Best Tent Camping near Golden Gate National Recreation Area
The Marin Headlands section of Golden Gate National Recreation Area contains several primitive tent campgrounds offering views of San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Pacific Ocean. Bicentennial Campground features three walk-in tent sites requiring a short hike from the parking area, while Haypress Campground provides five secluded tent sites accessible via a 0.75-mile trail from the Tennessee Valley trailhead. Mount Tamalpais State Park, adjacent to the recreation area, offers additional tent camping at Pantoll and Bootjack Campgrounds, with sites available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Most primitive tent sites in the Golden Gate area require advance reservations through Recreation.gov, with availability extremely limited due to the small number of sites. Tent campers must pack in their own water at Hawk Campground and Haypress Campground, while Bicentennial does provide water access. All campgrounds prohibit campfires, though some permit cooking on camp stoves. Sites typically include food storage lockers, picnic tables, and access to vault toilets. The coastal location means weather can change rapidly, with fog, wind, and cool temperatures common even in summer. As one visitor noted, "Mornings can get foggy here, so bring a sweatshirt regardless of the season."
Backcountry tent camping on Angel Island State Park provides a unique opportunity to experience the Bay Area wilderness with stunning city views. The island features ten walk-in tent sites with varying views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, and both the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. Tent campers must take a ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco and then hike to their designated sites, carrying all necessary supplies. The exposed nature of some sites means weather protection is essential. A visitor to the island commented, "It gets very windy and chilly at night, so come prepared with a sturdy tent and warm clothing." The island's relative isolation means that once the last ferry departs, campers have the trails and beaches almost entirely to themselves.
