Stafford Lake Nature Walk
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location:Stafford Lake Park, 3549 Novato Blvd, Novato, CA
Starting Point:Stafford Lake Park: From Hwy 101 in Novato, take exit 463 for San Marin Dr west 2.9 miles. Turn right onto Novato Blvd and follow for 2.6 miles. The park is on the left. Drive to the last parking lot area near the Group Area 2 sign. The Terwilliger trailhead starts beyond this point.
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Stafford Lake Park info link (Marin County Parks):
https://www.marincountyparks.org/parkspreserves/parks/stafford-lake-park
Stafford Lake Park rules/guidelines link (Marin County Parks):
https://www.marincountyparks.org/parkspreserves/parks/stafford-lake-park?tabnum=4
Terwilliger WildCare Nature Education info link:
https://www.discoverwildcare.org/programs/
Terwilliger Nature Trail Map:
There are signs with area maps near the check-in and playground area of Stafford Park that show the overlay of the entire Stafford Lake Park area, including the bike trails, Frisbee golf course, and the Terwilliger Nature Trail described in this post. I have not been able to find a trail map online, so hikers should get to Stafford Lake Park and look for a sign posted with trail maps for reference.
Distance:
The full Terwilliger Nature Trail loop is about 2 miles, without any steep climbs. This makes it suitable for a pleasant walk even for young children and beginning hikers. There is a creek crossing that may involve a bit of stepping stone/log crossing over water depending on the season.
Considerations:
• The seems to be ample parking, though weekends may fill up with large group reservations and bike trail users.
• There are toilet facilities available.
• Only service dogs allowed here.
• This area tends to be hot from spring to fall, so bring sun protection and water.
• Swimming in the lake not allowed, but fishing is allowed with a fishing license.
• This is a popular location for large group gatherings such as company picnics. Peace and quiet can be found on the nature trail.
• Careful of poison oak. Technu or another scrub is good to have on hand.
The Trail:
This park is noted on maps by numbered codes. Go to the end parking lot, which is the location of Group Area 2 near the lake. There are willow trees in this area. From here, a dirt path that parallels the lake leads you to a wooden sign post marked Terwilliger Trail.
The trail is named after Elizabeth Terwilliger, a beloved Marin County naturalist whose efforts brought about the WildCare Nature Education Programs.
The trail is a bit grassy with bushes at the sides for a stretch, then opens up with broader views of rolling hills (golden in summer, green in rainy season). California bay, oak, and buckeye trees dot the landscape.
Watch for picnic tables under shady trees, looking like perfect spots for a snack break. The trail goes past the lake close enough to observe waterfowl, including a large flock of Canada geese. Binoculars are handy for catching closer views of raptors overhead and waterfowl on the lake.
There’s a little creek crossing that may have water and require a bit of stepping across logs. At one point, there are scenic wooden steps up the side of the trail leading up to part of the Frisbee golf course. You can run up and take a peak from the hill, but for the nature trail, stay on the dirt road path that meanders along with the lake in view at left, curving past more oak trees and then rising up to a slightly higher elevation.
At the top of the rise, marked by a scenic fence, there’s a shady spot with rocks that makes for a good snack break. Tractor doing maintenance aside, the pastoral picture from this shady hilltop spot was marked for us by the appearance of many large jackrabbits down the hill from our resting spot.
Going back past the lake offers a pleasant return view. There’s also a stretch of trail that includes a wooden footbridge. This is the non-creek option when water is high, apparently.
Topping off our nature trail walk, we stopped at the parking lot closer to the entrance and checked out the hammocks and mini zipline play area. This is definitely a community park more than a big hiking destination, but the Terwilliger Trail is pleasant and a nice reminder of the efforts of the naturalist it is named after.
(Stafford Lake Nature Walk Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Stumbling Onto Things As We Go Along” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location:Stafford Lake Park, 3549 Novato Blvd, Novato, CA
Starting Point:Stafford Lake Park: From Hwy 101 in Novato, take exit 463 for San Marin Dr west 2.9 miles. Turn right onto Novato Blvd and follow for 2.6 miles. The park is on the left. Drive to the last parking lot area near the Group Area 2 sign. The Terwilliger trailhead starts beyond this point.
Info/Links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Stafford Lake Park info link (Marin County Parks):
https://www.marincountyparks.org/parkspreserves/parks/stafford-lake-park
Stafford Lake Park rules/guidelines link (Marin County Parks):
https://www.marincountyparks.org/parkspreserves/parks/stafford-lake-park?tabnum=4
Terwilliger WildCare Nature Education info link:
https://www.discoverwildcare.org/programs/
Terwilliger Nature Trail Map:
There are signs with area maps near the check-in and playground area of Stafford Park that show the overlay of the entire Stafford Lake Park area, including the bike trails, Frisbee golf course, and the Terwilliger Nature Trail described in this post. I have not been able to find a trail map online, so hikers should get to Stafford Lake Park and look for a sign posted with trail maps for reference.
Distance:
The full Terwilliger Nature Trail loop is about 2 miles, without any steep climbs. This makes it suitable for a pleasant walk even for young children and beginning hikers. There is a creek crossing that may involve a bit of stepping stone/log crossing over water depending on the season.
Considerations:
• The seems to be ample parking, though weekends may fill up with large group reservations and bike trail users.
• There are toilet facilities available.
• Only service dogs allowed here.
• This area tends to be hot from spring to fall, so bring sun protection and water.
• Swimming in the lake not allowed, but fishing is allowed with a fishing license.
• This is a popular location for large group gatherings such as company picnics. Peace and quiet can be found on the nature trail.
• Careful of poison oak. Technu or another scrub is good to have on hand.
The Trail:
This park is noted on maps by numbered codes. Go to the end parking lot, which is the location of Group Area 2 near the lake. There are willow trees in this area. From here, a dirt path that parallels the lake leads you to a wooden sign post marked Terwilliger Trail.
The trail is named after Elizabeth Terwilliger, a beloved Marin County naturalist whose efforts brought about the WildCare Nature Education Programs.
The trail is a bit grassy with bushes at the sides for a stretch, then opens up with broader views of rolling hills (golden in summer, green in rainy season). California bay, oak, and buckeye trees dot the landscape.
Watch for picnic tables under shady trees, looking like perfect spots for a snack break. The trail goes past the lake close enough to observe waterfowl, including a large flock of Canada geese. Binoculars are handy for catching closer views of raptors overhead and waterfowl on the lake.
There’s a little creek crossing that may have water and require a bit of stepping across logs. At one point, there are scenic wooden steps up the side of the trail leading up to part of the Frisbee golf course. You can run up and take a peak from the hill, but for the nature trail, stay on the dirt road path that meanders along with the lake in view at left, curving past more oak trees and then rising up to a slightly higher elevation.
At the top of the rise, marked by a scenic fence, there’s a shady spot with rocks that makes for a good snack break. Tractor doing maintenance aside, the pastoral picture from this shady hilltop spot was marked for us by the appearance of many large jackrabbits down the hill from our resting spot.
Going back past the lake offers a pleasant return view. There’s also a stretch of trail that includes a wooden footbridge. This is the non-creek option when water is high, apparently.
Topping off our nature trail walk, we stopped at the parking lot closer to the entrance and checked out the hammocks and mini zipline play area. This is definitely a community park more than a big hiking destination, but the Terwilliger Trail is pleasant and a nice reminder of the efforts of the naturalist it is named after.
(Stafford Lake Nature Walk Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Stumbling Onto Things As We Go Along” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
