Marin County Parks Open Space Leash Policy: Dogs on leash are welcome to enjoy trails. Dogs are allowed off-leash under strict voice control on fire protection roads. Please follow posted rules.
The southern half of the Alto Bowl Preserve is known as “Horse Hill” and is leased for horse pasturing by the Alto Bowl Horseowners Association. The sight of horses grazing peacefully on this grassy hillside has been a landmark for decades.
Slated for development in the 1980s, the credit for its preservation goes to the horse owners, their supporters, the Marin County Open Space District, the Marin Community Foundation, and the City of Mill Valley who together raised 2.4 million dollars.
Dedicated volunteers have restored many acres of this preserve’s native habitats by waging an ongoing battle against French broom and other invasive, exotic plants. The Bob Middagh Trail connects the Alto Bowl Preserve with the Camino Alto Preserve to the west.
There are horses grazing along the trails, so keep your dog leashed to prevent injury if they are not familiar with horses.
Directions:
From Hwy 101 in Mill Valley, take the exit for E. Blithedale Ave. west for 1.4 miles. Turn right at Camino Alto, turn right at Azalea Dr., turn right at Vasco Dr. (becomes Underhill Rd.), and turn left at Coach Rd. MCOSD gate is at the end.