Chimney Rock Trailhead
Inverness, CA
Chimney Rock Trailhead is the starting point for one of Point Reyes National Seashore's better known short hikes, leading to an elephant seal viewing area that's a genuinely reliable wildlife sighting during the winter breeding season. Wildflowers in spring add a second reason to make the walk.
The reliable elephant seal viewing during breeding season is genuinely rare for a roadside trail, though outside that season the walk is a more ordinary headland hike.
How we score beachesVisit during winter breeding season if the elephant seals are the goal, that's when the colony here is most active and visible from the trail.
Free parking is available at the trailhead.
A trail leads from the parking area to the elephant seal viewing area.
Dogs are not allowed on the Chimney Rock Trail, service animals excepted.
Winter brings the elephant seal breeding season, the main draw here, while spring brings a good wildflower bloom along the trail.
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