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.
$35 - $225 / night
"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."
"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."
$45 / night
"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."
"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."
"Near Pt. Reyes National Seashore. One complaint was they weed whipped the sites next to us rather then mow. Very loud."
"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!"
"We stayed here for a night at the tail end of a December California adventure before flying out of SFO the next day."
"General: Located between Bodega Bay and Bodega Harbor, this county park has over 140 sites in four campgrounds: Shell, Gull, Cove, and Jetty."
"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."
$30 - $90 / night
"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."
"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!"
TravelerI stayed overnight in the winter so it was pretty empty. The sites are all separate and not too close to one another like they look in photos. The hosts were very nice and it was very quiet when I was there. It's close enough to where you could walk into town but I drove because it was raining. I will definitely be camping here again.
Travelerjust the sites might be to close for what im used to but besides that i loved it
LegendThis was a great campground to spend the night or several days if you have the time. Facilities are clean. Grounds are clean. The staff was super friendly. We enjoyed a fire while enjoying the night sounds of nature. The only complaint was the site that decided to run the generator after hours. We were ready to turn in but were surprised that even though the park was quite empty, there were hosts on site to address the issue.
TravelerSite was only open for day use - call ahead (no cell service) despite website
TravelerGreat promise (Jan 2026) 30a power issues . No cell in the area - all Starlink
TravelerAmazing location. Limited hookups - no electric , no water, at site. Has a dump station for a fee. Friendly staff. Boat launch.
TravelerBeautiful family friendly campground, with all styles of camping.
TravelerLove this campground. So many sites that feel snug and cozy, embedded in nature and not too close to neighbors.
The bathroom on one of the loops is in repair; but in the loop by camp sites 90s it’s working well.
TravelerWhile there’s nothing bad about this RV park, there’s also nothing great. Its best feature is the proximity to bodega bay.
The camp hosts are quite nice, but not reason enough to return.
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 113 campgrounds and RV parks near Marshall, CA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
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 54 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Marshall, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot 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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