Elephant Seal Overlook Trail
Views
Along the way Elephant Seal Overlook
Walk the Elephant Seal Overlook Trail the Park Service's write-up
15-60 Minutes · no dogs · season h2>Winter <p>The heaviest rainfall occurs in the winter months. Come prepared for rain and drizzle to possibly last for several days. In between winter rains, it is often sunny, calm, and cool.</p> <h2>Spring</h2> <p>Most spring days are windy and Chimney Rock frequently experiences strong breezes. Expect cool temperatures in March. By late May and early June, temperatures can be quite pleasant, even warm.</p> <h2>Summer</h2> <p>Although there is very little rain during summer months, there is often dense fog throughout the day in July, August and September with temperatures often 20 degrees cooler than at Bear Valley.</p> <h2>Fall</h2> <p>The coastal areas of Point Reyes experience some of the clearest days in late September, October and early November. The occasional storm will start rolling through in late October, bringing clouds, wind, and rain. The strongest winds occur in November and December during occasional southerly gales.</p>
Start Chimney Rock Parking Lot, Point Reyes National Seashore
Distance to the Elephant Seal Overlook: 0.5 mi. (800 m) roundtrip
From the Chimney Rock parking lot/trailhead , follow the driveway downhill (on foot; the driveway is closed to visitors' vehicles) and to the left. After 400 feet (120 meters), turn off of the paved driveway onto the relatively level gravel path. The path travels along the bluff top with views of Drakes Bay and Drakes Beach before terminating at the Elephant Seal Overlook . Visit our Elephant Seals and Viewing Elephant Seals for more information.
This route description alone is not a substitute for a trail map. Print out the park's Chimney Rock Area Map (125 KB PDF) before your visit, or pick up a park map or hiking map at a visitor center on your way.
Always check current conditions before heading out into the park and familiarize yourself with park regulations . Please practice Leave No Trace principles.
Visit the park's Hiking at Point Reyes National Seashore page for hiking tips and information about trail etiquette and safety.
Visit the park's Trail Advisories and Closures page for current information about closed trails, trails blocked by trees, or other temporary hazards or advisories.
Pets Pets are prohibited on the Elephant Seal Overlook Trail. Visit the park's Pets page to learn where pets are welcome at Point Reyes National Seashore.
Accessibility To reach the Elephant Seal Overlook, park in the Chimney Rock Trailhead parking lot and follow the path/driveway from the parking lot northeast toward the bay as it descends about 50 feet (15 meters) over a distance of about 500 feet (150 meters). (This driveway is closed to privately-owned vehicles.) The driveway is composed of asphalt, which has degraded and has become potholed in places. The actual Elephant Seal Overlook Trail is mostly flat and about 4 feet wide (1.2 meters wide) with a crushed rock surface.