About Kirby Cove Campground
Campground Amenities
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Beach Access
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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Reviews (179)
What Guests Are Saying
Kirby Cove Campground offers an incredible location with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, making it a unique camping experience close to San Francisco. The sites are spacious, private, and well-maintained, with amenities like picnic tables and fire pits. While access can be tricky and there are some concerns about the facilities, most campers rave about the stunning scenery and peaceful atmosphere, making it a memorable getaway.
What Guests Are Saying
Kirby Cove Campground offers an incredible location with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, making it a unique camping experience close to San Francisco. The sites are spacious, private, and well-maintained, with amenities like picnic tables and fire pits. While access can be tricky and there are some concerns about the facilities, most campers rave about the stunning scenery and peaceful atmosphere, making it a memorable getaway.
Review Summary
Vanessa M
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Location difficult to find at night. One way road into park. Not close to entrance as it appears on map. Dirt road with no guard rails going down side of mountain. Description was inaccurate. Lost $80 as could not camp here due to road condition to camp site and no refunds provided. Disappointing welcome to san fran late at night.
Ileana A
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
We had a wonderful evening, we enjoyed it very much. Everyone was quiet, no loud music or voices, no barking dogs. Very peaceful place. Amazing views, and private beach. I can’t wait to go back.
Kiley R
VerifiedJune 29, 2022 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Kirby Cove is totally worth it, no matter which campsite you pick. I happened to stay at Campsite 003. All of the campsites have their little quirks. But, if I were to rank them:
001- Overlooks the water. Best views. Furthest from the parking lot. Has the most privacy. Could be windy if it blowing in from the water. But worth it. Probably the noisiest if the fog horns are going. But that is relative.
003- There are 3 cement slabs for tents. The highest one is the best because because you can position your tent to face out towards the bridge and get a good view. The other 2 are close to long grass and actually when we pulled up, there was a snake sitting in the middle of one of the tent spots. You are closest to the parking lot, but not in a bad way. I think this spot is great because it offers a good combination of protection from wind, views, privacy, and proximity to car. This spot is also furthest from the bathroom, but that again is relative and a minor inconvenience.
002- It takes only minutes to get to the beach. Good views. Decent protection from wind.
004- Tucked away in the back. While this spot doesn't have the views of the other spots and its "farthest away" from the beach (everything is relatively close), it probably has the most privacy from the other campsites except for 001. And its probably the most protected if its windy. Although there is a trail that is nearby it so other hikers will walk past it on the way to the trail.
005- Close to the beach but not a lot of privacy, you are exposed out in the open without many trees around you.
Other notes:
If you have a lot of stuff, its nice to have one of those carts to bring stuff to and from your car. I did not see any wheelbarrows to use.
Every campsite has an outhouse nearby.
If it's foggy, you will hear the fog horns all night (or day). Afterall, that's what fog horns are for and SF is a foggy place. It just depends. If that bothers you, bring some sleeping plugs just in case.
margit p
VerifiedJune 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
This is definitely a great spot with a spectacular view. The site #1 however is very spread out (great distance between the 3 designated tent sites) and the food storage & fire pit not super convenient as you're hanging out where the view is and when you sit around the fire pit you have no view at all. But all manageable - what I found most annoying was the constant flow of cyclists that came riding in, hanging out, snapping pics .. if you want your peace and quiet, don't get this spot as there will be constantly people coming into the site & disturb your privacy.
Marissa M
VerifiedJune 1, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
This was a great campsite. I love that they had 3-4 different tables and places to pitch your tent
Jennifer N
VerifiedMay 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Just. Amazing. Change nothing, please.
Bill G
VerifiedMay 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Really beautiful. I was surprised that only 2 campsites were taken the first night and only 4 were taken the second. Are people reserving them and then not showing up?
Matthew W
VerifiedMay 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Gorgeous place! Has it's reputation for a reason!
Don T
May 10, 2022
Great views.
James T
VerifiedMay 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
This was our first stay at Kirby Cove after wanting to visit for many years. It was worth the wait. It's a beautiful spot on the bay and a unique camping experience. The weather could not have been better during our visit so we were lucky in that regard. Views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city beyond are magnificent. We stayed in site #4 which was fine for us; I think that one or site #1 are the ones to pick if you can, but any will do. It's not easy to get a reservation but it's definitely worth the effort. It's also a good idea to take the time to explore the Marin headlines beyond the cove because the whole area is beautiful.
Location Kirby Cove Campground
Address:
The Access Gate Is Located On Conzelman Road Next To The Battery Spencer Overlook Parking Area, Within The Marin Headlands.
Sausalito, CA, 94965
United States
From San Francisco (travelling north):
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and take exit 442 onto Alexander Avenue. This will be the exit after the Vista Point. Continue straight for a few hundred feet, and then turn left onto Bunker Road. Travel through the Baker-Barry Tunnel and continue straight until you can turn left onto McCullough Road, after the speed bumps. Continue uphill until you hit the traffic circle, and take the 2nd exit onto Conzelman Road. Travel downhill on the one-way road until you reach Battery Spencer, and it will be sharp right turn toward the Kirby Cove service gates. After entering the gate codes provided upon reservation, it is then a mile drive down the dirt trail to the Kirby Cove Parking lot.
From Marin (travelling south):
From US-101 South, take the last exit before the Golden Gate Bridge onto Alexander Avenue. Turn right at the stop sign and continue straight for about a quarter mile, until you can turn left onto Bunker Road. Travel through the Baker-Barry Tunnel and continue straight until you can turn left onto McCullough Road, after the speed bumps. Continue uphill until you hit the traffic circle, and take the 2nd exit onto Conzelman Road. Travel downhill until you reach Battery Spencer, and it will be sharp right turn toward the Kirby Cove service gate. It is then a mile drive down the dirt trail to the Kirby Cove Parking lot.
Latitude & Longitude: 37.8404 / -122.489
Elevation: 207 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
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| General |
There is no water available at this campground. Campers must provide their own water for drinking, cleaning, etc. Bring enough water to last your entire stay. |
| General |
Reservations at Kirby Cove Campground can be made up to 6 months before your arrival and may extend up to 2 days beyond the 6-month booking window. Only 3 nights per season per camper! This is in order to ensure everyone gets to enjoy Kirby Cove.
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| General |
Access to the second Kirby Cove Gate: Access to the first Kirby Cove gate is available to all campers. Be prepared for a ~300 yard walk to your campsite. Access to the second gate is only for persons with a disability or otherwise limited physical mobility. Contact the Marin Headlands Rangers at least 48 hours in advance at (415) 331-1540 to inquire, or email your name, phone number, date of visit and photo of your ADA vehicle placard to goga_marinheadlands_info@nps.gov to receive the second gate codes.
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| General |
Your confirmation is your permit which includes gate codes. Please print your confirmation email after reserving a site. Place a copy of your confirmation on the dashboard of each vehicle, and keep one on you as well. A maximum of 3 vehicles for Sites 1-5 and 4 vehicles for Day Use Site are permitted. |
| General |
The Parking area is separate from the actual campsites. This is a walk-in, Tent Only facility. No RVs or car camping is allowed. |
| General |
Campground Quiet Hours are between 10 PM and 6 AM. Please be respectful to others. |
| General |
Leave No Trace Do not leave trash at campsite or in food lockers. Use the designated dumpsters in the parking lot.
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| General |
Check before you burn. Visit the Recreational Fire Regulations page to find out if there are restrictions on camp fires during your stay. |
| General |
Pets are prohibited, only trained service animals are allowed. |
| General |
Hammocks tied on trees or structures are not permitted. Only free standing hammocks are allowed. |
| General |
Foghorns on the Golden Gate Bridge can be loud; best to bring earplugs if staying overnight. |
| General |
In case of emergency call 911 or Park Dispatch at (415) 561-5656. |
| General |
For more information, call (415) 331-1540 or email us at goga_marinheadlands_info@nps.gov. |
| General |
Looking for something to do during your camping adventure?! 1) Beginner Birding with a Park Ranger - Join a NPS Park Ranger for a guided hike/program around Rodeo Lagoon and learn all about our local feathered friends. For program dates and to sign up: Click Here 2) Layers of History - A Ranger Guided Hike - Hike along with a ranger on a 2-mile loop starting/ending at Fort Cronkhite and learn all about the multi-layered history of the Marin Headlands. For more information and to sign-up: Click Here 3) Nike Missile Site SF-88 - Check out this fully restored piece of Cold War history and take a FREE Ranger/Docent led tour of the site. Open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with 3 tour options per day at 12:15PM, 1:15PM, and 2:15PM (No reservation required). For more information: Click Here 4) Point Bonita Lighthouse - Visit one of the oldest lighthouses on California's coast and catch a FREE Ranger/Docent led "Light Chat" about the site's history and ecology (12:15 PM). Open from Thursday through Monday from 12:30 - 3:30 PM. For more information: Click Here |
