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Best Campgrounds near Stinson Beach, CA

793 Reviews

The coastal stretch surrounding Stinson Beach features a diverse mix of camping options within Mount Tamalpais State Park and Point Reyes National Seashore. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground accommodates tent, RV, and cabin campers with developed facilities, while Steep Ravine Campground offers both rustic cabins and environmental tent sites perched on oceanfront bluffs. Several campgrounds in the area provide walk-in tent sites, including Pantoll Campground where first-come, first-served sites make spontaneous trips possible for those who arrive early.

Weather conditions along this section of California coast require proper preparation, particularly for wind exposure. "It was really windy but up above in the trees so our tent wasn't blowing away," noted one camper at Pantoll. Road access to many sites involves navigating steep, winding routes that demand careful driving, especially after dark. The gate-accessed Steep Ravine requires campers to call ahead for entry codes, and most developed campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. Reservations for the popular Steep Ravine cabins must be made exactly six months in advance when booking windows open, while some tent sites offer more flexibility. Winter camping brings cooler temperatures and potential rain, but fewer crowds compete for space.

Campers consistently highlight the exceptional coastal views and hiking opportunities as primary draws to the region. The environmental campsites at Steep Ravine receive particularly strong reviews for their dramatic oceanfront setting. "These cabins are well worth the cost," reported one visitor regarding the rustic accommodations at Steep Ravine. Trails connecting Mount Tamalpais, Muir Woods, and Stinson Beach provide excellent day hiking from most campgrounds in the region. Wildlife sightings add to the experience, though proper food storage is essential as raccoons are frequently mentioned in reviews. Those seeking more developed facilities can find RV hookups at Olema Campground and Marin RV Park, while primitive tent sites dominate most state park and national seashore options. The relatively close proximity to San Francisco makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations.

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Best Camping Sites Near Stinson Beach, California (109)

    1. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    53 Reviews
    Lagunitas, CA
    9 miles

    $35 - $225 / night

    "This campground is less than an hours drive from San Francisco. It is along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard which takes you through a bunch of very cute tiny towns."

    "Beautiful trees and wonderful California charm. The campsites were decently located. Above the Mendocino coast the mornings are wet and Cold. Loved this place"

    2. Steep Ravine Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    15 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 388-2070

    $25 - $100 / night

    "Just a short drive from San Francisco lies Steep Ravine campground at the southern end of Stinson Beach. The campsite sits right on the Pacific Ocean and offers some of the best sunsets imaginable."

    "To hike towards Stinson Beach or Dipsea Trail - head back up to the gate entrance and walk across the street."

    3. Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    15 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 388-2070

    $7 - $25 / night

    "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."

    "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.  "

    4. Olema Campground

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

    "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."

    "Near Pt. Reyes National Seashore.  One complaint was they weed whipped the sites next to us rather then mow.  Very loud."

    5. Wildcat Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    14 Reviews
    Olema, CA
    9 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."

    6. Kirby Cove Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $40 - $75 / night

    "The walk to the beach was 60 seconds and the ocean can be seen from the site. Cool ww2 structures. You get a code to open the gate uptop and drive down to park for your stay."

    "If you plan to leave your cooler outside of the bear box make sure it has a lock or secure latch. 3- you get a gate code and parking pass to drive down, but have to walk your gear the last 500-1,000 ft"

    7. H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound

    12 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    10 miles
    Website

    "I decided to stay here, because it was the right location for my road trip, it was free, and I thought the view of the city would be excellent."

    "Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night. Good hiking areas nearby. Bathrooms and trash cans. Highly recommend as it is also completely free."

    8. Marin RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Larkspur, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 461-5199

    $99 - $115 / night

    "30 mins away from the City. A bit pricy but that is to be expected in SF."

    "Great location to the city and Muir woods. Good stores near by. Narrow sites. No room for awning. Close to gather. Sites are gravel and level. Nice area for pets with view."

    9. Glen Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    10 Reviews
    Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
    10 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."

    10. Sky Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    13 Reviews
    Point Reyes National Seashore, CA
    14 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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Stinson Beach, CA

207 Photos of 109 Stinson Beach Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Stinson Beach, CA

793 Reviews of 109 Stinson Beach Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • 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.

  • 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

Guide to Stinson Beach

Camping near Stinson Beach, California, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're a family looking for a fun getaway or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: There are amazing trails nearby, like the Pioneer Tree Trail at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Hiking through the forest felt like you were walking through a scene from Fern Gully."
  • Beach Activities: Spend time at the beach for swimming, sunbathing, or beachcombing. A reviewer at Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground said, "The sites offer electrical and water hookups, and the beach path goes for miles in either direction."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park shared, "A couple of wild turkeys came to pick up the dropped food on the ground. They were beautiful birds."

What campers like

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the stunning landscapes. A visitor to Bodega Dunes Campground noted, "Beautiful sunsets just a short walk away in the dunes."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. One reviewer at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground said, "It was quiet and peaceful."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and showers are a big plus. A camper at Lawson's Landing mentioned, "The campground was clean and the neighbors were close but respectful."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Woodside Campground at Salt Point State Park, lack showers and RV dump stations. A visitor remarked, "Unfortunately no showers, no RV dump station, no threaded connections to refill RV potable water tank."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be aware of wildlife, especially yellow jackets. A camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park shared, "We had two new types of visitors... the aggressive yellow jackets."
  • Poison Oak: Some areas, like Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, have poison oak. A camper warned, "It's full of poison oak!!!! But you can get around it."

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. One parent at San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA said, "This KOA offers a variety of activities that cater to children, such as petting zoos, jumping pillows, climbing walls, and pools."
  • Space for Tents: Choose sites that have enough space for your family. A reviewer at Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground mentioned, "Not much space to pitch a larger size tent."
  • Plan for Noise: Be prepared for noise from other campers. One camper noted, "You are going to probably experience some of the most ridiculous first-time campers with no sense of camping etiquette."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground mentioned, "Most sites being under tree canopies... but feels more remote than it is."
  • Bring Firewood: Some campgrounds don’t sell firewood. A camper at Woodside Campground advised, "Bring firewood there’s none available on site."
  • Be Ready for Slopes: Some sites may be sloped, making it tricky to park. A reviewer at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park said, "Many sites are not level."

Camping near Stinson Beach, California, offers a unique blend of nature and community. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a memorable outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping facilities and amenities are available near Stinson Beach?

Pantoll Campground on Mount Tamalpais offers 13 sites with varying levels of seclusion, clean facilities, and is ADA compliant. The campground provides running water and bathroom facilities. It's situated near the top of Mount Tamalpais with easy access to numerous trails. Kirby Cove Campground in Golden Gate National Recreation Area provides another option with toilet facilities in a beautiful setting. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails, with coastal campgrounds offering beach access and inland sites providing forest surroundings.

Where are the designated camping areas at Stinson Beach?

While Stinson Beach itself doesn't have designated camping, there are excellent options nearby. Steep Ravine Campground is located at the southern end of Stinson Beach on the Pacific Ocean, offering spectacular sunset views. The campground sits right on the coast with some sites providing beach access if you're willing to climb over rocks. Another option is Wildcat Campground in Point Reyes National Seashore, which is accessible via hiking trails and provides a more secluded coastal camping experience not far from Stinson Beach.

Do I need reservations for camping at Stinson Beach?

Yes, reservations are highly recommended for camping near Stinson Beach. Steep Ravine Campground is notoriously difficult to reserve and requires booking well in advance - you'll need to be ready to make reservations the moment they become available. Conversely, Pantoll Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, making it a good option for spontaneous trips, though sites fill quickly on weekends. For the best chance of securing a spot, plan to arrive early in the day, especially during peak season and weekends. Weekday camping typically offers better availability than weekends.

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