OutReserve

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.

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

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

Louise P

Verified

June 14, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

4

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

Verified

June 11, 2021 Stayed at: 004, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

3

The sound of the bridge sounds like the apocolypse! Site 4 is the move :)

Parker T

Verified

June 8, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

3

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

Verified

June 3, 2021 Stayed at: 002, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

Great stay in a beautiful place so close to San Francisco

Rachel R

May 28, 2021

5

Stunning views, beautiful beach, clean latrines, well maintained roads and trails - just wonderful! There are lots of hikers that come through, even on the weekdays. Beware the road coming down the hill...drive slow so the hikers don’t eat your dust.

pat f

Verified

April 26, 2021 Stayed at: 002, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

4

Clean, well maintained, great location

Jimmy H

Verified

April 5, 2021 Stayed at: 003, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

Amazing! Please bring the carts back!

Takeshi M

Verified

April 4, 2021 Stayed at: 005, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

excellent views

Christopher M

Verified

April 2, 2021 Stayed at: 003, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

Amazing! Well maintained campground and perfect scenery. Loved our stay!

Kristin W

Verified

March 28, 2021 Stayed at: 002, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA

5

One of the best campsites I’ve ever stayed at. We were lucky enough to book a Saturday night in mid March and really lucked out with beautiful weather during the day and clear skies at night (so no fog horn that others have warned about). We did have any bugs or animals around our campsite during our stay either. The bathrooms were decently clean and stocked with toilet paper, but make sure to bring hand sanitizer. Only slight con is the walk from the parking lot to the campsite which is many times hard walking back up to after your stay, so pack on the lighter side if you can. I would stay here again in a heartbeat if I can get a reservation again.

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.

Latitude & Longitude: 37.8404 / -122.489

Elevation: 207 feet

Nearby National Park

Yosemite National Park

Hetch Hetchy Entrance

Approximate driving time: 1 hr 20 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 

Nearby Campgrounds


Last updated: June 4, 2026

National Park Service Logo
Managed by National Park Service