Best Tent Camping near Tiburon, CA

The San Francisco Bay Area offers several tent camping options near Tiburon, California, with most sites located within a short drive across the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County. Angel Island State Park provides the closest tent camping to Tiburon at Sunrise Campground, accessible only by ferry from the Tiburon terminal. Mount Tamalpais State Park offers multiple tent-only options including Pantoll Campground, Bootjack Campground, and Steep Ravine Environmental Campground, all within 10-15 miles of Tiburon.

Most tent sites in the area require walk-in access from parking areas, with distances ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 miles to reach campsites. Facilities typically include picnic tables, food storage lockers, and vault or flush toilets. Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds - Angel Island and Mount Tamalpais sites generally provide potable water, while Golden Gate National Recreation Area campgrounds like Haypress and Bicentennial often require campers to bring their own. A camper noted that at Haypress Campground, "These are limited hike-in tent sites. Not far in - less than a mile. You are on your own here. Bring your own water."

Tent campers frequently encounter fog and wind, particularly at coastal sites. The exposed locations offer stunning views but require proper gear. At Angel Island's Sunrise Campground, sites provide panoramic vistas of San Francisco Bay, with one visitor reporting that "Angel Island is a unique backpacking experience" where "you'll want to bring enough stakes to guy out your tent as there isn't any wind protection from trees or boulders." Many campgrounds in the region operate on reservation systems through Recreation.gov or ReserveCalifornia, though Pantoll and Bootjack Campgrounds remain first-come, first-served. During summer weekends, arriving early is essential as parking lots fill quickly, especially at popular trailheads like those in Mount Tamalpais State Park.

Best Tent Sites Near Tiburon, California (41)

    1. Steep Ravine Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

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

    $25 - $100 / night

    "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."

    "And charcoal grills outside each cabin. A couple general use picnic tables scattered about. So those are the basics you can read anywhere."

    2. Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    15 Reviews
    Stinson Beach, CA
    8 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.  "

    "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."

    3. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    9 Reviews
    Tiburon, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 435-5390

    $30 / night

    "Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"

    "We also took the ferry from Tiburon so factor in cost of parking and ferry boat ride into the campground. Definitely stay on the Eastern side for less wind but bring plenty of stakes in case."

    4. Bicentennial Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $25 / night

    "this is an excellent primitive campground with 3 sites."

    "3 sites, very close to each other/nothing separating them. Sites were clean."

    5. Haypress Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Muir Beach, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $25 - $75 / night

    "Theses are limited  (5) hike in tent sites.  Not far in - less than a mile.  You are on your own here. Bring your own water.  No fires."

    "A hike-in campground in Tennessee Valley, a short 20 minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge and the hustle and bustle of the City.  My family of three stayed here for one night in mid March.  "

    6. Alice Eastwood Group Camp — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    4 Reviews
    Muir Woods, CA
    7 miles
    Website

    $110 - $225 / night

    "Group B holds 25 and has more privacy. We had Group A and had a ton of day hikers invading our site."

    "Per my rating system, I usually reserve 5 stars for those parks that are worth traveling to from long distances (i.e. out of state)."

    7. Rob Hill Campground

    4 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 561-5083

    $105 - $170 / night

    "Looked like there was easily room for at least a dozen small tents at each of the sites and nice restrooms accessible via combination punch pad."

    "Pitch tent on wood chips. Level. Fire pits, water. Nice and close, yet feels a ways away. Accessible to many trails."

    8. Wildcat Campground — Point Reyes National Seashore

    14 Reviews
    Olema, CA
    19 miles
    Website

    "A very cool spot for backpacking in with 6-8 miles to hike in, depending on the trails you take. The tall grass gave some privacy between neighboring campsites. Nice to have a water spigot on-site."

    "in an open meadow on a bluff overlooking the ocean with a short walk to the beach and a 3.2 kilometer (2.0 miles) round-trip walk to [Alamere Falls](https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/alamere_falls.htm"

    9. Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Sausalito, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (415) 331-1540

    $25 / night

    "Loved this spot tucked away in the Marin Headlands. Great views of the golden gate or Pacific in the far distance. Sites spread enough apart that no one was too close."

    "The location is amazing, however you need to make reservations through recreation.gov for one of the three sites up there. Also, it’s $25 as listed on the site."

    10. Bootjack Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

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

    "Each campsite had a table and bench, wood grill area, and easy access got the restrooms, potable water, and trash cans (that are inside wooden boxes to deter wildlife)."

    "Most sites are near the road and you’ll hear bicycles all night. Though, you can see the city shine in the distance. Cost us $25"

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Tent Camping Reviews near Tiburon, CA

753 Reviews of 41 Tiburon Campgrounds


  • Erin S.
    Mar. 16, 2022

    Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Tent campground with plenty of hiking trails

    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.  If you choose to drive, just know that it can be impossible to find a place to park on busy weekends (you'll need to drop your stuff off, find a place to park along the road, then come back to park in the evening when the parking lot clears).  We hiked in.  On a weekend night in March, only four of the 16 sites were taken so we had no problem nabbing a spot.  The campground is situated across a steep-ish hillside.  Water spigots are spread out among the sites, but all the bathrooms are located down the hill near the parking lot.  Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and a flat spot to pitch a tent.  Sites are fairly close together in bunches (for example, 2, 3, and 5 were close, 6 and 7 were close, but there was a bit of space between the groups). Firewood is sold at the ranger kiosk but they have limited hours. Some spots are larger than others, and very few can accommodate a house-size tent (you know what I mean - and no judging, I have a house-size tent for car camping).  We had our 3 person backpacking tent with us and it would have fit in all the sites.  Sites up the hill require a bit of a hike-in but are farther from the road noise and busy parking lot.  There is one dishwashing station near the bottom.  

    Pros: 

    - Location.  You can hike anywhere from this campground.  Down to Muir Woods in less than 3 miles.  Up to Rock Springs, Bolinas Ridge, and Mount Tam.  Down to Stinson Beach.  I could spend a week here exploring all the trails.

    - Amenties.  Dishwashing sink, many water spigots, food storage lockers, fire pits, toilets that flush.  And Wifi from the ranger kiosk (squee!!!) which we appreciated to check the weather and bus schedule (very poor Verizon signal).

    Cons: 

    - Noise from Panoramic Highway.

    - Busy parking lot with lots of people potentially moving around the campground (especially the lower sites). 

    - No reservations: FCFS only.

    Overall I'm really happy I finally got to chance to camp here and would recommend.

  • R
    Aug. 12, 2019

    Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park

    Unique and private campsites overlooking SF Bay!

    Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island! Regular campers probably appreciate this, though more and more people are learning of their existence. Campsites are all reservable on the reservecalifornia website and they are highly recommended due to the small number of sites available. Most visitors use the ferry from Tiburon or San Francisco to get to the island, though boaters and kayakers can make the trip on their own as well. A paved perimeter road surrounds the island and campers must hike into their sites, bringing everything they need with them. All of the sites offer differing views of the bay, with the three "Ridge" sites giving campers views that stretch from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Bridge with the city and Alcatraz in between! Sites are pretty primitive but depending on your site choice you will have a vault toilet or modern bathroom at your disposal. Drinking faucets are available at each site as are trash cans and food lockers. Picnic tables are also present. No fires are allowed but the sites have a free standing small bbq, and charcoal fires are permitted within them. If you are looking for an exciting and unique place to pitch your tent then Angel Island is a must see!

  • MarinMaverick
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Haypress Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    Hidden Gem

    Theses are limited  (5) hike in tent sites.  Not far in - less than a mile.  You are on your own here. Bring your own water.  No fires. You get a picnic table and a food storage locker, nothing else.

    Meadow sites against a row of trees. There is very little privacy between sites but the couple times I have been here it was not full.  It can get windy - there is some shelter under the tress. 

    Here you can strike out hiking through Tennessee Valley to the beach and beyond!

    Great for a close get-a-way and seclusion.

  • Rommel C.
    Oct. 31, 2022

    Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    juniper campground - site 15 - end of october

    great campsite! be careful driving up the windy road and watch for the many cyclists. going up/down with you. 

    driving in was very easy; parking is right next to the site. the campsite itself was beautiful - panoramic views of the east bay area. i could recognize walnut creek, lafayette, danville and san ramon through the binoculars. site was clean, but the ground itself was very rocky. irritating that there wasn't really any level spots to set up the tent, so sleeping on a slant was a real treat (sarcasm). weather was very mild during the day; not too hot, nor too cold. nights were bearable in the high 50s, and by late night (cuz i kept waking up because of slanted sleeping), but felt like low 40s and slightly windy. make sure you bring thermals and a warm sleeping bag. sleeping pad is a definite must on the sharp rocks; be careful when stepping around in the tent with just socks on. 

    drought meant that flushing toilets were all locked.. as were the showers.. but from what i heard the "chemical toilets" (aka porta-potties) were an adequate substitute. water access had been shut off as well, so make sure you bring plenty of your own for washing and drinking. 

    critters - we didn't encounter any during our stay. no racoons, bears, mice, rats.. nada. just a ton of pincher bugs everywhere. not even many flies! we had those spinning fly deterrent things, though. maybe those really DO work? 

    ALSO because of the drought - NO WOOD FIRES ALLOWED. total/complete bummer to camp without a campfire. gas stoves and lanterns were permitted, though.

  • S
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    Juniper Campground: hiked in

    We hiked up to Juniper campground from the Clayton side. The sites in the teens have less overhead shade but more privacy than those of higher numbers. The sites closest to the driving road/entrance/overlook will have the potential to be downwind of the bathroom, unfortunately.

    The campground is a dry campground - as in no alcohol.

    That said, we loved our site #15, and enjoyed the privacy it provided, plus the views (if you stand on the table or are tall). We didn't encounter critters. We had some trouble staking down on the rocky dirt. 

    This is a good campground to explore the rest of the summit areas, plus Rock City.

  • Juliana S.
    Sep. 20, 2021

    Castle Rock Trail Camp — Castle Rock State Park

    Pleasant setting with some noise from the shooting range

    I liked the trees, picnic tables, and fire rings at the sites. The sites were spaced nicely to allow for privacy. Frog Flat seemed a bit more secluded than the main camp. There was no water running at the site when I stayed there, but vault toilets were available. There is a nearby shooting range and you can hear the gunshots during the daylight hours.

  • Larry W.
    Aug. 28, 2020

    Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina

    Quiet, NO other tenters!

    We (party of 4) were there primarily because we rented a boat from their Marina. That went well! This is an RV campground & full-complement resort on Bethel Island, San Joaquin River Delta. Many RVers appear to be long-term or full-time residents.

    The tent-area was a clearing, fully backed up to the levee, with some shade and a water spigot. Appears to be only 4 “sites,” which are defined by picnic tables, GENEROUSLY spaced, no fire rings AND the Delta is h.o.t.! It’s also on the far edge of the property, so car traffic was MINIMUM — and NO generators were heard, even though the RV section is huge!!!

    The rest rooms were in the Marina building, a short walk. We would DEFINITELY return for boating and tenting!!!

  • Cococounty L.
    Apr. 25, 2020

    Briones Regional Park

    A nice spot!

    A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around. Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2023

    Doran Regional Park

    Large and popular Sonoma County Park

    General: Located between Bodega Bay and Bodega Harbor, this county park has over 140 sites in four campgrounds: Shell, Gull, Cove, and Jetty. There is also tent camping, a group campsite, and a hiker/biker camping area. No hookups in any site. 

    Site Quality: Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Sites all appeared to be level. Depending on your site, you may have more privacy/separation than in others. Site 21 (in Shell) was nicely positioned, however, the sites on either side of us were not occupied during our stay so we had more privacy. 

    Bath/Shower: Self-contained units with a toilet and sink with soap, HOT water, and air dryer. One coin-operated shower house for Shell, Gull, and Cove campgrounds, located between Gull and Cove. Additional showers in the tent-only section and the Jetty campground. Generally clean. 

    Activities: Hiking, fishing, birding, beachcombing, wading, and water sports. There was a very short boardwalk and sandy walking paths, although some of these were very overgrown. 

    One thing I appreciated was propane cylinder recycling. We learned there is a program where select vendors will refill the small cylinders and we hope this becomes more readily available. This is a much larger county park campground than we have been in before and it was very busy when we were there on a weekday in late October. Nice but I prefer the smaller and quieter campgrounds.


Guide to Tiburon

Tent camping near Tiburon, California typically requires foggy morning preparation, with coastal sites experiencing significant temperature changes throughout the day. The Marin Headlands area sits at elevations between 800-1,500 feet, creating microclimates that can be 10-15 degrees cooler than downtown Tiburon. Most campgrounds in this region are walk-in only, requiring campers to park and carry gear short distances to their sites.

What to do

Hike to Tennessee Beach: From Haypress Campground, take an easy trail to the shoreline. "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," notes Jill F. The trail is mostly flat, making it accessible for most fitness levels.

Beach camping at Point Reyes: Wildcat Campground offers beach access just yards from your tent. "The tall grass gave some privacy between neighboring campsites. Nice to have a water spigot on-site," shares Taylor A. The beach walk to Alamere Falls takes about 30 minutes each way.

Sunrise city views: Camp on Angel Island for unique perspectives of San Francisco. "When the last ferry leaves, you have the island practically to yourself. It is pretty awesome," writes Bryan R. Plan to hike the 5-mile perimeter trail early morning for the best photo opportunities.

What campers like

Overnight Muir Woods access: Alice Eastwood Group Camp lets you avoid the crowds. "Good walk down the hill to John Muir Woods and visitor center. Not too bad hike back up to camp," reports Dan H. The campground sits above the main tourist entry points, allowing for early morning redwood exploration.

Rustic coastal cabins: Steep Ravine Campground provides simple shelter with amazing ocean frontage. "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," explains Amber D. The cabins cost $100 per night plus reservation fees.

Privacy through terrain: Campers appreciate the natural separation at Bootjack Campground. "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. The amenities at the camp were terrific!!" reports rylee. Each site includes a wood grill area and nearby potable water.

What you should know

Reservation challenges: Most sites near Tiburon book extremely quickly. For Steep Ravine, "You need to be ready to click 'reserve' on the website at no less than 5 minutes before the window opens for your dates of interest, which was 6 months ahead of time," advises Adam.

Wildlife encounters: Small animals frequently visit campsites. "Lots of raccoons at night, so lock everything away," warns Samantha T. about Pantoll Campground. Food lockers are provided at most sites, but bring steel wool to block small openings.

Water availability: Many campgrounds require you to bring your own supply. "These are limited (5) hike in tent sites. Not far in - less than a mile. You are on your own here. Bring your own water," explains MarinMaverick about Haypress Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Whale watching camps: Position your tent at Hawk Campground for possible sightings. "Loved this spot tucked away in the Marin Headlands. Great views of the golden gate or Pacific in the far distance," notes Mary D. Bring binoculars for potential whale spotting between January-May.

Historical exploration: Angel Island offers educational opportunities. "Also fascinating history. The island is well equipped with various bathrooms that include flush toilets and sinks," Haley C. mentions. The Immigration Museum provides context similar to Ellis Island for the west coast.

Weather preparation: Temperature swings require extra clothing. "It can get very windy and chilly at night, so come prepared with a sturdy tent and warm clothing," advises Haley C. Pack layers for children, especially wind-resistant outer shells for coastal sites.

Tips from RVers

No true RV sites available: Traditional RV camping isn't supported near Tiburon. "RV, pop-up and camper-truck camping is not allowed in the Presidio. No hook-ups available," explains Elliott B. about Rob Hill Campground. Most sites are tent-only with walk-in access.

Parking limitations: Securing a parking space can be challenging. 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," cautions Michael I. Arrive early to secure a spot.

Road access challenges: Roads to campgrounds often include steep sections. "Just be ready for a winding drive with some sharp turns and sheer cliffs," warns Michael W. regarding access to Mount Tamalpais State Park campgrounds. RVs over 25 feet are not recommended on these routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Tiburon, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Tiburon, CA is Steep Ravine Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Tiburon, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 41 tent camping locations near Tiburon, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.