Best Tent Camping near Lagunitas, CA
Point Reyes National Seashore offers numerous tent-only camping options near Lagunitas, California, with several backcountry sites requiring hikes of varying distances. Wildcat Campground, situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, provides tent campers with beach access and proximity to Alamere Falls via a 6-8 mile hike from trailheads. Sky Campground offers ridge-top tent sites with panoramic views approximately 1.3 miles from the nearest parking area. Mount Tamalpais State Park, just southeast of Lagunitas, features several walk-in tent campgrounds including Bootjack and Pantoll, both offering first-come, first-served primitive tent camping with access to extensive trail networks.
Most tent campsites in the region require permits obtained at visitor centers, with many requiring advance reservations through recreation.gov. Tent pads vary from flat sandy areas surrounded by wood beams at Haypress Campground to grassy meadows at Wildcat Camp. Food storage lockers are standard at most sites due to wildlife activity, particularly raccoons and mice. Vault toilets are common, though amenities like potable water vary significantly between campgrounds. Seasonal considerations include fog and wind, especially at coastal sites where temperatures can drop significantly at night. Fire regulations differ by location, with some sites permitting fires in designated rings while others prohibit open flames entirely.
Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for day hiking or multi-day backpacking trips. According to reviews, Bootjack Campground offers "quick access to solid trails, beautiful views, and close proximity to San Francisco," though campers should "be ready for a winding drive with sharp turns and sheer cliffs." At Pantoll Campground, a visitor noted that "sites up the hill require a bit of a hike-in but are farther from road noise and the busy parking lot." Wildcat Camp provides what one camper described as "tall grass giving some privacy between neighboring campsites" with convenient access to water spigots and vault toilets. Spring visits often provide wildflower displays, while summer brings drier conditions and potentially more crowded facilities, especially on weekends.
