Point Reyes National Seashore Campground

I have backpacked in 11 National Parks, 10 National Forests, and 2 National Monuments. This was my first National Seashore. It was a singular and memorable experience. Of the 106 previous backpacking trips, I only awarded five stars (the maximum on my personal rating scale) to 14. This trip makes 15. Weather was near perfect with no rain. Wildcat and Glen campground facilities were exceptional. Having vault toilets, potable water, picnic tables, sufficient clearings for tents are not typical of camping in the wilderness, but we certainly appreciated them. Trails were well-maintained and easy to follow with great signage. The flowers were gorgeous. Animals in the air, on the ground, and in the ocean were everywhere we looked, and up close. Humans were a curiosity to them, not a threat. We took lots of photos of Alamere Falls (accessed via Wildcat Beach) and the three unnamed upper falls (accessed via path from Coastal Trai). Viewing the remnants of Arch Rock was more fascinating than I expected and worth the five-mile loop hike from Glen Campground. The deep green landscape reminded me of my vacation in Ireland two years ago.

Really nice campsite with a great view. Ground is flat and cleared but a bit rocky so stakes are difficult to put into the ground. Quick hike in from sky trailhead.

Sky Camp is really beautiful. If the fog rolls back, the view of the ocean especially at sunset is amazing! The campground ran out of water the night we were there, that's why I took off a star. Not good if you plan for potable water. Any trails to the coast are overgrown with tons of plants, including poison oak. Fire road from Sky Trailhead was great-- watch out for thousands of banana slugs! Sites 11 and 12 were off the beaten path.

The Coast Trail is overgrown with Poison Oak, so it is hard to avoid brushing against it. Ticks are also transferred by walking through the high grass that brushes against your clothes.

We took the long way in, over the mountain, because we're training. Beautiful hike! Easy to navigate, and a good workout. Sites on the 1-7 side are very private. Lots of birds, rabbits, deer, and even elk from a distance. On our down day took an 8-mile out and back to Kelham Beach. Several groups came in from Limantour - the 2 mile route. Many of them had little kids so it was cool to see young families enjoying the backpacking experience. Bathrooms were clean and water accessible. We took the Woodward valley trail back to Bear valley VS. Also a nice trail. Very lush and shady.

Wildcat has many sites spread across the top of a cliff overhanging a sandy beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There are vault toilets, running water, and plenty of space between sites with some low growing bushes for a medium sense of privacy. The ocean waves are very mild background noise due to the cliff deflecting the roar significantly. I saw sea otters down the beach among the kelp. There are some rock formations along the beach for exploring. Never turn your back to the sea. If you get caught in a sneaker wave, don't try and move your limbs out from the sand, but try and anchor yourself until the wave washes back out to the ocean, then make a dash for higher ground. The waves can get massive and come up to the foot of the cliffs so I'd advise observing the surf when atop the cliff before taking the trail down to the beach.

Such a magical place!! We biked in and camped out for 2 nights. Easy 2.8 mile ride going back was a little harder because of the uphill. But will definitely be going back soon!

Beautiful area. Bathroom was very clean and well stocked, regardless of a very large group camping there at the same time. Trails well maintained. Camp site very clean. Even had a large rock there for tent stake pounding. Thank you for keeping this area in such great shape!!

This was my first time staying at this campground, I usually use wildcat. This place is amazing the sites are well secluded and access to the beach is easy. Tons of wildlife. Site 6 is pretty far from the bathroom but that didn't bother us.

Stayed in site 7, it is a beautiful site up on the bluff. New tables and bear boxes are so nice! Access to the beach is a bit of a scramble when we were there, looks like there was a bit of rock slide/errosion.