Touring - Samuel P Taylor state park

My wife and I are trying to do a short tour/camping trip over memorial day weekend. We are thinking of making Samuel P. Taylor our first stop. I can't find much info on the hiker/biker sites there, do we need a reservation or is it first come first serve? This is our first overnighter on bikes so we are trying to make sure we have a place to set up camp. Thanks-Brian

I don't know anything about that specific park, but if it has hiker/biker sites, they are first come first serve and seldom overfill. They are usually almost a group camp setup without defined tent spots. More like a large clearing area with several tables and some water. A few have specific spots and areas for each person/couple, but mostly in my experience just a large area. Most people at those HB sites are very cool and will make room for a fellow wanderer.

Hi,

The park does have hiker-biker provisions, according to state parks Web site (check the icons on the right). Also, there's something about being a helpless cyclist that -- with the right attitude -- inspires acts of kindness. You can nearly always prevail upon the kindness of strangers. It's the value of a smile.

Have fun!
Mark

Thanks, I figured we would be able to get a spot but I'm trying to get my wife interested in touring and wanted to make sure we wouldn't be stealth camping somewhere on our first trip. - Brian

The hiker/biker site at Samuel Taylor is a beautiful spot in the redwoods. It's a large area with tenting spots scattered throughout. When I was there there were about a dozen cyclists, and there was still plenty of room.

I camped there on my coast tour in 1992. It was, indeed, beautiful and in the redwoods. There were big redwood trees all around my campsite. There were lots of hiker/biker sites. Enjoy!

Sounds perfect, I can't wait to go on this trip. -Brian

whooo hooo!

see ya there

I have stayed three times at Samuel Taylor Park. It's a very nice park, and they have plenty of space in thier hiker-biker site. Can't imagine that they would ever fill up. Good like and have a great time!!

We are heading to the amtrak station in a little while, taking the train to S.F. and riding from there. I'll be riding an xtracycle with way to much gear. thanks for everyones help.

Good luck, guys- hope the rain doesn`t turn it into a mudfest for you. Don`t forget to report!

Our trip was a awesome. We took the train to S.F. had lunch at the wharf, then contiuned over the golden gate and through marin county. Had some food at the Lagunitas market then headed to camp, went to bed early, woke up late. We spent the first day cruising around the park in the rain, checking out the sites. While making dinner at camp we decided to try and ride back towards Sacramento instead of returning by train, so the next morning we headed towards Petaluma over a fairly hilly route. We stopped in Petaluma and bought a cycling map which then sent us on a steep country road towards Glen Ellen. After a lot of 5mph uphill and some 30mph downhill we arrived in Glen Ellen, We then headed towards Sonoma where we found a Hotel room, had a nice dinner and hot shower. Monday morning had us on the worst roads with the worst traffic possible, we first headed to Napa for Breakfast then took hwy 29/12 towards Cordelia, we were told the road was scary but we had no idea how bad it really was. Insane traffic with little shoulder. We made it to Cordelia in one piece, where we called for a ride from a family memeber who lived close by. Even though we dealt with bad traffic and lots of climbing, it was a great trip. My wife and I were both ready to keep riding and camping werever the road took us, but unfortunately we have other responsibilities. We are both ready for our next adventure.

Wow, extra mileage even! My wife and I took our first overnighter a fw weeks ago and only made it about 14 of the 25 miles to the turn-around spot I planned on. Not much rain after the first day? Glad it went so well for you.

When I was there in 2004, they were having trouble with homeless people in the hiker / biker area. They put me in a regular full service site for the same price because of the problem. You might ask the Rangers if they have been having problems these days.

The park is very nice and the people were very friendly. The Golden gate was wonderful! The route from the bridge to the park is a bit busy and hard to follow, so watch your maps closely and have a great time.

Greg