Indian Tree Open Space Preserve

I went on a hike w/​Greenbelt Alliance to Indian Tree OSP in Novato. First time there and I really enjoyed it. It’s about 1hr10min from Fremont. No water so bring your own. No toilets — there is a grocery store and Starbucks off the freeway that is convenient. No bikes allowed I think because it’s mostly single track trails and horses are on the trail along with hikers. Dogs allowed on leash. Limited roadside parking on Vineyard Rd.
We started on the Upper Meadow Trail — Big Trees Trail, lots of gradual uphill on switchbacks — had lunch with a nice view near the Big Trees — then we took the Deer Camp Trail & Deer Camp Cutoff back to Upper Meadow Trail and the cars. I think it was about 5 – 6 miles total.
We saw a snake, not much else.
Worth a day trip if in the area or wanting to explore something new.

To get to this trail you must exit city life as you know it, then cross over to the dirt road. The preserve features a path which meanders through Oak and Redwood trees, a diversity of ferns and moss. After walking a little ways on the trail, you’ll come upon a sign post. One direction says ‘trail’ the other says ‘Big Trees’. I wanted to see what the Big Trees looked like so I took this path.
I’d say it’s a good 5 – 6 mile hike. It’s not loop so you come back the way you came. There is a fire road that continues the trail, making it a 10 mile hike start to finish. After speaking with local hikers at the end of my hike, that I found I should have continued on this road. But it is at this junction where the Big Trees live. Like something out of a movie where upon exiting the forrest you step out to a verdant clearing, then BAMM! a group of gargantuan redwoods are in your sight.
Not many people on this trail, in fact it was probably every 30 minutes before I saw other hikers. So your company are the Ravens, the Gray Squirrels, Salamanders and the trees. At one point you’re fully surrounded by Oak, then the floor turns a bright red from the leaves of the Redwood, then you’re with the Oaks again. Surrounding the preserve are rolling hills, which when not in drought would undoubtedly be lush with tall grass.
This is a very easy hike with lots of switchbacks. Only at the very end is there a push in elevation, no doubt easily accomplished by anyone with a few extra deep breaths. Once you make it to the top you will be rewarding with an amazing view of Novato, San Pablo Bay and Petaluma off in the distance.

Excellent place to go for a walk and feel in tune with nature! It’s pretty close to home and is a great place to walk in a nice day. It’s never too crowded, at least not when I go, and I just love the trail.

i hiked this area when i was a teenager living out on vineyard road about 50 yrs ago. last week i again went on a hike down memory lane. The trail was very easy to climb with all the switchbacks, back in the day we just ventured straight up the mountain. I did make one hike up there about 25 yrs ago and saw that the opening in the Indian tree was closing up and too small to enter inside as we once did as teenagers. Now the tree has resealed itself encasing the initials we left there. On the way down the fire road goes thru a dense grove of redwoods where I dug up 3 little seedlings about two inches high, brought them home, planted them, and now they are huge trees on 28 Roberts Ave. in San Rafael. Those trees are 46 yrs old. My only big disappointment was after the redwood hike I wanted to go straight up to the summit of Big Rock Ridge but couldn’t find a way thru the Hill ranch private property. one more interesting note is immediately after the hike I realized that exactly 50 yrs ago i was there one snowy afternoon (Apr.20 1963) and this yr 85 degrees and sunny. I love that area and now live in upstate N.Y. with other new hiking adventures

As we have done this hike several times since my last review, I thought it was time to write an update.
I love this hike. It is 5.5 miles, nearly deserted, a perfect mixture of shade and sun, and super dog friendly. If you follow the instructions in the link below, it is a loop and no trespassing of the horse barn is necessary (see previous review). We must have taken a wrong turn the first time.