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ALERT - Important Information: If you would like more information about the parks planned for closure in July 2012, please see www.parks.ca.gov

SAMUEL P. TAYLOR SP, CA

Description

Season for Peak Fees: 05/15 to 09/15

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

Services & Amenities:

Within Facility
  • ADA Access
  • Barbecue
  • Central Water Access
  • Comfort Station
  • Dump Station
  • Fire Rings
  • Firewood
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Camping
  • Hiking Trails
  • Horseback Riding
  • Iron Ranger
  • Nature Trails
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Tables
  • Picnicing
  • Ranger Station
  • Restrooms
  • Showers
  • Store - Convenience
  • Table
  • Toilet, Chemical
Alerts and Important Information
Discount Passes must be presented at time of check in.
Your DMV Disabled Placard/License Plate does not automatically give you a discount on your campsite. You will need to obtain a CA State park-issued Disabled Discount Pass (DDP) or Distinguished Veterans Pass (DVP).
Due to budgetary restrictions we will be implementing the following service reductions at Samuel P. Taylor State Park:
  • The park will be closed Tuesdays - Thursdays beginning December 6, 2011. The park will close each week beginning at sunset on Monday and remain closed until 8:00 am on Friday. This includes the campground, day use picnic and parking lots and restrooms. These closures are expected to last until the end of March 2012. During this time, the park will be available for normal day use operations Fridays - Mondays from 8:00 am until sunset.
  • Family campsites #1 - 61 will operate on a first-come, first-served basis ONLY Friday - Sunday nights until further notice. Campers will not be allowed to check-in until after 12:00 noon on Fridays. Check-out time remains 12:00 noon each day.
  • The three Devil's Gulch Group campsites and the Redwood Grove Group Day Use site will remain closed 7 days a week through March 29, 2012.
  • Park management reserves the right to occasionally close certain loops to camping depending on operational needs and visitation demand. Currently, Orchard Hill loop is closed. Campers should call the park ahead of time to find out what loops are available for camping.
  • All group campsites at Madrone remain closed until further notice.
  • Irving Group Picnic will remain closed until further notice.
  • A maximum of two vehicles (including trailers) will be permitted to park at any campsite. The nightly camping fee covers 1 vehicle and 1 legally towed in vehicle or trailer. Additional motorized vehicles must pay the "extra vehicle" fee per night. There are parking spaces assigned in the day use picnic area for sites that have more than 2 vehicles.

    • Getting There:

    SAMUEL P. TAYLOR SP
    P.O. BOX 251
    LAGUNITAS CA 94938

    The park is on Sir Francis Drake Blvd; 15 miles west of San Rafael or 6 miles east of Highway 1 at Olema.

    Phone Park for More Information:

    Information:(415)488-9897