About Olompali State Historic Park
Olompali State Historic Park in Novato, CA
This is a state historic park, not a redwood campground. You get ranch history, picnic grounds, gardens, and hiking or horseback trails. Dogs and bikes are not allowed on the park trails.
What Olompali Is
Olompali layers Coast Miwok history, Mexican and American ranching, and the Burdell ranch era on one hillside. Visitors start at a picnic area near the historic Burdell mansion, gardens, and ranch buildings. Interpretive displays at the visitor center cover prehistoric settlement through later ranch years when the center is open.
Friends of Olompali support the park and keep local updates flowing. California State Parks runs the site.
Trails And What To Do
The lower hillside Miwok Loop is about 2.5 miles and is the best first hike. Reaching the peak of Mt. Burdell is roughly 9 miles round trip depending on the route, with a summit at 1,558 feet. Horseback riding is allowed on designated trails. Picnicking near the mansion area works if you want a short stop without a big climb.
Mt. Burdell is also reachable from Marin County Open Space trails on the San Marin side of Novato. The state park gate still closes at 5:00 PM if you entered from Redwood Boulevard.
Hours, Fees, And Access
Park hours are commonly listed daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The gate closes promptly at 5:00 PM, so exit by then.
From Highway 101, exit Atherton Avenue / San Marin Drive and follow signs to the frontage road and park entrance.
What The Visit Is Like
Expect open hillside, ranch history underfoot, and views that open toward the bay on clear days. Summer heat on Burdell is real. Bring water, sun protection, and a watch for the gate. Winter grass and spring wildflowers change the same trails. Trails are quieter than most central Marin parks on weekday mornings.
Why People Go
People come for a Novato hike that still feels like countryside, for Coast Miwok and ranch history in one stop, and for a Mt. Burdell day that starts with an easy picnic. They stay because Olompali is one of the few North Marin state parks that pairs a short loop with a real summit option without driving to West Marin.
Who Olompali Is Best For
Olompali works especially well for Novato hikers, families who want a picnic and a short loop, horseback riders on open trails, and anyone pairing a north county morning with downtown Grant Avenue later. It is less ideal if you need dog-friendly trails, bike routes inside the park, or a late afternoon exit after 5:00 PM.
Where It Fits In Your Novato Day
A simple north Novato loop is Olompali in the morning, then Marvin's or another Grant Avenue stop for breakfast or lunch if you finish early enough. Masa's, Boca, and Ayawaska cover dinner elsewhere in town. Save the Burdell summit for a cool day with an early start.