Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- Backcountry, hike-in camping at Point Reyes National Seashore is by permit only, which must be obtained before starting your trip.
- Point Reyes campsites are in high demand, so it's best to plan your trip well in advance. Online reservations are frequently reserved three months ahead.
- Some campsites are available 14 days in advance, while others are available for same-day (first-come, first-served) booking around 9:30am each morning.
- Camping on beaches is prohibited, with the exception of boat-in camping on the west side of Tomales Bay.
- Point Reyes has no camping options for RVs or other vehicles, but campgrounds can be found nearby.
When to Go
Point Reyes National Seashore offers backcountry camping year-round. Weather can change rapidly and with little warning during any season—campers may experience fog, strong winds, rough seas, and cool temperatures at any time. December through March is birthing and mating season for the area’s northern elephant seals, or you can come in spring when adult females and juveniles haul out on the beaches to molt. June 1 to September 15 is nesting season for the threatened western snowy plover.
Know Before You Go
- Leashed pets are permitted at Limantour Beach, North Beach, South Beach, and certain sections of Kehoe Beach.
- Backcountry campground sites can only be accessed by foot, bicycle, or horse.
- Observe elephant seals from a safe distance—use binoculars and stay at least 25 feet away.
- Some park areas may be closed due to wildfire damage or to protect marine animals.
- Never turn your back to the ocean, and be careful not to play close to the water's edge where there’s large surf. Be aware of the tides when camping at Tomales Bay or your tent could get washed away.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Foggy mornings add to the ambiance and mystique of this gorgeous coastal area.
With 80 miles of shoreline stretching across a dozen beaches, Point Reyes National Seashore offers a plethora of coastal landscapes. Hop across rock tidepools at Sculptured Beach, trek over the sand dunes around Abbotts Lagoon, and witness elephant seals haul ashore near Chimney Rock at Drakes Beach. If you love history, a visit to the Point Reyes Lighthouse and its keeper's residence is a must. With a camping permit for Marshall Beach and Tomales Beach, you can paddle across Tomales Bay and sleep on the sand. Hike in to get a prime spot for backcountry camping in the surrounding hills.
With 80 miles of shoreline stretching across a dozen beaches, Point Reyes National Seashore offers a plethora of coastal landscapes. Hop across rock tidepools at Sculptured Beach, trek over the sand dunes around Abbotts Lagoon, and witness elephant seals haul ashore near Chimney Rock at Drakes Beach. If you love history, a visit to the Point Reyes Lighthouse and its keeper's residence is a must. With a camping permit for Marshall Beach and Tomales Beach, you can paddle across Tomales Bay and sleep on the sand. Hike in to get a prime spot for backcountry camping in the surrounding hills.
Activities in the park
5 campgrounds in Point Reyes National Seashore
Coast Camp is…. well it’s by the coast (this is a good thing). The camp is nestled in a wide open grassy valley and is a very short distance (about two football fields) to a quality stretch of beach. Sites #1-7 are best and offer the most privacy. This is a popular campground, but due to a solid design, it still feels secluded. Each site has a cha Read more...
1,025 feet up Mt. Wittenberg lies Sky Camp. It's true to its name and offers spectacular panoramic views. You'll have to earn them with a “moderate" uphill hike from the Sky Trailhead. On a clear day you can see Point Reyes, Drakes Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. At Sky Camp, you are a ways away from the beach, but the views make up for it. If you a Read more...
Ever wanted to kayak into a remote campground? Here is your chance! Tomales Bay is…well its awesome. If you're wanting to camp here, you must reach the campsites by boat (which really does add to the magic of the experience). If you need a boat, no problem! Check in with our good friends at Blue Water Kayak in Marshall; they'll get you all set u Read more...
It sure is nice to be so dang close to the ocean! Wildcat Camp is in an open meadow that is just a hop, skip and jump away from the mighty Pacific Ocean. Another great thing about Wildcat is that it’s also the closest camp to Alamere Falls (one of only two waterfalls that fall directly into the Pacific). The hike is an easy 2-miler along the bea Read more...
Glen Camp might not be the most popular kid in class, but it is the most protected. Most campgrounds in Point Reyes get lots of wind since they are close to the coast, but not Glen Camp (which also explains why you can actually make an easy booking here)! The campground is tucked away in a wooded valley and it is nice and secluded. Half the sites Read more...
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Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Point Reyes National Seashore offers backcountry camping year-round. Weather can change rapidly and with little warning during any season—campers may experience fog, strong winds, rough seas, and cool temperatures at any time. December through March is birthing and mating season for the area’s northern elephant seals, or you can come in spring when adult females and juveniles haul out on the beaches to molt. June 1 to September 15 is nesting season for the threatened western snowy plover.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —