Best Tent Camping near Montara, CA
The San Francisco Bay Area offers numerous tent campgrounds near Montara, California, with options ranging from coastal bluffs to forested mountain settings. Mount Tamalpais State Park provides walk-in tent sites at both Pantoll and Bootjack Campgrounds, while Golden Gate National Recreation Area offers primitive tent camping at Haypress and Bicentennial Campgrounds. Point Reyes National Seashore, located north of Montara, features several backcountry tent campgrounds including Wildcat, Coast, and Glen.
Tent campsites in this region typically feature picnic tables, food storage lockers, and fire rings when permitted, though fire restrictions are common during dry seasons. Most walk-in tent areas require campers to carry their gear short distances from parking areas, ranging from 0.2 to 2.5 miles depending on the campground. Potable water is available at some locations like Pantoll and Mount Tamalpais tent sites, but facilities are limited at others. As noted in feedback on The Dyrt, "You'll need to drop your stuff off, find a place to park along the road, then come back to park in the evening when the parking lot clears." Vault toilets are standard at most primitive tent areas, though a few campgrounds offer flush toilets.
The tent camping experience varies significantly across these locations. Sites in Point Reyes provide coastal access with tent areas positioned on bluffs overlooking the Pacific. One camper shared that Wildcat Campground offers "great beach access and Alamere Falls is just a short beach-walk away." Mount Tamalpais tent sites feature more forest cover, with campsites nestled among redwoods and offering hiking access to numerous trails. Backcountry tent areas in the region generally require reservations, with many locations booking months in advance. First-come, first-served tent sites at Pantoll Campground fill quickly on weekends but may have availability midweek. Weather conditions for tent camping can change rapidly, with coastal fog and wind common year-round at exposed tent sites.
