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Tolay Lake Regional Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 80 Google reviews · Running trail in Petaluma, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 11 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Tolay Lake Regional Park'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.
Rolling terrain featuring paths for hiking and horseback riding along with picnic areas and bird-watching.
What runners say about Tolay Lake Regional Park
“Up there, great views of Tam, Helena, Diablo and even foggy San Francisco.”
“No shade so sunscreen up.”
“A few trails to choose from, all are easy trails.”
Nice 5 mile hike up to the “Three Bridges Vista Point” and back. Up there, great views of Tam, Helena, Diablo and even foggy San Francisco. Very little shade.
My family of 5 just did the 3.1 mile big loop on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The trails are wide, relatively flat, and clean. We are grateful to be allowed to visit tribal land of the Coastal Miwok and other tribes that inhabited the area in the past. There are cows on the trail, which also means there is cow poop.
So happy this place is open now. There are great trails with beautiful and far reaching views of the bay. It is fun to see all the cows. Dogs are allowed on leash which is great. It can get muddy so make sure your dogs don't drink from puddles because of all the livestock.
This park is a hidden gem in Sonoma County. We hiked to Three Bridges Vista Point on a blustery day in February. The hike up was a little strenuous, but the views from the top more than made up for the effort. There are picnic tables at the top and a large level area from which to see the sights.
Trail conditions & character
“Not the best views in the Sonoma Regional Parks system, but a fantastic park for kids and families.”
“Large open space with wide walking trails, easy parking lot, dog & horses welcome.”
“Portapotty bathrooms are available, and the handicap parking is located right near the bathrooms.”
“It's includes a very steep downgrade heal to get into the park it also cost $8 to park at this location.”
“There are picnic tables at the top and a large level area from which to see the sights.”
“Portapotty bathrooms are available, and the handicap parking is located right near the bathrooms.”
“It can get muddy so make sure your dogs don't drink from puddles because of all the livestock.”
“Nice 5 mile hike up to the “Three Bridges Vista Point” and back.”
Plan your run at Tolay Lake Regional Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance11 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteparks.sonomacounty.ca.gov
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–8 PM |
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