Point Reyes National Seashore · 4 hike-in campgrounds
Point Reyes Campgrounds Compared
Wildcat, Glen, Coast, or Sky? All four are hike-in only and book on the same Recreation.gov listing. The real differences are how far you walk, how much wind you get, and whether you wake up on the beach.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Campground | Shortest hike | Trailhead | Setting | Wind | Beach | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌲 Sky | 1.4 mi | Sky Trailhead (Limantour Road) | Forested ridge on Mount Wittenberg | Sheltered by forest | No | Shortest hike, first backpacking trip |
| 🌊 Coast | 1.8 mi | Laguna Trailhead (Limantour Road, near the hostel) | Small coastal valley above Santa Maria Beach | Exposed | Yes — steps away | Easy beach camping, sunsets |
| 🏞️ Glen | 4.6 mi | Bear Valley Trailhead | Wooded valley, away from the ocean | Most sheltered | No | Solitude, shelter from wind and fog |
| 🦅 Wildcat | 5.5 mi | Palomarin Trailhead (end of Mesa Road, near Bolinas) | Bluff-top meadow above Wildcat Beach | Very exposed | Yes — plus Alamere Falls | Alamere Falls, longer trip |
Distances are one way on the shortest route, from the NPS backcountry camping guide. Before you go, check live park alerts and trail closures.
Which Campground Should You Pick?
- First backpacking trip or short on time: Sky — the shortest walk, and the trees block the wind.
- You want to camp by the beach without a long hike: Coast — 1.8 miles to a valley right above the sand.
- You want quiet and shelter: Glen — tucked in a wooded valley, away from coastal wind and fog.
- You want to see Alamere Falls: Wildcat — the longest hike, but the only safe base for the falls.
Wildcat vs Glen
These are the two longer hikes, and they feel completely different. Wildcat (5.5 miles from Palomarin) is an open meadow above the ocean with Wildcat Beach below and Alamere Falls a low-tide beach walk away — spectacular, but windy and popular. Glen (4.6 miles from Bear Valley) sits in a wooded valley and is the most sheltered of the four, a better pick when the coast is cold and blowing or when you want fewer people around.
Coast vs Sky
These are the two short hikes. Coast (1.8 miles from the Laguna Trailhead) puts you just above Santa Maria Beach, with tidepools and sunsets, but takes the full force of the ocean wind. Sky (1.4 miles from the Sky Trailhead) climbs into forest on Mount Wittenberg — no beach, but better shelter when the coast is socked in.
Point Reyes Campground Comparison FAQs
Q: Which Point Reyes campground is the easiest to hike to?
Sky Campground is the shortest at 1.4 miles from the Sky Trailhead on Limantour Road, though it climbs steadily. Coast Campground is 1.8 miles from the Laguna Trailhead and is the easiest way to camp on the beach.
Q: Wildcat or Glen — which should I book?
Q: Which Point Reyes campground is closest to Alamere Falls?
Wildcat. From camp it is about 1.1 miles south along Wildcat Beach to the falls, passable only at low tide. See the Alamere Falls guide for tide safety.
Q: Do all four campgrounds use the same reservation?
Yes. Coast, Sky, Glen, and Wildcat all book on Recreation.gov (facility 233359). Most sites open 3 months ahead and the rest 14 days ahead, stays are limited to 4 nights, and there are no walk-ups. See the reservations guide.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
- How to book on Recreation.gov
- Hike time calculator — when to leave the trailhead
- Alamere Falls trail guide