HomeCaliforniaMill Valley › Camino Alto Open Space Preserve

Camino Alto Open Space Preserve

4.7 ★★★★★ 80 Google reviews · Running trail in Mill Valley, California · Hours vary

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Not reported

We have not been able to confirm the surface, distance or shape of Camino Alto Open Space Preserve yet from its own listing, the park's website or runner reviews — so those cells stay blank rather than guess. What is below comes straight from the listing and from reviewers' own words. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAHilly

Wood & grassland preserve on a ridge spanning 170 acres popular for hiking, cycling & horse-riding.

What runners say about Camino Alto Open Space Preserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (80 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“What a beautiful day for a long hike that looped in and out of oak groves, wildflowers and redwoods.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 8 mentions

“So beautiful and all the walkers and runners and dogs were super friendly and well behaved.”

Gorgeous hiking! A bit hilly and there are a few parking spots on Val Vista Rd. You will enjoy great views of SF on a sunny day, and the hiking trails are dog friendly! 🐕 🏙️ ☀️

★★★★★ — Alexandra , Mar 2023

Views are amazing! One of our favorite places to hike in the afternoon.

★★★★★ — Lindsay , Jul 2022

A real find. Very close to the Golden Gate Bridge in Mill Valley and yet comma hundreds of Acres of trails in wilderness. It was a joy to be able to have my dog off-leash so close to the city.

★★★★★ — Andy , Jun 2017

a nice easily accessible place to walk your dog up a fairly smooth fire road with only moderate elevation grade. full of (mostly) friendly Marinites.

★★★★☆ — Zouch , Dec 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 80 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🐕 Dog-friendly 19 mentions

“a nice easily accessible place to walk your dog up a fairly smooth fire road with only moderate elevation grade.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 11 mentions

“What a beautiful day for a long hike that looped in and out of oak groves, wildflowers and redwoods.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“a nice easily accessible place to walk your dog up a fairly smooth fire road with only moderate elevation grade.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“a nice easily accessible place to walk your dog up a fairly smooth fire road with only moderate elevation grade.”

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Plan your run at Camino Alto Open Space Preserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websiteparks.marincounty.gov
  • Phone(415) 473-6387

Where to find Camino Alto Open Space Preserve

Sandy Ln, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Get directions

Running trails near Mill Valley

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Octopus Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 39 reviews

Corte Madera, CA

ScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

Alto Bowl Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 4 reviews

Corte Madera, CA

Scenic

under a mile away

Blithedale Loop Trailhead

4.1 ★★★★☆ 14 reviews

Larkspur, CA

LoopNatural surfaceDog-friendly

under a mile away

Corte Madera Town Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 293 reviews

Corte Madera, CA

ScenicDog-friendly

Baseball, soccer and tennis courts, plus a skate park offer sports and recreation.

under a mile away

Horse Hill Preserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 28 reviews

Mill Valley, CA

Natural surfaceScenic

under a mile away

Old Mill Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 168 reviews

Mill Valley, CA

Scenic

Pet-friendly greenspace featuring a creek, a playground and redwood trees.

1.5 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.