Kirby Cove Campground, Sausalito, CA

Kirby Cove Campground in Marin county is located just 24 min northwest of San Francisco, CA with an elevation of 680 feet. There are a total of 6 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid March to the end of November. Max equipment length is 15 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $40.00 to $75.00. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
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A view of the bay from Kirby Cove, with the Golden Gate Bridge lit.The beach at Kirby Cove, with dramatic cliffs, dark volcanic sand, and frothy water.

Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (102)

4.6 out of 5

5 star
71%
4 star
23%
3 star
3%
2 star
1%
1 star
3%
@EvanS6769947 · Camped on Nov 4, 2024 at Campsite #2
I stayed overnight as an easy bikepacking trip from SF and it was perfect. The sites are large with spaces for multiple tents if you have a crew. Each site has picnic tables, but the tables overlooking the beach are great for sipping a morning coffee while listening to the waves and taking it all in. The views of the bridge at sunset, night, and sunrise are gorgeous.
@KarenC7594177 · Camped on Oct 29, 2024 at Campsite #DAY
What a beautiful spot. I used to camp there with Girl Scouts in the 60s and loved it as much now as I did then.
@MichelleA21452 · Camped on Oct 28, 2024 at Campsite #4
The view at night was amazing!
@howardl2689C03 · Camped on Oct 28, 2024 at Campsite #3
Lower bathroom had both locks damaged. Smoother trails from parking area to camp sites would make transporting gear easier.
@MelaneyR7E5547 · Camped on Sep 19, 2024 at Campsite #2
Kirby Cove is extremely beautiful. Its quite small and concealed well by the cove and steep decline from other parts of the park. My personal favorite part was the rocky, medium-grey-khaki sand on the beach, where you can watch boats go under the bridge.To camping: this is definitely a walk-in campground, but this site is decently close to the parking lot. I took two or three leisurely trips (I get winded easily) over an hour or so. There are several pads and a bear box in each site. Between the beach and campsite there is Battery Kirby, well worth a look at, and a pit toilet. The flies loved it in there, which was probably the worst thing about the whole trip. The night I stayed the neighboring sites apparently had a visit from a fearless raccoon (as mentioned by others before), but I was spared.One thing I wish I had thought more about: the fog dampening everything overnight does bring the temperature down quite a bit. Definitely advise a rainfly. Also, driving down from Conzelman Rd: only one side of the gate opens, so I would advise against bringing any vehicle down larger than an SUV.
@CherylM3564547 · Camped on Sep 4, 2024 at Campsite #DAY
Best place to see San Francisco and passing ships
@CherylM3564547 · Camped on Sep 4, 2024 at Campsite #DAY
Best place to see San Francisco and passing ships
@HayleyM06DB39F · Camped on Aug 5, 2024 at Campsite #4
Highly recommend!
@RussellJBD0208 · Camped on Jul 28, 2024 at Campsite #1
Kirby Cove remains my favorite campsite! The small beach makes the place feel private, and the long walk down from the road means the area is mostly occupied by fellow campers. It's quiet and peaceful, though be prepared for the foghorns at night when it's particularly foggy.I hope one day power and water can be brought back to the cove for improved facilities instead of the primitive toilets, but even as-is it's a place I look forward to visiting again.
@Christoph47204 · Camped on Jul 17, 2024 at Campsite #5
The view of GG at night is breathtaking. This site has been in our bucket list forever, my wife was able to find availability a couple weeks ago, this must've been a cancelled reservation because this campsites are always fully booked 3 month in advance and each time we try or remember to check the site we miss the window of opportunity. My wife and I had a site that was close enough to the cliff overlook to be able to view the Golden Gate Bridge several times. The walk to campsite #5 is not far from the parking lot and is not strenuous either. If your planning to haul any of your "can't do without" camping items know that you will come across a few stair steps on the path but doable, suggest to bring your own wagon haul. We are car campers and we bought backpacking gear including a new 2 person tent just to experience Kirby Cove. This was not a disappointment, The weather was beautiful, not too hot during the day. Site #5 has very little coverage from the glaring sun, this site is out in the open but very spacious for a family. The walk downhill from the cliff to the beach is well maintained, quite a few look out points and on our evening encounters in the camp there were several family of deers, rabbit and late into the evenings a howl of coyote. Such an awesome camping experience so close to the city. The Golden Gate Bridge was magical for us in the evening and just before sunset. Suggest taking your camping chairs and hot coco/coffee and soak in the beauty of the bay at the cliff. The toilet situation ( we bring our own ) and we do this in the event it becomes a disappointment and sure enough it was. We enjoy nature and camping and religiously "Leave No Trace" at all sites & it saddens us that our Food Locker was full of bottles & garbage left for the next person to handle. Some sites are underfunded and may not have enough employees to overlook maintenance, it was our duty to ensure the next person after would find it pristine-your very welcome :).
@SalvatoreD5F58 · Camped on Jul 5, 2024 at Campsite #2
It was a cool experience camping with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge but the traffic getting to the gate and opening it to get down to the campsite and dealing with people parking in front of the gate blocking it was a bit of a nightmare, three nights was one too many. I wouldnt go back but glad I got to go
@BenW9089063 · Camped on Jun 21, 2024 at Campsite #1
Great campsite, one of the most beautiful spots right outside the city. Be sure to bring earplugs at night, the fog horn is loud & constant!
@RobertB6182770 · Camped on Jun 12, 2024 at Campsite #4
It's always a pleasure to be welcomed to Kirby cove wonderful place to meet new people and enjoy new experiences in the wild while being close to one of the biggest cities in the world.
@JoshuaW2504657 · Camped on May 24, 2024 at Campsite #5
Overall we had a great experience at Kirby Cove. The view was incredible day and night. The individual campsite (#5) was large and felt private, with toilets not too far away. The walk from the parking lot was doable, though should definitely be taken into consideration when transporting your things.Some additional notes. When arriving you navigate to the Battery Spencer overlook parking lot, where you'll find the gate on a sharp right turn off of the main road. The gate has the combination locks (look at the bottom of each lock to input the code). The dirt road down is in pretty good shape, generally wide enough for two cars to pass at certain points. The bottom of the road has some erosion, beware if your car has low clearance. The parking lot at the campground is small, with only about 8-9 cars fitting in the allotted spaces (though there is some additional space off to the sides of the parking area). Finally the racoons are ever present at night, they generally keep their distance from people, but they will go for left out food even if you are in the general area.
@AutumnC1047345 · Camped on May 7, 2024 at Campsite #1
Great view, peaceful campsite
@LeslieW5118824 · Camped on Apr 21, 2024 at Campsite #1
We've camp at camp 1 several times. This time the weather was perfect. The moon was bright. Reflecting S.F. and the G.G. bridge over the calm waves. No wind. No fog. No sounds of loud horns due to no fog. We were the only group that camped out in the park. Had the whole park to ourselves. Great fun.
@NicoleC4478336 · Camped on Apr 20, 2024 at Campsite #3
Loved the location. We had some anxiety because we weren't quite expecting the entrance to be off of a busy touristy road like Hawk Hill. A car was blocking the entrance and we had to find the owners to move it. Also, you need to carry your camping gear several hundred yards to the site.
@WillisSF12A416 · Camped on Apr 15, 2024 at Campsite #2
The best!
@averylAE606CCA · Camped on Mar 28, 2024 at Campsite #1
Me and my brother camped here at the end of march so it was still pretty chilly. Although it said it was booked out, I think people canceled bc of the rain. There was only one other camper there with us. During the day silly hikers come by the campsite, not really a problem for me. Site 1 is definitely the best with the best view of the ggb and city lights. At night it's quite noisy w the helis, ship horns and waves, so b sure to bring earplugs or something! I couldn't sleep but had a great time. I'd love to come back during the summer or fall
@LindsayM134644 · Camped on Mar 25, 2024 at Campsite #2
A beautiful campground with great proximity to the ocean, San Francisco, and the surrounding national park. We also visited the Bay Area Discovery Museum and Point Bonita Lighthouse during our stay.
@StanleyK6627CB · Camped on Mar 20, 2024 at Campsite #4
Great campsite. Close to everything. But you feel far away from everybody at the same time. Magical place. Well worth staying here at least once. Bucket list location that you won't soon forget.
@LouiePB6E7EF39 · Camped on Mar 14, 2024 at Campsite #3
Incredible
@LydiaT976E084C · Camped on Mar 11, 2024 at Campsite #2
Its a beautiful location! Highly recommend!
@BobM2535414 · Camped on Mar 10, 2024 at Campsite #1
Incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge lit up at night. We have an awesome picture taken about an hour before sunrise.
@JosephG1100021 · Camped on Mar 10, 2024 at Campsite #5
Amazing views!

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