6
Total Campsites
Campground
6
Reservable Sites
Check by phone
3
Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
—
Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND
Overview Kirby Cove is located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at historic Battery Kirby. Visitors are awarded breathtaking views of San Francisco, its famous Golden Gate Bridge, and the rugged Pacific Coast of northern California. Please note: The parking area for the campground is a short walk from the campsites, so RV or car camping is not allowed at Kirby Cove Campground. Recreation Hiking, picnicking and taking in the beautiful views from Kirby Cove are among the park's most popular activities. Visitors also enjoy exploring Battery Kirby, a historic army battery in use from 1898-1934. The Point Bonita Lighthouse and Nike Missile Site SF-88 are also close to the campsite. Facilities Hiking, picnicking and taking in the beautiful views from Kirby Cove are among the park's most popular activities. Visitors also enjoy exploring Battery Kirby, a historic army battery in use from 1898-1934. The Point Bonita Lighthouse and Nike Missile Site SF-88 are also close to the campsite. Natural Features Kirby Cove offers a coarse-sand beach with spectacular views - when it's not foggy - of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and northern San Francisco, including the historic Presidio. The cove is nestled at the foot of the craggy Marin Headlands and has beach access. A steep, mile-long trail to the cove begins at the parking area above Battery Spencer on Conzelman Road. The path descends through a stately grove of Monterey, cypress, pine and Blue Gum eucalyptus. Coastal sage and colorful Lupine dot the hillsides. Temperatures are mild year-round. Expect lows from 50-55 degrees and highs from 60-65. Fog is prevalent in the summer months from May-Sept. It is best to bring clothing that can be layered. Lightweight summer clothes are rarely comfortable to wear at Kirby Cove. contact_info For facility specific information, please call (415) 331-1540. Nearby Attractions The San Francisco Bay Area has no shortage of fun and interesting things to do and see. Awe-inspiring Muir Woods National Monument, with its old-growth coastal redwood forest and numerous hiking trails, is just a 20-minute drive from Kirby Cove. Mount Tamalpais State Park, with hiking and sweeping views of the Bay Area, is another 10 minutes past Muir Woods. Downtown San Francisco offers a myriad of restaurants, shops, museums and tourist attractions. Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz Island and Chinatown are popular destinations. Visitors love riding San Francisco's world famous cable cars up and down the city's hilly streets. Charges & Cancellations The Kirby Cove Day Use Site must be cancelled or modified more than 14 days before your check-in date otherwise it will be considered a late cancellation. You may also refer to Recreation.gov's Rules & Reservation Policies . To initiate a refund request more than 7 days after your reservation, call the recreation.gov call center at 877-444-6777.
- 6 total campsites listed.
- 3 accessible campsites listed.
- Most common site type: tent only nonelectric (5).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Our Take
What makes KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND special
Few campgrounds anywhere in the country can match the setting of Kirby Cove, perched on a wooded bluff in the Marin Headlands just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. From this intimate five-site campground, a short walk through a canopy of cypress and eucalyptus leads to a secluded beach where the Golden Gate Bridge rises in full view across the water, with the San Francisco skyline glittering beyond. It is, without exaggeration, one of the most spectacular camping views on Earth. The campground sits on the grounds of historic Battery Kirby, a decommissioned coastal defense fortification, lending the area an atmospheric sense of history. Sites are walk-in only, requiring a short but steep half-mile hike from the parking area, so pack light and wear sturdy shoes. With only five sites available, Kirby Cove is extraordinarily competitive to reserve. Bookings open on Recreation.gov and fill almost instantly, so mark your calendar and be ready the moment reservations drop. The campground is typically open from April through October, with summer fog adding a moody, cinematic quality to the experience. Beyond the cove itself, the Marin Headlands offer miles of coastal trails, Point Bonita Lighthouse, and the Marine Mammal Center. Downtown Sausalito and its waterfront restaurants are just a short drive away, making this a rare blend of wilderness solitude and urban accessibility.
Campsite Inventory
6 sites to choose from
TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC
5
Reservable
2
Accessible
PICNIC
1
Reservable
1
Accessible
Amenities & Details
Everything you need to know
ACCESSIBLE PARKING
Accessible Parking
Accessibility
Yes
BBQ
Yes
Campfire Allowed
Yes
Site capacity
Single
Check-in time
1:00 PM, 9:00 AM
Check-out time
12:00 PM, 9:00 PM
Condition Rating
Good, Prime
Driveway Grade
Moderate
Driveway surface
Gravel
Fire Pit
Yes
Food Locker
Yes
Location Rating
Good, Prime
Max guests
10, 35
Max vehicle length (ft)
15
Minimum guests
Yes
Picnic Table
Yes
Proximity to Water
N/A, Oceanfront
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
Phone
415-331-1540 FOR RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL 1-877-444-6777 OR ONLINE AT RECREATION.GOV
Getting There
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.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND.
How do reservations work for KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND?
Reservation availability for KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND?
KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND currently lists TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC (5), PICNIC (1).
Where is KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND located?
KIRBY COVE CAMPGROUND is in California near Sausalito. Coordinates: 37.8404, -122.4889.
Keep Exploring