Anderson Marsh State Historic Park in California, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-23. Check linked official notices before travel.

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park protects wetlands, woodland and a historic ranch at the southeast end of Clear Lake in California. Come for a nature walk and the area's cultural history. The trails and ranch-house interior have different access arrangements: check tour availability before making the house the purpose of your trip.

Wetland walks and the Anderson ranch

• Cache Creek: a nature trail links the ranch landscape with meadow and creek views.
• Cultural history: the park protects ancestral Koi Nation land and archaeological resources, alongside the later ranch complex.
• Bird habitat: freshwater marsh, creekside woodland, oaks and grassland support different species.

Match your visit to daylight and tour access

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Watch the trail surface and vegetation

Stay alert for poison oak and rattlesnakes. Avoid touching unfamiliar plants or approaching wildlife. The Cache Creek crossing can become difficult when water covers it; a generally gentle trail does not mean every section will be usable after rain.

Leave archaeological resources in place

Do not disturb or remove artifacts, plants or other protected features. Bicycles and horses are not permitted on park trails. Dogs are not allowed on the trails; the park brochure identifies North Flat as a dog-access area with a leash no longer than 6 feet. Service animals are excepted from the pet restriction. Fires are prohibited.

Check scheduled walks and group arrangements

Use the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association event notices for the selected walk's time, meeting point and current tour arrangement. Check the notice for any event parking arrangement. Call the park about a group visit.

Find the entrance off Highway 53

The entrance is on Anderson Ranch Parkway off Highway 53, between Lower Lake and the city of Clearlake in Lake County. The official park brochure and map shows the ranch, trails, North Flat and protected marsh areas. Follow current signs for access.

Other state parks for a regional drive

• Clear Lake State Park: reached from Soda Bay Road near Kelseyville, on another part of the lake.
• Robert Louis Stevenson State Park: a separate Highway 29 destination, about 7 miles north of Calistoga. Check the road route and its current access before adding it to the day.

Walk to Cache Creek and explore the ranch setting

The accessible section of Cache Creek Nature Trail is 0.66 mile each way. It follows an out-and-back route through the ranch and meadow to a creek overlook. Its mostly gentle grade makes it a useful first route to consider, with the wet crossing as an important exception.

Look around the ranch landscape and use the interpretive displays to connect the buildings with the area's history. Scheduled nature walks offer another way to learn about the marsh. Do not assume a walk includes entry to the ranch house.

Picnic areas and access features

Two picnic areas by the ranch have accessible tables. The park lists accessible parking, a drinking fountain and an accessible vault restroom. Read the park-specific accessibility details before choosing a route.

The ranch house has sloping floors, raised thresholds, narrow doors and limited turning room. Discuss assistance and actual tour access with staff. Outdoor access features do not establish that the historic house is fully wheelchair accessible.

About Anderson Marsh

Ancestral land and a later dairy ranch

The park lies in the ancestral territory of the Koi Nation of Northern California, a Southeastern Pomo tribe. Indigenous cultural connections to the area continue today. John Still Anderson acquired the ranch property in 1885, and his family operated a dairy. California State Parks acquired the property in 1982 to protect archaeological and natural resources.

Four habitats beside Clear Lake

Freshwater marsh, riparian woodland, oak woodland and grassland meet here. Look for birds using the creek and wetland edges, including herons, grebes and blackbirds. Stay on permitted routes and observe without disturbing the habitat.

Park and nature-walk information

Call California State Parks at 707-279-2267 for park access and group visits. For association-led nature walks, call 707-995-2658 or email [email protected].