Point Reyes National Seashore · Hike-in campground
🌊 Coast Campground
Coast Campground is the beachside hike-in site in Point Reyes National Seashore — 1.8 miles from the Laguna Trailhead off Limantour Road, with Santa Maria Beach steps away and full Pacific exposure. Reservations required; max stay 4 nights.
About Coast Campground
Coast Campground sits in a small coastal valley just above Santa Maria Beach, with easy access to the beach and tidepools. The shortest route is 1.8 miles on the Laguna and Fire Lane trails from the Laguna Trailhead near the hostel on Limantour Road; a flatter 2.8-mile option follows the Coast Trail from the Coast Trailhead. The coast here can be windy and exposed — arrive prepared.
Trail & Route Information
| Trailhead | Laguna Trailhead (Limantour Road, near the hostel) |
|---|---|
| Hike Distance | 1.8 miles (one way) |
| Total Climb | ~260 ft |
| Max Stay | 4 nights |
How to Get There
- Start at Laguna Trailhead (Limantour Road, near the hostel). Parking is available, but arrive early on weekends — lots fill by 9 AM.
- Follow the trail for 1.8 miles (~260 ft of climbing). The trail takes approximately 1 to 2 hours depending on pace and pack weight.
- There is no check-in. Carry your Recreation.gov confirmation (printed or on your phone) to show rangers, and leave a printout on your dashboard if you park overnight.
Not sure when to leave? Use the hike time calculator with Coast Campground selected.
Amenities
- Potable water
- Pit toilets
- Food storage lockers
- Picnic tables
- Established tent pads
Open year-round. Summer fog can reduce visibility. Winter storms may bring high winds. Most sites open 3 months ahead on Recreation.gov — book early for peak season.
How to Reserve Coast Campground
Book Coast Campground on Recreation.gov (facility 233359 — one listing covers all four campgrounds). Most sites open 3 months ahead to the day and the rest 14 days ahead, at 7 AM Pacific; camping is limited to 4 nights per visit. There are no walk-ups.
Reserve Coast Campground on Recreation.gov →
Step-by-step booking rules: Point Reyes camping reservations guide.
Gear for Coast Campground
1.8-mile hike-in. These picks are based on this campground's exposure, climb and season, not a generic packing list.
No bear canister needed. Every campground has food storage lockers. Store all food, trash and scented items (toothpaste, sunscreen, bug spray) in them, not in your tent.
Wind-Resistant Tent
Full Pacific exposure at the beach-side camp. Stakes and guylines matter.
REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Tent with FootprintWarm Layers
Summer fog and winter storms both hit the coast, and winter storms can bring high winds.
Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece JacketRain Gear
Winter storms can bring high wind and rain. It's only 1.8 miles in, so shells are easy to carry.
REI Co-op Rainier Rain JacketHeadlamp
Campsites and trails are unlit, and fog can reduce visibility fast.
Black Diamond Spot HeadlampLinks to REI may earn us a commission at no cost to you.
Get alerts when Coast Campground has openings / conditions change
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Coast Campground FAQs
Q: Do I need a reservation for Coast Campground?
Yes. All Point Reyes backcountry campgrounds require advance reservations on Recreation.gov (facility 233359). There are no walk-up sites. See the reservations guide.
Q: How long is the hike to Coast Campground?
Coast Campground is a 1.8-mile one-way hike from Laguna Trailhead (Limantour Road, near the hostel), with roughly 260 ft of total climbing. Camping is limited to 4 nights per visit.