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 (115)

    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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Recent Reviews near Olema, CA

837 Reviews of 115 Olema Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    Very quite/ beautiful sites

    We’re hoping to get a spot with less of a hill to climb but on the top it’s a nice flat terrain. Nice view some campsites are closer to watch other than others.

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Salt Point State Park Campground

    Very secluded excellent trail to the ocean with scenic rock views

    Very clean and unkept campground low price for tents($35) . Site 30 was my favorite pick. Lots of nice lots and far spacing!

  • Leafe Z.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Johnson's Beach

    Perfext location for river

    Russian River is right out front of the campground. They offer kayaks canoes, and whatever else you want to rent however, if you have a dog, they don’t allow the dog on the beach or in the boat with you and they’re not allowed to stay behind in the tent, so you’re kind of stuck if you have a dog

  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    Great area, safe, kid friendly

    I planned to stay here just one night and stayed like 4. Great spot, I loved downtown Petaluma and enjoyed the safe feeling and convenience of this location. Great amenities for children too.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground

    Feels much more remote than it is

    Great campsite, awesome staff. Tucked away off highway 12 in wine country it feels much more remote than it actually is. It's a great fast getaway from the northbay, but it can be hard to reserve a site ahead of time but they do have first-come first serve sites too. Excellent hiking with both fairly flat trails, to challenging trails with lots of elevation change. It's often very hot in the summer, and there can be lots of rattle snakes sunning themselves on the rocks. This is one of my favorite camping spots.


Guide to Olema

Camping near Olema, California, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something to offer.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails around the area. Many campers rave about the local hikes, with one reviewer mentioning, "Hiking through the forest felt like you were walking through a scene from Fern Gully" at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground.
  • Beach Access: Enjoy the nearby beaches. A camper at Wright's Beach Campground said, "The location of this campground can’t be beat," highlighting the easy access to the beach.
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One visitor at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground mentioned, "We enjoyed the wild turkeys wandering through camp."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the beautiful surroundings. A reviewer at Bodega Dunes Campground noted, "The campground was quiet and met some lovely people every now and then."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds in the area are well-maintained. A visitor at Doran Regional Park mentioned, "The bathrooms were nice and had hot water."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA are great for families, with one reviewer stating, "Great playground, jumping pillow, petting farm and mining fun."

What you should know:

  • Crowded on Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Lawson's Landing said, "By the end of the week, the place fills with families and large groups."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A reviewer at Casini Ranch Family Campground warned, "There are hidden fees and very rude staff."
  • Weather Variability: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. A visitor at Olema Campground noted, "It was wet as it had just rained, but overall it was a nice place."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly options like San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA, which offers activities for kids. One parent said, "This place is busy and expensive, but great for kids."
  • Pack Extra Supplies: Bring your own essentials, especially if you're camping at places like Lawson's Landing, where some facilities may be lacking. A camper advised, "Bring your own TP!"
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep the kids entertained. A reviewer at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground mentioned, "There’s great hiking, an observatory, and often nature events throughout the summer."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Be aware that not all sites are the same size. A camper at Bodega Dunes Campground noted, "Not much space to pitch a larger size tent."
  • Book Early: Reservations can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground said, "Always tough to get a reservation, but it never disappoints if you can get one."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Connectivity: Many campgrounds have poor cell service. A reviewer at California Skyline Wilderness Park mentioned, "There is also no cell coverage for any of the major providers."

Camping near Olema, California, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but being prepared can make all the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Olema, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Olema, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 115 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.