Indian Beach Nature Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Views · Wildlife

From the north side of the hectic Heart's Desire parking area, find the marked trail for Indian Beach alongside the bathrooms. Follow the path gently uphill and read the informational signs about the coastal Miwok Indian tribes people who lived here for 3500 years. They lived on clams, oysters, fish and their creative use of the native plants included using poison oak to tattoo their skin!

This family-friendly trail descends down the bluff to Indian Beach where replicas of the Miwok dwellings (kotchas) are erected on the sand. The marsh behind the beach is a good place for birdwatching and spotting wildlife. Most folks prefer to make this an out-and-back, but to turn the excursion into a loop, continue to the north end of the beach, cross a footbridge and turn west on the Indian Beach Service Road following it and the Heart's Desire roads back to the Heart's Desire parking area. Note: bikes are not allowed on this trail.