Alcatraz Island - Camping

Campgrounds you can reserve online

Angel Island Sp Campground

Mileage:3 mi

Description: Season for Peak Fees: 05/15 to 09/15 In the middle of San Francisco Bay sits Angel Island State Park, offering spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. The island is also alive with history. Three thousand years ago the island was a fishing and hunting site for Coastal Miwok Indians. It was later a haven for Spanish explorer Juan de Ayala, a cattle ranch, and a U.S. Army post. From 1910 to 1940, the island processed thousands of immigrants. During World War II, Japanese and German POWs were held on the island, which was also used as a jumping-off point for American soldiers returning from the Pacific. In the '50s and '60s, the island was home to a Nike missile base. Today, there are two active Coast Guard stations - at Point Blunt and Point Stuart - on the island. Angel Island became a State Park in 1958. Park Kiosk Hours, 8 a.m. to sunset
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Mt. Tamalpais Sp Campground

Mileage:11 mi

Description: Season for Peak Fees: 05/15 to 09/15 Just north of San Francisco's Golden Gate is Mount Tamalpais, 6,300 acres of redwood groves and oak woodlands with a spectacular view from the 2,571-foot peak. On a clear day, visitors can see the Farallon Islands, 25 miles to sea, the Marin County hills, San Francisco and the bay, hills and cities of the East Bay, and Mount Diablo. On rare occasions, the Sierra Nevada's snow-covered mountains can be seen 150 miles away. Coastal Miwok Indians lived in the area for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. In 1770, two explorers named the mountain La Sierra de Nuestro Padre de San Francisco, which was later changed to the Miwok word Tamalpais. With the Gold Rush of 1849, San Francisco grew and more people began to use Mount Tamalpais for recreation. Trails were developed and a wagon road was built. Later, a railway was completed and became known as "the Crookedest Railroad in the World". It was abandoned in 1930 after a wildfire damaged the line.
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China Camp Sp Campground

Mileage:12 mi

Description: Season for Peak Fees: 05/15 to 09/15 Once the site of a thriving fishing village on San Pablo Bay, China Camp State Park is not only the historic remains of the village, but also 1,640 acres of natural watershed along the shores of San Francisco Bay. The park features extensive inter-tidal, salt marsh, meadow and oak habitats that are home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels and numerous birds. Visitors not only enjoy wildlife-watching, but also hiking, swimming, boating and windsurfing. The park has some of the best weather in the San Francisco Bay Area, with an average of more than 200 fog-free days per year. Park Kiosk Hours:, High Season, 4pm-9pm CAMPGROUND GATE CLOSES AT 9PM, Low Season: Self Register
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Samuel P. Taylor Sp Campground

Mileage:21 mi

Description: Season for Peak Fees: 05/15 to 09/15 Samuel P. Taylor State Park consists of 2882 acres of countryside located in the rolling hills of central Marin County north of San Francisco. The park offers contrasting natural landscapes of the shady Coast Redwoods and sunny grasslands. The park is named for Samuel Penfield Taylor, who came to California from Boston in the 1849 gold rush. After two years in gold country, he cashed in and began looking for other business ventures. The pursuit of lumber led Taylor to buy 100 acres of timberland along what is now known as Lagunitas Creek within the present state park. Instead of lumber he built a paper mill, the first on the West Coast, producing newsprint for the San Francisco dailies and paper bags. Taylor also built a resort hotel and Camp Taylor became one of California's more popular recreational resorts in the 1870s and '80s. Today the state park offers campgrounds and picnic areas for families/friends or larger groups. Hiking trails take visitors through the shady woods or the sunny slopes of Mount Barnabe. A paved bike trail runs three miles through the park along the flat Cross Marin Trail. Besides the paved path, bikes are allowed on fire roads, but not on hiking trails. Horses are allowed on fire roads and selected hiking trails. Dogs are welcome in the picnic and campground areas and the Cross Marin Trail. Dogs must be on leash at all times and are not allowed in the creek, on fire roads, or trails. The redwood community includes the Douglas Fir, Live Oak, Tanbark Oak, Bay Laurel and Big Leaf Maple trees. Mammals living here include raccoons, chipmunks, gray fox, and black-tailed deer. NO bear. Coho Salmon and Steelhead migrate every winter to spawn in the Lagunitas and Devil's Gulch Creeks to complete their life cycle. As these are federally protected species, no fishing or any disturbance is allowed. Winter visitors to the park are welcome to view the salmon's spawning, but from a respectful distance as silent observers. The creek is closed to everyone but wildlife from November to June. Camp Taylor offers a variety of interpretive activities from guided nature walks, campfire and junior ranger programs as well as self guided hikes with panel illustrations on the Pioneer Tree and History Trails. Camp Taylor is open year round. Park Kiosk Hours:, Hi Season: 8:00am-10pm, Lo Season: Varies
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Half Moon Bay Sb Campground

Mileage:25 mi

Description: Half Moon Bay State Beach is actually four smaller beaches, with a total of two miles of sandy shore. The beach is a popular location for camping, picnicing, surfing, and surf fishing. Swimming is not recommended. Visitors enjoy a multi use, coastal trail that runs approximately 4 miles along Half Moon Bay. A short access trail leading to the beach is less than 100 yards from anywhere in the campground. The Kiosk opens at 8am daily year round and closure times vary.
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Mt. Diablo Sp Campground

Mileage:27 mi

Description: On a clear day, from the summit of Mount Diablo State Park visitors can see 35 of California's 58 counties. It is said that the view is surpassed only by that of 19,000-foot Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. With binoculars, Yosemite's Half Dome is even visible from Mt. Diablo. The park features exce hiking and rock climbing opportunities. The mountain was formed when a mass of underlying rock was gradually forced up through the earth's surface so, unlike other mountains, older and older rocks are encountered as you climb t mountain. The mountain was regarded as sacred to Native Americans. Park Kiosk Hours:, Hi Season: 8am-Sunset, Lo Season: 8am-Sunset Season for Peak Fees: 05/15 to 09/15 On a clear day, from the summit of Mount Diablo State Park visitors can see 35 of California's 58 counties. With binoculars, Yosemite's Half Dome is even visible from Mt. Diablo. The park features include hiking and rock climbing opportunities. The mountain was formed when a mass of underlying rock was gradually forced up through the earth's surface so, unlike other mountains, older rocks are encountered as you climb the mountain. The mountain was regarded as sacred to Native Americans. Park Kiosk Hours:, Hi Season: 8am-Sunset, Lo Season: 8am-Sunset
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Butano Sp Campground

Mileage:42 mi

Description: Season for Peak Fees: All Year Butano State Park is a 3,200-acre redwood park in the Santa Cruz Mountains, featuring excellent hiking through the redwood groves. Only three miles from the coast, the park's trails offer views of the ocean. Park Kiosk Hours:, Hi Season: Varies, Lo Season: Varies
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Portola Redwoods Sp Campground

Mileage:42 mi

Description: Season for Peak Fees: All Year Portola Redwoods State Park has a rugged, natural basin forested with coast redwoods, Douglas fir and live oak. Ten miles of trails crisscross the canyon and its two streams, Peters Creek and Pescadero Creek. A short nature trail along Pescadero Creek introduces visitors to the natural history of the area. Visitors can see clam shells and other marine deposits from the time when the area was once covered by the ocean. The park has one of the tallest redwoods (300 feet high) in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Park Kiosk Hours:, Hi Season: 8am-9pm, Lo Season: 8am-4pm
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Sugarloaf Ridge Sp Campground

Mileage:43 mi

Description: Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is where the headwaters of the Sonoma Creek run through gorge and canyon, then across the meadow floor beneath scenic rock outcroppings. With 2,700 acres, the park has 25 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding. There is also a self-guided nature trail along Sonoma Creek that starts near the campground. Deer, raccoons and gray foxes can be seen in the park. From the 2,729-foot summit of Bald Mountain, on a clear day visitors can see views of the Sierra Nevada and the Golden Gate. A horseback riding concession operates year-round. The park also houses a 40" telescope at the Ferguson Observatory that can be rented, along with the group campground, for private parties through ReserveAmerica.com Park Kiosk Hours:, Hi Season: Varies, Lo Season: Varies Season for Peak Fees: All Year Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is where the headwaters of the Sonoma Creek run through gorge and canyon, then across the meadow floor beneath scenic rock outcroppings. With 2,700 acres, the park has 25 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding. There is also a self-guided nature trail along Sonoma Creek that starts near the campground. Deer, raccoons and gray foxes can be seen in the park. From the 2,729-foot summit of Bald Mountain, on a clear day visitors can see views of the Sierra Nevada and the Golden Gate bridge. A horseback riding concession operates year-round. The park also houses a 40" telescope at the Ferguson Observatory that can be rented, along with the group campground, for private parties through Reserve America. Park Kiosk Hours:, Hi Season: Varies, Lo Season: Varies
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Big Basin Redwoods Sp Campground

Mileage:46 mi

Description: Sequoia and Sky Meadow Group Campgrounds are closed during construction. Concession operated Tent Cabin campground is open to reservations during the construction period. Big Basin Tent Cabins will be reserved under the Park Name "Big Basin Tent Cabins"..... To reserve Big Basin Tent Cabins: Click here. Season for Peak Fees: All Year.... Big Basin Redwoods State Park is the oldest State Park in California. It was acquired in 1902. The park has miles of trails, which serves hikers and equestrians, links Big Basin to Castle Rock State Park and the eastern reach of the Santa Cruz range. The Skyline to the Sea Trail threads its way through the park along Waddell Creek to the ocean. Backpacking trailcamps on the Skyline to the Sea Trail are reservable only by calling (831)338-8861 between the hours of 10am - 5pm. The park has a surprising number of waterfalls, a wide variety of environments (from lush canyon bottoms to sparse chaparral-covered slopes, many animals (deer, raccoons, an occasional bobcat) and lots of bird life (including Steller's jays, egrets, herons and California woodpeckers). The park is also the home to stately redwood groves. Park Headquarters Hours:, Hi Season: 8am-10pm, Lo Season: 9am-4pm
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Note: All mileage numbers are "as the crow flies"