Haypress Campground
Description
Activities
Offered near the campground.
Biking
Whether fast single track mountain biking is your thing, or you’re more of a road bike warrior , GGNRA will be your bag, baby!...Read more
Boating
Stow Lake, in Golden Gate park, is a great spot for inexperienced boaters. Cruising around this lake is truly a joy ride, as th...Read more
Fishing
Recreational anglers in this area can (with a little patience and some good bait) expect to catch things like brown smoothhound...Read more
Hiking
Golden Gate National Recreation area is huge! Whatever you are looking for in a national park, chances are Golden Gate National...Read more
Horseback riding
Trails near Golden Gate at Fort Funston offer an amazing place to ride horseback.
Paddling
Paddling at the Golden Gate is one of the most spectacular experiences you can have in California. Let your stoke levels build ...Read more
Wind sports
Crissy Field shoreline is a popular spot for kiteboarding. Why, you ask? Well, because it’s rad (and boasts some ridiculous vi...Read more
Surfing
Ever heard of Ocean Beach? It’s a massive expanse of coastline that happens to also have some world class breaks (on the right ...Read more
Wildlife watching
Don’t let the urban feel of Golden Gate fool you – there is plenty of wildlife to see here. Be on the lookout for animals su...Read more
Terrain
Natural features you'll find at Haypress Campground.
16 Reviews
Not free. reservations can be made here: https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/camping.htm
We went in mid July and daytime temperatures never went above 60 due to the constant coastal fog. If you want summer weather you should go in the very late summer. We could hear the fog horns all night but it was sufficiently faint. Also I wish I had known this but DO NOT LOCATE YOUR TENT UNDER A TREE ON A FOGGY NIGHT as the fog condenses on the leaves and drips dirty water on your tent all night.
Fires actually aren't allowed, that's wrong. Reservations are required.
Very accessible, with good access to beach and coastal trails. Subject to the marine layer more than most West Marin coastal locations due to its gradual grade down to the Pacific, so days that may be sunny in nearby Mill Valley many never clear at Haypress. I've twice seen bobcats along the trail to Haypress, so keep your eyes peeled.
Haypress: my ol' reliable when the camping itch strikes but I don't want to drive too far to sleep under the stars. While there is no fee (and a yearly cap on visits), permits are required and can be obtained from the Marin Headlands Visitors Center. They're open til 4pm, but if you can't make it before they close they'll stick the permit in a little drop box outside for you to pick up. At the end of Tennessee Valley Road, you'll find a large parking lot (although this will overflow on the weekends). Follow the paved path .3 miles til you see a dirt track heading back into the hills. After about .6 miles you'll find a clean pit toilet and 5 comfortable sites, all of which are excellent base camps for adventures in the Headlands.
This isn't actually a first come first serve campsite - you have to make reservations with the Marin Headlands Visitor Center at 415-331-1540. We're headed there this weekend, super excited.
This Place is Decent, It's a first come first serve campground that is accessible by a short 15min .8 mile walk from the parking lot. The camping is free as is the parking. Basically no Shade at the campsites and no fires allowed/ no fire rings but it's free.
- Park
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area
- State
- California
- Country
- United States
- Phone Number
- (415)-331-1540
- Directions
- View on Google Maps
- Official Website
- View Website
- Coordinates
- 37.86° N, 122.547° W
- Free
- Tent Only - Hike In: 5 Sites (Up to 4 people per site)