Kirby Cove Campground

The beach at Kirby Cove, with dramatic cliffs, dark volcanic sand, and frothy water.
Footbridge entryway into the Kirby Cove Campground.
Dirt path leading through Kirby Cove Campground. Through the tall trees, there is a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
A view of the bay from Kirby Cove, with the Golden Gate Bridge lit.
Kirby Cove at night, with the Golden Gate Bridge lit up across the bay.

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

5 total sites

Tent Sites

5 sites

About Kirby Cove Campground

Kirby Cove is located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at historic Battery Kirby. Visitors are awarded breathtaking views of San Francisco, its famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the rugged Pacific Coast of northern California. Please note: The parking area for the campground is a short walk from the campsites, so RV or car camping is not allowed at Kirby Cove Campground. 

Number of accommodations: 5

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Mar 6 to Nov 30

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Site Setup and Access

Site Setup and Access

  • ADA Accessible
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • BBQ
  • Fire Pit
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Fish Cleaning Station
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

5 Sites Available

Site
Price
001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA Tent
10 guests · Campfire
Price not available
002, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA Tent
10 guests · Campfire
Price not available
003, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA Tent
10 guests · Campfire
Price not available
004, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA Tent
10 guests · Campfire
Price not available
005, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA Tent
10 guests · Campfire
Price not available

Reviews (183)

What Guests Are Saying

Kirby Cove Campground offers a unique camping experience with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and spacious, private sites. While visitors should prepare for a short hike from the parking lot and bring their own water, the clean facilities, helpful rangers, and beautiful beach atmosphere create a memorable stay. Some campers faced challenges with gate access and wind, but overall, the campground's charm and location near San Francisco make it highly recommended.

Review Summary

4.6
183 reviews
5
74.3%
136
4
18.6%
34
3
3.3%
6
2
0.5%
1
1
3.3%
6

Seng M

Verified

November 14, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

4

Our recent camping experience at Site 1 provided us with an unforgettable escape into nature, offering a fantastic view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. This site is very private, shielded from the neighboring campsites. As of November 2023, the swing is back!

The campsite's only drawback was the distance from the parking lot to Site 1. While the 10-minute walk was manageable, it's important for campers to pack light as wagons are impractical on the uphill journey back to the parking lot. This minor inconvenience was a small trade-off for the secluded and peaceful atmosphere. Our only unpleasant encounter occurred during our departure. As we were diligently packing out, some campers who had reserved the site for the following night arrived nearly two hours earlier than allowed. Their eagerness to claim the spot overshadowed our departure, creating a sense of anxiety and haste as we vacated the campsite at 12 pm. Besides this, we left with a treasure trove of memories from this picturesque place. We will definitely come back with a lighter load!

Anthony C

Verified

December 5, 2023 Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

4

I love it here wish day hikers and uses didn't come to pop into my camp and get made when I tell them to wait cause my laptop and other valuables are out and being used so I can put my stuff away so they can have lunch at my only table that facest the water.

Bob M

Verified

March 18, 2024 Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

Incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge lit up at night. We have an awesome picture taken about an hour before sunrise.

Joseph G

Verified

March 19, 2024 Stayed at: 005, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

Amazing views!

Lydia T

Verified

March 20, 2024 Stayed at: 002, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

It’s a beautiful location! Highly recommend!

Louie P

Verified

March 22, 2024 Stayed at: 003, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

Incredible

Stanley K

Verified

March 28, 2024 Stayed at: 004, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

Great campsite. Close to everything. But you feel far away from everybody at the same time. Magical place. Well worth staying here at least once. Bucket list location that you won't soon forget.

Lindsay M

Verified

April 10, 2024 Stayed at: 002, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

A beautiful campground with great proximity to the ocean, San Francisco, and the surrounding national park. We also visited the Bay Area Discovery Museum and Point Bonita Lighthouse during our stay.

Willis S

Verified

April 23, 2024 Stayed at: 002, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

The best!

Leslie W

Verified

April 29, 2024 Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

We've camp at camp 1 several times. This time the weather was perfect. The moon was bright. Reflecting S.F. and the G.G. bridge over the calm waves. No wind. No fog. No sounds of loud horns due to no fog. We were the only group that camped out in the park. Had the whole park to ourselves. Great fun.

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

Highway access

Kirby Cove Campground is accessible via US-101, which is approximately 2 miles away. Visitors can take the exit onto Alexander Avenue and follow the directions provided.

Elevation: 207 feet

Nearby National Park

Yosemite National Park

Hetch Hetchy Entrance

Approximate driving time: 1 hr 20 min

Distance to downtown

2.5 mi drive to downtown Sausalito (about 9 min)

Policies & Rules

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.
  • 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.  A maximum of 10 people can stay at the overnight sites and a maximum of 35 people can stay at the day use site.
  • 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.  Kirby Cove gate codes can be made available to any park visitor with a physical disability, but only during the time that the campground is open. To inquire, please follow the instructions in the previous bullet point.
  • 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. 
  • The Parking area is separate from the actual campsites. This is a walk-in, Tent Only facility. No RVs or car camping is allowed.
  • Campground Quiet Hours are between 10 PM and 6 AM. Please be respectful to others.
  • Leave No Trace Do not leave trash at campsite or in food lockers. Use the designated dumpsters in the parking lot. Firewood must be nail and chemical free and purchased locally; gathering firewood is not allowed. Please help us keep wild animals wild! Do not feed or approach wildlife. Keep area clean of scented items and keep all food items locked in the provided food locker or in the trunk of your vehicle. Food left unattended will likely be eaten by wildlife.
  • Check before you burn. Visit the Recreational Fire Regulations page to find out if there are restrictions on camp fires during your stay.
  • Pets are prohibited, only trained service animals are allowed.
  • Hammocks tied on trees or structures are not permitted. Only free standing hammocks are allowed. 
  • Foghorns on the Golden Gate Bridge can be loud; best to bring earplugs if staying overnight.
  • In case of emergency call 911 or Park Dispatch at (415) 561-5656.
  • For more information, call (415) 331-1540 or email us at goga_marinheadlands_info@nps.gov.
  • 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 

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Last updated: September 2, 2026

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