Available sites
12 total sites
Tent Sites
About Aquatic Park Cove
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Boating
Swimming
Spring
Boating
Summer
Boating
Swimming
Fall
Boating
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
- Boat Ramp / Launch
- Marina
Rates, Sites & Availability
12 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
12 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (121)
What Guests Are Saying
Aquatic Park Cove offers a fantastic anchorage experience with friendly and professional staff, including park director David, who receives high praise for his hospitality. The location provides stunning views and easy access to the city, making it an ideal spot for recreational boaters. Some challenges include avoiding swimmers and managing anchoring conditions, but overall, visitors highly recommend this unique anchoring opportunity in San Francisco.
What Guests Are Saying
Aquatic Park Cove offers a fantastic anchorage experience with friendly and professional staff, including park director David, who receives high praise for his hospitality. The location provides stunning views and easy access to the city, making it an ideal spot for recreational boaters. Some challenges include avoiding swimmers and managing anchoring conditions, but overall, visitors highly recommend this unique anchoring opportunity in San Francisco.
Review Summary
Lauren M
VerifiedMay 20, 2020 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
This is one of my favorite anchorages in the bay. It’s a gorgeous location with a lot to do in the area. The holding is good, but it can get quite windy there especially in the afternoons. Also, there’s a random intense swell in the cove from ships passing near the city front. I usually keep breakables stowed.
Watch for swimmers. There are a lot of them and they seem to rule the cove. I got comments from a couple different swimmers who noticed I’d been there for a few days; but I just informed them that I had a permit to anchor and all was well.
Michael P
VerifiedApril 30, 2020 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Permit booking was fast and efficient. We just spent the night at anchor and did not go ashore. It was a windy night but the holding ground is excellent sand/mud so no dragging of the anchor. It is always pleasant to view the city lights and the collection of ships and boats on the Hyde St. Pier facility. Years ago I was a sea scout based in Aquatic Park, later an adult leader of one of the units. It reminds me of old times. Not much has changed which as an oldster now is something I appreciate! We will return again soon.
Michael P
VerifiedApril 30, 2020 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Permit booking was fast and efficient. We just spent the night at anchor and did not go ashore. It was a windy night but the holding ground is excellent sand/mud so no dragging of the anchor. It is always pleasant to view the city lights and the collection of ships and boats on the Hyde St. Pier facility. Years ago I was a sea scout based in Aquatic Park, later an adult leader of one of the units. It reminds me of old times. Not much has changed which as an oldster now is something I appreciate! We will return again soon.
rick m
VerifiedFebruary 1, 2020 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
hyde street pier needs a dingy dock. i make do with the beach but if we are going to pay to be there , it would be nice to have a service.
rick m
VerifiedFebruary 1, 2020 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
hyde street pier needs a dingy dock. i make do with the beach but if we are going to pay to be there , it would be nice to have a service.
Mike D
VerifiedJanuary 24, 2020 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Excellent value at 10 bucks a night! You need to be comfortable doing beach landings with 1-2 ft surf however. Great public transport nearby to help you explore the whole city. Grab a Clipper card if you don't already have one.
Mike D
VerifiedJanuary 24, 2020 • Stayed at: APA01, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Excellent value at 10 bucks a night! You need to be comfortable doing beach landings with 1-2 ft surf however. Great public transport nearby to help you explore the whole city. Grab a Clipper card if you don't already have one.
Karol Dixon d
VerifiedJanuary 19, 2020 • Stayed at: APA02, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Loved our stay on our boat overlooking Ghiardelli Square! Easy access to public transportation for exploring the city and a Trader Joes as well as a Safeway within walking distance to replenish groceries.
Be careful heading to shore though as you dodge the swimmers -- some of whom even leave the park via the same water entrance you and your boat are traversing. But thankfully they all wear brightly colored swim caps to pick them out as we traveled to shore.
Karol Dixon d
VerifiedJanuary 19, 2020 • Stayed at: APA02, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
Loved our stay on our boat overlooking Ghiardelli Square! Easy access to public transportation for exploring the city and a Trader Joes as well as a Safeway within walking distance to replenish groceries.
Be careful heading to shore though as you dodge the swimmers -- some of whom even leave the park via the same water entrance you and your boat are traversing. But thankfully they all wear brightly colored swim caps to pick them out as we traveled to shore.
Len C
VerifiedJanuary 18, 2020 • Stayed at: APA04, Loop: Aquatic Park Cove San Francisco Maritime NHP
We had a great time! NPS was extremely professional in greeting us (sailboat), making sure we were anchored, and keeping out the riffraff...especially personal watercraft!
Location & Directions for Aquatic Park Cove
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Fort Mason Center, Building E, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94123 United States
Elevation: 0 ft
Nearby National Park
Hetch Hetchy Entrance
Approximate driving time: over 1 hr (72 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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 19, 2026
Need help?
Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
Replies within minutes
From our Travel Guides
