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Best Campgrounds near Muir Beach, CA

800 Reviews

Muir Beach north of San Francisco gives campers a quiet spot along the coast. The City Park Campground has big, shady sites that work well for tents. Muir Beach Area State Park has good facilities and trails right nearby for hiking. If you want more privacy, you can find some spread-out camping spots in the National Forest lands around Muir Beach. Families tend to like Muir Beach Recreation Area with its picnic spots and ocean views. You can stay pretty close to the water at the County Park Campground, which lets you walk to the beach easily. You should try to get reservations, especially in summer when it gets busy. You can book up to six months ahead, so don't wait until the last minute. While you're there, check out Muir Woods National Monument with its amazing redwoods. If you like fishing, there are good spots in local streams and along the shore. The weather stays pretty mild at Muir Beach all year, but summer and fall have the nicest conditions. Just make sure to look up current rules and fire restrictions before you go to keep your trip safe and fun.

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Best Camping Sites Near Muir Beach, California (111)

    1. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Lagunitas, CA
    13 miles

    $35 - $225 / night

    "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."

    "Beautiful trees and wonderful California charm. The campsites were decently located. Above the Mendocino coast the mornings are wet and Cold. Loved this place"

    2. Steep Ravine Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    15 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 388-2070

    $25 - $100 / night

    "1 to get to the entrance, and then another steep, curvy ride down to the campground."

    "The entire Mount Tamalpais watershed is within 30 minutes drive from this location."

    3. Kirby Cove Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $40 - $75 / night

    "The walk to the beach was 60 seconds and the ocean can be seen from the site. Cool ww2 structures. You get a code to open the gate uptop and drive down to park for your stay."

    "If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch. 3- you get a gate code and parking pass to drive down, but have to walk your gear the last 500-1,000 ft"

    4. Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    15 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 388-2070

    $7 - $25 / night

    "Pantoll is a pretty campground located adjacent to the entrance to Mount Tamalpais.  You can hike to, bike to, take the bus to, or even drive to this campground.  "

    "Don't let the fact that it's behind a ranger station fool you-- they clock out by 10pm, and if you have an issue after that, good luck."

    5. H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound

    11 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    6 miles
    Website

    "I decided to stay here, because it was the right location for my road trip, it was free, and I thought the view of the city would be excellent."

    "Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night. Good hiking areas nearby. Bathrooms and trash cans. Highly recommend as it is also completely free."

    6. Marin RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Larkspur, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 461-5199

    $99 - $115 / night

    "30 mins away from the City. A bit pricy but that is to be expected in SF."

    "Great location to the city and Muir woods. Good stores near by. Narrow sites. No room for awning. Close to gather. Sites are gravel and level. Nice area for pets with view."

    7. Olema Campground

    24 Reviews
    Olema, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 663-8106

    "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."

    8. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    9 Reviews
    Tiburon, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 435-5390

    $30 / night

    "Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"

    "Campsites are walk in throughout the island.  Remember there will be fog and there will be wind.

    We try to get what they call the "group" kayak site. "

    9. Wildcat Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    14 Reviews
    Olema, CA
    13 miles
    Website

    "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."

    10. Bicentennial Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $25 / night

    "All three sites here are next to each other and have no seperation, but if you’re okay with that it’s a wonderful place to camp Site 3 is closest to the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the trails connected"

    "It has great hiking nearby and an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city, and is a short drive into the city. you definitely want to reserve a space well in advance, especially during peak"

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Recent Camping Photos near Muir Beach, CA

213 Photos of 111 Muir Beach Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Muir Beach, CA

800 Reviews of 111 Muir Beach Campgrounds

  • Leafe Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Johnson's Beach

    Perfext location for river

    Russian River is right out front of the campground. They offer kayaks canoes, and whatever else you want to rent however, if you have a dog, they don’t allow the dog on the beach or in the boat with you and they’re not allowed to stay behind in the tent, so you’re kind of stuck if you have a dog

  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    Great area, safe, kid friendly

    I planned to stay here just one night and stayed like 4. Great spot, I loved downtown Petaluma and enjoyed the safe feeling and convenience of this location. Great amenities for children too.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground

    Feels much more remote than it is

    Great campsite, awesome staff. Tucked away off highway 12 in wine country it feels much more remote than it actually is. It's a great fast getaway from the northbay, but it can be hard to reserve a site ahead of time but they do have first-come first serve sites too. Excellent hiking with both fairly flat trails, to challenging trails with lots of elevation change. It's often very hot in the summer, and there can be lots of rattle snakes sunning themselves on the rocks. This is one of my favorite camping spots.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Westside Regional Park

    Decent landing spot

    If you are here for fishing or boating it’s perfect

  • T
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Nice location and activities, but a bit cramped

    I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights. 

    I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night. 

    Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken. 

    The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any. 

    I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well. 

    I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious. 

    My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :) 

    I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):

    Bathrooms: 4

    Location: 5

    Activities: 5

    Privacy: 3

    Cleanliness: 4

  • Michi P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Casini Ranch Family Campground

    Nice Clean Quiet Campground

    We had a big site, it was quiet. The bathrooms are clean, showers are $1.00, they have something for every type of camper here, from tents, covered wagons to rv sites. This is a large campground located on the Russian River. They have a well stocked store, laundry facilities.

    Edit: Tuesday and Wednesday were as described above. Thursday a very loud rambunctious crowd showed up. Casini Campground has a ton of rules, one of which is you shouldn’t play your music loud enough for your neighbors to hear, we were able to hear the music and the people who were trying to talk over their music. If you going to have rules, please enforce them. Edited to change from 5 stars to 4.

  • g
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Olema Campground

    Nice spot, little privacy

    Lovely large meadow with scattered trees. RC/van spots are arranged in cul de sacs, tent spots on the edges of fields.

    Somewhat noisy - kids, dogs, radios - but settled down by 9. Friendly vibe. Expensive at $83/nt but good showers. Wifi was slow when I stayed.

    Decent backup option for the area if Samuel Taylor is booked.

  • g
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    Small and lovely

    Lovely site in redwoods. Sites are close, but have some privacy. Stream is accessible shallow. Beautiful trees.

Guide to Muir Beach

Camping near Muir Beach, California, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're a family looking for a fun getaway or an RV enthusiast seeking a peaceful spot, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful area.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the campgrounds. Many campers rave about the breathtaking views. One reviewer from Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground said, "Hiking through the forest felt like you were walking through a scene from Fern Gully."
  • Beach Activities: Spend time at the beach for swimming, sunbathing, or beachcombing. A visitor at Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground mentioned, "The campsites are right by the beach. Campsite 38 has an extraordinary view of the beach."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. Campers at Anthony Chabot Regional Park enjoyed spotting wild turkeys during their stay, saying, "They were beautiful birds with big eyes spotting tiny bits of crumbs."

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Many campers appreciate the stunning landscapes. One camper at Kirby Cove Campground shared, "The views of the Golden Gate and the city are breathtaking."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers often mention the peacefulness of the sites. A review from Steep Ravine Campground noted, "It is the quintessential California coastal campsite."
  • Family-Friendly Amenities: Campgrounds like San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA are great for families, with activities like petting zoos and jumping pillows. One parent said, "The pool was great during the oven-like temperatures, and the staff was very kind."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds have basic facilities. A visitor at Lawson's Landing pointed out, "Porta potties were very dirty and TP less."
  • Crowded During Holidays: Expect busier campgrounds during holiday weekends. A camper at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA mentioned, "It was busy and expensive, but great for kids."
  • Weather Variability: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. A camper at Mount Diablo State Park noted, "The weather was very mild during the day; not too hot, nor too cold."

Tips for camping with families

  • Bring Extra Supplies: Make sure to pack enough food and water, especially since some campgrounds lack stores. A camper at Olema Campground said, "Showers are great. Includes a small shop for goodies."
  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. One family at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA enjoyed the playground and jumping pillow, stating, "Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm, and mining fun."
  • Plan Activities: Keep kids engaged with planned activities. A reviewer at Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground suggested, "Riding your bike or walking along the path toward town for a well-earned brunch should definitely reach the top of your to-do list."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Some sites may be smaller than expected. A camper at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground mentioned, "Not much space to pitch a larger size tent."
  • Bring a Lock for Food Storage: Wildlife can be a concern, so secure your food. A visitor at Kirby Cove Campground advised, "Make sure to bring enough water! The old military ruins were also cool to explore."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Respect your neighbors, especially in crowded campgrounds. A camper at Lawson's Landing noted, "Most people have RVs, so the generators start early."

Camping near Muir Beach, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but being prepared can make all the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available near Muir Beach?

Several excellent camping options exist within a short drive of Muir Beach. Olema Campground offers full-service sites with water and toilets, suitable for RVs and tents. For a more rustic experience, Wildcat Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore provides hike-in sites with beach access. Other nearby options include Bicentennial Campground in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Angel Island State Park's campsites (accessible by ferry). Most coastal campsites in this region require reservations months in advance, particularly during summer and weekends.

Is H Dana Bower Rest Area suitable for overnight camping near Muir Beach?

No, H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound is not suitable for overnight camping. This is a highway rest area primarily intended for brief stops and does not permit overnight camping or parking. For legitimate overnight options near Muir Beach, consider Anthony Chabot Regional Park which offers proper facilities including restrooms and designated campsites. Rest areas in California typically have strict time limits (usually 8 hours maximum) and explicitly prohibit camping, with regular enforcement by highway patrol.

Can you camp overnight at Muir Beach?

No, you cannot camp overnight directly at Muir Beach itself as it doesn't have designated camping facilities. However, nearby Steep Ravine Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park and Kirby Cove Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area offer coastal camping experiences. Steep Ravine features rustic cabins and walk-in tent sites with dramatic ocean views, while Kirby Cove provides drive-in and hike-in sites with Golden Gate Bridge views. Both require reservations well in advance, especially during peak seasons.

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