About Kirby Cove Campground
Number of accommodations: 5
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Beach Access
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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.
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
Richard H
VerifiedAugust 25, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Beautiful
Nathan C
VerifiedJuly 30, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
I wanted to selfishly give this place a one star review and say it was terrible, just so it wouldn't get any harder to get a reservation. But, I can't. The world deserves to know about this little slice of heaven.
Kirby Cove is a dichotomy. It's miles away from anything, and yet it's right in the middle of everything. Look to your right and you could be on a desolate island somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with craggy, pine-lined cliffs and calm, cold Pacific waters. Look to your left and you're on Instagram. The most famous bridge in the world towers above you, bright pink cargo ships glide past, and the best skyline on the West Coast sets the background for your new profile pic.
The campsites are large. Ours had three tent sites and three tables, meaning we could social distance even if we invited two other families. Bathrooms are primitive pits with no running water. No sinks, no dishwashing stations, to showers to get the sand off of you, nada. Be sure to pack in a few extra gallons of water to help keep things clean.
Weather in July was cool, but not uncomfortable, at night (standard San Francisco weather -- pack layers) and the days felt warmer than they actually were thanks to warm, dark sand on the beach. It's coarse sand, but the kids had fun digging in it. Doesn't hold up well for sand castles. The waves were calm and the seals were only 5-10 feet offshore. Check the tide charts and be sure to explore the east side of the beach at low tide. There are some great tide pools, and a few caves (one that opens up into almost a grotto). They are totally inaccessible at high tide.
And hope the rangers haven't taken down the #BlueLagoonSwing before you arrive, because it's wonderful.
TIEN N
VerifiedJuly 19, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
This is by far my favorite campsite I have had the privilege to stay at. We were lucky enough to nab campsite 001 and although it was only for one night it was an incredible experience. The campsite is secluded so even when you play music it does not disturb others which we really enjoyed. The firepit had a ring grill over it, so if you brought aluminum foil and skewers you could easily cook on top of that grill over the campfire which is great. For us, it got quite windy around noon but at night it was miraculously calm. The view of the bridge is breathtaking during the day and at night. Kirby Cove beach is gorgeous, the water is calm and the rocky sands made it a lot easier to sit on. I would recommend bringing a picnic mat so you can go down to Kirby Cove beach during the day and relax as well. We are already looking forward to going back again.
Dean L
VerifiedMarch 29, 2020 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
We were there the weekend before the stay at home notice went out for covid-19. Our scouts had a great time camping before the lock down went into action.
Michele O
VerifiedFebruary 1, 2020 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Kirby Cove is amazing - especially since we scored on beautiful weather. Views are unparalleled, for sure. And bonus - when there isn't any fog, the foghorn is silent. Sweet silence!! It is so true that when that foghorn blows, it is LOUD. Bring those ear plugs and maybe use some sleepy time music in your earphones (so make sure phone battery is charged). We felt very lucky to be at such a beautiful place so close the the city. Absolute best of both worlds!
Few things to note:
The turn-off to get down to Kirby is VERY easy to miss in the dark and fog if you've never been there before and the road is one-way, so if you miss it, ya got to go ALL the way around again. BEWARE.
It's quite a haul from the parking lot to the campsites (especially the ones closest to the beach). We arrived in the dark and never having been there before, it was interesting to figure out what was what. Luckily there are wheelbarrow-like things to use to haul your stuff down.
We didn't know bikes weren't allowed but the kids had a blast until we realized and put the kabash on the fun.
One thing that I'd like to avoid next time: being locked in. The gate was LOCKED as we tried to leave. I mean locked as in the code got changed while we were on the INSIDE. Luckily we got a hold of a ranger by phone who told us the new code.
Katherine M
VerifiedJanuary 25, 2020 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
It was beautiful! And each campsite was really large and secluded.
Laurent S
VerifiedJanuary 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Amazing gem few minutes away from SF! So many happy memories. Love it!
Brooke S
VerifiedJanuary 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
There is a never a disappointment when I am lucky enough to get a campsite at Kirby Cove!!!
Claudia T
January 12, 2020
No dogs are allowed but I could see why. Its a small campsite with everything you would need to have a great time. Its secluded. You can hike, bbq, has bathrooms but the best part is the small beach that looks on to the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco.
Simon v
VerifiedJanuary 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND AREA
Perfect campground to visit San Francisco and surroundings. Fantastic view of Golden Gate bridge, quiet beach, lots of space. Surrounding is perfect for geologists (and other people) to examine the oceanic rocks.
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.
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
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
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
