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Sky Campground

11 sites · Tent

1,025 feet up Mt.

Wittenberg lies Sky Camp. It's true to its name and offers spectacular panoramic views. You'll have to earn them with a “moderate" uphill hike from the Sky Trailhead.

On a clear day you can see Point Reyes, Drakes Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. At Sky Camp, you are a ways away from the beach, but the views make up for it. If you are keen to get to the ocean, it is a steep 4-mile hike.

There are a total of 11 sites and one big group site, which are equipped with a charcoal BBQ grill and picnic table. The sites are sprinkled among a nearby hillside, some in trees and others in the open. This camp is often overlooked in favor of camps closer to the beach, which makes it a great pick if you are in a bit of a time crunch.

What this place offers
No campfire allowed
No pets allowed
No showers
Toilets
Potable water
Picnic tables
No sewage hookups
No electric hookups
11 sites
Tent
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61 ratings · 15 reviews
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Michael H.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2019
Careful to read the signs carefully to the camp site.
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Brittney R.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· December 2018
The hike in is harder than it seems like it would be but it's well worth it.
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Kenneth W.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2018
Always a chance of a light rain.
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Matthew Y.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2018
great site with secluded campsites
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Kathleen D.
9 years on Hipcamp
April 2017
This is a great beginner backpacking camp. It's a seriously majestic hike - so first timers won't realize the moderate hike to the camp. It get's really foggy and cold here so pack warm. There were fire restrictions when I went September 2016. They have food lockers and a bbq type contraption.
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Kathleen D.
9 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2017
Hike to sky camp isn't hard at all. I recommend hiking there in the morning, then doing a day hike down to the beach.
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Ha M.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2017
it's a long hike to the site, so be sure to pack light or have a mule :)
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Elizabeth S.
8 years on Hipcamp
December 2016
Tucked on the hillside, this 3 to 6 mile trek (depending on your route) isn't for the faint of heart (or legs). The views are stunning from the top.
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Aja P.
3 reviews
December 2015
Hands down, best Point Reyes Campground. Views? Check. Grills for your hotdogs and Duraflame cause you're a rule following fire ninja? Check. Tree cover in case of rain? Check. General lack of raccoon infestation? So far, check. Driving to the trailhead eats up 90% of the climb you'd otherwise have to do to scale Mt. Whittenberg. After a leisurely 2 mile hike to the site, you'll be blown away by the sunset over Point Reyes. Reservations are plentiful after peak season ends, but be prepared for shocking temperature variations. My favorite site was 7, nestled in the quiet pines. Sky Camp is an excellent choice for group camping, but don't expect privacy if you're on solo--if you've got chatty neighbors, best bet is to introduce yourself!
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Andrew P.
10 years on Hipcamp
October 2015
Amazing sunsets here with an easy hike in.
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Miho T.
9 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
We camped in site 3, and it is a smaller site, but it was cozy. We squeezed in two 2 person tents, and one three person tent. The trees framed the ocean really nicely, and we still got the view that sites 1 & 2 enjoy. Nice shade, and great air. The only thing is be very conscious of leaving food, even for a little bit. Stealthy skunks and raccoon are all around. You can hear them rustling around your tent at night, too.
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Auntie B.
2 reviews
June 2015
awesome camping - we backpacked a longer trail but some people drive closer and bring down the coolers and ice. best sites 10 & 11 open to sun, views and less wet; 5-8 are in trees, cooler, wetter due to the cover, 1 no privacy, 3,4,10,11,12 are private
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Sasha C.
2 reviews
May 2015
Campsites #3 and #4 have excellent views! Note that all the sites w/ ocean views are very private but quite small, so don't plan on fitting more than two 2-person tents.
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Andy Z.
10 years on Hipcamp
May 2015
Campsites 10 and 11 have the most privacy but campsite 1 and 2 have the best views.
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Bryn K.
10 years on Hipcamp
April 2015
If you ask me, this is the perfect mix between car camping and pack-in. It's about a 30 minute walk from the closest parking lot, so don't worry about bringing that extra bottle of wine. Keep in mind, there are often fire restrictions, and it can get cold.
LocationSky Campground, Point Reyes National Seashore, California, United States
What this place offers
No campfire allowed
No pets allowed
No showers
Toilets
Potable water
Picnic tables
No sewage hookups
No electric hookups

Your guide to camping in Sky Campground

Overview

Biking

Another great way to see Point Reyes National Seashore is via bicycle. The area provides a variety of off-road biking opportunities traversing diverse habitats and terrains. You can explore trails through evergreen forests, coastal scrub, or along estuaries and beach bluffs. Check out the official map to see which trails allow bikes, or pick up your free copy at the Bear Valley Visitor Centers. If you need to rent a bike, these outfitters can help you out.

Boating

For those of you who would rather travel on water than land, Tomales Beach is the perfect place to dock! Here you can participate in boat camping. These camp-in sites are particularly awesome, and have everything from vault toilets to charcoal grills.

Fishing

Point Reyes is surrounded by the beautiful and abundant Pacific Ocean, making it a great spot for fishermen. Over 130 different species have been reported in the area, so it is definitely worth your while. Just be sure to be up to speed on the local rules and conservation efforts-- Point Reyes is a heavily regulated fishing area.

Hiking

The National Seashore has about 150 miles of magnificent hiking trails to explore and run around. Just check out some of the best hiking trails in Point Reyes , there is something for everyone! Trail maps for the north district trails and south district trails are available at the Bear Valley Visitor Center. There are many ways to customize your hike to accommodate your physical and time limitations. If you want, stop by the Bear Valley Visitor Center for current trail information and suggested hikes. The volunteers and rangers there are super helpful and friendly!

Horseback riding

With over 120 miles of trails that take you through forested mountain tops, grassy meadows, coastal scrub and miles of white sand beaches, the Point Reyes National Seashore is the perfect environment to enjoy horseback riding. Five Brooks Ranch offers guided trailrides and they know this place like the back of their hand!

Paddling

Feel like playing with some seals or dipping your paddle into clean waters full of glowing bioluminescence ? Well, this is the place to do it! The most popular area for kayaking at Point Reyes National Seashore is on Tomales Bay, just take one look at the place and you’ll know why! Tomales Bay is a 15 mile long, 6780-acre tidal water body located in rural west Marin County, California. It is the largest unspoiled coastal embayment on the coast of California. The bay is bounded largely on the west by the Point Reyes National Seashore. Adjacent communities include Pt. Reyes Station, Inverness, Tomales, Marshall, and Dillon Beach in the north where Tomales Bay meets Bodega Bay. Kayaking is also permitted on Drakes Estero and Limantour Estero from July 1 through February 28. If you need to rent a kayak, Blue Waters has you covered! They also offer great classes, bioluminescent tours, and suggestions for kayaking journies - just inquire within!

Wind sports

Point Reyes gets a significant amount of wind and is often a viable option for kiteboarding. Just be sure to check up on the stats before you go!

Surfing

Point Reyes has some quality surfing options for the more intermediate-advanced surfer. There’s less crowds up here (I’m sure that has nothing to do with the fact that it’s in the “Red Triangle”), although we seriously doubt you’ll see any of the great white shark varietal. The best surfing here is at Drakes Beach, South Beach, North Beach, and some other spots along Great Beach. The closest surf shop is Point Reyes Surf , which has limited rentals. Make sure you also check the surf report before you head out. Just remember, it can get pretty gnar here, so just stay within your surfing limits!

Swimming

Bass Lake is located 2.8 (fairly easy) miles in from the parking lot at Point Reyes park. This popular swimming spot is warm (compared to the Pacific), canopied and home to a rope swing (most of the time). Pack a picnic, bring your best floaties and don’t be deterred by the occasional skinny dipper.

Wildlife watching

Jutting 16 kilometers (10 miles) into the Pacific Ocean, the headlands of the Point Reyes Peninsula offer one of the finest spots to view grey whales . The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary provides a 32-kilometer (20-mile) wide "highway" along which the whales cruise; sometimes they travel in the close lane (nearer to shore), and sometimes they travel in the far lane (farther out to sea). The areas around Chimney Rock and the Lighthouse offer some of the best whale watching spots in the park. Here at Point Reyes National Seashore, the peak of the southern migration usually occurs in mid-January and that of the northern migration in mid-March. Late April and early May afford the opportunity to see mothers and calves close to shore. The best opportunities of viewing the whales are on one of the whale tours, now get out there and watch these magnificent beasts! There is also forty species of land mammals to feast your eyes on (just don’t literally feast on them, it is illegal). From Tule elk to bobcats, to jackrabbits rustling in the bushes… there is no skimping on awesome wildlife in Point Reyes.

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