Best Campgrounds near Olema, CA

Camping areas near Olema, California include a mix of established campgrounds and outdoor lodging options, many situated within Point Reyes National Seashore and nearby state parks. Olema Campground offers tent and RV sites with full hookups, while several walk-in campgrounds in Point Reyes National Seashore, such as Sky Camp, Coast Camp, and Wildcat Camp, provide more primitive camping experiences. The region also features cabin accommodations at locations like Steep Ravine Campground in Mount Tamalpais State Park and the San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, which caters to both tent and RV campers with additional glamping options.

Many campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, particularly during peak season when coastal sites fill quickly. The relatively mild coastal climate makes camping possible year-round, though winter brings significant rainfall that can affect ground conditions. "The camp sites were gravel on dirt, which became muddy with large puddles in the December rains," noted one visitor at Olema Campground. Facilities vary considerably between campgrounds, with some locations offering amenities like showers, drinking water, and electricity, while backcountry sites in Point Reyes typically provide only basic facilities such as vault toilets and picnic tables. Campers should be prepared for fog, especially during summer months, and for the possibility of strong winds at exposed coastal sites.

Point Reyes campsites offer exceptional coastal scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities, with campers reporting sightings of elk, deer, and elephant seals. Olema Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring the national seashore and nearby attractions. A camper mentioned that "this campground was a challenge to get to. Many windy roads," highlighting the sometimes difficult access to the region's camping areas. Privacy between sites varies significantly across campgrounds, with some offering more secluded spots than others. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours that begin by 9 PM, creating a peaceful environment even at busier locations. The proximity to San Francisco makes these camping areas popular weekend destinations, so midweek visits typically offer a quieter experience and better site availability.

Best Camping Sites Near Olema, California (114)

    1. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    53 Reviews
    Lagunitas, CA
    3 miles

    $35 - $225 / night

    "HUGE redwoods and lovely campsites (not a huge place) there are a few RV sites and a couple of group sites and several day use sites. these is an 8 mile bike trail to Olema. this park also has a tiny outdoor"

    "Because of the holiday and the proximity to Oakland/San Fran, the campground was in FULL EFFECT with a gang of variant families camp site hopping.   "

    2. Olema Campground

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

    "Olema is our go to spot. Every year with and without grandkids. Clean and friendly staff. The store has the necessities. The kids love the playground and try their hand at shuffleboard."

    "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."

    3. Wildcat Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    14 Reviews
    Olema, CA
    5 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."

    4. Sky Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

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

    "Point Reyes in California has to be my all time favorite camping site. There are miles and miles of beaches surrounded by dunes, hills, and cliffs."

    "Hike in (and around!) this gorgeous area. We chose to stay two nights and had a great time exploring the surrounding hiking trails - a personal favourite was Alamere Falls."

    5. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    31 Reviews
    Penngrove, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 763-1492

    "showers were always clean. there was some construction going on, since it was the off season. it looked like they were renovating some of the bathrooms and aisle end sites to add grass and decks. the location"

    "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!"

    6. Glen Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

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

    $30 / night

    "California, Washington and Oregon have lovely coast but this location is truly unique!"

    "Tomales Bay is a boat in only campground on Indian Beach a unique experience if you have access to a boat. There are plenty of drive or walk in sites if you don't have a boat."

    7. Coast Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    9 Reviews
    Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +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."

    8. Lawson's Landing

    25 Reviews
    Dillon Beach, CA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (707) 878-2443

    "Walking distance to the beach. Quiet place on non holiday weekends. Fun place to fish and the Beach is also pretty clean."

    "There are a variety of campsites, and they are many - we camp as close to the ocean as possible in the meadow area."

    9. Steep Ravine Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    15 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    14 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."

    10. Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    15 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    14 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.  "

    "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."

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Showing results 1-10 of 114 campgrounds

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Recent Reviews near Olema, CA

842 Reviews of 114 Olema Campgrounds


  • Anna R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2025

    Dawn Ranch: Hotel – Restaurant – Spa

    Riverside Retreat

    Easily accessible & right near downtown. These cabins are thoughtfully developed with wonderful onsite amenities. The staff are incredible and the restaurant is delicious! Enjoy relaxing near the Russian River here.

  • s
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Doran Regional Park

    Bodega Beach Getaway

    A great camping spot in Bodega Bay. We stayed in the shell loop and it was a short walk to the bathroom. Bathrooms were very clean, I was impressed, with coin operated showers (we did not use). There are lots of RVs but we pitched a tent. We went in October and one day it was completely sunny and the next morning it was pretty wet. Nothing too bad though. Only downside is how close together the campsites are, otherwise great site with fire ring and picnic table provided. We were at site 44 which had a great tree, but sites 42, 41, and 40 looked spacious and had great views. The town is a short drive away too with good seafood spots.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Sonoma 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.

  • B
    Oct. 24, 2025

    H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound

    Really cool place to camp out.

    DO NOT eat or make food. My partner and I tried eating and got surrounded by a whole bunch of raccoons 😂

    Honestly, it’s so cool that you’re able to stay overnight by the golden gate. It was peaceful at night.

  • Vinny A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Doran Regional Park

    Doran Jetty Campground

    Cool spot. We stayed in a site on the Jetty. Only this I wish was a little better were the showers… they were in the bathroom even though they have a separate door and are coin operated

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Bodega Dunes Campground — Sonoma Coast State Park

    Loved Bodega Dunes

    We spent two nights at Bodega Dunes in the middle of September. The campground was clean with sites that were easy to back into. The sites were separated by trees and shrubbery, give the feeling of a more privacy. We were in site 60 and thought it was very nice.

    The folks manning the checkin hut were friendly and helpful. We had a grand time exploring Bodega Bay and enjoying the seafood available. This is the second campground we’ve visited in Bodega Bay and enjoyed the more private campsite found here.

    We’ll definitely go back!

  • Sary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    San Francisco RV Resort

    Close to City

    We stayed here as we had baseball game tickets in SF during our RV trip. Close to city and in a safe area. Liked sleeping to the sounds of crashing waves and was able to use full hookups.

    Bathrooms were pretty dirty - not as pictured. Although I liked that the showers locked. Rec area was very run down. Laundry has mobile payment and was clean and accessible.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Pantoll

    Very nice small campground on Mt Tam. 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.


Guide to Olema

Camping near Olema situates visitors within a 10-mile radius of Point Reyes National Seashore headquarters, providing access to diverse ecosystems from coastal bluffs to redwood groves. The region sits at approximately 80 feet elevation with average summer temperatures ranging from 50-65°F, creating mild camping conditions that contrast with the fog and wind often experienced at coastal sites. Winter brings significant rainfall, with December through February averaging 6-8 inches monthly.

What to do

Horseback riding in Olema: Five Brooks Ranch offers trail rides through Point Reyes National Seashore trails that connect with Wildcat Campground. "I'd recommend taking the time to go to the south end, after checking in at the station, to the trailhead called Palomarin. The trail is largely up on the bluffs above the coast, with killer views. Good place to see whales," notes a Wildcat Campground visitor.

Beach combing: The coastal areas near Dillon Beach provide excellent opportunities for finding sand dollars and other treasures. "The beach is lovely, and not overcrowded. Great for beach combing when the tide is low. We often find sand dollars," explains a visitor to Lawson's Landing.

Wildlife viewing: Point Reyes offers exceptional opportunities to see diverse wildlife. "I've seen deer in the seaside vernal pools, wild miniature ocean bunnies boxing in the morning sunshine, and a great white shark off the cliffs one fine day," reports a camper at Steep Ravine.

Hiking Mt. Tamalpais: The trails accessible from camping areas offer varied terrain and difficulty levels. "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!"

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds offer secluded spots away from neighboring campers. At Glen Campground, "Site 8 was a little bit secluded and away from other sites. The site was smallish and had a fox box and picnic table. Water and vault toilet provided in the campground. Quaint and cozy overall."

Access to water features: Many campsites provide proximity to beaches, streams, or lakes. "The campground is set on an open plateau just a dozen or so feet above the beach and there isn't a lot of cover between campsites. Site 7 is a bit protected by trees and is the closest to the beach so would be my choice in the future," notes a Wildcat Camp visitor.

Nearby dining options: The proximity to small towns means easy access to restaurants when campers don't want to cook. At Olema Campground, one visitor shared, "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! It was excellent and the cocktails and desserts were excellent too. The next morning we hit the little store at Due West before our hike for coffee and pastries."

Trail accessibility: Many campgrounds serve as perfect basehubs for trail exploration. "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. They have informational signs all over the place providing historical or ecological information," reports a camper at Samuel P. Taylor State Park.

What you should know

Mouse and wildlife precautions: Small rodents can be an issue at some sites. At Steep Ravine Campground, "There were several brand new mouse traps provided at the entrance to my cabin. You'll need them. You'd think staying in a cabin would elevate the camping experience a bit, but frankly, this brought things down a couple notches."

Reservation difficulties: Many campgrounds in the area require advance planning. "These cabins are not only notoriously difficult to reserve -- 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," shares a Steep Ravine visitor.

Weather variability: The coastal climate can change dramatically. "It's typically windy in this area most afternoons from May to September. Between those months, there's always a chance of rain, so being inside the cabin with the woodburning stove does have a major advantage over the campsites," notes another Steep Ravine camper.

Traffic and road noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise despite their natural settings. At Pantoll Campground, "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."

Tips for camping with families

Entertainment options: For families seeking activities beyond hiking, certain campgrounds offer additional amenities. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA provides "Playgrounds, swimming pool, lots of space to run and scream. We stay when visiting the area and endure the screaming kids. The kids do have fun, I give them that."

Beginner-friendly options: Some sites make excellent introductions to camping for children. "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 visitor to Samuel P. Taylor State Park.

Camping etiquette challenges: Popular family sites can sometimes present challenges with noise and behavior. A Samuel P. Taylor camper notes, "You are going to probably experience some of the most ridiculous first-time campers with no sense of camping etiquette you have ever met in your life. I put up with it, for kids—- and now I have great stories."

Protected beach access: Families appreciate campgrounds with beach access but protection from coastal conditions. At Lawson's Landing, "One of the great features of this campground is that the camping area is separated from the beach/ocean by protective dunes. You can still hear the ocean, but it isn't as loud and windy as it could be. As a kid, I'd spend all day playing in the dunes."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Many campgrounds have restrictions on large RVs. At Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground, a camper notes it's "a bit too tight for large trailer or RV camping (unless you are an expert at maneuvering through tight spaces)."

Street navigation challenges: The roads to some campgrounds can be difficult for larger vehicles. An RVer at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA reported, "After looping around to approach the site, I found the streets all very tight for RV maneuvering. The place was packed. Had a pull through FHU site. Pretty narrow. Seems like a common theme."

Weather preparation: RVers should prepare for significant weather changes. "The weather is GREAT, and you can usually count on some light wind daily. It's amazing kite weather. The sites are in full-sun, so plan for shading yourself. I suggest a pop-up canopy, and double suggest staking it down," advises a camper at Lawson's Landing.

Hookup variations: RV sites offer varying levels of amenities. At Olema Campground, "We stayed in an RV Bay with Power Hookup. Clean toilets and bathrooms. The showers were hot and had decent water pressure."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Olema, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Olema, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near Olema, CA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Olema, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Olema, CA is Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 53 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Olema, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Olema, CA.

What parks are near Olema, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Olema, CA that allow camping, notably Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area.