Three trails that make Taylor Mountain feel like a whole new park

Explore fresh trails, big views on east side of Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve

By Regional Parks staff

Taylor Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve has long been a Sonoma County favorite for its rugged trails that climb wide-open grasslands to sweeping views of Santa Rosa from its 1,400-foot summit. But now there’s a whole new side of Taylor Mountain to explore, quite literally.

With the recent opening of 8 miles of trails on the park’s northeastern side,  for the first time you can explore a quieter, lusher side of Taylor Mountain, where shaded creek canyons and oak woodlands lead to ridgelines with panoramic views of Bennett Valley, Mount Saint Helena and Santa Rosa.

The new trails – open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians – include Lower, Middle and Upper Colgan Creek trails, which pass the ruins of a historic hot springs resort and follow the creek’s contours, shaded by oaks and bay laurels. From there, Upper Colgan Creek and Colgan Highlands trails climb out of the trees for stunning views. Panorama and Cooper Ridge trails loop along open ridgelines, and Barn Fork Trail weaves past the trail’s eponymous barn, part of Taylor’s ranching history.

With so many options, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are three routes that show off the range of Taylor’s newest trails, whether you're looking for a peaceful stroll, a solid workout with a view or a more challenging, multi-hour adventure.

Colgan Creek Loop

Distance: ~1.3 miles round-trip, ~140 feet of elevation gain

Difficulty: Easy

This route features gentle, shaded terrain through an oak and bay woodland and is a good choice for families, casual hikers or anyone looking to enjoy the park without a big climb.

Start Kawana Terrace Trail near the bottom of the park’s Kawana Terrace entrance. Briefly traverse the side of the ridge, then drop onto a paved road for a few yards as you enter the old hot springs area. Shaded by a grove of eucalyptus trees, this is where John Shackleford Taylor – for whom the mountain is named – operated a  resort in the late 1800s. Visitors came to soak and relax in nature until the springs dried up after the 1906 earthquake.

Look for signs for Lower Colgan Creek Trail, a mellow, shaded trail that follows the seasonal creek, crossing several bridges. The creek may be dry in summer and fall, but it comes alive in winter and spring and is a good place for spotting wildlife. At the junction with Middle Colgan Trail, keep left to stay on Lower Colgan Trail and complete the loop back to the resort area and the parking lot.

Colgan Creek to East Knoll loop

Distance: ~4.8 miles round-trip, ~940 feet of elevation gain

Difficulty: Moderate

This route offers a mix of forested switchbacks and epic views and is perfect for a half-day hike. Don’t forget to bring a snack for the top and plenty of water.

Start from the Kawana Terrace parking lot and follow the directions above until you reach Middle Colgan Creek Trail. Take Middle Colgan Creek Trail and begin climbing out of the creek canyon into sun-dappled oak woodland.

After about a half-mile ascent, turn left onto Colgan Highlands Trail and continue about 1 mile, where you’ll start to catch glimpses of Santa Rosa below and Mount Saint Helena to the north.

Keep your eyes peeled for the trail sign for Colgan Highlands Loop Trail, then take the short but steep spur trail to the East Knoll, a scenic viewpoint at 1,140 feet and a well-earned reward. Catch your breath, enjoy a snack and take in views of Bennett Valley, Sonoma Mountain and Santa Rosa.

When you’re ready, retrace your route back to Colgan Highlands Trail. Turn right to continue your loop, the ridgeline with more amazing views.  At the large green barn, take Barn Fork Trail, a flowy single-track through oak woodland, and continue your descent to Middle Colgan and back to Lower Colgan and the parking lot.

Panorama to Cooper Ridge to East Knoll Double Lollipop

Distance: ~7.5 miles round-trip, ~1,330 feet of elevation gain

Difficulty: Challenging

This route offers the most elevation change and trail variety, a full tour of most of the new trails, with a rewarding mix of forest, ridgeline and vistas. However, this is considered a challenging route and is best suited for experienced adventurers. Bring plenty of water and snacks.

Start at the Kawana Terrace entrance, and as described above, follow Lower and Middle Colgan Creek trails uphill through shaded oak woodlands. After about a half mile of climbing, veer right onto Barn Fork Trail and continue along the shaded, swooping single-track another half mile until you reach a green barn (the trail’s namesake). This is a good spot for a quick snack because you’re not done climbing yet.

From the barn, take the Panorama Trail, which begins as a double-track dirt road, but narrows into single-track as it levels out and begins traversing the ridgeline. As the forest gives way to grasslands, you’ll be rewarded with wide views of Santa Rosa and the coastal mountains. At the top of the ridge, keep left to stay on Panorama Trail, passing through a livestock gate. (Please leave gates as you find them; open or closed.)

At the junction with Cooper Ridge Trail, stay right to make a clockwise loop. Cooper Ridge rolls along the hillside with a mix of expansive views and shade, eventually descending in a series of switchbacks. When Cooper Ridge reconnects with Panorama, turn right to finish the lollipop loop, passing through a meadow next to Cooper Creek where there are chances to spot wildlife or raptors surfing the thermals overhead.

Back at the base of the loop – the junction of Panorama and Cooper Ridge trails -- retrace your route across the Panorama Trail and back to the barn. Instead of taking Barn Fork Trail down, head up Colgan Highlands Trail for a steady, scenic ascent that leads to some of the park’s best views. Look for signs for the Colgan Highlands Loop Trail and turn left on the spur trail to reach the East Knoll overlook and views of Bennett Valley, Mount Saint Helena and beyond.

When you’re ready, retrace your steps down Colgan Highlands Trail Loop Trail, take a left at on Colgan Highlands Trail and then a right to descend via Upper Colgan Trail. At Middle Colgan, take a left, and then follow Lower Colgan Creek Trail and Kawana Terrace Trail to return to the parking lot.

Know before you go

• The park has two parking lots, one at 2080 Kawana Terrace and one at 3820 Petaluma Hill Road. Begin these adventures from the Kawana Terrace side.
• A parking fee is required; parking is free for Regional Parks members.
• Water is not available, so be sure to bring your own.
• Dogs on leash are allowed.
• Cattle graze seasonally at Taylor Mountain to reduce fire risk and promote biodiversity. View tips for hiking and biking in parks where cattle graze.

Published in July 2025.