Warning
GeneralThis location is open during the Federal government lapse in funding.
About Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels Only (Auxiliary Engine Ok)
Number of accommodations: 12
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Waterfront
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
- Boat Ramp
- Marina
Views and Setting
- Waterfront
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Reviews (110)
What Guests Are Saying
Aquatic Park Cove offers a fantastic anchorage experience in San Francisco, praised for its easy anchoring, beautiful views, and proximity to city attractions. Reviewers highlighted the friendly and helpful National Park Service staff, as well as the lively atmosphere created by swimmers and nearby revelers. While some noted challenges with swimmer traffic and soft mud holding, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, encouraging visitors to embrace the unique experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Aquatic Park Cove offers a fantastic anchorage experience in San Francisco, praised for its easy anchoring, beautiful views, and proximity to city attractions. Reviewers highlighted the friendly and helpful National Park Service staff, as well as the lively atmosphere created by swimmers and nearby revelers. While some noted challenges with swimmer traffic and soft mud holding, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, encouraging visitors to embrace the unique experience.
Review Summary
John S
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Fantastic location with magnificent views. Wonderful morning swims. Poor holding in soft mud, so be certain to use a Danforth or Fortress anchor. Exposed to winds so consider a riding sail or drag an anchor from the stern on extremely short scope to limit “sailing on anchor”.
Greg M
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: APA06, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Best hotel room in San Francisco. Secure beach inside park gate was great place to land our kayak. Several other boats dragged anchor, we were glad to have an oversized (40 lb. for our 36’ sailboat) Danforth down which held great.
John S
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Fantastic location with magnificent views. Wonderful morning swims. Poor holding in soft mud, so be certain to use a Danforth or Fortress anchor. Exposed to winds so consider a riding sail or drag an anchor from the stern on extremely short scope to limit “sailing on anchor”.
Greg M
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2025 • Stayed at: APA06, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Best hotel room in San Francisco. Secure beach inside park gate was great place to land our kayak. Several other boats dragged anchor, we were glad to have an oversized (40 lb. for our 36’ sailboat) Danforth down which held great.
Shane B
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: APA08, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
I reserved three nights, I was within 24 hours of canceling those three nights so it said it charged me $10 for the cancellation fee and then it would not allow me to cancel the other two nights due to technical errors on the website! It said cannot process your cancellation at this time try again later!! What a rip off I'm still owed $20!
Brian H
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: APA05, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Wonderful people, very hospitable. 2 odd things about the facility. 2 washrooms, unmarked, for gender, consequently men walking into the ladies etc., and, no access to a water supply. Both easy to fix.
Shane B
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: APA08, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
I reserved three nights, I was within 24 hours of canceling those three nights so it said it charged me $10 for the cancellation fee and then it would not allow me to cancel the other two nights due to technical errors on the website! It said cannot process your cancellation at this time try again later!! What a rip off I'm still owed $20!
Brian H
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2025 • Stayed at: APA05, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Wonderful people, very hospitable. 2 odd things about the facility. 2 washrooms, unmarked, for gender, consequently men walking into the ladies etc., and, no access to a water supply. Both easy to fix.
Mike T
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2025 • Stayed at: APA07, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
A little crowded on Labor day, I was paranoid all night about dragging anchor or getting tangled up with another boat. Having fixed moorings would make it easier to sleep. Otherwise, nice place to spend the night. Make sure to check in with the rangers who will let you keep your dinghy on the beach inside the locked area and let you in after hours.
Mike T
VerifiedSeptember 8, 2025 • Stayed at: APA07, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
A little crowded on Labor day, I was paranoid all night about dragging anchor or getting tangled up with another boat. Having fixed moorings would make it easier to sleep. Otherwise, nice place to spend the night. Make sure to check in with the rangers who will let you keep your dinghy on the beach inside the locked area and let you in after hours.
Location Aquatic Park Cove, Black Point Overnight Anchoring, Sailing Vessels Only (Auxiliary Engine Ok)
Address:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Fort Mason Center, Building E, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA, 94123
United States
Latitude & Longitude: 37.8089 / -122.424
Elevation: 0 feet
Nearby National Park
Hetch Hetchy Entrance
Approximate driving time: 1 hr 12 min
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Your confirmation email from Recreation.gov is your permit and must be shown during your visit.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Fees & deposits
- You can make anchoring reservations up to six months ahead.
Safety & rules
- Each reservation is linked to a specific visitor and vessel.
- Only vessels with a reservation can stay overnight.
- Reservations allow for a maximum stay of 5 consecutive nights, with a required 7-day break before returning; a total of 30 nights is permitted per year.
- Do not leave vessels unattended for more than six hours.
- Be cautious of swimmers in the cove at all times, as they are present day and night.
- Anchoring is at your own risk; if your vessel drags anchor, call for commercial assistance.
Site types & loops
- Only sailboats with auxiliary engines are permitted; motor-only boats are not allowed.
- Vessels over 40 feet or 8 feet deep need park approval before entering the cove; contact the Anchor Permit Supervisor.
Site capacity
- No fixed moorings are available; vessels must find their own anchorage on a first-come, first-served basis and use proper gear.
- Only 12 vessels are allowed to stay overnight in the cove at one time.
Local regulations
- Additional regulatory provisions apply as stated in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, parts 1-7.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralThis location is open during the Federal government lapse in funding.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 5, 2026
