Bill’s Trail (Samuel P. Taylor State Park)

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Region: West Marin, CA | Use: Multi-use (hike, bike, equestrian) | Shade: High (redwoods & mixed forest)

Parking: Devil’s Gulch Fire Road Trailhead Google Map

Bill’s Trail is a shaded, flowing singletrack linking Devil’s Gulch and Barnabe Fire Road in Samuel P. Taylor State Park. It’s a favorite family/intermediate ride: gentle switchbacks, small bridges, ferny gullies, and redwood ambiance.

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Trail Fork info

Quick Facts	Details
One-way distance	~3.2–3.9 mi (depends on where you start/finish along Devil’s Gulch Rd or Barnabe Fire Rd)
Elevation	~1,000 ft gain/loss total across the full length
Grade/Surface	Machine-cut, bench singletrack; compacted dirt, bridges; steady, bike-friendly grades
Best season	Late spring–fall (see Seasonal closures below)
Difficulty	Mild Climbing, no feature, good for beginner

Why ride it

Shaded redwood/mixed forest the whole way.
Swoopy, consistent grade built for multi-use—great climbing one way, flowy descent back.
Easy to make shorter kid-friendly out-and-backs from the Devil’s Gulch side.

Getting there & parking

Primary access (Devil’s Gulch trailhead):

Drive Sir Francis Drake Blvd to the signed Devil’s Gulch area (about 1 mile west of Camp Taylor).
Park in the roadside pullout near milepost ~18.05 (limited spaces). Use caution crossing SFD to the trailhead.
From the pullout, roll a short way down Devil’s Gulch Road (paved) to a bridge; cross it to a T-junction: left = Bill’s Trail, right = Barnabe Fire Road.

Inside-park day-use lots: You can also park at Camp Taylor day-use/entrance lots (fee required) and connect via short segments of Devil’s Gulch Road to the start.

Coordinates (approx.): Devil’s Gulch trailhead pullout: 38.020°N, −122.739°W (approx.; verify on your map/GPS)

Route options

Out-and-back (most family-friendly): Start at Devil’s Gulch → climb Bill’s Trail until kids are ready to turn → descend back (smooth, fun, predictable).
Point-to-point / loop: Climb Bill’s → Barnabe Fire Road ridge → optional spur toward Barnabe Peak → loop back on fire roads. (Bigger day; bring water/sun for ridge.)

Water & play stops

Lagunitas Creek / Inkwells: While not on Bill’s Trail proper, the nearby Cross Marin Trail along Lagunitas Creek (and the Inkwells near Shafter Bridge) offers easy creek access for a cool-down. Great add-on stop before/after your ride.

Rules & notes

Multi-use: Yield to pedestrians and equestrians. Control speed on blind corners and bridges.
No dogs on park trails (standard CA State Parks rule varies—check kiosk if unsure).
Bikes allowed on Bill’s Trail (officially opened to all users in 2020 after restoration).
Seasonal closures: Bill’s Trail typically closes in the rainy season (≈ Nov–Apr) to protect tread. Check the park kiosk for current status.

Kid-friendliness

Confident young riders will enjoy the steady grades and smooth surface.
Start from Devil’s Gulch to keep grades as mellow as possible and to make the return a fun descent.
Turnaround points: any bridge or shady bench; no need to commit to the full length.

What bike to bring

Any MTB or gravel bike with low gearing and reliable brakes.
Tires with decent volume (32–45c+ for gravel; 2.0–2.4“ for MTB) are ideal for bridges, roots, and seasonal debris.

Nearby additions

Cross Marin Trail (paved & flat): Perfect family spin under redwoods along Lagunitas Creek.
Barnabe Peak (via fire roads): Bigger views if you want to add a climb after Bill’s.

Practical info

Fees: Day-use fees apply inside the park lots; the roadside pullout is free but limited.
Restrooms: Camp Taylor day-use area; vault toilets at some trailheads.
Maps & status: CA State Parks: Samuel P. Taylor (trail conditions/closures); local MTB map apps.

Peng Zhou

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