Mount Tamalpais State Park dominates the camping landscape near San Anselmo, California, with its peak elevation of 2,571 feet creating distinct microclimates throughout the region. The park's campgrounds experience temperature variations of 10-15°F between ridge and valley locations, with coastal fog often rolling in during summer mornings. Trail access varies seasonally, with some backcountry routes becoming muddy and slippery during the winter rainy season.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls in winter months: Visit Steep Ravine Campground when seasonal waterfalls are flowing. "The hiking trails that join from the coast all the way to Mill Valley and central Marin are walking distance from this site. Be warned though, the hiking is steep, really good hiking but bring good shoes and be sure that you are physically ready for a hard workout!" says Patrick O.
Explore Tennessee Valley trails: The network of trails from Haypress Campground leads to beaches and ridge views. A camper notes, "The walk to Tennessee Beach is very flat and level and doable for kids. The campground is off on a slight detour but it's an easy starting spot for hike-in camping."
Visit Muir Woods without reservations: From certain tent campsites near San Anselmo, you can bypass the typical reservation system. At Bootjack Campground, "Pantoll Ranger Station is only .4 miles away and there are endless hiking opportunities from there," according to R D.
Watch wildlife at dawn: Early mornings at Point Reyes offer wildlife viewing opportunities. A camper at Wildcat Campground shares, "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."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer better separation between tent spaces. 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," reports Taylor A.
Accessibility to San Francisco: Many campsites provide easy access to city attractions while maintaining a wilderness feel. At Bicentennial Campground, "It has great hiking nearby and an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city, and is a short drive into the city," says Amanda S.
Historical features: Several tent camping areas near San Anselmo feature interesting historical elements. "Many of the sites feature beautiful historic stone grills. Some of the sites are two levels," explains R D. about Bootjack Campground.
Beach access: Coastal camping allows for beach exploration. At Wildcat Campground, one visitor shared, "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."
What you should know
Tent pad sizes vary significantly: Some sites have limitations on tent footprints. At Sky Campground, "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."
Weather fluctuations: Coastal fog and wind affect campgrounds differently. At Haypress Campground, "Mornings can get foggy here, so bring a sweatshirt regardless of the season."
Availability challenges: Some campgrounds require advance planning. For Steep Ravine, a camper notes, "We've been lucky enough to score one of these cabins twice by checking in every so often to see if someone cancelled a reservation."
Wildlife precautions: Local wildlife requires proper food storage. A camper at Wildcat Camp explains, "One thing to be aware of with Wildcat Camp is the small field mice that can get into the food storage boxes. Bring some steel wool or a critter-proof container to keep food safe, even inside the locker."
Road noise: Some sites experience traffic sounds. At Bootjack Campground, "Most sites are near the road and you'll hear bicycles all night. Though, you can see the city shine in the distance."
Tips for camping with families
Choose gentle hiking approaches: For families with children, select camps with easier access trails. One visitor to Sky Camp noted, "For someone who almost never has a chance to hike and stupidly overpacked for a one night stay, the ~2 mile trail to get to Sky Camp was pretty nice!"
Look for educational opportunities: Several campsites offer learning experiences for children. At Angel Island, a visitor noted, "There is a Immigration museum (think Ellis Island but for the west coast!)"
Consider parking logistics: Some family-friendly tent camping sites near San Anselmo have challenging parking situations. At Pantoll Campground, "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."
Select shaded sites for summer: Temperatures can vary widely between exposed and shaded sites. At Sky Camp, a visitor recommends, "I really want to revisit Sky Camp, but only if I can reserve a site under the trees since everywhere else was open with just some shrubs around the perimeter."
