Old Haul Road

Old Haul Road is a service road that runs from Portola Redwoods State Park through Pescadero Creek County Park to San Mateo County's Memorial Park, a 10-mile round trip through redwoods. Besides paved roads, it is the only route in Portola Redwoods open to bicycles, it is also open to horses, and California State Parks calls it one of the most scenic beginner rides in the Bay Area. In Portola you reach it by the service road near the Iverson Cabin site.

The Route

Inside Portola Redwoods the road starts as a service road near the site of Christian Iverson's cabin, then leaves the state park and continues through Pescadero Creek County Park to Memorial County Park on Pescadero Creek Road. State Parks gives the out-and-back ride as 10 miles. The county lists the Hoffman Creek Trailhead on Old Haul Road as the address for Pescadero Creek Park, and several county trails, including the Bridge Trail and the Brook Trail Loop, connect to it.

Who Can Use It

• Cyclists: yes. Helmets are required for riders under 18 and recommended for adults. Bikes are not allowed on any hiking trail in Portola, and in the county park only on designated service roads.
• Horseback riders: yes. Horses are not allowed on Portola's hiking trails; in Pescadero Creek County Park they may use all trails, though the county closes some in winter.
• Hikers: yes, all the way to Memorial County Park.
• Dogs: no. Pescadero Creek County Park does not allow dogs or other pets, and Portola allows them only on paved roads and the Escape Roads.

Current Status (October 2026)

San Mateo County Parks reported on October 19, 2026 that Old Haul Road is open, after intermittent closures for forest health and fuel reduction work were lifted. The same notice lists closures elsewhere in the county park: the road and parking lot at the Tarwater Trailhead and Tarwater Flat are closed, and Baker Fire Road is closed between junctions 74 and 75 after a bridge failure. The county says the forest health project is scheduled to continue in spring 2027, so check the county's closure page before a ride.

Planning a Ride

• Start point. Riding from Portola means paying the $10 state park day-use fee; starting from Memorial County Park means its $6 vehicle fee.
• No signal. Cell service is limited and unreliable in Pescadero Creek Park and absent in Portola.
• Water. San Mateo County has advised visitors to bring their own drinking water to the park.
• Share the road. Hikers, horses and bikes all use it; slow down when passing.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: a first mountain-bike outing (State Parks calls it a beginner ride); equestrians linking Portola and the county parks; hikers who want a long, steady walk.

Maybe skip if: you want singletrack (bikes are barred from hiking trails here) or a dog walk. For where dogs can go, see dogs.