Samuel P. Taylor SP

Samuel P. Taylor State Park has wooded countryside in the steep rolling hills of Marin County north of San Francisco. The park features a unique contrast of coast redwoods groves and open grassland.

The park features a variety of flowers and trees, including oak, tanoak, madrone, live oak, laurel and Douglas fir. California native wildflowers include buttercups, milkmaids, and Indian paintbrush.

The most common animal in the park is the black-tailed deer. There are also raccoons, striped skunks and gray foxes. Coho salmon and steelhead trout migrate up Lagunitas Creek to spawn.

Know before you go...

Location-Directions
The park is 15 miles west of San Rafael on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.  If you are planning to camp or picnic, look for the 'Camp Taylor' entrance.  Those planning to hike out of Devil's Gulch should continue 1 mile west of 'Camp Taylor' and park in the large pull-out before walking across the street. 

Street Address
8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Lagunitas, CA 94938

Camping
All campsites and cabins are available for reservation on ReserveAmerica.com  The campground is often full on weekends, and everyday during the Summer months.  The Reserve America site will indicate if any sites are not reserved, in which case they become available on a first come, first served basis.

Fees
Parking               $8
Camping             $35 (includes parking for 1 vehicle)
Please contact the park for additional fee information

Dogs in the park
Dogs are allowed in the picnic areas, and campgrounds.  Dogs must be on leash at all times and are prohibited from being in the creeks or on trails, with the exception of the Cross Marin Trail bike path.  Dogs must be brought inside your tent or vehicle at night for their safety.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer and Spring are warm but usually 10 degrees cooler than the city, Fall and Winter can be quite cool with overnight lows around freezing. Layered clothing is best.

Park Features

MADRONE CABINS ARE NOW OPEN!  The newly installed Madrone cabins are now open and available for reservation.  Maximum occupancy is 5 persons and no pets are allowed.  If you plan to try to purchase a cabin on a first come, first served basis please call the park prior to arrival , and check out the Madrone Cabin link in the column on the right for more information.

59 family campsites, and several group campsites are available for camping.  Most campsites are under majestic redwood trees, while the sites at Devil's Gulch and Madrone are situated under bay and oak trees at the bottom of Mt. Barnabe.  Reservations are required during peak seasons for regular sites, and year round for group sites if they are open.  The maximum occupany for standard campsites is 6 persons of any age.

The park offers a network of hiking trails and fire roads, making it easy to hike to the top of Mount Barnabe. Or, for a less strenuous visit, many visitors consider Azalea Picnic Area the best place in the park for a picnic or a place to relax.

The paved Cross Marin Trail bike path runs about three miles through the park, beginning near the entrance of the park. The trail is nearly level and follows the old Northern Pacific Coast Railroad right-of-way through Samuel P. Taylor and into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Because of natural disasters and destruction of habitat by humans, fishing is not permitted in Lagunitas Creek. Fishing is permitted in nearby lakes on Marin Municipal Water District land. A state fishing license is required.

Park History

The park is named for Samuel Penfield Taylor, who came to California from Saugerties, New York in 1849 to try his luck in the gold rush. He actually found gold, cashed in, and entered the lumber business.

Purchasing 101 acres of timberland along Papermill Creek (then called Daniel's Creek), Taylor built a paper mill and established a paper-making process. Using scrap paper and rags from San Francisco the mill produced newsprint and the worlds first square-bottomed paper bags -- a novelty at the time.

Taylor, with help from the Northern Pacific Coast Railroad, built a resort hotel and Camp Taylor, one of the first sites in the US to offer camping as a recreational pursuit. The area was one of California's most popular and well-known weekend recreation destinations in the 1870s-80s.

Camp Host Opportunities

(Availability year around)  The camp hosts work with visitor services staff assisting park visitors with registration, firewood sales, and providing general information.  They may also work with the maintenance staff assisting with minor projects.  Each camp host should be willing to volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per week.  Hosts must provide their own RV or trailer.  For more information click here or contact the Ranger Station at (415) 488-9897 or by email at sptaylorstatepark@parks.ca.gov.