Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
An old rail grade traces Lagunitas Creek through redwoods.
Overview
Map & elevation
Plan your hike
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Point Reyes Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Point Reyes National Seashore. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this trailhead
Cross Marin Trail“You're nearing the Cross Marin Trailhead, where an old railroad grade follows Lagunitas Creek through redwood groves and meadows.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Point Reyes Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Cross Marin Trail is a 5.3-mile one-way path from its north trailhead at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Platform Bridge Road to the Leo T. Cronin Fish Viewing Area. Walk back the same way for 10.6 miles total; allow about five hours for the full out-and-back. The old railroad grade stays easy underfoot and changes little in elevation, but the full return is a long outing.
A wide paved path follows Lagunitas Creek through streamside woodland, small redwood groves and meadows. Past the Jewell Trail junction, it enters Samuel P. Taylor State Park and passes the former paper-mill site with its wayside displays, Camp Taylor campground and Redwood Grove picnic area. The paving turns to gravel just beyond the grove. Farther south, the trail crosses Lagunitas Creek and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, then continues to the fish-viewing area. The mesh-sided bridge over Sir Francis Drake is the route’s clearest framed-path photo.
Start at the northwest corner of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Platform Bridge Road, where roadside parking is limited; an alternate start at the state park’s Azalea Day Use lot is paid. The southern section is within Samuel P. Taylor State Park and follows its 8 a.m.–sunset hours. Creek access is prohibited December 1 through June 15 to protect spawning fish. Bikes and horses share the route; dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than six feet.
Wildlife
2,552 sightingsNorthern Elephant SealMost seen around 11 AMSighting map
127 sightingsGrey WhaleMost seen around noonSighting map
109 sightingsHumpback WhaleMost seen around 10 AMSighting map
29 sightingsSteller Sea LionMost seen around noonSighting map
203 sightingsCalifornia Sea LionMost seen around noonSighting map
352 sightingsHarbor SealMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Point Reyes. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ChallengingBolinas Ridge Trail11 mi · 6.5 hr · 0.6 mi awayA long traverse from open pasture into redwood shade.
EasyEarthquake Trail0.6 mi · 36 min · 2.2 mi awayA split fence makes the 1906 quake’s movement tangible.
EasyKule Loklo Trail0.8 mi · 30 min · 2.2 mi awayA short climb ends at a Coast Miwok village replica
ModerateBear Valley Forest Loop7.1 mi · 4 hr · 2.3 mi awayA wooded climb, ridge crossing, and mossy Old Pine descent.
EasyWoodpecker Nature Trail0.8 mi · 30 min · 2.3 mi awayMeadow, creek and acorn granary trees in one short loop.
ModerateMeadow–Horse Trails Loop6.5 mi · 3.5 hr · 2.3 mi awayClimb through meadow woods for ridgeline views toward the Pacific.
ModerateBear Valley Trail to Miller Point9 mi · 4.5 hr · 2.3 mi awayA long forest walk ends at a headland above Drakes Bay.
ChallengingWoodward Valley Loop13 mi · 6.5 hr · 2.3 mi awayForest, ridge and open coast in one strenuous circuit.
Picnic area · 2.2 mi awayBear Valley Picnic AreaTwenty-five shaded tables, charcoal grills, and room for big groups
Visitor center · 2.3 mi awayBear Valley Visitor CenterBarn-style orientation hub where a life-size elephant seal greets you
Sight · 2.4 mi awayKule LokloA replica Coast Miwok village with a round house and acorn granaries
Sight · 2.4 mi awayMorgan Horse RanchWorking park horses and ranch history on a short hillside walk
Food · 2.8 mi awayBovine BakeryMorning buns, almond croissants, and strong drip coffee
Picnic area · 3.6 mi awayFive Brooks Picnic AreaSix trailside tables, some beside an abandoned mill pond
Campground · 3.8 mi awaySky CampgroundHike-in ridgetop tent sites with sweeping Drakes Bay and ocean views
Campground · 4.5 mi awayGlen CampgroundQuiet wooded valley camp, 4.6 miles in, no ocean viewParkwolf’s Point Reyes ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
