Like Tennessee Valley, Phoenix Lake is one of Marin's most popular spots for outdoor recreation. Located on Marin Municipal Water District watershed lands, Phoenix Lake sits at the base of Mt. Tamalpais in the town of Ross. It's a great place for a family hike with small children, as the trails that lead to the lake and ring it have gentle slopes and relatively short distances that are manageable by most. There are also numerous more challenging accessible from Phoenix lake that are sure to please more advanced hikers. You'll see a lot of people running, walking dogs, and biking here as well as walking.
The small parking lot is located in Ross's Natalie Coffin Greene Park, located at the end of Lagunitas Road. Since this is a popular place, the parking lot tends to fill up fast. On weekends, you'll want to get there before 11 am or so, otherwise you'll either need to wait for a spot to open up or park down around Ross Common and walk up to the trail head, which isn't really too far. During the week it's usually not a problem, nor was it on the drizzly Sunday when we last visited.
Natalie Coffin Greene Park is pleasant, with a creek, a picnic area, and small bridges that kids love to run across. Head across the large bridge and uphill on the fire road to get to Phoenix Lake. Near the top of the road, you'll come across the spillway, which during the winter and spring serves as a dramatic artificial waterfall that the kids love to look at. Once you're at the top of the hill, you'll find yourself at Phoenix Lake. Go either left or right to follow the trail that rings the lake, which is about 3 miles in length. A good heavy-duty jogging stroller can be used on much of the trail, although it will be tough to make it all the way around, especially when the trail is wet. Your best bet for hiking with babies and toddler is a baby carrier backpack.
There's a lot for kids to look at here, including turtles and birds that live in the lake. It's a pleasant place to enjoy the outdoors and let the kids run around. There are also benches placed at frequent intervals along the trail.
Getting There
Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Ross and turn into Ross at Lagunitas Road. Follow Lagunitas Road to Natalie Coffin Greene Park at the very end of the road. Reports are of a parking fee here, but we've never seen evidence of one. There are picnic facilities and portable toilets adjacent to the parking lot. Additional toilets and a pay phone are located up at the lake.
