Tent campsites near Dillon Beach, California require advance reservations through recreation.gov with specific hiking distances ranging from 1.3 to 6.3 miles depending on the location. The campgrounds in Point Reyes National Seashore experience frequent fog and wind due to the coastal climate, with summer temperatures typically ranging 60-75°F during day and dropping to 45-55°F at night. Most sites prohibit ground fires but permit beach fires with proper permits obtained at the visitor center.
What to do
Beach exploration and fishing: The private beach at Schoolhouse Canyon Campground offers excellent swimming and tubing opportunities. One visitor noted, "The beach is across the street and through a little trail but well worth it. Very nice water for floating and swimming, with a cute little beach area to keep your stuff."
Bioluminescent kayaking: Paddle across Tomales Bay at night to witness glowing plankton. According to a camper at Tomales Bay Boat-In Camping, "Cool things about this place: you will see sea jellies, bat rays, maybe a leopard shark, and bioluminescent plankton! Hope for no full moon because running your hands through that water at night with no light is a trip!"
Hiking to waterfalls: The trail to Alamere Falls from Wildcat Campground provides a unique coastal waterfall experience. A visitor explained, "The campground is about 10 kilometer (6.3 miles) hike from the Bear Valley Visitor Center or an 8.8 kilometer (5.5 miles) hike on the Coast Trail from Palomarin."
What campers like
Privacy in natural settings: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites. At Sky Campground, a camper advised, "I personally wouldn't reserve sites 1 or 2 due to odors that drift over from the toilets. I stayed at site #12 and felt that it and #11 were the best ones there because they are surrounded by lush vegetation and have trees that provide shade and protection against the wind."
Proximity to water: Multiple tent campsites near Dillon Beach offer direct beach access. A visitor to Tomales Bay reported, "Great site. Easy kayak in, clean sand. Very little light pollution, good times."
Star-gazing opportunities: The coastal location provides exceptional night sky views. A camper at Coast Campground remarked, "The sky at night as ideally suited for star gazing since the north bay doesn't get as much fog as the general SF bay area and the city lights don't pollute the night sky too bad!"
What you should know
Rodent preparation: Small animals can be problematic at several campsites. A visitor to Glen Campground noted, "Site 8 was a little bit secluded and away from other sites. The site was smallish and had a fox box and picnic table. Water and vault toilet provided in the campground."
Reservation timing: Secure sites months in advance, especially for summer weekends. According to one camper, "If you're planning on kayaking out to a campsite on a Saturday, book your site and kayak rental a few months in advance."
Weather considerations: Coastal campgrounds experience significant temperature drops at night. A visitor cautioned, "Always expect fog. Expect cold and damp at night."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly backpacking: For families new to backpacking, consider shorter hike-in options. A camper at Coast Campground shared, "Fun baby backpacking trip with my husband. The hike to the campsite went by fast. Only 1.8 miles, not too bad on the elevation gain either."
Beach-friendly options: Choose campgrounds with easy beach access for kids. A visitor to Schoolhouse Canyon Campground noted, "The spots closest to the entrance have the most privacy, the sites in the back are good for large groups and families and are noisier than the sites up front."
Quiet campgrounds: Some campgrounds enforce noise restrictions for family comfort. A parent reported, "This is a family run campground. This is such a beautiful area. Quick walk to the river to swim or sunbathe."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most tent campsites near Dillon Beach don't accommodate larger vehicles. At Bullfrog Pond Campground, a visitor warned, "One lane road access that would be intimidating at night."
Parking constraints: RVers should research parking options before hiking to tent sites. "The trailhead is impossible to miss from the camp's parking lot that's immediately off Limantour Road, which was almost empty on the Thursday I arrived on."
Alternative suggestions: Consider established campgrounds with RV amenities instead of backcountry sites. A visitor noted, "The campsite is divided into two areas, an adults area (higher up the road) and a family area (just inside the gate when you first arrive) both areas allow for adult friendly & a family safe visit."
