Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground offers rustic camping cabins near Muir Woods, California, nestled among redwood trees with sites located on a creek. The cabins range from 12-14 miles from Muir Woods National Monument, with nighttime temperatures often dropping into the 40s even during summer months. Fall brings occasional light rain while winter features heavier precipitation and temperatures between 35-55°F.
What to do
Horseback riding in Olema: Visit Five Brooks Ranch for guided trail rides near Olema Campground. "I would highly recommend Five Brooks Ranch in Olema for horseback riding," notes one visitor to Samuel P. Taylor State Park.
Hiking to Lake Ilsanjo: Access challenging trails from Spring Lake Regional Park that connect to Trione-Annadel State Park. "We did a very tough hike in almost 100 degree weather up to Lake Ilsanjo and the cold plunge into that lake was exactly what was needed," reports a camper.
Biking the old railroad path: Samuel P. Taylor State Park features "a paved path that runs for at least a mile or so along the creek, that used to be the old railroad line through that area," according to a visitor. The flat terrain makes it suitable for families with children.
Shellfish gathering: The Bodega Bay area offers multiple seafood options. "If you wanna rv and craving crab, chowder, and oysters this is the spot for you," explains a camper at Porto Bodega Marina & RV Park, noting it's "walking distance to a restaurant and shops."
What campers like
Quiet nights with stargazing: Porto Bodega provides exceptional night sky viewing. "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," notes one visitor.
Private cabin layouts: The cabin options at Steep Ravine Campground feature practical sleeping arrangements. "Sleeping platforms for about 6 people split among 3 semi-private rooms," explains a camper, with separate bedroom areas and space for multiple families.
Convenient nature access: Spring Lake Regional Park provides urban proximity while maintaining a natural setting. "In the Bay Area there aren't too many place that you can be in a city and feel like you are away," reports a camper who appreciates the combination of developed facilities and natural features.
Morning wildlife viewing: Several cabin areas report regular wildlife encounters. "Wild turkey, deer, wood peckers regularly seen!" notes a visitor to Skyline Wilderness Park, while another Samuel P. Taylor visitor mentions being "awoken (as is the norm in NorCal) to gobbling turkeys at dawn."
What you should know
Reservation challenges for cabins: Securing Steep Ravine cabins requires advance planning. "You need to be ready to click 'reserve' on the website at no less than 5 minutes before the window opens for your dates of interest, which was 6 months ahead of time when I reserved," cautions a visitor.
Weather fluctuations: Coastal cabin areas experience significant temperature variations. "Bring layers of functional clothes since the weather on the coast of the SF bay can be anything from roasting to foggy frigid cold during the day and night year round," advises a Steep Ravine visitor.
Wildlife concerns: Pest issues affect some cabin facilities. "There were several brand new mouse traps provided at the entrance to my cabin. You'll need them," warns one Steep Ravine visitor who caught three mice during a short stay.
Cell service variation: Connectivity differs across cabin locations. A Skyline Wilderness Park visitor reports, "Cell phone coverage is good. Have both Verizon and Att with at least 2-3 bars. 10-12 Mbps down 4-5 Mbps up."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly facilities: Spring Lake Regional Park features numerous family amenities. "The kids love the playground and try their hand at shuffleboard," mentions an Olema visitor, while Spring Lake offers "a fun loop for the kids to bike or scooter around plus easy access to the lake."
Local attractions: Family-oriented sites provide entertainment options beyond camping. At San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, visitors note "all sorts of amenities for families including a small petting zoo, a pool, playground areas, and more."
Family-friendly cabin options: Some locations feature unique accommodations. "Tent area are okay. There are some with more privacy than the others," reports a visitor to Casini Ranch Family Campground, which offers cabins among its options and "a lot of activities for the kids."
Close sites for group camping: Many cabin areas allow for social camping. "We had a big site, it was quiet," notes an Olema visitor, while Casini Ranch reports "sites are HUGE! We had plenty of room for our trailer, tent, corn hole, and more."
Tips from RVers
Level site access: Several cabin campgrounds accommodate RVs with varying ease. Samuel P. Taylor features "level pad for camp trailers. Fire pits updated and bbq on every site," reports a camper, though others note it's "a bit too tight for large trailer or RV camping (unless you are an expert at maneuvering through tight spaces)."
Water supply considerations: Water availability varies significantly. At Samuel P. Taylor, a visitor notes that "on our first visit, there was no running water or showers, but they did have portapotties. On our second visit, water was available, but it was not potable."
Hookup placement: Porto Bodega requires preparation for utility connections. "Hookups are pretty fast away and needed my sewer extension," reports one RVer, while another notes the sites are "level gravel areas and some are a little tight."
Road conditions: Access roads present challenges at some locations. "It's a classic, twisty ride on Highway 1 to get to the entrance, and then another steep, curvy ride down to the campground. Campers sensitive to motion sickness or vertigo be warned," advises a Steep Ravine visitor.
