Best Tent Camping near Novato, CA

Tent campsites around Mount Tamalpais State Park provide walk-in camping options within 20 miles of Novato, California. Several established tent campgrounds offer different experiences, including Pantoll Campground and Bootjack Campground in Mount Tamalpais State Park, and backcountry options like Glen Campground in Point Reyes National Seashore. These locations provide tent-only sites in wooded settings, most requiring short walks from parking areas to reach the actual tent camping areas.

The walk-in tent sites at Mount Tamalpais State Park feature stone grills, picnic tables, and designated tent pads. Campers must park in designated lots and carry gear uphill to reach their sites, with distances varying from a few hundred feet to longer walks. Most tent campgrounds provide potable water, flush toilets, and food storage lockers. First-come, first-served policies apply at Pantoll and Bootjack Campgrounds with a maximum 14-night stay per year. Sites typically cost $25 per night, with cash payment required at self-registration stations. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with complete bans during high fire danger periods.

Tent campers experience varying levels of seclusion depending on site location and proximity to trailheads. Sites farther up the hillsides typically offer more privacy than those near parking areas and roads. The tent-only nature of these campgrounds eliminates RV noise, though road noise can affect some sites. Most tent areas provide direct access to extensive trail networks, including connections to Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, and Mount Tamalpais summit. One camper described Bootjack as "a tent only, walk-in campground. You park your car in the parking lot, and then carry your stuff uphill to your site. Many of the sites feature beautiful historic stone grills. Some of the sites are two levels. Many are next to the creek." Tent sites in the region experience significant wind at times, particularly at higher elevations, requiring secure staking and proper site selection.

Best Tent Sites Near Novato, California (39)

    1. Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    15 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    13 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.  "

    "All sites are a small walk up on a hill kind of steep. Ranger station at parking lot that sells firewood. Water faucets, bathrooms. No showers. Bear lockers."

    2. Steep Ravine Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

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

    $25 - $100 / night

    "There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families."

    "And charcoal grills outside each cabin. A couple general use picnic tables scattered about. So those are the basics you can read anywhere."

    3. Wildcat Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    14 Reviews
    Olema, CA
    16 miles
    Website

    "A very cool spot for backpacking in with 6-8 miles to hike in, depending on the trails you take. The tall grass gave some privacy between neighboring campsites. Nice to have a water spigot on-site."

    "in an open meadow on a bluff overlooking the ocean with a short walk to the beach and a 3.2 kilometer (2.0 miles) round-trip walk to [Alamere Falls](https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/alamere_falls.htm"

    4. Sky Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    13 Reviews
    Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 663-8054

    "The hike in camp is only a 1.3 ish mile hike and it was awesome."

    "There is short backpack trip to Sky Camp which is litereally on the ridge.  You are in the Point Reyes National Seashore up on a ridge.  Beautiful views when there is no fog - but expect fog."

    5. Glen Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    10 Reviews
    Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 663-8054

    $30 / night

    "A nice place to stay for backpacking. Site 8 was a little bit secluded and away from other sites. The site was smallish and had a fox box and picnic table."

    "Beautiful weather, not too hot. It was a hike-in camp site called sky camp. It was a 1.3 mile hike uphill so that was pretty rough. It was our first time going to a hike-in camp site."

    6. Coast Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    9 Reviews
    Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 464-5100

    $30 - $90 / night

    "Fun baby backpacking trip with my husband . The hike to the campsite went by fast. Only 1.8 miles, not too bad on the elevation gain either."

    "Inside the Point Reyes National seashore, this is a hike in only campground. But has pit toilets, potable water. Groups sites also available."

    7. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

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

    $30 / night

    "Angel Island is a unique backpacking experience, one I'd gladly do again."

    "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!"

    8. Alice Eastwood Group Camp — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    4 Reviews
    Muir Woods, CA
    13 miles
    Website

    $110 - $225 / night

    "Group B holds 25 and has more privacy. We had Group A and had a ton of day hikers invading our site."

    "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)."

    9. Haypress Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Muir Beach, CA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $25 - $75 / night

    "Theses are limited  (5) hike in tent sites.  Not far in - less than a mile.  You are on your own here. Bring your own water.  No fires."

    "A hike-in campground in Tennessee Valley, a short 20 minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge and the hustle and bustle of the City.  My family of three stayed here for one night in mid March.  "

    10. Bootjack Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

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

    "Each campsite had a table and bench, wood grill area, and easy access got the restrooms, potable water, and trash cans (that are inside wooden boxes to deter wildlife)."

    "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"

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Tent Camping Reviews near Novato, CA

748 Reviews of 39 Novato Campgrounds


  • Erin S.
    Mar. 16, 2022

    Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Tent campground with plenty of hiking trails

    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.  If you choose to drive, just know that it can be impossible to find a place to park on busy weekends (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).  We hiked in.  On a weekend night in March, only four of the 16 sites were taken so we had no problem nabbing a spot.  The campground is situated across a steep-ish hillside.  Water spigots are spread out among the sites, but all the bathrooms are located down the hill near the parking lot.  Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and a flat spot to pitch a tent.  Sites are fairly close together in bunches (for example, 2, 3, and 5 were close, 6 and 7 were close, but there was a bit of space between the groups). Firewood is sold at the ranger kiosk but they have limited hours. Some spots are larger than others, and very few can accommodate a house-size tent (you know what I mean - and no judging, I have a house-size tent for car camping).  We had our 3 person backpacking tent with us and it would have fit in all the sites.  Sites up the hill require a bit of a hike-in but are farther from the road noise and busy parking lot.  There is one dishwashing station near the bottom.  

    Pros: 

    - Location.  You can hike anywhere from this campground.  Down to Muir Woods in less than 3 miles.  Up to Rock Springs, Bolinas Ridge, and Mount Tam.  Down to Stinson Beach.  I could spend a week here exploring all the trails.

    - Amenties.  Dishwashing sink, many water spigots, food storage lockers, fire pits, toilets that flush.  And Wifi from the ranger kiosk (squee!!!) which we appreciated to check the weather and bus schedule (very poor Verizon signal).

    Cons: 

    - Noise from Panoramic Highway.

    - Busy parking lot with lots of people potentially moving around the campground (especially the lower sites). 

    - No reservations: FCFS only.

    Overall I'm really happy I finally got to chance to camp here and would recommend.

  • Rommel C.
    Oct. 31, 2022

    Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    juniper campground - site 15 - end of october

    great campsite! be careful driving up the windy road and watch for the many cyclists. going up/down with you. 

    driving in was very easy; parking is right next to the site. the campsite itself was beautiful - panoramic views of the east bay area. i could recognize walnut creek, lafayette, danville and san ramon through the binoculars. site was clean, but the ground itself was very rocky. irritating that there wasn't really any level spots to set up the tent, so sleeping on a slant was a real treat (sarcasm). weather was very mild during the day; not too hot, nor too cold. nights were bearable in the high 50s, and by late night (cuz i kept waking up because of slanted sleeping), but felt like low 40s and slightly windy. make sure you bring thermals and a warm sleeping bag. sleeping pad is a definite must on the sharp rocks; be careful when stepping around in the tent with just socks on. 

    drought meant that flushing toilets were all locked.. as were the showers.. but from what i heard the "chemical toilets" (aka porta-potties) were an adequate substitute. water access had been shut off as well, so make sure you bring plenty of your own for washing and drinking. 

    critters - we didn't encounter any during our stay. no racoons, bears, mice, rats.. nada. just a ton of pincher bugs everywhere. not even many flies! we had those spinning fly deterrent things, though. maybe those really DO work? 

    ALSO because of the drought - NO WOOD FIRES ALLOWED. total/complete bummer to camp without a campfire. gas stoves and lanterns were permitted, though.

  • MarinMaverick
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Haypress Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    Hidden Gem

    Theses are limited  (5) hike in tent sites.  Not far in - less than a mile.  You are on your own here. Bring your own water.  No fires. You get a picnic table and a food storage locker, nothing else.

    Meadow sites against a row of trees. There is very little privacy between sites but the couple times I have been here it was not full.  It can get windy - there is some shelter under the tress. 

    Here you can strike out hiking through Tennessee Valley to the beach and beyond!

    Great for a close get-a-way and seclusion.

  • S
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    Juniper Campground: hiked in

    We hiked up to Juniper campground from the Clayton side. The sites in the teens have less overhead shade but more privacy than those of higher numbers. The sites closest to the driving road/entrance/overlook will have the potential to be downwind of the bathroom, unfortunately.

    The campground is a dry campground - as in no alcohol.

    That said, we loved our site #15, and enjoyed the privacy it provided, plus the views (if you stand on the table or are tall). We didn't encounter critters. We had some trouble staking down on the rocky dirt. 

    This is a good campground to explore the rest of the summit areas, plus Rock City.

  • Cococounty L.
    Apr. 25, 2020

    Briones Regional Park

    A nice spot!

    A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around. Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2023

    Doran Regional Park

    Large and popular Sonoma County Park

    General: Located between Bodega Bay and Bodega Harbor, this county park has over 140 sites in four campgrounds: Shell, Gull, Cove, and Jetty. There is also tent camping, a group campsite, and a hiker/biker camping area. No hookups in any site. 

    Site Quality: Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites all appeared to be level. Depending on your site, you may have more privacy/separation than in others. Site 21 (in Shell) was nicely positioned, however, the sites on either side of us were not occupied during our stay so we had more privacy. 

    Bath/Shower: Self-contained units with a toilet and sink with soap, HOT water, and air dryer. One coin-operated shower house for Shell, Gull, and Cove campgrounds, located between Gull and Cove. Additional showers in the tent-only section and the Jetty campground. Generally clean. 

    Activities: Hiking, fishing, birding, beachcombing, wading, and water sports. There was a very short boardwalk and sandy walking paths, although some of these were very overgrown. 

    One thing I appreciated was propane cylinder recycling. We learned there is a program where select vendors will refill the small cylinders and we hope this becomes more readily available. This is a much larger county park campground than we have been in before and it was very busy when we were there on a weekday in late October. Nice but I prefer the smaller and quieter campgrounds.

  • Lori A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 5, 2022

    Glen Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    Simple and Basic

    A 5 mile hike from the Bear Valley Trailhead leading to a small campground with 12 sites.  We stayed at #9.  Potable water and vault toilets are available, with each site also having a picnic table, charcoal barbecues and bear boxes.  Wood fires are not permitted.  A stream runs beside the campground and there are hiking trails leading to the sea.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 8, 2021

    Westside Regional Park

    Great views, but close to the neighbors

    First, you stay here for the views. Great views from the first two rows closest to the water. There are very few plantings between spaces. No hook ups at all, but water is available if you fill before you park. Seven dollar dump station. Each campsite has a fire ring and a wooden picnic table and grass. Since there’s no hook ups between the hours of 8 AM and 8 PM, you will always be listening to somebody’s generator running. Always. No privacy at this campground. I did not check out the bathrooms for the campground, but I did look at the bathrooms for the large boat launch area next-door. No showers in that bathroom, but it was clean. A bit spendy for no hookups. Safe. Zero long term campers when I was here. There are no first come first served campsites at this location. All camping spaces had a reserve sign on them, even though the place was about 40% full. Completely dark at night, which was great.

  • Erin S.
    Mar. 16, 2022

    Haypress Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    A no-frills but pretty campground in Marin Headlands

    A hike-in campground in Tennessee Valley, a short 20 minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge and the hustle and bustle of the City.  My family of three stayed here for one night in mid March.  It was a Sunday night, and three out of the five sites were occupied.  

    The tent pads (a flat sandy area surrounded by wood beams) were fairly small - maybe 10' x 10'.  Each site had a picnic table and a large metal food locker.   The sites were well spaced and did not feel cramped.  Two vault toilets, fairly clean. The campground was located at the end of a 0.5 mile dirt road, which was about a quarter of mile down an old paved road from the TV parking lot.  A few folks walked into the campground that weren't staying there, but they weren't a bother, just going for a walk. The campers we saw varied from families, a solo bike-packer, and a couple just starting out camping.  I was worried that being so close to the city and the parking lot, it would be party central with groups hauling in a bunch of alcohol, but it wasn't the case at all. Neither the parking lot nor the campground had running water, so come prepared unless you want to drive into town.  

    Pros:

    - Very quiet and peaceful.  The night had beautiful stars with no artificial light.  No road noise.

    - Small number of sites with great spacing.

    - Decent toilet facilities.

    Cons:

    - No water.  We backpacked in from the Golden Gate Bridge.  There was no place nearby to fill up on water, and had to be extremely conservative in our use.  No springs or creeks running nearby this time of year either.

    - Would have been nice to have a fire.  

    Overall, we had a pleasant camping experience and would recommend.


Guide to Novato

Tent camping near Novato, California provides access to multiple walk-in sites within the Marin Headlands and Point Reyes National Seashore regions. The area's Mediterranean climate features dry summers with temperatures averaging 70-85°F and foggy, mild winters around 45-60°F. Most walk-in tent sites are situated at elevations between 500-1500 feet, offering protection from coastal winds while still providing access to nearby trail systems.

What to do

Beach exploration and tidepooling: The campsites near Wildcat Campground provide direct access to beach areas with unique marine ecosystems. "The beach offers tidepools close by as well as a great place for beach fire (permit needed)," notes one camper who frequently visits Coast Campground.

Hiking to waterfalls: Make the short journey from Wildcat Campground to Alamere Falls, a coastal waterfall. "Just a short beach-walk away," mentions one reviewer who ranks Wildcat as their top choice among Point Reyes trail camps.

Mountain biking access: Some campsites allow for bike-in camping options. "Gotta either bike in or hike in," explains a reviewer of Haypress Campground, which offers a more secluded experience within riding distance of Tennessee Valley trails.

Night sky viewing: The Marin Headlands provide excellent stargazing opportunities away from city lights. "The night had beautiful stars with no artificial light. No road noise," reports a camper who stayed at Haypress Campground in March.

What campers like

Protected camping locations: Several tent sites are positioned to minimize coastal wind exposure. "We try to get what they call the 'group' kayak site. There is ample room here and there is direct access to the water," shares a regular at Angel Island State Park, noting that higher elevation sites have better views.

Wildlife encounters: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local fauna. "There are owls perched in eucalyptus trees next to the campsite, and coyotes. Came across one on the way back from a sunset hike to the beach," reports a visitor to Haypress Campground.

Historical features: Many campsites include access to historical structures. "You can hike throughout the island to with great bay views and bridge views on all sides. Then there is the history there from the Civil War sites to the immigration sites - so there is much to see and do beyond hiking," explains an Angel Island camper.

Historic cooking equipment: "Many of the sites feature beautiful historic stone grills. Some of the sites are two levels," notes a visitor describing the tent sites at Bootjack Campground, which features walk-in tent camping with amenities.

What you should know

Reservation challenges: Securing tent sites requires planning well ahead. "These are sites are in high demand, but totally worth the wait to experience," mentions a camper who hiked into Wildcat Camp, where reservations open months in advance.

Wind considerations: Coastal tent sites experience significant wind patterns. "It can get windy, but low brush provides some protection. Very peaceful and well worth the hike in," notes a visitor to Wildcat Camp, which sits near the coastal bluffs.

Wildlife food protection: Small animals can be persistent around tent camping areas. "Bring some steel wool or a critter-proof container to keep food safe, even inside the locker," advises a camper who experienced food storage box breaches at Glen Campground in Point Reyes.

Water availability: Several tent sites have limited or seasonal water access. "Neither the parking lot nor the campground had running water, so come prepared unless you want to drive into town," explains a Haypress Campground visitor who had to carefully ration water during their stay.

Tips for camping with families

Consider tent site proximity: Choose locations with easier access for younger children. "This was our first backpacking trip and we mostly wanted to test our gear. This was perfect for that. 5-mile hike in with some uphill in the last 1.5 miles that was challenging but not too hard," shares a family who stayed at Glen Campground.

Beach access options: Select camps that provide direct shoreline access. "The hike to the campsite went by fast. Only 1.8 miles, not too bad on the elevation gain either," notes a family who enjoyed Coast Campground at Point Reyes National Seashore with its convenient beach access.

Weather preparation: Pack for temperature variations, particularly at higher elevations. "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," advises a Coast Campground visitor who camped in February.

Site selection for privacy: "Site 8 was a little bit secluded and away from other sites. The site was smallish and had a fox box and picnic table," recommends a visitor to Glen Campground, noting that some sites offer more seclusion than others.

Tips for RVers

Parking considerations: Most tent sites require walk-in access from designated parking areas. "This is a park and carry campsite—of which you'll have to carry your gear up a couple sets of stairs. Most sites are near the road and you'll hear bicycles all night," warns a visitor to Bootjack Campground, noting the $25 cost and parking limitations.

Alternative camping options: For those wanting more amenities, consider Steep Ravine Campground which offers both tent sites and cabins. "These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families," explains a visitor who opted for a cabin over tent camping.

Bathrooms and facilities: Tent sites offer varying levels of facilities. "Never expected such a clean bathroom at a campsite!! The amenities at the camp were terrific!!" reports a surprised visitor to Bootjack Campground, who initially expected to car camp but adapted to the walk-in tent site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Novato, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Novato, CA is Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Novato, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 39 tent camping locations near Novato, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.