Best Tent Camping near American Canyon, CA

Tent campers near American Canyon, California have access to several established campgrounds within an hour's drive, including Mount Tamalpais State Park and Point Reyes National Seashore. Pantoll Campground offers walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire pits, while Wildcat Campground provides a more remote experience with beach access. Most sites require advance reservations through recreation.gov or the California State Parks reservation system, though Pantoll operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

The terrain at most tent sites varies from open meadows to forested settings, with many campgrounds featuring both exposed and sheltered options. Potable water is available at most established tent campgrounds, though hikers should verify current conditions as seasonal changes can affect availability. Food storage lockers are provided at Point Reyes tent sites to protect supplies from wildlife, particularly raccoons and mice. One camper noted that "you will need to walk in your wood as there is no wood gathering allowed" at Sky Camp. Fire restrictions are common during summer and fall months, with some locations permitting only camp stoves year-round.

Areas farther from urban centers offer deeper seclusion and less noise pollution for tent campers. Haypress Campground in Golden Gate National Recreation Area provides primitive tent-only sites with minimal amenities but maximum privacy. According to one visitor, these are "limited hike-in tent sites, not far in - less than a mile. You are on your own here." Many tent campgrounds serve as excellent basecamps for day hiking, with extensive trail networks connecting to beaches, ridgelines, and forests. Tent sites at Mount Tamalpais offer quick access to Muir Woods and various summit trails. Most walk-in tent sites require carrying gear short distances from parking areas, with some campgrounds providing wheelbarrows to assist with transport. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with coastal fog and wind affecting tent camping comfort throughout the year.

Best Tent Sites Near American Canyon, California (39)

    1. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    9 Reviews
    Tiburon, CA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 435-5390

    $30 / night

    "Angel Island is a unique backpacking experience, one I'd gladly do again."

    "Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"

    2. Steele Canyon (formerly Lupine Shores)

    6 Reviews
    Yountville, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 966-9192

    $5 - $55 / night

    "It got really cold at night (32 degrees), but my fault for not checking the weather. Beautiful views. Nice landscape. Spacious sites. There was no one else in the cluster of 6 spots that I stayed at."

    "Our favorite spot to take the kids to the lake. If your looking for something calm this is the spot at Lake Berryessa."

    3. Tilden Regional Park

    4 Reviews
    Kensington, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $75 - $120 / night

    "Tilden Park is perfect for anyone whose interested in wildlife and hiking in perfect climates. Tilden offers a lake in the middle to swim in and fish. The campsites have lots of fire pits."

    "Tilden is great for anyone looking for a close park right outside of the Berkeley/San Fran area. It is a rather large park area that overlooks Berkeley."

    4. Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    14 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 388-2070

    $7 - $25 / night

    "Pantoll is a pretty campground located adjacent to the entrance to Mount Tamalpais.  You can hike to, bike to, take the bus to, or even drive to this campground.  "

    "The sites are nice size and level but the downside is they are pretty close together and right next to the parking area so there isn't much privacy."

    5. Briones Regional Park

    1 Review
    Pleasant Hill, CA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $75 - $200 / night

    "A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around. Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash."

    6. Steep Ravine Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    15 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 388-2070

    $25 - $100 / night

    "There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families."

    "And charcoal grills outside each cabin. A couple general use picnic tables scattered about. So those are the basics you can read anywhere."

    7. Wildcat Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    14 Reviews
    Olema, CA
    33 miles
    Website

    "A very cool spot for backpacking in with 6-8 miles to hike in, depending on the trails you take. The tall grass gave some privacy between neighboring campsites. Nice to have a water spigot on-site."

    "in an open meadow on a bluff overlooking the ocean with a short walk to the beach and a 3.2 kilometer (2.0 miles) round-trip walk to [Alamere Falls](https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/alamere_falls.htm"

    8. Sky Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    13 Reviews
    Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 663-8054

    "The hike in camp is only a 1.3 ish mile hike and it was awesome."

    "There is short backpack trip to Sky Camp which is litereally on the ridge.  You are in the Point Reyes National Seashore up on a ridge.  Beautiful views when there is no fog - but expect fog."

    9. Alice Eastwood Group Camp — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    4 Reviews
    Muir Woods, CA
    27 miles
    Website

    $110 - $225 / night

    "Group B holds 25 and has more privacy. We had Group A and had a ton of day hikers invading our site."

    "Per my rating system, I usually reserve 5 stars for those parks that are worth traveling to from long distances (i.e. out of state)."

    10. Haypress Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Muir Beach, CA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $25 - $75 / night

    "Theses are limited  (5) hike in tent sites.  Not far in - less than a mile.  You are on your own here. Bring your own water.  No fires."

    "A hike-in campground in Tennessee Valley, a short 20 minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge and the hustle and bustle of the City.  My family of three stayed here for one night in mid March.  "

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Tent Camping Reviews near American Canyon, CA

769 Reviews of 39 American Canyon Campgrounds


  • Erin S.
    Mar. 16, 2022

    Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Tent campground with plenty of hiking trails

    Pantoll is a pretty campground located adjacent to the entrance to Mount Tamalpais.  You can hike to, bike to, take the bus to, or even drive to this campground.  If you choose to drive, just know that it can be impossible to find a place to park on busy weekends (you'll need to drop your stuff off, find a place to park along the road, then come back to park in the evening when the parking lot clears).  We hiked in.  On a weekend night in March, only four of the 16 sites were taken so we had no problem nabbing a spot.  The campground is situated across a steep-ish hillside.  Water spigots are spread out among the sites, but all the bathrooms are located down the hill near the parking lot.  Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and a flat spot to pitch a tent.  Sites are fairly close together in bunches (for example, 2, 3, and 5 were close, 6 and 7 were close, but there was a bit of space between the groups). Firewood is sold at the ranger kiosk but they have limited hours. Some spots are larger than others, and very few can accommodate a house-size tent (you know what I mean - and no judging, I have a house-size tent for car camping).  We had our 3 person backpacking tent with us and it would have fit in all the sites.  Sites up the hill require a bit of a hike-in but are farther from the road noise and busy parking lot.  There is one dishwashing station near the bottom.  

    Pros: 

    - Location.  You can hike anywhere from this campground.  Down to Muir Woods in less than 3 miles.  Up to Rock Springs, Bolinas Ridge, and Mount Tam.  Down to Stinson Beach.  I could spend a week here exploring all the trails.

    - Amenties.  Dishwashing sink, many water spigots, food storage lockers, fire pits, toilets that flush.  And Wifi from the ranger kiosk (squee!!!) which we appreciated to check the weather and bus schedule (very poor Verizon signal).

    Cons: 

    - Noise from Panoramic Highway.

    - Busy parking lot with lots of people potentially moving around the campground (especially the lower sites). 

    - No reservations: FCFS only.

    Overall I'm really happy I finally got to chance to camp here and would recommend.

  • MarinMaverick
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Haypress Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    Hidden Gem

    Theses are limited  (5) hike in tent sites.  Not far in - less than a mile.  You are on your own here. Bring your own water.  No fires. You get a picnic table and a food storage locker, nothing else.

    Meadow sites against a row of trees. There is very little privacy between sites but the couple times I have been here it was not full.  It can get windy - there is some shelter under the tress. 

    Here you can strike out hiking through Tennessee Valley to the beach and beyond!

    Great for a close get-a-way and seclusion.

  • Rommel C.
    Oct. 31, 2022

    Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    juniper campground - site 15 - end of october

    great campsite! be careful driving up the windy road and watch for the many cyclists. going up/down with you. 

    driving in was very easy; parking is right next to the site. the campsite itself was beautiful - panoramic views of the east bay area. i could recognize walnut creek, lafayette, danville and san ramon through the binoculars. site was clean, but the ground itself was very rocky. irritating that there wasn't really any level spots to set up the tent, so sleeping on a slant was a real treat (sarcasm). weather was very mild during the day; not too hot, nor too cold. nights were bearable in the high 50s, and by late night (cuz i kept waking up because of slanted sleeping), but felt like low 40s and slightly windy. make sure you bring thermals and a warm sleeping bag. sleeping pad is a definite must on the sharp rocks; be careful when stepping around in the tent with just socks on. 

    drought meant that flushing toilets were all locked.. as were the showers.. but from what i heard the "chemical toilets" (aka porta-potties) were an adequate substitute. water access had been shut off as well, so make sure you bring plenty of your own for washing and drinking. 

    critters - we didn't encounter any during our stay. no racoons, bears, mice, rats.. nada. just a ton of pincher bugs everywhere. not even many flies! we had those spinning fly deterrent things, though. maybe those really DO work? 

    ALSO because of the drought - NO WOOD FIRES ALLOWED. total/complete bummer to camp without a campfire. gas stoves and lanterns were permitted, though.

  • S
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    Juniper Campground: hiked in

    We hiked up to Juniper campground from the Clayton side. The sites in the teens have less overhead shade but more privacy than those of higher numbers. The sites closest to the driving road/entrance/overlook will have the potential to be downwind of the bathroom, unfortunately.

    The campground is a dry campground - as in no alcohol.

    That said, we loved our site #15, and enjoyed the privacy it provided, plus the views (if you stand on the table or are tall). We didn't encounter critters. We had some trouble staking down on the rocky dirt. 

    This is a good campground to explore the rest of the summit areas, plus Rock City.

  • Larry W.
    Aug. 28, 2020

    Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina

    Quiet, NO other tenters!

    We (party of 4) were there primarily because we rented a boat from their Marina. That went well! This is an RV campground & full-complement resort on Bethel Island, San Joaquin River Delta. Many RVers appear to be long-term or full-time residents.

    The tent-area was a clearing, fully backed up to the levee, with some shade and a water spigot. Appears to be only 4 “sites,” which are defined by picnic tables, GENEROUSLY spaced, no fire rings AND the Delta is h.o.t.! It’s also on the far edge of the property, so car traffic was MINIMUM — and NO generators were heard, even though the RV section is huge!!!

    The rest rooms were in the Marina building, a short walk. We would DEFINITELY return for boating and tenting!!!

  • Cococounty L.
    Apr. 25, 2020

    Briones Regional Park

    A nice spot!

    A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around. Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2023

    Doran Regional Park

    Large and popular Sonoma County Park

    General: Located between Bodega Bay and Bodega Harbor, this county park has over 140 sites in four campgrounds: Shell, Gull, Cove, and Jetty. There is also tent camping, a group campsite, and a hiker/biker camping area. No hookups in any site. 

    Site Quality: Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites all appeared to be level. Depending on your site, you may have more privacy/separation than in others. Site 21 (in Shell) was nicely positioned, however, the sites on either side of us were not occupied during our stay so we had more privacy. 

    Bath/Shower: Self-contained units with a toilet and sink with soap, HOT water, and air dryer. One coin-operated shower house for Shell, Gull, and Cove campgrounds, located between Gull and Cove. Additional showers in the tent-only section and the Jetty campground. Generally clean. 

    Activities: Hiking, fishing, birding, beachcombing, wading, and water sports. There was a very short boardwalk and sandy walking paths, although some of these were very overgrown. 

    One thing I appreciated was propane cylinder recycling. We learned there is a program where select vendors will refill the small cylinders and we hope this becomes more readily available. This is a much larger county park campground than we have been in before and it was very busy when we were there on a weekday in late October. Nice but I prefer the smaller and quieter campgrounds.

  • Lori A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 5, 2022

    Glen Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    Simple and Basic

    A 5 mile hike from the Bear Valley Trailhead leading to a small campground with 12 sites.  We stayed at #9.  Potable water and vault toilets are available, with each site also having a picnic table, charcoal barbecues and bear boxes.  Wood fires are not permitted.  A stream runs beside the campground and there are hiking trails leading to the sea.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 8, 2021

    Westside Regional Park

    Great views, but close to the neighbors

    First, you stay here for the views. Great views from the first two rows closest to the water. There are very few plantings between spaces. No hook ups at all, but water is available if you fill before you park. Seven dollar dump station. Each campsite has a fire ring and a wooden picnic table and grass. Since there’s no hook ups between the hours of 8 AM and 8 PM, you will always be listening to somebody’s generator running. Always. No privacy at this campground. I did not check out the bathrooms for the campground, but I did look at the bathrooms for the large boat launch area next-door. No showers in that bathroom, but it was clean. A bit spendy for no hookups. Safe. Zero long term campers when I was here. There are no first come first served campsites at this location. All camping spaces had a reserve sign on them, even though the place was about 40% full. Completely dark at night, which was great.


Guide to American Canyon

Tent camping near American Canyon, California offers diverse experiences across coastal bluffs, redwood forests, and hillside meadows within a moderate drive. Temperatures range from 40-75°F depending on season and elevation, with coastal sites experiencing significant fog and wind most mornings. Most tent sites require advance booking, especially during summer months when wait times for walk-up sites can exceed three hours at popular locations.

What to do

Hiking to waterfalls: From Wildcat Campground in Point Reyes, walk the beach to Alamere Falls. "It's a short beach-walk away," notes one camper, making it accessible without the crowded main trail access. The 2-mile round trip offers oceanfront views along the way.

Biking through eucalyptus groves: Tilden Regional Park provides excellent biking opportunities with challenging elevation changes. "It is a rather large park area that overlooks Berkeley. It is great for biking (but be weary of the hills)," reports one visitor who enjoyed the towering eucalyptus trees with their distinct aromatic scent.

Swimming in freshwater lakes: Explore the small lakes near Haypress Campground during warmer months. The Tennessee Valley area contains seasonal ponds and lakes with beach access. "You can strike out hiking through Tennessee Valley to the beach and beyond!" mentions a regular visitor who appreciates the varied terrain.

What campers like

Midweek solitude: Angel Island State Park campsites offer remarkable bay views with minimal crowds on weekdays. "We got a permit by going during the week (24 hour trip out the front door and back) Tuesday-Wednesday," explains one camper who found this strategy effective for securing hard-to-get sites.

Protected coastal sites: Steep Ravine Campground cabins provide shelter during foggy or windy conditions. "No electricity but the wood burning stove provides some light. Bring candles and lanterns and some fabric for curtains for privacy," advises a visitor who appreciated the rustic comfort during coastal weather shifts.

Night sky viewing: Many campgrounds near American Canyon offer minimal light pollution for stargazing. At Haypress Campground, one camper noted, "The night had beautiful stars with no artificial light. No road noise," highlighting the surprising tranquility despite proximity to urban areas.

What you should know

Seasonal water availability: Water sources at many tent sites become unreliable during dry months. At Sunrise Campground, one visitor reported: "We were surprised to find that the water spigot at Sunrise was not working when we arrived, and this was not mentioned anywhere during the reservation process." Always verify current water conditions before arrival.

Wind preparation: Coastal campgrounds require extra tent stakes and wind-resistant setups. "It can get windy, but low brush provides some protection," notes a camper at Wildcat, emphasizing the importance of proper site selection and equipment.

Wildlife encounters: Food storage is essential as small animals actively raid accessible supplies. One Sky Campground visitor warned about "small vermin running around the fields and looking to snag any food you've left out," necessitating careful food management even with provided storage lockers.

Tips for camping with families

Short hike-in options: Sky Campground offers an accessible entry point for kids new to backpacking. "It's only a 1.5 mile hike in from the parking lots so it's great for beginners or kids," mentions a camper who found the trail manageable for young hikers.

Educational activities: Tilden Regional Park features a Little Farm perfect for younger children. "Take the kids to Tilden's Little Farm (bring your own carrots, kale and lettuce)," recommends a visitor who enjoyed the interactive animal experiences available near camping areas.

Protected tent sites: Choose locations with natural windbreaks for more comfortable family camping. At Pantoll Campground, a visitor noted: "It was really windy but up above in the trees so our tent wasn't blowing away," highlighting the importance of tree cover for family comfort.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Most campgrounds near American Canyon restrict vehicle size or prohibit RVs entirely. At Steele Canyon (formerly Lupine Shores), one of the few RV-accessible sites, a visitor observed, "Fire scars all around the lake...looks like this entire area got hit a few years ago," indicating the changing landscape RVers should expect.

Dry camping preparation: Lake Berryessa RV sites typically lack hookups. "It's dry camping at this time (no fires, no water, no hookups, etc.)," reports a camper at Steele Canyon, emphasizing the need for self-sufficiency when RV camping in this region.

Elevation challenges: Access roads to some campgrounds have steep grades requiring lower gears. Briones Regional Park accommodates some RVs but presents clearance issues: "A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around," notes one RVer who successfully navigated the terrain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near American Canyon, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near American Canyon, CA is Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near American Canyon, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 39 tent camping locations near American Canyon, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.