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Olompali State Park overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay from the east-facing slopes of 1,558 foot Mount Burdell.
The name "olompali" comes from the Miwok language and may be translated as "southern village" or "southern people." The Coast Miwok inhabited at least one site within the area of the present-day park continuously from as early as 6,000 BC, until the early 1850s.
Olompali contains "kitchen rock," a large boulder used as a mortar in which early people ground acorns and seeds into a fine flour for food preparation. Many women would gather near such grinding rocks to prepare food and socialize.
Park News Alert
Starting October 4, 2011 service reductions are in place for this park.
Day Use Only: The gate opens at 10am and closes at 5pm
Starting October 4, 2011, this park will be closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays of each week.
Starting October 4, 2011 service reductions are in place for this park.
Day Use Only: The gate opens at 10am and closes at 5pm
Starting October 4, 2011, this park will be closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays of each week.
Getting There
The park is located three miles north of Novato on U.S. 101. The entrance is accessible only to southbound traffic from Highway 101.
Northbound vehicles should continue north past the park and make a safe U-Turn in order to travel south and enter the park.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
The park is located three miles north of Novato on U.S. 101. The entrance is accessible only to southbound traffic from Highway 101.
Northbound vehicles should continue north past the park and make a safe U-Turn in order to travel south and enter the park.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer is hot, spring is warm, and fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is best.
Summer is hot, spring is warm, and fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is best.
Operating Hours & Contact
Please call the park for operating hours.
Telephone: 415-898-4362
Please call the park for operating hours.
Telephone: 415-898-4362
Facilities
The park has hiking and horseback riding trails and a shaded picnic area. Please be aware that no dogs or bikes are allowed on the park trails. The park day-use fee is currently $8.00 per vehicle.
The visitor center is usually staffed by a volunteer on Saturday afternoons, from noon until 3pm.
A project is underway to build several structures representative of a Coast Miwok village. The village will be used as an interpretive and educational site. Visitors to the park can see two kotchas (houses), one made from redwood bark and another made with bundles of native tule reeds. There is also a nicely labeled native plant garden.
The park has hiking and horseback riding trails and a shaded picnic area. Please be aware that no dogs or bikes are allowed on the park trails. The park day-use fee is currently $8.00 per vehicle.
The visitor center is usually staffed by a volunteer on Saturday afternoons, from noon until 3pm.
A project is underway to build several structures representative of a Coast Miwok village. The village will be used as an interpretive and educational site. Visitors to the park can see two kotchas (houses), one made from redwood bark and another made with bundles of native tule reeds. There is also a nicely labeled native plant garden.
Accessible Features
The visitor center, parking lot and restroom facilities (the portable, no-flush restroom adjacent to the parking lot and the visitor center restrooms) are accessible. The visitor center restrooms are open when the visitor center is open, usually on the weekends. The portable, no-flush restroom is available when the park is open. Visitors to the park may see two kotchas (houses), one made from redwood bark and another made with bundles of native tule reeds. Future plans call for a reconstructed native village. (Updated December 2009)
The visitor center, parking lot and restroom facilities (the portable, no-flush restroom adjacent to the parking lot and the visitor center restrooms) are accessible. The visitor center restrooms are open when the visitor center is open, usually on the weekends. The portable, no-flush restroom is available when the park is open. Visitors to the park may see two kotchas (houses), one made from redwood bark and another made with bundles of native tule reeds. Future plans call for a reconstructed native village. (Updated December 2009)
Community Trips
Out with part of the family grabbing all 10 geocaches in the park, including Olompali Golly as my 300th find.
Great hike to the top of Mt Burdell via Olompali State Historic Park with Troop 73.
Super-fun low stress trip. Great for 8 and up. We saw SO MANY MUSHROOMS! Didn't see anyone for 2 hours despite it being right off 101! We didn't make it to the top of Mount Burdell 'cuz it started getting really cold and with the fog rolling in visibility from the peak would've been about 15 feet.
