About Kirby Cove Campground
Campground Amenities
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Beach Access
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
5 Sites Available
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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
Michael N
VerifiedAugust 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Spots filled up instantly as they were released. We were lucky to get Site #4, which was nice and secluded site. Beautiful view of the Golden Great Bridge is a short walk from our spot. Campgrounds are a lot further from the parking lot than we thought from the pictures. Be prepared to carry all your gear so pack lightly (or bring a wagon and plan to make multiple trips back and forth to the car). Previous campers left a mess at our spot. It appears they tried to burn as much of their trash as possible, then left the rest in the bear box, including dirty diapers. Yeah, dirty diapers where everyone is supposed to store their food. Unfortunately we did not discover this until we were scrambling to put our stuff away when the raccoons came out.
Michael M
VerifiedAugust 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Such an amazing a beautiful location. This campsite and the area around is simply stunning and it is an absolute treat to have stayed there, it feels like an exclusive club. Outside of the campsite itself, the local hiking and areas to explore make for a great adventure and a wonderful trip.
James L
VerifiedAugust 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
My kids really enjoyed Kirby cove. Site #3 had 4 flat boxed in areas for tents. All sites have a lot of space in between for peace and quiet. A short walk to the beach with a great view of the bridge. Only downside is the fog, tent was wet every morning.
Gregg D
VerifiedJuly 31, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Tempted to leave a bad review since it is already hard to get a reservation here! ;-) Had a great time. Weather cooperated. It was a perfect staging location for nice hike on the coastal trail and a bike ride into the City for dinner one night (Radhause at Fort Mason, dessert at Ghirardelli's) . Fog horns the second night were not too disturbing up in site 4, actually enjoyed them. Site 1 by the beach might have been a different story. Lots of poison oak, so need to stay on the trails. Avoided the oak, but picked up a tick which was crawling on me when I got home, so there is that as well. Very nice beach. Fun place to hang out and talk with the local fisherman who come there. Definitely my favorite local camping place.
Laura P
VerifiedJuly 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Wow what a place to stay! We were in the coveted site #1. The swing seat is gone, so the ropes were just hanging, kinda sad, but we had no idea site one was so big! It has three tent pads, three tables around the fire pit/bear locker area, and another table at the top of the hill. We had a great time exploring the battery, beach, and surrounding areas.
Some things of note: the tent pads do NOT accommodate a 15’ tent, as the site suggests. We wound up hanging the end of our tent off the pad, and using that area for storage, rather than at the foot of our beds as planned. Also, the ground outside the pads is hard, so be prepared if you think you may go outside it, and bring heavy duty stakes.
The website makes it seem like the fog horn is quite loud, however, none of us (including sensory sensitive kids) thought it loud at all. More present was the Golden Gate Bridge’s singing in the wind. It is not a bad sound though!
Do research and be ready for the season’s weather. Our days were foggy and cool, with a steady offshore breeze. We just bundled up!
Be prepared for camp stove cooking, because some days are spare the air days where campfires are prohibited!
The restrooms were kept clean and the dumpsters were as clean as they could be. Poison oak is prevalent in the unkept areas, so stay safe on the trails.
Overall a great campground, and worth the fight to get a reservation!
Leonard L
July 7, 2021
Miss the wheelbarrows…a little concerning someone had homesteaded in the Kirby cove battery.
Louise P
VerifiedJune 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
I loved camping at Site 1 in Kirby Cove but was surprised to find when I arrived that I couldn't drive up and park next to the site. I probably didn't read all the information provided, but wanted to give other campers a heads up that you will need to hike down a bit to get to your campsite so pack light/bring a wagon and a friend :)
Sara B
VerifiedJune 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
The sound of the bridge sounds like the apocolypse! Site 4 is the move :)
Parker T
VerifiedJune 8, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
The campsite itself was great, but going on Memorial Day Weekend was not great. The camp grounds and beach were covered in trash from disrespectful visitors. I also had to tell multiple groups of people that they could not set up their picnic in my campsite.
Trond K
VerifiedJune 3, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Great stay in a beautiful place so close to San Francisco
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 |
