Bay View Hiking Trail – China Camp State Park

Bay View Hiking Trail – China Camp State Park

Bay View Trail – China Camp State Park

Location: San Rafael, CA
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking trails, horseback riding, bike friendly, bird watching, no dogs, wildlife observation

Located on the shores of the San Pablo Bay in Marin County, the China Camp State Park is a state park in California known for its historic Chinese-American shrimp fishing village. The state park is home to oak woodlands, grasslands, and redwood groves. It is also home to a number of trails for hike enthusiasts. One interesting trail is the Bay View Trail. The Bay View Trail starts from the China Camp Campground, climbs to a series of switchbacks, goes through rocky singletrack, connects with the Oak Ridge Trail, and finally ends at a junction with the McNear Fire Road.

About China Camp State Park. China Camp State Park is a California state park that surrounds a historic Chinese American shrimp fishing village and salt marsh. The park is located on the shore of the San Pablo Bay in San Rafael. Established in 1976, the 1,500 acre park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Moreover, the park is also part of the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine. Prior Chinese settlement, the area was inhabited by indigenous Coast Miwok people. To date, the park boasts a wide variety of outdoor activity options, such as overnight camping, paddle boarding, biking, and hiking. The area also serves as a good picnic ground.

Top 3 Adventure Hacks

1) It pays to be prepared.

At times, trails may intersect and it is often hard to know if you are still on the right track. It is best to do some research about the area. A state park can have as much as 60 miles of trails. Visit the locality’s website or information center for a detailed trail map.

2) Bring extra clothing.

You might come across streams, rivers, waterfalls, lakes and it pays to bring extra clothing. A handy dry sack can keep your stuff organized inside your bag.

3) Stay warm

Did you know that consuming too little water can aggravate hypothermia? Stay hydrated, dress in layers, carry a hate, and bring rain gear for long treks. Avoid cotton as it can absorb water and keep you cold.