Hosted by Myrna H.
Activities
Biking
Hiking
Wildlife watching
Natural features
Cave
Forest
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
Similar campgrounds nearby
Reviews
95% Recommend867 ratings · 360 reviews
Mixed feelings
· September 2019
Wonderful staff and community of ppl supporting Myrna. Lovely to chat with when we arrived and before bed.
Rooster is extremely loud.
Emily T.
3 reviews
We stayed at Camp Ammo for the night and it was an awesome little spot. Very unique feel to it. It was private and the bathroom was near. We were able to catch the sunrise on Mare Island and it was beautiful. Our host Myrna was super friendly and very helpful.
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Yokairy G.
2 reviews
Mixed feelings
· September 2019
Myrna was very kinda and accommodating. We booked campsite #4. I would recommend #3 or the drive-in sites, unless you prefer to be under a tree with limited sightlines/full shade.
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Shira A.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2019
Group trip ·
Sleepover Under the Stars Tents
We loved the privacy, beautiful/unique spot, hospitable host.
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Danielle U.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2019
Group trip ·
Sleepover Under the Stars Tents
Fantastic time. Peaceful and beautiful.
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Ross U.
5 reviews
Recommends
· September 2019
What a magical place. We never got to meet our hostess, but we met a resident of Mare Island who raved about her. I would recommend this place to anyone, even if just for a day trip, for it is unlike anywhere I've ever been. Places like this inspire you to keep exploring, because you'll never know what you'll find off the beaten path.
Mandy P.
3 reviews
Cool, quaint, and quirky; this place ticked off all the checkboxes for a weekend getaway. From the drive through the abandon industrial military complex, to the nice hike overlooking the North Bay, it was all splendid. The yurt was nice and warm even with a cool breeze all night. The outdoor kitchen was fun. Bring your own generator if you want a light show. And tall people beware as there are a lot of low branches. We had some people walk by every other hour but was quiet overall. Myrna was really nice and provided enough water, dishes and hospitality to keep us there a week.
Vincent W.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2019
Group trip ·
Old Tennis Court Yurt Camp
We stayed in a hurt with three kids. It was great — comfortable, easy, beautiful. Would do it again any day. Hiking right nearby was wonderful too.
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Ross U.
5 reviews
Recommends
· September 2019
This place is a hidden gem in the middle of Vallejo. We arrived on a Friday afternoon and had the whole place to ourselves! Myrna supplies you with everything you’d need for a stay in the Vista History Yurt, kitchen items for the outdoor kitchen, soap, paper towels, bottled water, trash and recycling cans, and an ice chest - just bring your food and drinks! The yurt itself is cozy and while it’s next to the trail, it’s nestled into the trees and has curtain for added privacy. Plenty of places to walk and explore throughout the Preserve. The sunsets here are beautiful from the Spirit Ship. Highly recommend to fellow hip campers!
Mayumi O.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2019
Thank you! Place was really fun and interesting. Nice communal space, funky and eclectic. Had a great time. Thanks! Eat the roosters, please.
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Sarag F.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2019
Myrna was fun and friendly, the camp was well run with a great sense of community. The island is beautiful and its atmosphere is quite unique. Would love to spend more time there and look around, happy to have found this spot!
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Robert B.
5 years on Hipcamp
Mixed feelings
· September 2019
Myrna has a wonderfully unique space.
We were slightly disappointed by the fact we were unable to grill at our campsite for the very valid reason for wildfire concerns. We 100% understand this. And the cooking station was fantastic. The set up is perfect for folks who want to make friends with their camping neighbors.
The view at the top of the hike though is stellar. And the stars do not disappoint. The lack of trees ensures you can see them clear as day. The lack of trees means hanging out at your campsite is HOT, so BYOS (bring your own shade).
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Jordan S.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2019
Group trip ·
Camp Ammo Magazine Car Van Trailer
It is a unique and beautiful place. Myrna , the host, puts her heart and soul into the preserve. The site was easy to access and well maintained. Bring chairs and a small table if you can. We slept under the stars and enjoyed the napa river breeze in the evening.
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Janet A.
2 reviews
We add our voices to the reports about the joy of chatting with our host Myrna, and we'll tell friends what a gem the Mare Island Preserve is. To all the camping moms, if you're like us, having sparkling clean sheets on comfortable beds in a, dare I say, surprisingly roomy yurt - well, it's pretty great and takes some of the brain damage away from family camping. It was like having a fairy godmother look after YOU, after you'd been looking after everyone else's logistics. The nearby portapotty was, in fact, spanking clean and smell-free. It is a short walk away along paved road and we used the little night-time walks to star gaze.
The gigantic oak tree in front of the Yurt shades two large picnic tables - and Myrna spread a handy table cloth over one of them so we gals ate and hung out and read in style.
Our Yurt site came with:
- a single burner camp stove with fuel, self-lighting
- a tub of camping plates, flatware (metal, not plastic!), cups, and sturdy wine glasses and a cooking spatula and a couple of larger mixing/serving bowls and a cutting board (bring your own knives)
- a washing tub with a scrubber and soap
- cooking gear: a teapot, a sauce pan, two frying pans
- a pump-action five gallon jug of potable water
- a cooler with fresh ice (most welcomed!!!)
So yes, this is fully-outfitted.
Here was the tricky part - much of the above wasn't provided until after dinner the first day. At dinner, realizing we hadn't brought any cooking gear ourselves, we drove our food supplies to the Visitors Center and cooked there.
(which was totally lovely, by the way). Then I found Myrna (who'd been away) and sheepishly asked if there was a pot we could use to boil water back up at the tent - and did she have a lighter and fuel for the stove.... she's sweet as pie, and realized that the site hadn't been outfitted (and i was relieved to learn that i had not misread all the postings) and she fixed us up herself. So the second day we managed our cooking quite well, including hot coffee first thing.
Postings do show a BBQ at the Yurt - but that's an out of date picture. There is a gas BBQ at the communal cooking area at the Visitor's Center. Also, the settee is not longer at the Yurt. Bring a couple of camping chairs if you want something other than the picnic tables.
Bottom line: based on the postings, I think that most of the time these yurts are completely equipped and our situation was an exception. Now that i know the drill, i'd probably still travel with my own knives, cutting boards and of course our own cooler. And for round two, i'd definitely invite more friends! We LOVED this Yurt.
High points, in addition to the fascinating and delightful Myrna, include the trails, the walks, the views, the charmingly placed benches all over the place, the cemetery (which is fascinating), the birds, the really nice other campers (of whom there were a few but not too many). We learned a lot about Mare Island too. And i'm now in love with Yurts. (with beds!)
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Sharon T.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2019
Group trip ·
Sleepover Under the Stars Tents
Definitely recommend this for an easy, chill, new way to camp in the Bay Area! :)
Host was responsive, kind, and helpful. Location is pretty neat, and you'd be helping a good cause!
Jose G.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2019
Group trip ·
Sleepover Under the Stars Tents
Magical place!! Myrna is a wonderful and caring host. Lots of things to do there and the setting is very convenient, quiet and beautiful.
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Ulrike K.
5 reviews
Recommends
· September 2019
Great place, not an ordinary camping spot but definitely an experience to remember.
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Sven B.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2019
Group trip ·
Sleepover Under the Stars Tents
We loved it! Very cute site with perfect comin sitting and bbq spots. Nice little hike to view the sunset.
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Lisa V.
3 reviews
Mare Island is such an interesting place to visit. I visited on a weekday just to get some fresh air and get away from SF for a night. While the preserve was a bit closer to "civilization" in Vallejo than I expected (not a bad thing!), I appreciated roaming the property, and as I explored further, I definitely felt like I was "in nature". Really, just a surprising and fascinating place! Myrna was super helpful in answering the questions I had prior to arriving, and the site was nice and as-expected. There is a road that I *believe* is generally un-used that runs by the site, but there were a few cars going by as Paramount was filming for a Netflix show while we were — an unexpected, but fun little bonus experience from the trip! Wish I had stayed a bit longer to explore more of the preserve.
Kendall F.
13 reviews
Recommends
· August 2019
I am so happy to have found this park. The camping was clean, safe, and quit. Thank you for a grate stay. This is a rare place to find in the bay area and the state. I will be back and recomend to all who are ready to camp under the stars.*****
Myrna is awesome!
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Scott M.
5 years on Hipcamp
Very nice sites, the visitor center was awesome, and the host Myrna was super nice. My kids loved all the fun things around the center, and my 4 year old taught himself how to ride a bike that was there for kids.
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Jordan L.
5 years on Hipcamp
Not recommend
· August 2019
Hazardous waste and rattlesnakes
Group trip ·
Sleepover Under the Stars Tents
This place looked very unkempt. It was on an old naval base, the center was housed in a building that looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in decades, there were signs on the gate with a LOT of warnings, including: “hazardous waste disposal do not enter”, a sign that said no camping but was covered in thin blue tape, and notice of no camping from the government effective October 1st of this year. Additionally, on site, there were warnings of rattlesnakes and ticks. The description mentions NONE of these things.
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William L.
5 years on Hipcamp
This is an adventure and a very unique experience. Myrna is a kind and generous and very attentive host. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or directions she’s very helpful. Her dog Nitro is a sweetheart and loves belly scratches. Check out the Yurts. Such a nice accommodation if you are needing comfort and have a few friends coming along. I didn’t know they were available but check it out. There is a locked gate mon-thurs. don’t be deterred by that, it’s actually very peaceful on the days that public traffic isn’t present.
Theresa L.
28 reviews
Super cute yurt in lovely setting. It’s super isolated though and my 6-year old was scared so we ended up not staying over night. I am sure it would have been fine, but I was a little nervous because there’s no lock on the yurt and there are occasional hikers passing by and you’re just...out there in a yurt. Near an old graveyard. I would definitely recommend for a couple or a group (yurt sleeps only 2). As a mom with a 6-year old, I found I wasn’t brave enough to convince my son to be brave enough.
Note that I was eaten by mosquitos within 2 minutes of getting there (mid—August) so put bug spray on before you get there. I was bitten whilst getting the big spray out :(.
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Ashleigh E.
5 years on Hipcamp
Not recommend
· August 2019
The site was near an old abandoned ship yard and was just a really weird spot for camping. The outhouse was clean, which is a plus but other than that the site was nothing special. I would only recommend as a last resort.
Sarah A.
4 reviews
I camped out of my car here and it was perfect. Behind two locked gates and right near a portapotty. Also had a nice mowed section where tents could have gone. After several nights of trying to find somewhere to park and having my window knocked on, this was a perfect, simple solution.
Justin C.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2019
Gorgeous Gypsy caravan in a really cute spot! All your needs are cared for and it was fabulously bohemian glamping!
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Arika B.
5 years on Hipcamp
The camp site was great and just what we expected. It was secluded if you wanted it to be but also close enough to the common area and to town if you wanted to run out and grab supplies. Bring binoculars to check out the boats on the river!
Bliss B.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2019
Mare Island Preserve is such a gem! Myrna is so wonderful and accommodating, and made sure we had everything we needed for our stay at the yurt! The land is so unique, and there was a lot to see. Will definitely be back.😊
Sydney V.
2 reviews
Recommends
· August 2019
We had a wonderful time! The site was delightful, and the views were lovely. Myrna even taught us how to make fennel-flavored brandy. And the porter potty was the cleanest porter potty I've ever seen. Thanks for the great stay!
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Saraswati R.
5 years on Hipcamp
Location
Vallejo, Solano, California, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Myrna H.
Joined in December 2015Things to do nearby
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