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Established Camping

Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Hawk Campground is located in the Marin Headlands near Sausalito, offering terrain with rolling hills and coastal views. Temperatures in the area typically range from highs in the 60s to lows in the 40s. Nearby attractions include the Golden Gate Bridge and Muir Woods National Monument, providing opportunities for exploration and sightseeing.

Description

National Park Service

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Overview

Hawk Campground is located above Tennessee Valley and offers sweeping views of the Marin Headlands. The site is a 2.5 mile uphill hike from the Tennessee Valley Trailhead parking lot, or a 3.5 mile uphill hike from Miwok Trailhead in the Marin Headlands. Car or RV camping is not allowed. This campground is recommended for experienced backpackers. The hike may be steep, but the views are more than worth it!!

Recreation

Tennessee Valley and the Marin Headlands are noted for great hiking, and are often populated by hikers regardless of time-of-year. Consider hiking to Tennessee Beach (4 miles), the Marine Mammal Center (4 miles), Rodeo Beach (4.3 miles), or the Point Bonita Lighthouse (5 miles). Contact the Marin Headlands Rangers at (415)-331-1540 to inquire about a ranger-led program or guided hike during your stay.

Natural Features

Hawk Campground sits atop of the rolling landscape of the Marin Headlands, within a biodiverse coastal scrub landscape. While the campground itself is situated under a cluster of Monterey cypress and pine, the undulating hills leading up to it are dotted with manzanita, coyote brush and sagebrush. Raptors frequently soar overhead, and deer, coyotes, foxes and bobcats share the landscape with campers. The geology that underlies the Marin Headlands and Tennessee Valley is unique and world-renowned; for example, the outcrops of radiolarian chert that line the trails are frequently admired by visitors from near and far. There are multiple black sand beaches within hiking distance of the campground. Temperatures are mild year-round. Expect lows from 50-55 degrees and highs from 60-65. Fog is prevalent in the summer months from May-Sept. It is best to bring clothing that can be layered. Lightweight summer clothes are rarely comfortable to wear at Hawk Campground.

Nearby Attractions

The San Francisco Bay Area has no shortage of fun and interesting things to do and see. The 150-year-old Point Bonita Lighthouse (a secret jewel of the Bay Area) and the historic Cold War era Nike Missile Site are just a 5-minute drive from the Miwok Trailhead parking area or a 20-minute drive away from the Tennessee Valley Trailhead parking lot or. Awe-inspiring Muir Woods National Monument, with its old-growth coastal redwood forest and numerous hiking trails, is a 25-minute drive. Mount Tamalpais State Park, with hiking and sweeping views of the Bay Area, is another 10 minutes past Muir Woods. Within the Marin Headlands, consider visiting the historic Battery Townsley, the Point Bonita Lighthouse, and Nike Missile Site SF-88.

Charges & Cancellations

Refer to Recreation.gov's Rules & Reservation Policies.__To initiate a refund request more than 7 days after your reservation, call the recreation.gov call center at 877-444-6777.

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Location

Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

From San Francisco (traveling north) Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and continue on the US-101 N. Take exit 445B toward Mill Valley/Stinson Beach. Continue straight until you can turn left onto Tennessee Valley Road. This road will dead-end at the Tennessee Valley Trailhead parking lot. From here, locate the white service gate near the stables and hike up Marincello Trail to the Hawk Camp Trail. From Marin (traveling south) From US-101 South, take exit 445B toward Stinson Beach. Turn right on CA-1 and continue straight until you can turn left onto Tennessee Valley Road. This road will dead-end at the Tennessee Valley Trailhead parking lot. From here, locate the white service gate near the stables and hike up Marincello Trail to Hawk Camp.

Address

Hawk Campground Marin Headlands Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Sausalito, CA 94965

Coordinates

37.853889 N
122.520278 W

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Access

  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Poor

Site Types

  • Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Toilets

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

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3 Reviews

Reviewed Nov. 5, 2022

Fantastic location, not $5 though

The location is amazing, however you need to make reservations through recreation.gov for one of the three sites up there. Also, it’s $25 as listed on the site. Not a place for stealth camping due to the requirement for a parking permit (which you can get through the reservation, I expect).

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Mar. 9, 2019

A hidden gem just outside SF

Hawk camp is one of my favorite backyard (I live in Marin) camping spots. It's free, it's a 2.2 mile hike in from the car, and even for that, it's remote. I head there when I just feel the need to strap on my pack and break out my gear. Only 3 first-come sites, I prefer the one on the upper left. Fires are not permitted and be warned - Bay Area coastal weather patterns prevail. You can go to sleep staring at the stars and looking out on the lights of the City, only to wake up to a wet camp under a steady drizzle from the condensing fog in the cypress trees above you. I have literally booked a night, gotten close, seen the pea soup fog rolling over the ridge, and turned around for home. But for all that it is a great place to pack in, hike to the top of the ridge for epic sunsets, and feel like you're miles away from the crowds just across the bay.

SiteUpper L
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2018

Easy hike to and from with great views

Loved this spot tucked away in the Marin Headlands. Great views of the golden gate or Pacific in the far distance. Sites spread enough apart that no one was too close. Firepit and picnic tables available

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area by Mary D., August 2, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area?

    There are 3 campsites at Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts