Inverness camping options span from mountain ridgelines to beachfront locations, with elevations ranging from sea level to over 1,300 feet at Mount Wittenberg in Point Reyes. The region's microclimate creates temperature variations of up to 20°F between inland and coastal areas. Most campgrounds require advance reservations through either recreation.gov for Point Reyes sites or ReserveCalifornia for state park locations.
What to do
Shuffleboard and recreation: Olema Campground offers organized recreation options including shuffleboard courts and volleyball nets. "The kids love the playground and try their hand at shuffleboard. Close to multiple beaches," notes one regular visitor who makes this their annual destination.
Beach walking and tidepooling: From most Inverness area campgrounds, beach exploration opportunities abound with varying terrain. The beach at Coast Campground offers "tidepools close by as well as a great place for beach fire (permit needed)." Beaches range from sandy stretches to rocky outcroppings depending on location.
Dark sky stargazing: When conditions permit, campers can experience exceptional night sky viewing. "The stars are beautiful and it was such a great experience beach camping," reported a kayaker at Tomales Bay. For optimal stargazing, plan your trip during a new moon phase when the bioluminescent plankton in Tomales Bay is also most visible.
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: The region offers abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. At Wildcat Campground, campers might "get into a wave battle for the 5 miles it takes to get there" but are rewarded with marine life sightings. "You will see sea jellies, bat rays, maybe a leopard shark, and bioluminescent plankton!" One camper advises to "slow down near weedy shores to look for jellies and sting rays."
Privacy between sites: Site selection significantly impacts privacy levels. At Sky Campground, "The tall grass gave some privacy between neighboring campsites." For maximum seclusion, one visitor recommends sites 10 and 11, noting they "are the best" while another suggests site 12 because it and #11 "were the best ones there because they are surrounded by lush vegetation."
Camping without crowds: For those seeking solitude, timing is everything. At Wildcat Campground, "The beach to camp on is long so even if others are camping there you can have your own camp set up way far away." Similarly, a Glen Campground visitor noted, "Most individual sites are well-screened by shrubs and trees."
What you should know
Weather challenges: Coastal conditions can change rapidly. At Bodega Dunes Campground, campers advise preparation for changing coastal conditions: "Weather is GREAT, and you can usually count on some light wind daily. It's amazing kite weather." However, nights get cold with one camper noting "it did get chilly, 38-39 degrees F, nothing a good sleeping bag couldn't fix."
Wildlife precautions: Small animals are persistent throughout the area. A Wildcat Camp visitor warns, "The raccoons are everywhere at night! They can unzip those little zippable coolers. They can pretty much open anything with their little human-like hands so protect your stuff!"
Terrain variations: Camping surfaces range from sand to hard-packed soil. At Bodega Dunes, a camper noted with surprise: "I have to confess that I feel pretty silly for not being as prepared for the sand as I should have been from the name of the campground. Who would have thought!? We walked around sites 22-55 and all seem to be entirely on the sand. Come prepared to deal with sand."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground offers accessible camping with amenities. "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," reports one camper. The park features relatively level sites and updated facilities.
Educational opportunities: The area provides natural learning experiences. At Glen Campground, families can explore diverse ecosystems on interconnected trails. "We did a morning hike and the trails were absolutely stunning," shared a visitor. Another noted, "There are informational signs all over the place providing historical or ecological information."
Multigenerational considerations: When planning for groups with varying physical abilities, consider access challenges. "It's not easy to access the beach. It seems there's a huge sand dune between the campground and the beach. I'm not 100% out of shape, it was hard for me to go up the sand dunes," shared a Lawson's Landing visitor. For families with young children, Hearts Desire Beach in Tomales Bay State Park offers "a sand bar so there is shallow area that warms the water for them to play."
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: For RVs at Olema Campground, sites are primarily arranged in cul-de-sacs. "RC/van spots are arranged in cul de sacs, tent spots on the edges of fields," notes one visitor. This campground offers full hookup options with one visitor appreciating that "The host says they will come around in the morning and empty our tanks! No need to hook up our sewer hose!"
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. Samuel P. Taylor State Park has "all 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)." Plan arrival during daylight hours for easier navigation.
Weather preparation: RVers should prepare for significant temperature fluctuations. "One thing to note, the night is COLD up this way, and mere miles will cover several different weather systems. Bring layers," advises a visitor to Samuel P. Taylor. Solar panel users should note that many sites are partially or fully shaded, especially at Samuel P. Taylor where "Because of the amazing redwood canopy, it might be hard to get good sun for solar in most of the sites."
