Point Reyes National Seashore · California
Coastal bluff camping with ocean views and easy beach access at Point Reyes National Seashore.
Get an alert when Coast Camp opens on your dates.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Coast Camp were gone within 10 minutes.
As of September 2026, Coast Camp in Point Reyes National Seashore, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Coast Camp is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Coast Camp permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Coast Camp route covers 5.8 miles with 800 feet of elevation gain, rated easy.
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More on Coast Camp: Live availability activityWhen Coast Camp permits open upDo I need a Coast Camp permit?
Coast Camp permit fee: $20/night.
Fall asleep to the sound of Pacific waves just steps from your tent on California's wildest coastline, an hour from San Francisco.
Coast Camp is one of four backcountry campgrounds in Point Reyes National Seashore. Located on a coastal terrace approximately 200 yards from Sculptured Beach, it offers the most direct beach access of any backcountry site in the park.
The camp features 12 individual sites and 2 group sites, each with a picnic table, food storage locker, and charcoal grill. Pit toilets and potable water are available.
Point Reyes National Seashore protects 71,000 acres of wilderness just 30 miles north of San Francisco. Coast Camp offers the only beach-accessible backcountry camping in the park, making it a coveted destination for those seeking Pacific solitude without venturing far from the Bay Area.
The Coast Trail descends through coastal scrub to a bluff overlooking Sculptured Beach. Below, waves crash against sea stacks. Elephant seals haul out on the sand. At night, you hear only the Pacific: no roads, no city lights, just the eternal rhythm of the surf and the fog horn's distant call from Point Reyes Lighthouse.
Best for: Beginner backpackers and families seeking an accessible coastal wilderness experience.
Recommended experience: None required. An excellent introduction to backpacking.
Not recommended for: Those uncomfortable with persistent fog and wind.
Trailhead information
100 ft elevation
Main trailhead at Bear Valley Visitor Center. Most scenic approach via Coast Trail.
Large parking area at visitor center. Can fill on weekends.
From Highway 1 in Olema, follow Bear Valley Road to the visitor center.
Point Reyes Station (2 miles) has groceries and restaurants.
September through November offers the best weather with less fog. Spring has wildflowers but more fog. Winter can be stormy but dramatic.
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Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Coast Camp.
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Coast Camp · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Coast Camp cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Coast Camp permits use a reservation system.
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
This permit has a demand score of 7/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
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Nearby camp with direct beach access and proximity to Alamere Falls.
Longer hike but better waterfall access.
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