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Marshall, California anchors a coastline camping region along Tomales Bay that includes established campgrounds and boat-in sites. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground, located inland near Lagunitas, provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with amenities such as drinking water, fire rings, and showers. Lawson's Landing at Dillon Beach offers waterfront camping with electric hookups and fishing access. For those seeking a more remote experience, Point Reyes National Seashore maintains several campgrounds including Coast Camp, Sky Camp, and Wildcat Camp, which primarily cater to tent campers and require hiking or boating to access.
The coastal camping environment experiences significant fog and wind patterns throughout the year, particularly in summer afternoons. Many campgrounds require advance reservations through recreation.gov or state park systems, with Point Reyes sites often booking months ahead. Kayak-accessible sites along Tomales Bay require special permits from the National Park Service. Cell service varies widely, with better coverage near towns and limited connectivity in more remote areas. "The wind fights you to the campsite in the afternoon. Seriously. Noon hits and you are in a wave battle for the 5 miles it takes to get there," one camper noted about the boat-in sites along Tomales Bay.
Campers consistently highlight the unique water-based experiences in the area, particularly the bioluminescent waters of Tomales Bay at night. Boat-in camping on the bay's eastern shore provides rare solitude within the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Several campgrounds offer beach access, though reaching the water often requires crossing dunes or hiking trails. While some sites like Olema Campground provide cabin options with modern amenities, others are deliberately primitive to preserve the natural character of the region. "There are resident spotted owls to seek out," mentioned one visitor to Tomales Bay. Fishing and crabbing opportunities draw many to Lawson's Landing, though several reviewers note the proximity of sites to each other can impact the experience during busy periods.
"Because of the holiday and the proximity to Oakland/San Fran, the campground was in FULL EFFECT with a gang of variant families camp site hopping. "
"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"Such an amazing location! We stayed in the Meadow View sites cause most of them were available but after walking through the campground that's where I would go back."
"Walking distance to the beach. Quiet place on non holiday weekends. Fun place to fish and the Beach is also pretty clean."
"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"
"This campsite is centrally located on the peninsula. Access to several roadside dog friendly beaches within minutes. The bay and the beach are within walking distance to campground."
"The California coast is hard to beat. This campground is in the sand dunes, with a short walk to the beach. This is absolutely one of the best places to see the sunset."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"We stayed here for a night at the tail end of a December California adventure before flying out of SFO the next day."
"There 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."
"showers were always clean. there was some construction going on, since it was the off season. it looked like they were renovating some of the bathrooms and aisle end sites to add grass and decks. the location"
"For us, this is a great spot to shoot down the highway and pull in for a few days to get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life!"
"Point Reyes in California has to be my all time favorite camping site. There are miles and miles of beaches surrounded by dunes, hills, and cliffs."
"Hike in (and around!) this gorgeous area. We chose to stay two nights and had a great time exploring the surrounding hiking trails - a personal favourite was Alamere Falls."
"I recommend, launching your boat from the Miler Boat Launch in Marshall (eastern side of the bay). Overnight parking is $5. First campsites are a 30 minute paddle across the bay."
"West Marin offers an incredibly picturesque location to explore, and Coast Camp is about as good as it gets."
from $30 - $90 / 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."
"If you wanna rv and craving crab,chowder, and oysters this is the spot for you, full hook up,fire pit , and picnic table walking distance to a restaurant and shops great views very relaxing...the down"
"There is a coffee/breakfast place, and a wine/beer/restaurant at the edge of the property. Very good and convenient! Lots of nice walking opportunities!"
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.
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.
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.
TravelerGreat campground on the Russian River. Big grassy area for single or group camping. Friendly staff. Walking distance to downtown Guerneville.
LegendSome campgrounds stay with you because of the scenery, while others become part of your family history ... and Salt Point will forever be both for me. Perched along one of the wildest stretches of the Sonoma Coast, this coastal park combines six miles of rugged Pacific shoreline with grasslands and forest, and its two primary campgrounds offer very different experiences: Gerstle Cove sits on the ocean side of Highway 1, while Woodside is tucked into the trees inland. Together they have 109 developed campsites, most with level paved pads, picnic tables, food lockers and fire rings, but no hookups or showers.
What makes Salt Point truly special is everything waiting beyond the campsite. Trails lead along rocky bluffs, through forests and down toward Gerstle Cove, while tide pools, extraordinary sandstone formations and the pounding Pacific make this feel wonderfully removed from civilization. There are more than 20 miles of trails and Stump Beach provides the park's only sandy beach.
But none of that is why I remember this place so vividly. Salt Point was the very first place I ever took my daughters camping. I can still remember that wonderful mixture of excitement and uncertainty that comes with introducing your children to something you love: setting up camp together, watching them explore this enormous new outdoor world and realizing that what felt like a simple weekend away was quietly becoming one of those family memories you carry forever. At least for me, that is true.
This is real camping rather than resort camping: no electricity, no showers and no dump station, while the nearest gas stations are roughly 18 miles away. Tent campers should feel particularly at home here and I’d favor Woodside, which is where we stayed, for its more sheltered, forested camping experience; however, choose Gerstle Cove if quicker access to the rugged coastline is what brought you here. Either way, come prepared for changing coastal weather and embrace the simplicity as that's part of Salt Point's magic.
Insider’s Tip: If this is your first visit, don't spend the entire trip at the campsite. Walk the Salt Point Trail around Gerstle Cove and give the kids time simply to explore the shoreline. Years later, they probably won't remember whether the campsite was perfectly level, but you may be surprised by what they do remember.
Happy Camping!
GuideI enjoyed my two night stay here, the location is great right on the water.
Campsites are very close together and the Bodega Bay foghorn goes off every 10 seconds 24/7 and that got annoying.
Great for Starlink
Camping near Marshall, California centers around the eastern shore of Tomales Bay, where coastal conditions produce frequent temperature changes between day and night. Summer daytime temperatures average 65-75°F, while evenings regularly drop to 45-55°F year-round. The area features a mixture of accessible shoreline sites and more remote mountain camping, all within 30 miles of the small coastal community.
Beach exploration at Dillon Beach: Located at Lawson's Landing, this sandy area offers day activities beyond camping. "Hidden from the winds on the beach just over a hill, this place had super flat spots and a great spot with space for our huge Mercedes Sprinter," notes one camper.
Hiking the Point Reyes trails: The trail system connecting Sky Campground offers varying difficulty levels. "We chose to stay two nights and had a great time exploring the surrounding hiking trails - a personal favourite was Alamere Falls," one visitor reports.
Wildlife viewing at Samuel P. Taylor: The inland forest setting provides different wildlife encounters than coastal areas. "There are resident spotted owls to seek out," one visitor noted. Another camper wrote, "Raccoons, Chipmunks and Blue Jays were NOT SHY but also not a harrowing issue."
Tide pool exploration: The rangers at Doran Regional Park coordinate educational activities. "The first Saturday of the month the rangers do a tide pool talk. They bring sea creatures (like sea stars, sea slugs etc) to share and let the kids hold them."
Secluded beach access: Wildcat Campground provides private beach access after day visitors leave. "Just yards away from the beach. Nice to have a water spigot on-site. Vault toilets with paper towel, no soap. Trash and recycling containers were handy."
Kayaking to remote campsites: Coast Campground serves as a staging area for water-based camping. "The pristine shores of the Western beaches of Tomales Bay await you. Primitive sites are unmarked, first come first serve, and accessible only by boating in."
Fresh seafood: The coastal location means immediate access to local catch. "If you wanna rv and craving crab, chowder, and oysters this is the spot for you," notes a Porto Bodega Marina visitor.
Night sky viewing: Several campgrounds offer minimal light pollution for stargazing. One camper at Porto Bodega reports: "You can see the Milky Way at night while listening to the soft foghorn and every now and then a soft bark of a seal."
Microclimate considerations: Coastal fog and temperature variations affect comfort. "In June of 2025 the bathrooms in the site #22-55 loop was undergoing a pretty major renovation and portable toilets were in use," notes a recent Bodega Dunes Campground visitor.
Campsite proximity issues: Many campgrounds feature close quarters. "The sites are a bit small and close to one another, but otherwise we had no complaints," writes one Samuel P. Taylor camper.
Reservation requirements: Most sites require advance planning. "They just started allowing reservations recently. If you want a sunny site, go for the center of the loop in the 60s/70s," advises a Bodega Dunes visitor.
Wildlife awareness: Multiple small animals frequent the camping areas. "We did see a few foxes, or the same fox a few times, so make sure to keep camp sites clean," reports a Bodega Dunes camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available in Marshall?
Marshall offers unique boat-in camping experiences along Tomales Bay. Coast Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore provides primitive sites accessible by boat, where campers can experience pristine western shores and potentially witness bioluminescence during new moon periods. Marshall Beach is a popular destination for kayakers camping overnight. For nearby options, Lawson's Landing offers spacious sites with meadow views just a short drive away. The area also provides access to numerous campgrounds throughout Point Reyes National Seashore and along the Sonoma Coast, perfect for those seeking both coastal and forest camping experiences.
Where is Marshall, California located?
Marshall is a small unincorporated community located on the eastern shore of Tomales Bay in Marin County, California. It sits along Highway 1 about 50 miles north of San Francisco. The area is known for its pristine shoreline and proximity to Point Reyes National Seashore. Marshall is nestled between the towns of Point Reyes Station and Tomales, making it a perfect base for exploring the natural beauty of the region, including Tomales Bay Boat-In Camping — Point Reyes National Seashore and the greater Marin County coastal area.
What camping is available near Marshall, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Marshall, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 121 campgrounds and RV parks near Marshall, CA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Marshall, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Marshall, 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 Marshall, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Marshall, CA.
What parks are near Marshall, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Marshall, CA that allow camping, notably Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
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