Douglas Fir, Live Oak, Tanbark Oak, Bay Laurel and Big Leaf Maple trees. Mammals living here include raccoons, chipmunks, gray fox, and black-tailed deer. NO bear. Coho Salmon and Steelhead migrate every winter to spawn in the Lagunitas and Devil's Gulch Creeks to complete their life cycle. As these are federally protected species, no fishing or any disturbance is allowed. Winter visitors to the park are welcome to view the salmon's spawning, but from a respectful distance as silent observers. The creek is closed to everyone but wildlife from November to June.

Camp Taylor offers a variety of interpretive activities from guided nature walks, campfire and junior ranger programs as well as self guided hikes with panel illustrations on the Pioneer Tree and History Trails.

Camp Taylor is open year round.

Park Kiosk Hours:

• Hi Season: 8:00am-10pm
• Lo Season: Varies