Best Tent Camping near Glen Ellen, CA
Tent campsites in Glen Ellen, California area range from secluded walk-in sites to established campgrounds within a short drive of town. Point Reyes National Seashore offers several tent-only options including Sky Campground and Wildcat Campground, both accessible via hiking trails. Mount Tamalpais State Park's Pantoll and Bootjack campgrounds provide tent camping with varying levels of amenities, while Steep Ravine offers tent sites with ocean views just a short drive from Glen Ellen.
Most tent campgrounds require advance reservations through recreation.gov or the California State Parks website, particularly during peak summer and fall seasons. Sites typically include picnic tables, food storage lockers to protect supplies from wildlife, and access to vault toilets or flush restrooms. A visitor commented, "The tent pads were fairly small - maybe 10' x 10'. Each site had a picnic table and a large metal food locker." Water availability varies significantly between locations—Wildcat Camp and Coast Camp provide potable water, while others require campers to pack in their own supply. Campfire regulations differ by location, with many sites allowing fires only in designated fire rings or prohibiting them entirely during dry seasons.
Tent camping experiences near Glen Ellen offer unique advantages over other accommodation types. Walk-in sites at Mount Tamalpais provide greater privacy and shelter from coastal winds, while the hike-in locations at Point Reyes reward tent campers with secluded beach access and coastal views. A camper noted that Wildcat Camp features "tall grass [that] gave some privacy between neighboring campsites." Many tent sites sit within close proximity to extensive trail networks, allowing for day hikes or longer backpacking routes. Seasonal considerations affect the camping experience, with spring offering wildflowers but potentially muddy conditions, while summer and fall provide more reliable weather. Wildlife encounters are common, with raccoons frequently mentioned in reviews, making proper food storage essential for tent campers.
