HomeCaliforniaRichmond › Point Pinole Regional Park - Dotson Family Marsh

Point Pinole Regional Park - Dotson Family Marsh

4.6 ★★★★★ 74 Google reviews · Running trail in Richmond, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Point Pinole Regional Park - Dotson Family Marsh's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. 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.

PavedScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADARestroomsWaterTrailhead parkingQuiet

What runners say about Point Pinole Regional Park - Dotson Family Marsh

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (74 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Initially starts as a paved road and can break off to a gravel/dirt road that is well kept.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“It's got great interpretive signs around marsh ecology and stunning views of San Pablo Bay and the San Pablo Hills.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“The only downside to this peaceful walk is the proximity to a shoot range which you can hear well over a mile into the hike.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

Great little shoreline park. No shade, but morning or evening walks are great here. Dogs on a leash only and pet owners we saw were quick to obey this rule. The front gate closes really early compared to most parks. However, we parked in the roundabout directly outside of the gate and used the park anyway ..

★★★★★ — James , Jun 2021

Wow what a great public open space! I've been to the eastern part of this park many times but never knew this is also part of the same park! There's lots of great walking trails. Most of the trail that's part of the SF Bay Trail is paved so great for cycling. Don't miss the China Clipper Trail!

★★★★★ — Lucy , Feb 2021

Plenty of spots in the parking lot. Initially starts as a paved road and can break off to a gravel/dirt road that is well kept. The only downside to this peaceful walk is the proximity to a shoot range which you can hear well over a mile into the hike.

★★★★☆ — E , Jun 2024

Beautiful, peaceful and quiet. You can enjoy yourself or a group sitting next to the water, go bird watching near the marsh lands, go biking through the trails, walk your dog or walk alone and take in the views, there is also an area for picnics and BBQs near the entrance and a climbing structure that looks fun for…

★★★★★ — Miss , Jan 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 74 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.

🏞️ Scenic views 14 mentions

“It's got great interpretive signs around marsh ecology and stunning views of San Pablo Bay and the San Pablo Hills.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 11 mentions

“Dogs on a leash only and pet owners we saw were quick to obey this rule.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 7 mentions

“Just a heads up there is a parking and dog fee on weekends and holidays, about $5 each.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 5 mentions

“The only downside to this peaceful walk is the proximity to a shoot range which you can hear well over a mile into the hike.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 3 mentions

“Initially starts as a paved road and can break off to a gravel/dirt road that is well kept.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“There is plenty of restrooms and picnic benches along the way.”

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🚰 Water fountains

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Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Point Pinole Regional Park - Dotson Family Marsh

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • 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.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • 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.
  • Websiteebparks.org
  • Phone(888) 327-2757
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 7 AM–5 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–5 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–5 PM
Thursday 7 AM–5 PM
Friday 7 AM–5 PM
Saturday 7 AM–5 PM
Sunday 7 AM–5 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Point Pinole Regional Park - Dotson Family Marsh

Richmond, California

Get directions

Running trails near Richmond

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

San Francisco Bay Trail

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under a mile away

Point Pinole Regional Shoreline

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Sprawling park with scenic, multi-use trails through meadows, eucalyptus woods, bluffs & beaches.

under a mile away

Bay Vista Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 63 reviews

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Clean park featuring climbing equipment, swings and a padded playground.

1.2 miles away

John Herbert Davis Park

4.2 ★★★★☆ 330 reviews

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Dog-friendly

1.4 miles away

Point Pinole Regional Shoreline

4.7 ★★★★★ 119 reviews

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PavedScenicDog-friendly

Natural setting featuring an old black-powder-storage area, hiking trails and a fishing pier.

1.5 miles away

Alvarado Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 687 reviews

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25 miMixedScenicDog-friendly

Part of Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, this area has a playground, picnic sites & historic stonework.

3.0 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.