FAQ

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Q: When is Mt Tam open?

A: Mt Tamalpais State Park is open seven days a week.  Hours vary but are roughly sunrise (but not before 7:00 am) to sunset.  The park is closed after sunset and no permission is given for recreational use (Hikes) once the park is closed EXCEPT for the organized CA State Parks/Friends of Mt Tam scheduled night hikes.  Please note that various parts of Mt. Tam are run by different organizations that have their own rules and regulations.

A red-flag alert closes the upper mountain due to fire danger. The official stance of the State Park is:

When the Marin County Fire Department determines that the upper mountain is to be closed due to fire danger, state parks lands ARE closed to the public – for public safety.

Please see the Mt. Tamalpais State Park website for more information.

Q: How do I get to Mt Tam?  How do I get to trailheads there? Is there mass transit?

A: Check the Planning Your Visit page. It includes directions and bus information to the various trailheads. Remember, various parts of Mt Tam are run by different organizations and only those trailheads in the State Park are listed here.

Q: Do I need to pay a fee to use Mt Tam?

A: Though there is no entrance fee to Mt Tam, note that some of the trailheads require a parking fee.  The Friends of Mt Tam sponsored hikes and the Astronomy Program are free.  Other activities, such as camping, do require a fee.

For all fee information, see the official State Park website.

Q: What can you tell me about the scheduled hikes?

A: Scheduled hikes are led by volunteer hike docents. Friends of Mt Tam sponsors these free hikes Saturdays and Sundays.  During summer months there are also hikes Wednesday evenings.  These hikes are an excellent way to become familiar with the mountain.  No reservations are required.

Q: Where can I get a map of Mt Tam?

A: The kiosk at Pantoll and the Visitor Center at East Peak provide maps. Download the online brochure here. Local outdoor and book stores sell maps as well.

Q: What’s the State Park policy regarding dogs?

A: Dogs are not allowed on State Park property except at campsites and along the Alice Eastwood Road.  They are allowed in the Marin Municipal Water District, but must be on leash at all times.

Q: Are bikes allowed on Tam?

A: Biking is a very popular activity around Mt Tamalpais. Bikes are allowed on all roads, fire roads, and the Coast View Trail, which is a multi-use trail.  Bicycling is prohibited on all other trails in the State Park.  There are many more fire roads on which bicycling is permitted in adjacent lands maintained by the Marin Municipal Water District and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Visit our Biking page for more information.

Q: I want to bring a large group to the State Park.  Is there anything I need to know?

A: Please contact the Pantoll Ranger Station if you are bringing a large group to obtain a permit.

The State Park advises large groups to form up into smaller groups and depart with 15 to 20 minutes between each group. This allows for a much better trail experience for all parties on the trail.  Also, we recommend departing from Rock Spring parking lot as there is more parking and Pantoll parking is limited.

Q: What about wheelchair access on Mt Tam?

A: Please see the official State Park website for all ADA access.

Q: What about camping on Mt Tam?

A: Walk-in campsites include Bootjack and Pantoll. Steep Ravine, Alice Eastwood, and Frank Valley require advance reservations. Please see the Planning Your Visit page as well as the Mt Tam State Park website for more information. There is no en-route camping at Mt. Tam.

Q: What cell phone access is there on Mt Tam?

A: It’s variable, depending on your carrier and where you are on the mountain.

Q: Where’s a good spot to propose marriage on Mt Tam?

A: O’Rourke’s Bench, which is a few minutes walk southeast of the Rock Spring parking lot.  There’s no signage for the trail so you should preview it.

Q: Is there Rock Climbing at Mt. Tam?

A: Mt. Tamalpais has four slabs for climbing, ranging from 25’ to 45’ at East Peak. Most people use a top rope, but you can also do a traditional climb on the northern formation. More information at the MountainProject.

Q: Is there Geocaching on Mt. Tam?

A: Geocaching is a form of treasure hunting using a GPS receiver and a map to locate treasure caches throughout the globe. There are hundreds of caches in northern California alone. To find out what is on Mt. Tam, visit the Geocaching official website.