144 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around Greenbrae, California range from established campgrounds to cabin accommodations across Marin County. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground, located west of Greenbrae, provides tent, RV, and cabin camping in a wooded setting along Lagunitas Creek. Mount Tamalpais State Park offers both Steep Ravine Campground with cabins and glamping options, and Pantoll Campground with walk-in tent sites. Marin RV Park in Greenbrae itself provides 87 sites with full hookups for RVs and limited tent camping, serving as a convenient base for exploring the San Francisco Bay Area.
Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the region, particularly during summer and weekends. Many sites can be booked up to six months in advance through state park or county reservation systems. "The campground is next to a very popular lake. Lots of trails. A great place to bring a bike too," noted one visitor about Spring Lake Regional Park. Weather conditions vary significantly between coastal and inland areas, with coastal sites often experiencing morning fog and cooler temperatures even in summer months. Cell service is generally reliable near Greenbrae but becomes spotty in more remote areas of Mount Tamalpais and Point Reyes. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer and fall months, with complete bans possible during high fire danger periods.
Campers consistently highlight the region's natural beauty and proximity to both urban amenities and wilderness experiences. The coastal campgrounds receive particularly high ratings, with Steep Ravine earning a 4.7/5 rating for its unique cabin options and ocean views. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of Marin RV Park for accessing San Francisco via nearby ferry service, though some noted the sites are narrow and close together. Point Reyes National Seashore campgrounds, while requiring more travel time from Greenbrae, were frequently praised in reviews for their solitude and scenic coastal settings. Wildlife sightings, including deer, turkeys, and raccoons, are commonly reported throughout the area's campgrounds, with proper food storage strongly recommended at all sites.
"Beautiful trees and wonderful California charm. The campsites were decently located. Above the Mendocino coast the mornings are wet and Cold. Loved this place"
"This campground is less than an hours drive from San Francisco. It is along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard which takes you through a bunch of very cute tiny towns."
from $35 - $225 / night
Check Availability"1 to get to the entrance, and then another steep, curvy ride down to the campground."
"The entire Mount Tamalpais watershed is within 30 minutes drive from this location."
from $25 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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. "
"This is an ada compliant walkup campground situated near the top of Mount Tamalpais. Featuring 13 sites ranging from standard campground style to a few more secluded areas."
from $7 - $25 / night
Check Availability"The walk to the beach was 60 seconds and the ocean can be seen from the site. Cool ww2 structures. You get a code to open the gate uptop and drive down to park for your stay."
"If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch. 3- you get a gate code and parking pass to drive down, but have to walk your gear the last 500-1,000 ft"
from $40 - $75 / night
Check Availability"30 mins away from the City. A bit pricy but that is to be expected in SF."
"Great location to the city and Muir woods. Good stores near by. Narrow sites. No room for awning. Close to gather. Sites are gravel and level. Nice area for pets with view."
from $99 - $115 / night
Check Availability"I decided to stay here, because it was the right location for my road trip, it was free, and I thought the view of the city would be excellent."
"Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night. Good hiking areas nearby. Bathrooms and trash cans. Highly recommend as it is also completely free."
"Nice place to eat within walking distance but make reservations on a weekend. WiFi. Showers. Spots are close together but the drive here is amazing. Openings on a Saturday night."
"The campsite is so clean you could walk around barefoot. the scenery is so beautiful with sheep, cattle, mountains and a stream surrounding/on the property. Would definitely recommend"
"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!"
"Campsites are walk in throughout the island. Remember there will be fog and there will be wind. We try to get what they call the "group" kayak site. "
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Really great site right next to the water and beach. The hike in is pretty easy and beautiful. We had fun making a fire on the beach at night. It's pretty windy, so be prepared."
"I used to live in the area and wish I had spent more time camping in and around the Point Reyes National Seashore."
"All three sites here are next to each other and have no seperation, but if you’re okay with that it’s a wonderful place to camp Site 3 is closest to the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the trails connected"
"It has great hiking nearby and an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city, and is a short drive into the city. you definitely want to reserve a space well in advance, especially during peak"
from $25 / night
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ScoutI was woken up by law enforcement and asked to leave on my second night staying here. They will issue a citation (luckily they took mine away and gave me a warning) this needs to be removed as a dispersed site.
GuideThere are many spot. It's a parking lot and the spots are very snug. The edge by the ocean lost a few.
Staff is kind, helpful and responsive. Area is clean and very peaceful. It's a bit pricey. Our standard spot was $150.
TravelerNothing like camping under the redwoods with sounds of streams nearby. Restrooms and facilities are clean and well maintained. Park Rangers are extremely nice and helpful.
GuideWe came in around 9pm. There's a board with names and site numbers on the office building. These are snug spots but we have enough room to put the slide out. It is a level gravel parking lot. There's not alot of places in San Fran to even day park. This is just fine. They do fill up fast. Called the next day to extend through Sat, they are booked solid.
Dog walk is through the gate at the back of the lot where abandoned railroad tracks are. There's a pond with some ducks and a walking path.
GuideLots of beautiful campsites by the beach. It’s in Bodega Bay so all of the beach is pretty protected. Many are in the harbor and there’s a place to launch your watercraft. Dogs are allowed yon the beach on leash. The campground was full but the beach wasn’t crowded at all.
The shower was coin operated. The dial didn’t change the temperature or volume of water at all. ☹️
GuideThere aren’t a lot of options for camping on the coast in California outside of busy campgrounds. But as those go, Doran Beach is ok. Try to get a site that backs up to the harbor for more privacy and an almost private beach to walk. But be aware there are lots of sounds going on all day and night, including people talking, sea birds squawking, sea lions barking, and a 24/7 foghorn (whether there’s fog or not). Sites are close together but pick wisely and you can get one that affords you a little more privacy.
TravelerThis is a fun place for you and the fam either to camp or for the day.
The tide comes in and out here as it’s a low level island and the approach to access sometimes will be under water from the tide. It is just like that, not poorly maintained, just one short section that can get 6inches deep and is not an issue for anybody.
I stayed in a tent camper fold-out. I hugged the hedge next to a teardrop. Everyone was nice and it was a relaxing stay. Can launch boat/kayak or do all the wind surfing type sports they talk about.
GuideHard to get reservations but worth it. Super close to beach. Some spots have trees with shade.
TravelerI stayed here for one night and overall had a good experience. The location is beautiful and very convenient, with the beach right across the road and the water nearby. It was calm, scenic, and there were lots of birds around. The bathrooms and showers were clean, and the shower had warm water.
The sites are very close together, though, so there is essentially no privacy between campsites. The shower was also a little expensive at around $2 for only a few minutes of water.
The biggest issue for me was the foghorn. I actually timed it, and it went off roughly every 10 seconds, apparently 24/7. It was extremely loud and continued day and night, whether there was fog or not. Some people may find it soothing, but I found it impossible to ignore, especially at night. Honestly, this is the main reason I wouldn't stay here again.
Overall, it's a nice campground in a great location, but the lack of privacy and especially the constant foghorn are significant drawbacks.
Greenbrae camping options extend throughout Marin County, with sites that range from sea level up to 2,600 feet near Mount Tamalpais peaks. Winter temperatures typically range from 45-65°F, while summer brings 55-85°F conditions, with coastal sites often 10-15 degrees cooler than inland campgrounds. Foggy mornings are standard at most campsites near Greenbrae, California, especially from May through August when morning visibility can be limited to under 100 feet.
Horseback riding access: 5 miles from Greenbrae. Five Brooks Ranch in Olema offers guided trail rides through Point Reyes National Seashore. "I would highly recommend Five Brooks Ranch in Olema for horseback riding," notes a visitor to Samuel P. Taylor State Park, who ranked this activity as a "highlight" of their trip.
Beach exploration: 3-mile hike required. At Wildcat Campground, campers can take a short beach walk to Alamere Falls. "Just a mile or so before you get to camp there is a side trail to the left for Alamere Falls... Better to dump your pack at camp and walk up the beach. So beautiful!" advises one camper.
Urban exploration via ferry: 10-minute walk. The ferry near Marin RV Park takes you directly to downtown San Francisco. "We spent a week here and only drove when we wanted the experience driving down Lombard St and driving across the Golden Gate Bridge. Otherwise we took the ferry and then public transportation to all other points of interest in the San Francisco area."
Hiking network: Extensive trail system. The trails from Pantoll Campground provide access to multiple parks. "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."
Unique overnight urban views: $0 cost. From H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound, campers get front-row Golden Gate Bridge views. "I had an excellent view of the city and the bridge. There were a lot of people, including a bunch of teenagers, hanging out at the rest area. Plus, quite a few people stopping just to take a quick photograph."
Private beach access: Limited sites available. The beach at Wildcat Camp provides solitude despite day hikers. "Just a reminder to cancel your reservation if you don't plan to come, there were 2/8 sites not occupied on a Saturday that could have been used by someone who really wants to experience this great location."
Rustic cabin experiences: Difficult reservations. Steep Ravine Campground offers unique oceanfront cabins. "These cabins are well worth the cost. 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. No electricity but the wood burning stove provides some light."
Wildlife viewing opportunities. Raccoons are frequently encountered at camping areas near the Golden Gate Bridge. "I've been camping my whole life and NEVER have I seen raccoons so persistent. Not aggressive. Just persistent. And fearless. They. Will. Not. Leave. You. Alone. From like 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm they will stalk your site looking for ANY unsecured food."
Reservation windows: 6 months in advance. The most sought-after sites book immediately. "How 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)?!" notes a camper at Angel Island State Park.
Microclimate preparation: Pack for three seasons. Weather can change dramatically within short distances. "One thing to note, the night is COLD up this way, and mere miles will cover several different weather systems. Bring layers."
Noise considerations: Foghorns and traffic. Campgrounds near bridges and highways experience persistent noise. "If you're tent camping, the vehicle noise from the nearby Sir Francis Drake Blvd can be distracting if you are a light sleeper."
Limited RV access at most natural sites. Most scenic campgrounds have tight access roads and limited space. "It's a bit too tight for large trailer or RV camping (unless you are an expert at maneuvering through tight spaces)," warns a camper about Samuel P. Taylor State Park.
Site selection for privacy: Research specific site numbers. At Samuel P. Taylor State Park, choose carefully for family groups. "Had I chosen the site to my left, or a few more down the road, I would have barely noticed them at all - sites 47-44 had no one across the way, more private, set back... if I returned I would snag site 44. Just trust me on this."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for playgrounds. Olema Campground offers family-focused facilities. "Olema is our go to spot. Every year with and without grandkids. Clean and friendly staff. The store has the necessities. The kids love the playground and try their hand at shuffleboard."
First-timer considerations: Expect learning curves. Some campgrounds attract inexperienced campers, especially on weekends. "For families who want a quick trip over Golden Gate Bridge to introduce their children (or adults!) to the great outdoors, their first camp, nowhere is more convenient and instantly gratifying."
Packing for marine environments: Multiple layers essential. Coastal camping requires extra preparation. "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."
Site dimensions: Prepare for tight quarters. Marin RV Park offers convenient location but minimal space. "This is a parking lot with full hookups strategically located to public transit direct to San Francisco. It's surprisingly quiet for being in a semi industrial area right next to the 101, but there is road noise of course."
Dump station access: Limited facilities. Most scenic locations lack RV services. "For what this RV park is designed to be, it is done very well. It's a parking lot with full hookups strategically located to public transit direct to San Francisco."
Parking strategies: Plan for detached parking. Many campgrounds require gear transport from parking areas. "Campsites are walk in throughout the island. Remember there will be fog and there will be wind."
Navigation challenges: Prepare for coastal roads. RVs face difficult approaches to many coastal campgrounds. "It's a classic, twisty ride on Highway 1 to get to the entrance, and then another steep, curvy ride down to the campground. Campers sensitive to motion sickness or vertigo be warned."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Greenbrae, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Greenbrae, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 144 campgrounds and RV parks near Greenbrae, CA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Greenbrae, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Greenbrae, CA is Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 57 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Greenbrae, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Greenbrae, CA.
What parks are near Greenbrae, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Greenbrae, CA that allow camping, notably Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore.
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