Watch Your Step!

Equestrians, in my opinion, tend to be the most careful of all trail users. They need to be cautious, to protect the safety of their horses, and themselves. The only issue I have with equestrians is the damage their horses do to the trails. Many preserves close certain trails during winter and early spring months to lessen the impact of horse hooves on muddy trails. Still, horses do more damage to the trails than any other use group. Not to mention the unpleasant density of  horse poop on well-ridden trails. It's only fair to allow equestrians ample access to multi-use trails.

If you dislike horses or any of the issues mentioned above, you may want to avoid the following trails/trailheads:
• Alto Bowl Open Space Preserve, MCOSD, Marin County (preserve includes Horse Hill)
• Bear Valley Trailhead, Point Reyes National Seashore, NPS, Marin County (heavy horse use)
• Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, CSP, Napa County (private horse concession operates seasonally)
• Bort Meadow Trailhead, Anthony Chabot Regional Park, EBRPD, Alameda County (stables on site)
• Calero County Park, SCCP, Santa Clara County (stables on site)
• Five Brooks Trailhead, Point Reyes National Seashore, NPS, Marin County (stables on site)
• Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, CSP, Santa Cruz County (heavy horse use)
• Indian Tree Open Space Preserve, MCOSD, Marin County (stables adjacent to preserve)
• Indian Valley Open Space Preserve, MCOSD, Marin County (heavy horse use)
• Joaquin Miller Park, City of Oakland, Alameda County (heavy horse use, particularly near Sequoia Arena)
• Sam McDonald County Park, CSMP, San Mateo County (horse camp in park)
• Mount Madonna County Park, SCCP, Santa Clara County (heavy horse use)
• Phleger Estate, GGRNA, San Mateo County (heavy horse use)
• Shiloh Ranch Regional Park, Sonoma County Regional Parks, Sonoma County (heavy horse use)
• Tennessee Valley Trailhead, GGNRA, Marin County (all trails except one portion of Miwok are multi-use and close to stables)

The following preserves don't allow horses:
• Bolinas Lagoon Preserve, Audubon Canyon Ranch, Marin County
• Año Nuevo State Reserve, CSP, San Mateo County
• Kortum Trail, Sonoma Coast State Beach, CSP, Sonoma County
• Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area, EBMUD, Contra Costa County
• Loch Lomond Recreation Area, City of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County
• Muir Woods National Monument, MWNM, Marin County
• Rockville Hills Community Park, Solano Land Trust, Solano County
• Rush Ranch Open Space Preserve, Solano Land Trust, Solano County
• San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sonoma County
• Shoreline at Mountain View, City of Mountain View, Santa Clara County

CSP=California State Parks
MCOSD=Marin County Open Space District
EBRPD=East Bay Regional Park District
GGNRA=Golden Gate National Recreation Area
SCCP=Santa Clara County Parks