Tomales Point Trailhead

The Tomales Point Trailhead parking lot.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Point Reyes National Seashore's Tomales Point Trailhead is located at the north end of Pierce Point Road, Inverness, California. Geographic Coordinates: 38.1889, -122.9540

Amenities

5 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Recycling, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles

The Tomales Point Trailhead is located at the north end of Pierce Point Road. The Tomales Point Trail—which is mostly within the Phillip Burton Wilderness—is one of the most dramatic and popular hikes in the seashore. Visitors are drawn to majestic, clear views in the winter, vibrant wildflower blooms in the spring, and bugling and rutting tule elk in the summer and fall. The trailhead is adjacent to the historic Pierce Point Ranch.

Suggested Routes From This Trailhead

Hike the Tomales Point Trail to Windy Gap: 2 miles (3.2 km), easy
Hike the Tomales Point Trail: up to 9.5 miles (15 km) roundtrip, moderate to strenuous

Park Regulations

• Take only pictures; leave only footprints: Almost everything one finds at Point Reyes is protected by law, including shells, rocks, fossils, flowers, and artifacts.
• Please only travel on authorized trails, respect posted signs, and practice Leave No Trace principles when recreating in the park.
• Check current conditions and trail advisories and closures before your visit.
• Bicycles are not permitted on the Tomales Point Trail.
• Pets are not permitted on any of the trails in this area. Visit our Pets page to learn where pets are permitted at Point Reyes National Seashore.
• Horses and pack animals are permitted on the Tomales Point Trail, except for llamas. Please visit our Horse Riding page for more information.
• Drones are not permitted anywhere in Point Reyes National Seashore.

Parking

The Tomales Point Trailhead parking lot is approximately 35 minutes by car from the Bear Valley Visitor Center. There is a dirt parking lot at the north end of Pierce Point Road that can accommodate 20 vehicles. On busy weekends and holidays, the parking lot may be full by 10 am. If you park along the Pierce Point Road south of the parking lot, please observe all "No Parking" signs and ensure that no part of your parked vehicle is on the pavement in order to allow other vehicles to safely pass. Please park perpendicular to the road where possible. Be aware that the shoulders along Pierce Point Road are often soft during the winter and spring and vehicles have become stuck in the mud when their owners attempted to park along the road. RVs and buses may have difficulty turning around and are not recommended to be driven to Tomales Point.

Directions to Bear Valley
Directions from Bear Valley to the Tomales Point Trailhead