Indian Valley Open Space Preserve

This was a fun hike with my two friends and nephew. You know you’re driving into the right place once you’ve passed the community college and see a sign for a farm. You then park into the provided parking lot and you’ll pass by a baseball field and bathroom and follow the pathway to the hiking trail. Walk right through the gate and you’ll start your hike from there. The view was very nice and I loved the small waterfall 15 mins into the hike. This hike took about an hour for us to finish.

Awesome dog-​friendly hike with a gushing waterfall right now! Dogs are even allowed off– leash on the fire road, which is a rare find in Marin. The waterfall trail itself isn’t too strenuous and is just as beautiful as the waterfall. Everything is a vibrant green and the creek cascades along most of the trail. There are over 500 acres of beautiful trails in this preserve and you can even park for free at the end of Indian Valley Rd if you get there early (there’s room for about 30 cars). Don’t forget to wear boots or bring a change of socks if it’s just rained, because you’ll be crossing ankle-​deep water several times during the hike.

One of the best open space reserves I have been to. With amazing trails this is a sure.

This is a great place to walk with a friend. There are many paths one can take that are interwoven between trees and meadows that offer many levels of walks, from pretty flat to hilly. The trails are kept up well, too. The only annoyance I have found here are the dog owners who feel they don’t have to keep their dogs on a leash, but I can hardly blame that fault on these trails. In addition, There are two great bonuses to be had seasonally here: One is the waterfall that comes to life after a rain off one trail and the other is when the college’s garden opens its gate to sell starters! I totally recommend this place to anyone who needs a walk in nature that doesn’t want to travel far in Novato to get it.

Lots of shaded walking and hiking as well as other trails in full sun. I really enjoy the waterfall trail. I especially enjoy the areas around the creek bed. Climbing rocks makes the hike more interesting. Dogs on leash everywhere except the fire roads. I can agree with that. A lot of vegetation and fragile trails.

Went here for the first time over the weekend to take a nice little hike with the kids. Plenty of valley floor trails as well as those in the sunshine. The place was pretty crowded I thought but maybe just because it was a beautiful day. Will definitely be coming back to explore all the trails. Dog owners for the most part had dogs off leash even though it is posted that they must be on leash because there are sensitive wetland habitats here so not sure what the deal is with that is, Marin dog owners.

It’s a wonderful place once you get past the soccer /​baseball fields. Check out the fabulous organic farm!

FLATS, HILLS, RAVINES AND WATERFALLS
Truly a multitude of hikes for all abilities. If you stay on the main path, you can enjoy a perfectly level walk from the trail head off Indian Valley Road to Indian Valley College. Completed shaded for most of the way by tall trees and flanked by babbling brooks, it’s delightful in temperate weather and so nice and cool during the hot summer months.
If you want a moderate hike, head up the slight slope to your left about 100 feet from the trail head. You meander through woods, going up and down gentle slopes. At the halfway mark, there is a nice uphill that takes less than 5 minutes to scale. At the top, you’ll see the softball fields of IVC. Head downhill, following the path toward the right, and it dumps you back onto the main path for a flat walk back.
If you want a much more vigorous hike, walk for about 10 minutes and look for Buzzard’s Burn or or Waterfall Hike to your right. Both hikes will give you a nice work out. Waterfall Hike is particularly nice during the wet season for obvious reasons.

Great for a short family hike with little ones if you just do the loop to Pacheco Pond and back. Charmingly scenic and woodsy with some wildlife. Ducks were frollicking in the pond and our 4 year-​old spotted a newt in the brush. Dogs are off leash, so just be cautious with children, since although most are friendly, you can never be totally sure.

This particular open space is SO diverse. The main path/​loop is nearly 100% flat, great for strollers or light hikers. There are several trails that fork off from the main loop.
In the spring, nearly any trail you take is going to lead you to a waterfall. The website has a great map to down load and has a pretty accurate description of the main hikes.