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.