Samuel P. Taylor State Park sits at an elevation of about 300 feet among redwoods in the Lagunitas Creek watershed, just 15 miles from Fairfax. The park experiences coastal fog that helps maintain the redwood ecosystem, with summer temperatures typically ranging 70-80°F during the day and dropping to 50-55°F at night. Sites in the Creekside Loop section of the campground experience some road noise from nearby Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.
What to Do
Hiking accessible trails: At Mount Tamalpais State Park, trails connect directly from camping areas. "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!" says Michael I. about Pantoll Campground.
Horseback riding excursions: Book guided trail rides near Point Reyes. "I would highly recommend Five Brooks Ranch in Olema for horseback riding," notes Kathleen C. from her stay at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground.
Beach exploration: Coast Campground offers direct beach access. "The beach was sandy and beautiful, not that many people around," writes Char A. about her experience at Coast Campground. "The beach offers tidepools close by as well as a great place for beach fire (permit needed)."
What Campers Like
Easy city access: Lawson's Landing provides coastal camping with urban connections. "This place was perfect. Hidden from the winds on the beach just over a hill, this place had super flat spots and a great spot with space for our huge Mercedes Sprinter," Ryan G. writes about Lawson's Landing.
Weather variability: The region experiences diverse microclimates. "One thing to note, the night is COLD up this way, and mere miles will cover several different weather systems. Bring layers," advises Kathleen C. about camping at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds feature abundant wildlife. "Wild turkey, deer, wood peckers regularly seen!" reports Adam B. at Skyline Wilderness Park, while at Lawson's Landing, one camper mentioned, "There used to be cows that would graze occasionally—which added a fun element. Waking up to cows outside your tent is pretty exciting as a kid."
What You Should Know
Site privacy varies: Campsites offer different levels of seclusion. "Sites are fairly close together but have some privacy. Stream is accessible shallow. Beautiful trees," writes Gabriel F. about Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground.
Weather fluctuations: Evening fog and temperature drops are common. "At night it did get chilly, 38-39 degrees F, nothing a good sleeping bag couldn't fix," notes Char A. about Coast Campground. Another camper advises, "Always expect fog. Expect cold and damp at night."
Walk-in requirements: Some campgrounds require carrying gear from parking areas. "Pantoll is a park and carry campsite—of which you'll have to carry your gear up a couple sets of stairs," explains Karson M. about Bootjack Campground. "Most sites are near the road and you'll hear bicycles all night."
Tips for Camping with Families
Choose sites away from noise: At Samuel P. Taylor, select quieter sites. "Had I chosen the site to my left, or a few more down the road, I would have barely noticed them at all - sites 47-44 had no one across the way, more private, set back," recommends Kathleen C.
Look for activity options: Some campgrounds offer extra amenities. "Lots of different areas for the kids. Swimming, giant bounce area, and mild weather. Coffee bar, large play grounds and near shopping for any needs," shares Chris B. about San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA.
Plan for wildlife encounters: Secure food properly at dog friendly campgrounds near Fairfax. "Raccoons, Chipmunks and Blue Jays were NOT SHY but also not a harrowing issue," mentions Kathleen C. about Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Another camper noted, "We literally WALKED OVER toward the screaming banshee... Do you know what we found? This complete nincompoop was surprised when we stooped down to her tent and said, 'What's going on?'"
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose the right location for your needs. "The RV Park gets 5 stars purely for it's location. Drive in, park and then walk to all the sights you want to see in San Francisco. A short 10 minute walk from the RV park is the ferry that will drop you off downtown San Francisco," advises Jeff T. about Marin RV Park.
Space constraints: Many RV sites are compact. "The spots are narrow. The ground is made up of small rocks, but is perfectly level. There are no picnic tables and/or fire pits available," warns Luc M. about Marin RV Park. "It's very tight spacing, no privacy in between lots so be prepared and skilled if you have a bigger rig."
Road navigation challenges: Access to some dog-friendly campgrounds requires careful driving. At Bootjack Campground, one visitor notes, "Just be ready for a winding drive with some sharp turns and sheer cliffs." Similar caution applies when accessing other mountain campgrounds in the Fairfax area.
Guide
