Lucas Valley Preserve

• Big Rock Trail, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, begins at the crest of Lucas Valley Road and eases its way up to Big Rock Ridge Fire Road.
• See spectacular views from Mount Burdell to the Golden Gate. At 1895 feet the summit is the second highest in Marin, surpassed only by Mount Tam.
• Incredibly steep Luiz Fire Road offers a strenuous alternate route between the valley floor and the ridge.
• Film director George Lucas donated 800 acres to help create the 1271-acre preserve. The name Lucas Valley dates back to an early settler–John Lucas, who lived here in the mid-1800s on a 7600-acre ranch.
• Dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed on trail, and under voice command on fire roads, with leash readily available.

• Look up while walking along the ridge; golden eagles ride the updrafts.
• Raptors including red-tailed hawks and northern harriers hunt along the ridge. Carrion-feeding turkey vultures also thrive here.
• Poppies, monkeyflower, and babystars bloom in spring, especially after a rainy winter.
• Sparse roads and trails make this an ideal place for shy wildlife that prefer solitude and wilderness, including bobcats.
• Check out the iNaturalist field guide. Add your own observations.

• Stay on roads and trails to preserve sensitive ecosystems and to avoid trespassing on private property.
• Be courteous and safety conscious when sharing roads and trails. Go slow and say hello.
• Dress appropriately for the weather. Trails can be muddy during rainy season.
• Bring water.
• There are no restrooms at this location.
• Steer clear of poison oak.
• After an outing, check for ticks.

From Hwy 101 in San Rafael, take the exit for Lucas Valley Rd west approximately 5.5 miles (look for the big rock). The trailhead is on the north side of Lucas Valley Rd.

Street parking only. Please be respectful of local residents. Do not block streets, gates, or driveways.

• Golden Gate Highway and Transportation District
• Marin Transit Trip Planner

You can also dial 511 to find out about transit options from your location.

• No smoking or fires.
• Weapons and hunting prohibited.
• Motorized vehicles prohibited. (Individuals with qualified disabilities may operate certain kinds of zero-emission mobility devices on some roads,multiuse trails, and certain other facilities.)
• Everyone must yield the right-of-way to horses. Bikes must also yield to pedestrians.
• No model airplanes, drones, or other self-propelled crafts.
• Dispose of waste property. Pack it out.
• Permit required for commercial use and groups of more than 15 people.
• All resources are protected. Do not follow, approach, or feed wildlife.

DOGS

• Dogs may be off-leash on fire roads only if kept under voice control. Leash must always be readily available.
• Dogs are allowed on signed trails and must be leashed. Leash must not exceed 6 feet in length.
• Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited.
• Individuals accompanying dogs are required to clean up and remove pet waste.
• A maximum of 3 dogs per person is permitted. No commercial dog walking permitted in this preserve.

BIKES

• Permitted on signed fire roads and trails designated for multiuse and hikers/bikes.
• Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited.
• Speed limit is 15 mph or less. Must slow to 5 mph when passing others or around blind turns.
• Electric bicycles are not permitted.

HORSES

• Permitted on signed fire roads and trails designated for multiuse and hikers/horses.
• Off-fire road and off-trail use prohibited except when watering or resting the horse.

In an emergency, call 911. To report an incident or suspicious activity, call the Ranger Field Office at (415) 473-2816 or submit an Incident Report via online form.

Visitors are responsible for knowing and obeying all Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) regulations. Citations will be issued for violations. Read the official regulations: Marin County Municipal Code Appendix A.

Call (415) 473-6387 for more information regarding allowable types and use of mobility devices for people with qualified disabilities.

The MCOSD is a special district pursuant to the California Public Resources Code. Marin County Parks oversees the management of the county parks system and provides public information on behalf of the MCOSD.