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California State Parks

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San Francisco Bay Area Region
Samuel P Taylor State Park
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SAMUEL P TAYLOR STATE PARK
SAMUEL P TAYLOR STATE PARK
P.O. Box 251
Lagunitas, California   94938

Phone: 415-488-9897
Reservations: 415-488-9897
Samuel P. Taylor State Park has over 2,700 acres of 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. Silver salmon and steelhead trout migrate up Papermill Creek to spawn.

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 Devil's Gulch the best place in the park for a picnic or a place to relax.

A paved bike trail runs about three miles through the park, beginning near the entrance of the park. The trail is nearly level and follows the old Northwest Pacific Railroad right-of-way.

Because of natural disasters and destruction of habitat by humans, fishing is not permitted in Papermill Creek. Fishing is permitted in nearby lakes on Marin Municipal Water District land. A state fishing license is required.
Nature of the Area
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. Silver salmon and steelhead trout migrate up Papermill Creek to spawn.
History of the Area
The park is named after Samuel Penfield Taylor, who came to California from Boston in 1849 to try his luck in the gold rush. He actually found gold, cashed in, and entered the lumber business.

Purchasing 100 acres of timberland along Papermill 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 well as square-bottomed paper bags -- a novelty at the time.

Taylor 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.
Camping
- Camp Taylor: Offers family campsites, group sites and hike/bike campgrounds.
- Madrone Group Site: Suitable for large groups up to 50 people.
- Orchard Hill Area: Provides secluded camping spots with a panoramic view of the park.
- Azalea Picnic Area Camping Grounds: Ideal for day picnics or overnight stays in tents only.



Trails
Biking:

A paved bike trail runs about three miles through the park, beginning near the entrance of the park. The trail is nearly level and follows the old Northwest Pacific Railroad right-of-way.

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Area Campgrounds
Olema RV Resort & Campground
10155 Highway 1
Olema, CA
415-663-8106
Golden Gate Trailer Park
2000 Redwood Highway
Greenbrae, CA
415-924-0683
Marin Park Inc
2140 Redwood Highway #J1
Greenbrae, CA
Area Accommodations (over 20 miles away)
businesss listing main photo
Backyard Garden Oasis BB - Middletown, CA
BBs / Inns
Close to Calistoga, Napa Valley and Lake County Vineyards, and Harbin Hot Springs in the Mayacama Mountains, and 2 hrs away from San Francisco or Sacramento. Backyard Garden Oasis is an exquisite respite for those wanting a nature-filled retreat surrounded by some of Californias most beautiful country.
52.2 miles from park*
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
The park is 15 miles west of San Rafael on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.

Address:

P.O. Box 251

Lagunitas, CA 94938

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California
60

California State Parks

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