Olompali State Historic Park

Phone Number

(707) 769-5652

Park Hours

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Daily

Park gate closes promptly at 5:00 PM

Dogs Allowed?

Yes
Dogs allowed only in developed areas. Dogs not allowed in the following areas: trails, dirt roads, backcountry areas, historic buildings, and historic gardens.

Driving Directions to Olompali SHP

The park is accessible from both the Northbound and Southbound lanes of Highway 101. Exit at Atherton Blvd. and follow posted directional signs to the park.

Online reservations are not available for this park.

Upcoming Park Events

No events scheduled at this moment.

TRAIL USE
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Vista Point
Museums
Family Programs
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Drinking Water Available

Day Use Fee

Parking is $8 per vehicle, payable by cash, check, or via the Yodel smartphone app.*  If paying by cash, look for the yellow fee payment tube at the west end of the parking lot to deposit your payment.  Our automated credit card machine is no longer available.  Failure to pay fees may result in citation.  *App service fee applies, no discounts or refunds available for payment by app. 

General Information

The park overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay from the east-facing slopes of 1,558 foot Mount Burdell.

The name "olompali" comes from the Miwok language and may be translated as "southern village" or "southern people." The Coast Miwok inhabited at least one site within the area of the present-day park continuously from as early as 6,000 BC, until the early 1850s.

Olompali contains "kitchen rock," a large boulder used as a mortar in which early people ground acorns and seeds into a fine flour for food preparation. Many women would gather near such grinding rocks to prepare food and socialize.

Location-Directions

The park is accessible from both the Northbound and Southbound lanes of Highway 101. Exit at  Atherton Ave./San Marin Dr. and follow posted directional signs to the park.  The park address is 8901 Redwood Blvd., Novato.

Facilities

Olompali State Historic Park is open every day from 9:00am to 5:00pm.  The gates to the park close promptly, so plan to return to your vehicle and exit the park by 5:00pm.

The park day use fee is currently $8.00 per vehicle. 

Visitors will first encounter a picnic area surrounded by the historic Burdell mansion, gardens, and ranch facility.  Adventurous visitors will enjoy the hiking and horseback riding trails.  Dogs and bikes are prohibited on the park trails.  Hike the lower hillside of Mt. Burdell on the 2.5 mile Miwok Loop Trail.  Those venturing to the peak of Mt. Burdell will traverse approximately 9 miles round trip, depending on which portions of the loop trail are used.  The peak of Mt. Burdell is 1558'.  Remember when choosing to set out on a hike that park gate is closed proptly at 5pm.  Mt. Burdell is also accessible via county open space trails from the San Marin area of Novato.

Collecting or destroying anything in the park, including mushrooms, is prohibited.

A project is underway to build several structures representative of a Coast Miwok village. The village will be used as an interpretive and educational site. Visitors to the park can see two kotchas (houses), made from redwood bark.  There is also a nicely labeled native plant garden.

Seasons, Climate, Recommended Clothing

Summer is hot, spring is warm, and fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is best.