Walk-in tent camping options near Strawberry, California offer overnight stays in mild coastal climate zones ranging from 200-800 feet in elevation. The network of trails connecting these campsites provides access to both redwood forests and Pacific Ocean vistas. During summer months, morning fog often blankets the area until midday, while winter camping brings rainfall averaging 40-50 inches annually between November and April.
What to do
Hike to waterfalls: From Wildcat Campground, campers can take a 2-mile round-trip beach walk to reach Alamere Falls. "The hike in was pretty easy and beautiful. We had fun making a fire on the beach at night... The site was very close to Alamere Falls, which was great," notes Madelyn G.
Explore immigration history: Tent campers at Sunrise Campground on Angel Island can visit the former immigration station. "One of the great things about the island is they have a Immigration museum (think Ellis Island but for the west coast!)" shares Marion D., who adds that the 5-mile hike around the island offers "a very modest elevation gain."
Bike through the park: At Mount Tamalpais State Park, cyclists can ride from campsites to scenic overlooks. "You can hike to, bike to, take the bus to, or even drive to this campground," explains one Pantoll visitor. The trails connect to both coastal access points and higher elevation views of the Bay Area.
What campers like
Unobstructed city views: Rob Hill Campground provides the only overnight camping within San Francisco city limits. "The whole campground is very well organized and clean, with each of the 4 sites also having individual fire rings... There's a great view of the ocean nearby as this is basically directly above Baker Beach," says a camper.
Rustic cabins: Steep Ravine Campground offers both tent sites and cabins with wood-burning stoves. "These cabins are well worth the cost. There is a separate bedroom, you could sleep 2 couples on beds easily with extra floor space and a small individual bunk for larger families," shares Amber D. who recommends "bringing candles and lanterns and some fabric for curtains for privacy."
Secluded beaches: Many tent sites provide coastal access away from crowded areas. "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," notes alana C. about Steep Ravine. Campers mention the ability to have beaches nearly to themselves after day visitors leave.
What you should know
Wind exposure: Most tent sites in this region experience significant wind, especially those on ridges or bluffs. "Wear layers of clothing. Can get very windy! Georgeous spot to pitch your tent on the ocean cliffs," advises Kelly S. about Steep Ravine. Another camper notes, "The wind chill is real at night!"
Site limitations: Several campgrounds restrict camping activities. At Bicentennial Campground, "All three sites here are next to each other and have no seperation, but if you're okay with that it's a wonderful place to camp," mentions august M. Regarding Haypress Campground, a visitor explains: "Theses are limited (5) hike in tent sites. Not far in - less than a mile. You are on your own here."
Reservation challenges: Securing tent sites requires advance planning. "This is the only first come first campground around as far as I know," notes one camper about Pantoll. For Steep Ravine, a visitor advises, "Extremely hard to get a reservation," while another recommends "checking in every so often to see if someone cancelled."
Tips for camping with families
Pack light for walk-ins: When tent camping with children, bring only essentials as most sites require carrying gear from parking areas. "Great location—close to hikes. Walk-in camp. Recommend packing light bc walk-in means you need to bring everything from the parking lot," advises Samantha T. about Pantoll Campground.
Consider weekday visits: For families seeking tent sites, weekday reservations offer better availability. "Haypress Campground is about a 0.75 mile hike from the Tennessee Valley trail head. Very limited number of sites, so you'll definitely need a reservation," explains Jill F. Weekdays typically see fewer visitors on connecting trails as well.
Check group facilities: Some locations cater specifically to larger family groups. Alice Eastwood Group Camp features "a fully covered dining area, fully plumbed sinks and bathrooms, and a plethora of hiking options in the Muir Woods and Mt. Tamalpais," according to one camper who adds that the site includes "a kitchen area with a huge grill and a large canopy covering a dining area."
Tips for RVers
Limited RV options: True RV camping is highly restricted near Strawberry. Most campgrounds mentioned are tent-only, as noted in various reviews. Even Rob Hill Campground specifies: "RV, pop-up and camper-truck camping is not allowed in the Presidio. No hook-ups available."
Parking constraints: Vehicles must remain in designated parking areas away from tent sites. At Bootjack Campground, one camper explains, "We originally arrived thinking we could drive directly to our campsite and car camp… unfortunately you cannot." Another adds, "The sites are very close to the parking lot (and the main road) so it was easy to haul everything up and back from the car."
Consider alternatives: RV campers should look toward other nearby regions with suitable facilities. Bicentennial Campground notes "had to walk all the way down to get to the camp site with all the gear," indicating the walk-in nature that makes most sites unsuitable for typical RV camping experiences.
