If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near El Granada, look no further. Find the best information on tent campgrounds near El Granada, including sites, reviews, and tips. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of El Granada, California's most popular destinations.
Jan 2025 - due to to extensive damage from wildfires, this campground will be closed indefinitely.
$35 / night
S Rav Camp Area (sites E1-E7)
$25 - $100 / night
Located half way up Mount Tamalpais' forested southern slopes, Pantoll Campground is one of two first-come, first-served walk-in campgrounds within Mount Tamalpais State Park (Bootjack being the other). With 16 historic campsites lying beneath a quiet Douglas fir forest, time spent next to the campfire here will quickly expunge thoughts of the big city that lies just a few miles to the south.
The campground has an assortment of sites that are distributed on the hill that extends from the Pantoll Day Use Area; sites located further uphill offer greater privacy and more room. All 16 sites are within a short, 100-yard walk from the car park. Each comes equipped with campfire pits and historic, stone-built campfire grills to accommodate all of your cooking and warming needs. Since advance reservations cannot be made for Pantoll, arriver earlier on weekend days to ensure you’ll have a site. You’ll likely have the campground to yourself if you are there mid-week.
$7 - $25 / night
In the middle of San Francisco Bay sits Angel Island State Park, offering spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. The island is also alive with history. Three thousand years ago the island was a fishing and hunting site for Coastal Miwok Indians. It was later a haven for Spanish explorer Juan de Ayala, a cattle ranch, and a U.S. Army post. From 1910 to 1940, the island processed thousands of immigrants. During World War II, Japanese and German POWs were held on the island, which was also used as a jumping-off point for American soldiers returning from the Pacific. In the '50s and '60s, the island was home to a Nike missile base. Today, there are two active Coast Guard stations - at Point Blunt and Point Stuart - on the island. Angel Island became a State Park in 1958.
CAMPSITES
11 environmental, including an ADA site (each site accommodating up to 8 people) and a kayak-accessible site (holds up to 20 people).
For more information contact the rangers office: 415-435-5390
Please check in with the park staff upon arrival on the island.
Be prepared to carry and/or transport your equipment up to 2.5 miles. Some sections are uphill, total elevation gain may be over 300 feet. Tables, food-lockers, running water, pit-toilets, and a barbecue are located at each site.
Bring charcoal or a stove as no wood fires are allowed. Raccoons are active making food-locker storage very important. Travel on the island after sunset is prohibited in some areas for park security and public safety.
$30 / night
Bicentennial Campground is in an ideal location in the Marin Headlands surrounded by a grove of cypress trees. The campground is a great location for those wanting to camp near the city. There is a moderate short hill to climb to/from the campground from the parking area, which means car or RV camping is not allowed. It is downhill to the site and uphill back to the parking area.
The Marin Headlands is noted for its great hiking, and many trails with scenic views are close by. Rodeo Beach is about 1.5 miles away. Point Bonita Lighthouse and the historic Nike Site are within walking distance.
The campground is secluded amongst a cypress tree grove and offers great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and city of San Francisco.
For facility specific information, please call (415) 331-1540.
Bicentennial Campground is a short walk from the Point Bonita Lighthouse and the Nike Missile Site. Also close by are some of the many 20th century coastal defense gun batteries and the city of San Francisco.
Refer to Recreation.gov policy on changes and cancellations.__To initiate a refund request more than 7 days after your reservation, call the recreation.gov call center at 877-444-6777.
$25 / night
Castle Rock State Park is a land of sculpted sandstone, lush forests, and sweeping vistas. From one of the highest ridges in the Santa Cruz Mountains, park visitors enjoy hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Rock climbers explore the park's caverns and rocks, including the namesake Castle Rock. Plant-lovers come for California black oaks, knobcone pines, and high-elevation coast redwoods. The park’s 34 miles of rugged trails conveniently connect to an extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys to nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park and open space preserves on the Skyline to the Sea Trail.
The Castle Rock Trail Camp is open year round on a first-come, first-serve basis. The campground is a 2.5 mile (4 kilometer) hike from the parking area and you will have to carry all of your equipment into the camp. Castle Rock Trail Camp has trash receptacles, bathrooms, and 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Wood is available for sale during the wet season. Fires are not allowed during fire season.
Camping is permitted only in designated camps. Campers are required to be in their campsites from sunset to 6 a.m.
To register and pay your fees, check in at the Entrance Station at the Castle Rock parking lot. If you arrive when the station is not staffed, you can use the self-registration envelopes. Make sure you bring exact change or a check to use in case you must use the self-registration. Place your receipt on the dashboard in a visible place as proof of payment. Rangers will verify payment. For more information about camping and fire closure dates, please call Castle Rock State Park at (408) 867-2952. For more information and reservations for Waterman Gap Trail Camp, please visit the Santa Cruz Mountain State Parks Backcountry Trail Camp Page.
$8 / night
The Half Moon Bay RV Park offers all the amenities and services you need to make your RV stay everything you dreamed. We are located on Northern California's Highway 1 within walking distance to the ocean! The Half Moon Bay RV Park is family owned and has the friendliest customer service.
This recreation area is part of Eastman Lake
As San Francisco's only group campground, Rob Hill offers a national park camping experience just minutes from the city. Here you will have access to all of the recreational opportunities the Presidio of San Francisco has to offer, including hiking and biking trails, scenic overlooks, picnic sites, beaches, a golf course, and so much more. The campground's spacious campsites make it a perfect choice for groups of all kinds, including multi-family gatherings, school field trips, and scout troops. To learn more about the campgrouns rules we ask you to please read over the Terms and Conditions . We look forward to welcoming you to Rob Hill!
Located at the Golden Gate, the Presidio of San Francisco is a place to escape in nature and explore key moments in history. The park features San Franciscos best hiking and biking trails, scenic overlooks, picnic sites, beaches, a golf course, and other top attractions. And the Presidio is home to more than two-dozen visitor-serving businesses , including multiple museums, a golf course, and hotels and venues for celebrations and meetings . There are a dozen major trails in the Presidio and eight scenic overlooks. Whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, the Presidio has a trail for everyone. Learn more about hiking and biking trails on the Presidio Trust website . Visitors who wish to take advantage of the Presidio's many scenic bike routes can rent bikes through the Bay Wheels Bike Share program or at the Sports Basement on Crissy Field. Learn more about biking in the park on the Presidio Trust's biking page . In addition to the many hiking and biking trails, the Presidio is home to some of the best beaches in San Francisco. Whether youre looking to dip your toes in the water and splash with the kids, toss a Frisbee near the Golden Gate Bridge, or watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean, weve got great choices for you. Learn more about our beaches on the Presidio Trust's beach page .
The Presidio is a natural oasis right next door to a big city a place where you can experience wildflowers, watersheds, and wildlife on an afternoon hike. It is also a where important work is being done to revitalize natural areas and to show how people and the environment can thrive in harmony. At the Presidio, you can explore habitats that have been lost in the urban Bay Area; see a fox or a hawk hunt for their next meal; or stroll around a natural lake that has been brought back to life. Mountain Lake, one of San Francisco's last surviving natural lakes, is located less than two miles south of Rob Hill on the southern edge of the Presidio. Since 2013 the Presidio Trust has been working with scientists, academic institutions, and volunteers to help revitalize the lake. Polluted soil and invasive species were removed from the lake, and native plant and animal species, such as the Western Pond Turtle and Pacific Chorus Frog are being reestablished. In addition to the many resident species that call Mountain Lake home, 65 migratory bird species have been document visiting the lake on their journey along the Pacific Flyway. Experienced and newer birders alike will also want to visit Crissy Marsh and Quartermaster Reach Marsh , located about two miles northwest of Rob Hill. The fresh water that flows through the Presidio's largest watershed, the Tennessee Hollow Watershed ultimately meets the salty waters of San Francisco Bay here, creating a vibrant destination for more than 100 bird species, including those stopping for rest as they make their long journey along the Pacific Flyway. Campers interested in learning more about some of the unique plant life that can be found in the Presidio are encouraged to visit the Ecology Trail . A little over one mile in length, this trail passes through lush restored serpentine grasslands where, from spring to early summer, you may see the endangered Presidio Clarkia and other native wildflowers in bloom. You'll also find yourself amid towering redwoods, oaks, eucalyptus, Monterey pine, and Monterey cypress at various points along the trail. To learn more about the natural history of the Presidio, visit the Nature and Sustainability page on our website.
In addition to the many places to visit within the Presidio, there is so much to explore in San Francisco itself. You can visit the Golden Gate Bridge, explore endless dining opportunities, visit a museum, and so much more. Visit the SF Travel website for tips to help you plan your visit to the city. Located just over one mile from the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center , the campground makes for an excellent base camp for groups wanting to walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Check with the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District for tips to make the most of your visit to this beloved International Orange icon. Campers looking for more national park experiences can explore the other units of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), including Fort Point National Historic Site , Muir Woods National Monument , and Alcatraz Island . Stretched across 80,000 acres north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge, the 37 parks sites of the GGNRA constitute one of the worlds largest national parks in an urban setting. In total, the GGNRA has more than 130 miles of trails, and 1,200 historic structures, making it a wonderful place to explore for nature lovers and history buffs alike.
Reservation holders may make up to two changes per reservation. A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes. Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Cancellations less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Please read Recreation.gov's Rules and Reservations Policies for more information.
$92 - $140 / night
Haypress Campground is nestled within the coastal scrub of Tennessee Valley, near Mill Valley. The hike to this campground is 0.7 miles from the Tennessee Valley Trail head parking lot, which means car or RV camping is not allowed. Typical Haypress campers enjoy hiking to Tennessee Cove, where they can admire the dramatic geology and colorful sand of this unique beach.
Tennessee Valley and the Marin Headlands are noted for great hiking, and trails are often populated with hikers regardless of the time of the year. Consider hiking to Tennessee Beach (2 miles), Muir Beach (3.5 miles), historic Battery Townsley (3.5 miles), or Rodeo Beach (4 miles). Contact the Marin Headlands Rangers at (415)-331-1540 to inquire about a ranger-led program or guided hike during your stay.
Haypress Campground spans over a large grassy swath that is lined by eucalyptus trees. California quails frequent the area, and raptors are often soaring overhead. Deer, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats share this open space. The geology that underlies Tennessee Valley is unique and world-renowned; for example, outcrops of radiolarian ribbon chert that line the trails are frequently admired by visitors from near and far. 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 Haypress Campground.
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 20-minute drive away from the Tennessee Valley trailhead parking lot. 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, or Nike Missile Site SF-88.
Group Site Cancellations and Modifications The Haypress Campground Group Site must be cancelled or modified more than 14 days before your check-in date otherwise it will be considered a late cancellation. 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.
$25 - $75 / night
Legend
If you want to explore the Point Reyes National Seashore you do not have many options. This facility has been there a long time, and while not the best, it gives you great access. It is mostly used for RV's some appear to be year round residents. I am a tent camper and there are tent camping sites. They are on a grassy area and not well defined. Not a lot of shade for tent sites.
That being said you are at the gateway to a large fabulous national seashore.
They have great ameneities - a store, post office, hot showers. Everything you need is there. There is a great restuarant down the road and a church next door!
Guide
The Upper Campground is a gem of a place to camp, nestled among the redwoods on the eastern facing side of a ridge (complete with hiking trails) and a creek. The Madrone group campground is across Sir Francis Drake Blvd (I personally think it's less scenic but more open). The only reason I took off a star is the campground's proximity to the road, which is not extremely busy but can be noisy if you are camping in a tent. Were it not for the noise, we'd go back again and again and again.
Guide
This campground has large open sites for tent camping. It was covered in trees and had some options for better more private spots, but sadly the campground was almost to capacity when we went. The options for tent camping was limited. I know for our next visit to reserve ahead of time, and to request cliff side tent camps. Cliff side tent camps are separate and have full vista views.
Legend
Often booked so you’ll want to get a reservation. $35/night for tent camping plus 7.99 reservation fee. No electric for tent camping but there is water. Safeway is just a mile away. Super cute town close by with fun shops and restaurants. The wind in the afternoon can be annoying but the views are worth it. I love staying here after working in Burlingame which is only 30 minutes away. Super easy to get to Mavericks, San Francisco etc.
GuideLove this campground ... a great basecamp for easy access to everything that West Marin has to offer. It has wonderful campsites nestled among mature trees with a stream that runs through it. It's a bit too tight for large trailer or RV camping (unless you are an expert at maneuvering through tight spaces). Also, if you're tent camping, the vehicle noise from the nearby Sir Francis Drake Blvd can be distracting if you are a light sleeper (and you are tent camping). But all in all a great locale!
Scout
The staff was amazing. Tent site was spacious. Not too crowded. Clean bathroom and shower. Several trails to walk. Close to town in case we forgot something.
Traveler
Only 3 tent sites available, You have to reserve ahead of time, No drive in access, unloading our staff was very big work, Very nice views and a lot of hiking trails are available
Traveler
Do this. “Hike in” means a paved lot with wheelbarrows to help you get your gear to your site which is less than a mile.
Yes these can be hard to get but the new “rolling reservation “ means dates are released 6months to the day not a whole month at a time. Be flexible and you can get a site. We have also stayed in the cabins which are a fantasy experience but the tent sites are cheaper and easier to get.
Tent sites have raccoons and are $25/night Cabins have mice and are $100/night
Site 2 is on the edge of the world. Several trees had been chopped down and there was little shelter but an unbelievable view! We camped for two nights in November and it was sunny and chilly.
Raccoons are abundant and brazen. They got into my lock top storage container but didn’t even try the flimsy food locker. Our bandit made off with a loaf of bread and the marshmallows.
Other tips: Site 1 is very exposed. Site 2 is ample for two tents if needed Site 3 ample for two tents with just a cedar fence between site 2 and 3 Site 4 is tucked down on the hillside with a great view south.
Beach access is via larger boulders. Have good shoes.
Firewood is available onsite for $7. Clean outhouse near tent sites. Clean bathrooms near parking lot- no soap or showers.
Ranger
We tent camped here but most people had a trailer. Translation: the bathroom was empty. Quiet with quick access to the beach via a steep paved path. The premium spots seem super worth it with panoramic views of the Pacific. Warning: the line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park.
There is a BMX park a short drive away.
ScoutPros: Has numerous amenities including hot (free) showers (cleaned daily), flush toilets, full hookup RV spots, laundromat, US Post office, fenced playground, dog park, drive in tent sites, and firewood for sale. Cons: expensive, sites are close and poorly defined and the after hours check in procedure doesn’t prevent overlapping.
Guide
Came here last minute on a surf trip to Santa cruz so its partially our fault, but this place is not the best for tent camping in my opinion. They had a small plot to the side of the rest of the rv slots with a little grass to pitch a tent. Not secluded at all from the hustle and bustle which to me is a major part of the allure for camping. Otherwise the place was nice and looked great for rvs
ScoutWe visited this park earlier this spring. Yes it was wet, but we didn't mind. Liked the spaces and layout so much...we are going back this fall. Plus we love that whole area.
However, DYRT got some info wrong. While there are plenty of full hookup spaces for RVs, there are no pull thru sites. Only back in for trailers and drive-in for coaches. Many tent camping spaces and RV spaces w/just water and power. The folks are friendly and helpful.
M.R.
GuideShort walk to the beach. You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience. Great sunsets!!
Tenting camping and RVs. Limited electrical hookups.
Legend
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.
Legend
This is a hidden gem. A little bowl full of redwoods, a creek and great hiking. Lots of great tent sites but pick your site wisely so you are not too close to your neighbors. Also have some good back country hike in sites.
There is a nature trail along the creek.
If you hike up to the ridge on a clear day you can see the ocean. There is also an old landing strip on the hill you can hike to as well. Great hike along the ridge where you can bakcpack into a trail camp. Little streams along the way to get access to water.
Guide
Yes, this is a KOA, so if you are into tent camping or an immersive forest setting, you might want to look elsewhere. But for a quick weekend jaunt for RV campers, this location slightly more than an hour from the Bay Area is hard to beat. Full hook-ups are available, there is an on site restaurant and outdoor bar, and there is close proximity to multiple beaches and tide pools. The resort also has great activities for kids that they occasionally bring on site, such as a climbing wall and nature talks with live animals. The sites at the bottom of the first loop with awesome sunset views are my favorite. Very grassy and “outdoorsy” for a KOA.
Legend
There are two loops here. What is the lower loop is a smaller number of sites which are all on the creek. The first few you park on the road and carry your equipment down to your site. It is a short distance. The last few sites on this loop are typical drive in sites.
This loop being on the Creek I like better for tent camping. Redwoods on a creek what more do you need.
Table, fire pit, food locker. Restroom with showers.
Swimming holes in the creek but most of it is low flow and shallow (except in winter).
Great hiking. Great for bikes. The Cross Marin trail goes thru the park whchc is a paved bike path thru the redwoods.
Legend
This is sweet hike in trail camp. We have used it for two purposes. First when were were climbing in Castle Rock State Park and this was our hub and second when we were doing the Skyline to the Sea Trail and wanted a easy first day. This is primitive. There is a shelter with tables in the event there is rain. Then there are scattered sites, some with tables for you to find a tent site. If busy - you will be sharing.
Shaded, though hike down can be in the open. Primitive restrooms. Water available. Picnic Tables.
Great home base for climbing - good trail camp for the march to the sea.
LegendThis is one of the most enchanting places I have ever been to. Just wow! There is only 4 tent sites, but they are huge! Plenty of RV spots as well. ADA accessible site are limited but they are #17, 23, 24, 109, 112. This is near a 40 acre redwood grove with so much old growth. The trees are towering above you! It is kind of pricey but well worth it. you can see an amazing view of the night sky and hear the sounds of the waves from the nearby ocean.
You do have to be bear aware here, there are food lockers though.Also, watch out for the poison oak... so much. Each site also has a fire ring and picnic table. They have clean bathrooms with flush toilets and showers that are $0.25 per 2 minutes.
I love this campground and miss it, as I have moved out of California.
Legend
We've been camping here a few times now, since it is about a half hour from where we live. We camp with a 27' Travel Trailer and the campgrounds can accommodate it. There is also several tent campsites as well. The marina to Lake Del Valle is a few miles away. They rent recreational boats as well as aluminum fishing boats. They have a swimming beach area and they rent kayaks as well. There is some decent hiking trails from the campgrounds. There were no hookups where we camped for the travel trailer. Lots of turkey and deer in the area. The fee for us was $27/per night. They is a per fee as well.
Guide
This R.V. Park is rustic, but has a lot of amenities and is very close to Santa Cruz. We visit family and friends in the area often, but this was the first time we camped in the area. It is $50 base price per night, which I think is very exorbitant for a tent site. There is an additional $3 charge per night for any more than two campers per tent or R.V. site. Because there was me and my two daughters it was $53 per night. I gave it 4 stars because the price is so high.
There are just four tent sites here. We were in T2 which was just over a small footbridge over a creek from our parking spot. The spot was small, but had a picnic table, fire pit, and elevated wooden deck. I’m not sure if the deck is for setting up your ten on or lounging on, but we opted to set up our tent on the ground.
We spent most of our time with relatives, so we didn’t have a lot of time to use the amenities, but there were lots of kids around using the playground, bicycling, playing basketball, and swimming in the pool. There was also a large clubhouse with foosball, ping pong and arcade games which is open from 9am - 9pm. My daughters used the clubhouse while I set up camp and after waking up while I stayed in bed for a little while.
There was no AT&T sevice for me, but free WiFi was available so it was fine. The check in process was slow, but okay. Our campsite neighbors seemed very squeamish about camping and left out food that a raccoon family got into in the early morning waking them and us up. I think they were just inexperienced campers.
Overall I’d stay here again, but I might hesitate at the price. I think this would be a nice place for a family to hang out at. There are lots of things for the kids to do and lots of friends to play with.
TravelerUnlike Big Basin or other cabins that neighbor tent camping, the SPT cabins are secluded. Here are my disorganized bullet points:
Be aware of the tons of poison oak, and bring a yellowjacket trap to hang. There's not a lot of flat ground in the campground for kids riding bikes, so you'll need to go hike the trails or go down to the other main area for that. But this is like 2% negative and everything else is 98% positive.
Overall I think these are perfect for the mini-vacation style "let's throw a few things in a bag, low effort" camping trips.
TravelerOur tent is 10" by 8" and we barely fit this thing in the site. We were in site 9 (the one next to us looked really nice like you could set it up under the trees!). I learned the hard way to check size of the camp site to make sure your tent fits! We did it but it was close! That's probably my fault really, but none of the sites seemed particularly big. It was nice that it was right by the creek so you could hear that in the tent. Sites are separated by trees side to side, but there's a road down the middle and the sites across the way are very visible as there is just downed trees as a barrier. There is a little trail you can walk up through the campsite - but you never really get to see the creek! The chipmunks here were super aggressive. My daughter was eating a fig bar and we were all at the table too. She put the bar down on the table to take a drink of water and the chipmunk jumped on the table and grabbed her bar and ran. I've never experienced that brave of a chipmunk before!
ScoutWe've camped here twice and it's been nice with a couple of exceptions. Since it's a new campground, the trees are young and don't supply much shade, but since it's close to the SF Bay, the bay breeze helps. It is right off 84 near the Dumbarton bridge so there can be a lot of traffic noise. There are some nice trails that will take you to the Bay and also to Coyote Hills Regional Park. It's also near Ardenwood Farm so if you have little kids it's a good spot to visit.
They have RV and tent sites and it looks like they will have a little store and laundry facilities in the future. There are lots of shopping and restaurant options very nearby if needed.
We had an issue with a camper that was next to us playing very loud music and when we asked them to turn it down they refused so we asked at the office if there was a space available somewhere else and they accommodated us without question.
We appreciate how convenient it is for people who live in the Bay Area and if you want to visit the area from out of state or out of the Bay Area, it would be a great place to park your camper and explore.
TravelerWe have previously tent camped and car camped here and we really enjoy it. It can get warm in the summer, but the cool moist ocean fog comes in and blankets the area in the evenings, which can really cool it down. On our first visit, there was no running water or showers, but they did have portapotties. On our second visit, water was available, but it was not potable, and the showers and toilets were still not working. Not sure if that is a Covid related issue or a temporary maintenance issue. It’s worth a drive through prior to staying, in order to find a site that fits your needs, they have many different sized sites available, and we like the sites in the high teens (18 & 19), as they seem a bit larger and are right along the creek. The sites appear to be your standard state park equipment with a fire pit, a picnic table and a lockable pantry. The parking area for our site was large enough to accommodate our SUV and another vehicle. There is firewood generally available with the camp host or at the gate. Good cell signal with Verizon. Because of the amazing redwood canopy, it might be hard to get good sun for solar in most of the sites. There are all kinds of trails available, as well as a paved path that runs for at least a mile or so along the creek, that used to be the old railroad line through that area. They have informational signs all over the place providing historical or ecological information. Access to the creek is seasonally restricted for spawning, and I believe that goes from spring to about mid June or July. Also, lots of poison oak in the unmaintained areas and off the trails, so be aware.
TravelerHow is it possible that I am the first to review this place, the number one most difficult to reserve spot in all of California (and therefore presumably all of America)?!
So the cabins are not only notoriously difficult to reserve -- you need to be ready to click "reserve" on the website at no less than 5 minutes before the window opens for your dates of interest, which was 6 months ahead of time when I reserved -- but kind of expensive for what they are, at $100/night plus reservation fee.
For that, you get your own seaside cabin with million dollar views just 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sleeping platforms for about 6 people split among 3 semi-private rooms. Flush toilets at the parking lot and an honor system for buying firewood bundles with kindling. A full-time host lives in the house at the parking lot. There are dish washing spigots scattered among the cabins. There are wheelbarrows for schlepping your stuff to the cabins and campsites; more on that later. And charcoal grills outside each cabin. A couple general use picnic tables scattered about. So those are the basics you can read anywhere.
Various thoughts and recommendations, based on my solo weekend visit in mid-March 2018, staying in Cabin 7 at the bottom of the hill closest to the little beach:
My advice? If you're a small party that just wants a couple days with the gorgeous oceanfront views and location, stay at the tent sites, not the cabins. You won't sleep with one eye open waiting for the mousetraps to pop, and it's a flat, easy portage from the parking lot to the campsites. Easier to keep clean, and I find cooking outside to be less of a hassle and easier to clean up than doing it inside the cabin where there isn't any water, sink, or spillage containment solution. Cheaper and (barely) easier to reserve a tent site, too.
If you're intent on having the cabin experience, or if you're staying in winter, or staying for more than a couple days, or have kids and really want to set up house, then go for a cabin, and I'd recommend choosing a cabin close to the parking lot. They're actually more private and you can use the wheelbarrows to move your stuff from car to cabin. The cabins further away from the parking lot are further down the hill; wheelbarrows are not an option, and footing is iffy when carrying large, heavy items up and down from the parking lot. Views are the same from all cabins so you're not losing any benefits. I'll try for CB04 next time.
But take whatever cabin you can get, and check "Steep Ravine Cabins" off your camping bucket list.
Legend
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.
Nestled along the stunning California coast, El Granada offers a variety of tent camping options that immerse you in nature while providing access to beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near El Granada, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near El Granada, CA is Ben Ries Campground — Butano State Park - CLOSED INDEFINITELY with a 4.8-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near El Granada, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 41 tent camping locations near El Granada, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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