Todd H.
Scout
ScoutMarin RV Park
Great location
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.
Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Muir Woods, CA
Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground accommodates pets at sites among its Creekside Loop, while Mount Tamalpais State Park's Pantoll and Bootjack campgrounds welcome dogs at their walk-in tent sites. Each pet-friendly location maintains specific regulations requiring dogs to remain leashed within campground boundaries. Olema Campground offers diverse pet-friendly accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin options for travelers with animals. Marin RV Park provides full hookup sites with pets allowed, though spots are notably narrow according to multiple camper experiences. Anthony Chabot Regional Park permits pets at both drive-in and walk-in sites, featuring electric hookups and water access. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Muir Woods, California.
Pantoll Campground's location provides direct trail access to Muir Woods without needing additional reservations, allowing hikers with leashed dogs to explore from their campsites. The 3-mile trail connecting to Stinson Beach offers another pet-friendly option for exercise and water access. Samuel P. Taylor sites include fire pits and picnic tables suitable for camping with dogs, while its creekside location provides cooling opportunities during warmer months. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA features designated pet areas with additional amenities like a market and shower facilities. Mount Tamalpais campgrounds experience significant wind chill at night, requiring extra warmth considerations for pets during overnight stays. Raccoon activity reported at several campgrounds necessitates proper food storage and pet food security measures to avoid wildlife encounters.
Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Muir Woods, California (83)
1. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground
54 ReviewsLagunitas, CA13 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."
"Scenic, quiet, dog friendly and close to awesome swimming holes. We booked the MG2 group site and worth the $. It was tucked away and heaven."
2. Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park
15 ReviewsStinson Beach, CA3 milesWebsite+1 (415) 388-2070$7 - $25 / night
"The real draw here is to hike down to Muir Woods. And I mean down to Muir Woods. Save your energy for the hike back up. Absolutely worth it, though, for the gorgeous views."
"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. "
3. H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound
11 ReviewsSausalito, CA6 milesWebsite"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."
4. Marin RV Park
11 ReviewsLarkspur, CA4 milesWebsite+1 (415) 461-5199$99 - $115 / night
"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."
"30 mins away from the City. A bit pricy but that is to be expected in SF."
5. Olema Campground
24 ReviewsOlema, CA16 milesWebsite+1 (415) 663-8106"Pros: Has numerous amenities including hot (free) showers (cleaned daily), flush toilets, full hookup RV spots, laundromat, US Post office, fenced playground, dog park, drive in tent sites, and firewood"
"We nestled our Sprinter between to large pine trees and took the dog for a walk. Then headed down the road for our first dinner indoors since February!"
6. San Francisco RV Resort
17 ReviewsPacifica, CA18 milesWebsite+1 (888) 707-1477"If you want a great little place with quick easy access to San Francisco that has a great view of the ocean this place is great! And affordable!"
"Very nice park for an on the water location, I've been to some where you can't even turn without hitting someone."
7. Bootjack Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park
3 ReviewsStinson Beach, CA3 milesWebsite+1 (415) 388-2070"Quick access to some solid trails, beautiful views, and close proximity to a park and San Francisco. Just be ready for a winding drive with some sharp turns and sheer cliffs."
"Most sites are near the road and you’ll hear bicycles all night. Though, you can see the city shine in the distance. Cost us $25"
8. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA
32 ReviewsPenngrove, CA27 milesWebsite+1 (707) 763-1492"Good size dog park for the pets to run and be free, as well as plenty of fun activities to entertain the kiddos."
"Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm and mining fun :)"
9. Coast Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore
9 ReviewsPoint Reyes National Seashore, CA19 milesWebsite+1 (415) 464-5100$30 - $90 / night
"West Marin offers an incredibly picturesque location to explore, and Coast Camp is about as good as it gets."
"The beach offers tidepools close by as well as a great place for beach fire (permit needed). There are two routes to hike in."
10. Anthony Chabot Regional Park
29 ReviewsCastro Valley, CA28 milesWebsite+1 (888) 327-2757$25 - $200 / night
"Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty."
"as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Muir Woods, CA
88 Photos of 83 Muir Woods Campgrounds
Maureen F.
Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground
Jordan L.
Olema Campground
Stuart K.
Tilden Regional Park
Tom H.
San Francisco RV Resort
Elliott B.
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve
Laura M.
Benicia State Recreation Area
Missy C.
San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA
Ryan W.
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Raven P.
Pillar Point RV Park
Debbie R.
Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground
Kristi D.
Napa Valley Expo RV Park
Phanessa F.
Lawson's Landing
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Muir Woods, CA
863 Reviews of 83 Muir Woods Campgrounds
- NNick T.
GuideSan Francisco North-Petaluma KOA
Great camp for the kids
This KOA is pretty big with plenty of options for RV sites. Wide variety of full hook-ups or partial hook-ups. Like most (if not all) KOAs, you can also tent camp or tent cabins. Good size dog park for the pets to run and be free, as well as plenty of fun activities to entertain the kiddos. 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! Close to downtown Petaluma with plenty of premium shops and restaurants.
Jill F.GuidePantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park
Hike to Muir Woods
Basic camping sites. Very popular during the summer, so get there early to get a spot or you will have to go to another campground along the road. Also bring cash for camping/parking fees.
The real draw here is to hike down to Muir Woods. And I mean down to Muir Woods. Save your energy for the hike back up. Absolutely worth it, though, for the gorgeous views.
- DDan H.Scout
Alice Eastwood Group Camp — Mount Tamalpais State Park
Nice side of mountain camp
Nice campground. Went there with Cub Scouts. Good walk down the hill to John Muir Woods and visitor center. Not too bad hike back up to camp. Nice views. Reserve way ahead your date.
Erin S.
LegendPetaluma Lake Area Camps
Military campground not far from the Bay
You have to be former or active duty military to use this campground. It is located on one of Coast Guard's main training centers. The campground is at the back of the complex, next to a playground, volleyball court, cookout shelter, and stocked lake. Full-hookups and large pull in spaces made it very easy and relaxing. The wind kicks up in the afternoon sometimes so watch out for your awning and camp chairs. It is a 15 min drive into Petaluma (which is a very cute town) and another 35 minutes to the GG bridge in good traffic. We visited Muir Woods, SF, and Sausalito while we were here without breaking much of a sweat. Recommended.
Michael I.
RangerPantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park
Amazing location, okay campground
I can't think of a better place to camp on or near Mt. Tamalpais than Pantoll in terns of the access to trails and the various parks in the area. From Pantoll you have very easy access to the summit of Mt. Tamalpais, easy access Stinson Beach and the coast, plus you can even skip the long lines and shuttles to get into Muir Woods. There are literally days worth of great hiking accessible from Pantoll!
That said, the campground, while nicely maintained and well-equipped is right next to a relatively busy road and during daylight hours, especially in the high-traffic times of the year, the sites themselves are very exposed to all the day visitors.
Speaking of day visitors, I don't recall if you get a dedicated parking space with a campsite or not, but parking can be a challenge here due to the popularity of the various trailheads, and the limited parking.
Nathaniel S.GuideAlice Eastwood Group Camp — Mount Tamalpais State Park
Top-Notch Group Campsite in Marin County California
Per my rating system, I usually reserve 5 stars for those parks that are worth traveling to from long distances (i.e. out of state). While Marin county CA is definitely worth traveling to, it's the region that's 5 stars, not necessarily individual campsites in the many state parks worth visiting in the area.
But this group site is the exception. I've never tried to book this in the peak season, and I'm 99% sure it requires planning years in advance. If you can get this site for a family reunion or just a weekend reliving your college days, you should. And you should encourage your friends and family to travel from out of state for the festivities.
The site has a fully covered dining area, fully plumbed sinks and bathrooms, and a plethora of hiking options in the Muir Woods and Mt. Tamalpais. For those familiar with the area, getting into the Muir Woods can be huge hassle. You have either reserve a parking spot in advance, or take a shuttle into the park. The days of hopping in the car on a random morning and hiking in the Muir woods are long gone. Sure, if you are familiar with Marin, there are all kinds of ways to hike into the park from other trail heads for which parking is not an issue. Alice Eastwood group camp is one such spot.
Those who read my reviews know that I'm a huge fan of camping in the winter in CA, and this was one of the trips that brought me to that mindset. I camped here in late Dec 2018. It was a bit wet - the remnants of a larger storm were still dropping periodical rain on the region. And another storm was right on its heels. But there was a window of 2-3 days before the other storm moved in, so I went camping here. One of the finest nights of sleeping in the woods I've ever had was the first night, when I pitched my small 2-man tent amongst the redwoods and drifted to sleep with the light rain drops hitting the fly of the tent. Sure, it was a bit damp in the morning, but it wasn't cold and the hiking through the redwoods was magnificent. The streams were running, and the undergrowth - particularly the ferns - were a fluorescent green.
Highly recommended. This is a special place.
- VVenna D.
TravelerSonoma County Fairgrounds RV Park
Santa Rosa Fair grounds review
We love this park, we are full timers with a severely autistic son and this park has plenty of spots so we usually dont have neighbors. They have an amazing Laundry room that gets cleaned practically everyday and a little dog park that is the only dog park my Mufasa can go to. The park itself is like a little slice of heaven and surrounded by the town so nothing is that far away. It is 5 min away from the Planet fitness and it is quiet and has a night security guard too.
- LLaura P.Scout
Vineyard RV Park
Plug in and recharge!
Took a last minute reservation. Call even if online says booked. Hot showers, great laundry facility, fenced dog park. I needed to recharge my camper van and relax from a couple weeks of city vanlife. Felt tucked away but close to every store you could want.
Guide to Muir Woods
Samuel P. Taylor State Park sits in a redwood canyon along Lagunitas Creek, 15 miles west of San Rafael in Marin County. The park's elevation ranges from 150 to 1,000 feet, creating microclimates with temperature swings of 20°F between day and night. Night temperatures in dog friendly campgrounds near Muir Woods often drop dramatically even in summer months, so extra layers are essential even during warm seasons.
What to do
Visit Stinson Beach from Pantoll Campground: A 3-mile trail connects campers directly to the beach, providing a scenic coastal hike. "The hike to the campsite went by fast. Only 1.8 miles, not too bad on the elevation gain either. During the day it actually got pretty hot at our campsite (#1), lots of exposure probably around low 70s. At night it did get chilly, 38-39 degrees F, nothing a good sleeping bag couldn't fix," shares a Coast Campground visitor.
Explore wildlife viewing trails: Multiple campgrounds offer direct access to wildlife observation areas. "We have previously tent camped and car camped here and we really enjoy it. There are all kinds of trails available, as well as 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," notes a Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground visitor.
Beach fires at Point Reyes: Beach fires require permits but offer unique evening experiences. "The beach offers tidepools close by as well as a great place for beach fire (permit needed). There are two routes to hike in. I prefer the longer Coast Trail (about half a mile longer) rather than the fireroad for its scenic beauty."
What campers like
Private sites away from crowds: Certain sites offer more seclusion than others within the same campground. "Sites 1-7 are located on the inland side of the Coast Trail just south of the junction with Firelane Trail. They're spread out in a scrub-brush area that provides a nice amount of privacy and protection for the wind."
Night sky viewing: The North Bay's reduced fog provides excellent stargazing opportunities. "The sky at night as ideally suited for star gazing since the north bay doesn't get as much fog as the general SF bay area and the city lights don't pollute the night sky too bad!" notes a Coast Camp visitor.
Direct access to Muir Woods without shuttle: "From Pantoll you have very easy access to the summit of Mt. Tamalpais, easy access Stinson Beach and the coast, plus you can even skip the long lines and shuttles to get into Muir Woods," explains a Pantoll Campground reviewer.
What you should know
Weather fluctuations can be extreme: Coastal camping areas experience significant temperature changes. "West Marin offers an incredibly picturesque location to explore, and Coast Camp is about as good as it gets. Always expect fog. Expect cold and damp at night," warns an experienced Coast Camp visitor.
Site selection matters for comfort: Campgrounds have widely varying site conditions within the same facility. "We swooped up sites 10/11 with some privacy in the back and away from the rest of the camp, but alongside a trailhead. About enough room for one 4p tent on each site," shares a Pantoll visitor.
Raccoons are persistent: Wildlife will investigate improperly secured food. "Raccoons, Chipmunks and Blue Jays were NOT SHY but also not a harrowing issue," notes a reviewer at Samuel P. Taylor State Park.
Water restrictions vary seasonally: "Access to the creek is seasonally restricted for spawning, and I believe that goes from spring to about mid June or July. Also, lots of poison oak in the unmaintained areas and off the trails, so be aware," warns a camper about restrictions at Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with activity options: Some sites offer more for children. "And for families who want a quick trip over Golden Gate Bridge to introduce their children (or adults!) to the great outdoors, their first camp, nowhere is more convenient and instantly gratifying," explains a Samuel P. Taylor visitor.
Consider pet-friendly trails: "I could spend a week here exploring all the trails. Down to Muir Woods in less than 3 miles. Up to Rock Springs, Bolinas Ridge, and Mount Tam. Down to Stinson Beach," shares an enthusiastic Olema Campground visitor describing pet-accessible hiking options.
Pack extra warmth for kids and pets: Temperature drops affect comfort significantly. "When it's clear you can see the farralon islands 30 miles offshore. On the downside the 'campsites' are close together... it's more like a parking lot than a campground, but everyone is friendly and the overall vibe is good," notes a visitor to San Francisco RV Resort.
Plan for wildlife encounters: Educational opportunities abound but require preparation. "A weird sound, which turned out to be a couple of racoons digging through it. Overall, it was not a restful night, but it was still a pretty cool place to stay," shares a visitor at H. Dana Bower Rest Area.
Tips from RVers
Site sizes vary dramatically: Many campgrounds have limited spaces for larger vehicles. "It's a bit too tight for large trailer or RV camping (unless you are an expert at maneuvering through tight spaces)," warns a camper about Samuel P. Taylor sites.
Weather protection matters: RV positioning can impact comfort in coastal weather. "It can get warm in the summer, but the cool moist ocean fog comes in and blankets the area in the evenings, which can really cool it down," shares a Samuel P. Taylor camper.
Expect utility limitations: Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Muir Woods have partial hookups only. "This is an ada compliant walkup campground situated near the top of Mount Tamalpais. Featuring 13 sites ranging from standard campground style to a few more secluded areas," notes a Pantoll Campground visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Muir Woods, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Muir Woods, CA is Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 54 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Muir Woods, CA?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Muir Woods, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 83 dog-friendly camping locations near Muir Woods, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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