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Steep Ravine Environmental Camp Permit

Mount Tamalpais State Park · California

Walk-in environmental campsites near the famous cabins.

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Party

This permit allows up to 5 people per group.

When it opens

6 months
First come, first served from six months before your start dateYou book on the agency's site.

Source: parks.ca.gov

70% of the openings our scanner caught on Steep Ravine Camp were gone within 5 minutes.

Steep Ravine Camp reservation dates

Season
Year-round
max group size
5people

How to get a Steep Ravine Camp permit

As of September 2026, Steep Ravine Camp in Mount Tamalpais State Park, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Steep Ravine Camp is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Steep Ravine Camp permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Steep Ravine Camp runs year-round.

Type
Overnight
Location
Marin Coast, CA

  1. Step 1: Create a ReserveCalifornia account

    Sign up at ReserveCalifornia if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at ReserveCalifornia
Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation hunting

Steep Ravine Camp pro tips

  1. Set a reminder for 8:00 a.m. Pacific exactly six months before your target date. Six sites go quickly on a Bay Area weekend.
  2. If you wanted a cabin and did not win the drawing, these sites are the consolation prize on the same terrace, and they are not in the drawing at all.
  3. Aim for September or October. The fog thins and the ocean actually appears.
  4. Stake the tent properly. This is an open marine terrace and the wind comes off the water without a break.
  5. Walk the Steep Ravine Trail the morning after. It is the best short hike in the park and it starts right there.
  6. Leave the dog at home unless it is staying in the developed area, because the trails are closed to dogs.
  7. Pantoll's 15 first-come sites up the mountain are the backup if nothing frees up on the terrace.

More on Steep Ravine Camp: Live availability activityWhen Steep Ravine Camp permits open upChance of an openingDo I need a Steep Ravine Environmental Camp permit?

How much a Steep Ravine Camp permit costs

Steep Ravine Camp permit fee: Nightly rate is set in ReserveCalifornia at booking. Mount Tamalpais State Park charges no vehicle day-use fee at this campground beyond the camping rate.

The Steep Ravine Camp hike

Route Type
Varies
Duration
1-7 nights
Difficulty
Easy

Steep Ravine Camp landmarks

  1. 1Rocky Point terrace

    The marine terrace one mile south of Stinson Beach holding the environmental campsites and the nine cabins

  2. 2Steep Ravine Trail

    Follows Webb Creek through tall redwoods and finishes on a steep ladder

  3. 3East Peak

    The Mount Tamalpais summit; on a clear day the view takes in the Farallon Islands 25 miles out, San Francisco Bay and Mount Diablo

  4. 4Pantoll Campground

    15 first-come sites about 100 yards from the parking area, with drinking water, firewood and flush toilets

Six walk-in campsites on the same ocean terrace as the Steep Ravine cabins, and unlike the cabins they book on the ordinary six-month window rather than a drawing.

About this permit

Steep Ravine Environmental Camp is the tent inventory on the Rocky Point terrace at Mount Tamalpais State Park, one mile south of Stinson Beach and directly above the Pacific. ReserveCalifornia carries six units here, EN01 through EN06, with a maximum stay of seven nights.

The important difference from the neighbouring cabins is how you get one. The cabins run through California State Parks' Reservation Drawing program: you apply months out and win or you do not. The environmental campsites do not. They go on ReserveCalifornia's standard schedule, which the department describes as six months in advance beginning at 8:00 a.m. Pacific, by website, by mail, or by calling 1-800-444-7275.

These are environmental campsites, which in California State Parks means walk-in and minimal: no hookups, no RVs. Restrooms and water faucets serve the terrace. Mount Tamalpais State Park is open daily 7:00 a.m. to sunset year-round, and dogs are allowed only in developed areas, not on trails, dirt roads or in backcountry areas.

Book through ReserveCalifornia. This is a California State Park, so nothing about it touches Recreation.gov.

The route

These are walk-in sites, not a backcountry hike: you park on the terrace and carry your gear in. ReserveCalifornia lists six units in the Steep Ravine camp area, coded EN01 through EN06, with a maximum stay of seven nights. The Steep Ravine Trail up Webb Creek starts from the same corner of the park and finishes on a steep ladder. It is the park's most-loved short hike and the obvious morning after. Pantoll, further up the mountain, has 15 first-come sites with drinking water, firewood and flush toilets, and is the backup when the terrace is full.

Why it matters

The cabins next door are the most contested reservation in the California State Parks system. The department made them the pilot for its Reservation Drawing program in 2023. The environmental campsites sit on the same terrace, above the same surf, and they are not in that drawing. They release six months ahead at 8 a.m. Pacific like any other ReserveCalifornia site, which makes them the single most obtainable way to sleep at Rocky Point.

The feeling

A marine terrace one mile south of Stinson Beach with the Pacific breaking directly below, and no walls between you and it. The surf does not stop, the fog comes and goes on its own schedule, and on the clear evenings the sun goes down over open ocean in front of you rather than behind a ridge. Behind you Mount Tamalpais rises straight off the coast.

Steep Ravine Camp hike highlights

  1. Six walk-in environmental campsites, EN01 through EN06, on the Rocky Point terrace
  2. A maximum stay of seven nights
  3. The Pacific breaking directly below the terrace, and surf noise all night
  4. Fog common in any season on this stretch of the Marin coast
  5. A six-month rolling booking window at 8:00 a.m. Pacific, not a drawing
  6. Restrooms and water faucets on the terrace, shared with the cabin area

How hard the Steep Ravine Camp hike is

  • Physical DemandFitness and endurance required1/5
  • Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
  • Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential2/5
  • NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity1/5
  • CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route1/5

Best for: Anyone who wants the Steep Ravine terrace and does not want to gamble on the cabin drawing. Tent campers who like wind and surf noise.

Recommended experience: None, beyond being able to pitch a tent that will hold in coastal wind.

Not recommended for: RVs and trailers, anyone bringing a dog on the trails, and anyone who needs a fully sheltered site on an exposed coast.

Trailhead information

Steep Ravine access road (Highway 1)

Primary

Access road off Highway 1 about a mile south of Stinson Beach; the campsites are walk-in from the parking area on the Rocky Point marine terrace.

  • Restrooms
  • Water on site

Parking

Campsite #7 is accessible and conveniently located within a short distance of accessible parking and restrooms.

Getting There

From Highway 101 take Highway 1 to the Stinson Beach exit and follow signs. The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset and cars parked after hours may be fined.

Nearest Services

Stinson Beach, about a mile north.

Trailhead information

Pantoll Ranger Station

Alternate

Upper-mountain ranger station and trailhead, and the only place in the park that takes credit cards, during business hours.

  • Restrooms
  • Water on site

Parking

Parking fee applies. Credit cards are taken during business hours at Pantoll only; cash or check self-registration at East Peak and Bootjack.

Getting There

On Panoramic Highway.

Nearest Services

Mill Valley or Stinson Beach.

When to hike Steep Ravine Camp

Best time to visit

September and October are the payoff months on the Marin coast, when the summer fog thins and the terrace opens up. Park guidance is highs in the 80s and 90s in spring and summer, 50s in fall and winter, with fog common in any season. Because ReserveCalifornia opens six months ahead, an October trip means booking in April.

Peak
June through October
Shoulder
November through March

  • Spring

    Green hills, wildflowers on Mount Tamalpais, and fog beginning to build on the coast.

    Crowd level · high

    • Advantage: Wildflowers on the mountain above
    • Advantage: Long days for the Steep Ravine Trail
    • Advantage: Warmer than the winter fog belt
    • Challenge: Fog can settle in for days
    • Challenge: Bay Area weekend demand on six sites
    • Challenge: Wind picks up through spring

  • Summer

    Fog season on the Marin coast. Warm inland, cool and grey on the terrace.

    Crowd level · extreme

    • Advantage: Longest days of the year
    • Advantage: Cool escape from inland heat
    • Advantage: Warmest water for the beach at Stinson
    • Challenge: Fog most mornings and many evenings
    • Challenge: The hardest season to get one of six sites
    • Challenge: Highway 1 traffic through Stinson Beach

  • Fall

    The best months here. Fog thins, the ocean opens up, and the light is at its cleanest.

    Crowd level · high

    • Advantage: Clearest views of the year
    • Advantage: Warm days, calm evenings
    • Advantage: Best sunsets from the terrace
    • Challenge: Everyone else knows this too
    • Challenge: Book in April for an October night
    • Challenge: Fire restrictions can be in force

  • Winter

    Cool and wet, with big surf and storm light. Park guidance is highs in the 50s.

    Crowd level · low

    • Advantage: Best availability of the year
    • Advantage: Dramatic storm surf below the terrace
    • Advantage: The mountain is empty
    • Challenge: Rain and wind on an exposed site
    • Challenge: Short days
    • Challenge: Coastal storms can close Highway 1

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,000 ft)

Today

☀️

85°

44°

Wed

☀️

88°

55°

Thu

☁️

88°

56°

Fri

☁️

89°

55°

Sat

☁️

92°

54°

Sun

🌧️

90°

56°

Mon

☁️

90°

52°

View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.

Steep Ravine Camp photography guide

Golden Hour

Sunset straight off the terrace. The sites face open Pacific, so the sun goes down in front of you rather than behind a ridge.

Best Light

The hour after a fog bank clears, when the light comes in low under the ceiling and the water lights up.

Beat the Crowds

Six sites means the terrace is never crowded. Midweek in the shoulder months gets you the whole thing, and staying overnight is the only way to have it after the day-use traffic leaves.

Classic Shots

  1. Tents on the terrace with open ocean behind them
  2. Fog pouring over the ridge above Rocky Point
  3. The ladder section at the top of the Steep Ravine Trail
  4. The Farallon Islands from East Peak on a clear day, 25 miles out

Steep Ravine Camp rules, gear and safety

Gear checklist

Required
  • A windproof tent and extra stakes: this is an exposed coastal terrace
  • Layers and a shell. Park guidance puts spring and summer highs in the 80s and 90s and fall and winter in the 50s, with fog common
  • A camp stove, since these are minimal environmental sites
  • A headlamp for the walk between the parking area and the sites
  • Something to carry gear in from the car: it is a walk-in, not a drive-up

Rules & regulations

  1. 01Reservations go through ReserveCalifornia (website, mail, or 1-800-444-7275), six months in advance beginning at 8:00 a.m. Pacific
  2. 02Dogs are allowed only in developed areas of Mount Tamalpais State Park; they are not allowed on trails, dirt roads or in backcountry areas
  3. 03Drones are prohibited parkwide under Superintendent's Order 22-660-002
  4. 04Mushroom collecting is not allowed, and all rocks, flowers, wood and wildlife are protected by law
  5. 05Park hours are 7:00 a.m. to sunset, daily, year-round
  6. 06These are environmental campsites: walk-in tent sites, with no hookups

Hazards & considerations

  • An exposed terrace above surf. Stay well back from the edge, especially in wind or fog
  • Fog that drops visibility on the access road and on Highway 1 with very little warning
  • Coastal wind strong enough to flatten a poorly staked tent
  • Cold, wet nights even in summer, because the fog belt does not care what month it is

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Steep Ravine Camp.

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Steep Ravine Camp · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides

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Steep Ravine Camp FAQ

Do the Steep Ravine environmental campsites go through the cabin lottery?

No. The Reservation Drawing covers the Steep Ravine cabins. The environmental campsites book on ReserveCalifornia's ordinary schedule, which California State Parks describes as six months in advance beginning at 8:00 a.m. Pacific.

How many environmental campsites are there at Steep Ravine?

ReserveCalifornia lists six units in the Steep Ravine camp area, coded EN01 through EN06.

How do I reserve a Steep Ravine environmental campsite?

Through ReserveCalifornia, not Recreation.gov. Reservations open six months ahead at 8:00 a.m. Pacific and can be made online, by mail, or by calling 1-800-444-7275.

How long can I stay at a Steep Ravine environmental campsite?

ReserveCalifornia sets a maximum stay of seven nights on this camp area.

Are dogs allowed at the Steep Ravine campsites?

Dogs are allowed only in developed areas of Mount Tamalpais State Park. They are not allowed on trails, dirt roads or in backcountry areas, so the Steep Ravine Trail is off limits to them.

What is the weather like at Steep Ravine?

Park guidance puts highs in the 80s and 90s in spring and summer and in the 50s in fall and winter, with fog common. Pack for wind and damp in any month.

Steep Ravine Camp trail conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions

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Alternatives to a Steep Ravine Camp permit

  • Same AreaPermit required

    Steep Ravine Cabins

    The nine rustic cabins on the same terrace, allocated by California State Parks' Reservation Drawing rather than the normal booking window.

    Tradeoffs

    A wood stove and four walls instead of a tent, but you have to win a drawing eight months ahead instead of booking six months ahead.

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    Pomo Canyon Environmental Campground

    Walk-in environmental sites in the coastal hills of Sonoma Coast State Park, above the mouth of the Russian River.

    Tradeoffs

    Two hours further north and set back in redwoods rather than on an ocean terrace, but 20 sites instead of six.

Where to stay near Steep Ravine Camp

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