Discover Marin's Lakes

Marin County's lakes and reservoirs are some of the Bay Area's best-kept outdoor secrets. Surrounded by oak woodlands, redwood groves, and grassy hillsides, these bodies of water offer peaceful hiking, wildlife viewing, and a welcome escape from the pace of urban life. Marin Lakes is your comprehensive guide to finding, reaching, and enjoying every lake in the county.

Featured Lakes

Bon Tempe Lake

The most accessible and popular lake on Mt. Tamalpais. A 4-mile loop trail circles the entire shoreline through oak and bay laurel forest.

• Difficulty — Easy to moderate
• Parking — Sky Oaks Ranger Station ($8 day use fee)
• Nearby coffee — Good Earth Natural Foods, Fairfax (10 min drive)
• Nearby dining — Iron Springs Pub & Brewery, Fairfax

Lagunitas Lake

Adjacent to Bon Tempe and connected by trail, Lagunitas is smaller and quieter, with a 1.7-mile loop through redwoods along the northern shore.

• Difficulty — Easy
• Parking — Same Sky Oaks lot as Bon Tempe
• Best for — Families, birdwatching, picnics on the dam

Alpine Lake

The largest and most remote of the Mt. Tam lakes. The 3.5-mile trail along the eastern shore passes through dense forest with views across the water to the Bolinas Ridge.

• Difficulty — Moderate (rolling terrain, some narrow trail sections)
• Parking — Pullouts along Bolinas-Fairfax Road (limited, arrive early on weekends)
• Nearby dining — Café Reyes, Point Reyes Station (20 min drive west)

Phoenix Lake

A beloved neighborhood lake in Ross, popular with dog walkers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. Multiple trails radiate from the lake into the surrounding watershed.

• Difficulty — Easy (lake loop); moderate to strenuous (surrounding trails)
• Parking — Natalie Coffin Greene Park, Ross (limited; walk or bike from nearby towns)
• Nearby coffee — Comforts Café, San Anselmo (5 min walk)
• Nearby dining — Insalata's, San Anselmo

Stafford Lake

In Novato, Stafford Lake is the northernmost major lake in Marin. A 3.3-mile loop trail circles the lake through grasslands and oak groves, with a separate bike park nearby.

• Difficulty — Easy
• Parking — Stafford Lake County Park (free)
• Nearby dining — Rickey's Restaurant, Novato

Nicasio Reservoir

A large reservoir in the pastoral heart of West Marin. While swimming is not permitted, the surrounding roads offer scenic cycling, and the nearby town of Nicasio features one of Marin's favorite restaurants.

• Parking — Roadside pullouts along Nicasio Valley Road
• Nearby dining — Rancho Nicasio (one of Marin's iconic dining destinations)

Practical Information

What to Bring

• Water and snacks (no facilities at most lakes)
• Sun protection (exposed trails around several lakes)
• Binoculars (great birding year-round)
• Dog leash (required at all MMWD lakes)

Rules & Regulations

• No swimming in any Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) lake
• No boating — The lakes serve as drinking water reservoirs
• Dogs on leash at MMWD lakes; some county parks allow off-leash in designated areas
• Bikes prohibited on some trails; check specific lake regulations

Why Marin's Lakes

• Solitude — Even on weekends, you can find quiet corners, especially at Alpine and Nicasio
• Accessibility — Most lakes are within 30 minutes of central Marin
• Year-round beauty — Green hills in winter and spring; golden grass and warm trails in summer and fall
• Wildlife — Great blue herons, osprey, river otters, deer, and newts are regular companions on lake trails

Lace up your boots and discover the lakes of Marin.