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Pantoll Campground
16 sites · RV, Tent
Just off of Panoramic Highway from Mill Valley in Mt.
Campfire allowed
Pets allowed
No showers
Toilets
Potable water
Picnic tables
No sewage hookups
No electric hookups
First come, first served
RV, Tent
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93%
46 ratings · 26 reviews
Mixed feelings
· July 2020
This is walk up camping unless you are using a vehicle in the parking lot. Steep uphill, not for cushy car campers with a lot of gear. Bring a waggon, a strapping muscle source or not much at all.
Annie W.
11 years on Hipcamp
August 2018
Beautiful campsite with easy access to trails. Dogs are allowed in campsites on leash. Definitely check the weather forecast because it can get cold and wet pretty quickly. Campsites 3, 4, 5, 8 & 9 are the driest since they are on the leeward side of the mountain.
Remember to bring a lock to secure food items. Keep food items on higher shelves and towards the inner wall (away from the wall). We were at campsite #10 and raccoons raided food items every night although we had locked the camp pantry.
Firewood is available from the ranger station (open 8 am - 3:30 pm) for $8. You can use the dropbox to pay for a campsite after hours.
We enjoyed our trip and hope to be back soon.
S
Sahan N.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· March 2018
It can get really chilly and misty here! Best to bring lots of layers and definitely use that tent fly to protect you from waking up covered in dew :) Beauuutiful, magical foresty feel. Best to go on weekdays if possible, campgrounds are rather close to each other. Hiking is ample and has pretty fantastic views if the sky is clear enough.
Emily D.
7 years on Hipcamp
February 2018
Wondering if can I can park a car at a campsite (rather than the parking lot)? My boyfriend and I want to sleep in his Subaru, as its sleep ready! #curiouscamper
Thanks!
Shannon K.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· December 2017
One of the best locations for camp sites that I have been to for quick trips to SF or some of the most amazing sunset views from Mt. Tam. Clean sites, nice bathrooms and a camp host with firewood.
P
Patrick P.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2017
This site is in the mountains near the ocean, so be aware that heavy fog will build up condensation on the trees which will rain down over the site starting in the middle of the night until the early morning. Anything left out will get wet. Great spot with lots of hiking options to choose from. The info booth has all the details on the activities available. The lower campsites are very close together and close to the parking lot/ road. If you want some privacy it's best to choose the campsites higher up.
M
Michael G.
7 years on Hipcamp
September 2017
Camped here last minute I think we were at #14. Close by Stinsons :) Loved this site because it was so pretty. The weather wasn't the best when we stayed here. Wasn't sure if it was just raining or just the mist from the trees. Started at night til check out night- Thankfully our tent (Marmot Limelight) stayed dry all night. I didn't mind it cus of the experience but some people left early. I guess my only suggestion is to not camp here if your tent gets moist? hahaha
I would totally be down to go here again!
Stephanie A.
3 reviews
Recommends
· May 2017
First come, first serve.
I came up on a Sunday so it was no problem to secure a spot. Very friendly ranger that allowed me to browse spots before choosing.
It gets darker earlier because of the canopy, so set up camp before heading out on any sunset hikes. You are right at the base of a ton of trailheads so take your pic of coast or bay.
The sites had a fire pit, grill, table and a sizable lock box.
Delaney M.
9 years on Hipcamp
February 2017
Vangoers- it's all hike in (but the campsites are just a stone's throw from the parking lot). But you can park in the lower parking level and be undisturbed for the night. There's one van/RV spot (bottom right of the parking lot) that has access to its own fire pit and picnic table.
Xanthe &.
27 reviews
December 2016
Super convenient as it is so close to the city. The campground is beautiful and well maintained. Each site has a firepit and its own water source. It's so close that you actually get a view of the city / bridge on one side if you're on site 16 (site at the top of the campground hill).
The only thing I didn't like was that I had to lug all my stuff up the giant hill from the parking lot. I was solo camping, so it took a few trips back and forth.
They sell bundles of wood for $8. Cash only.
Sue C.
2 reviews
November 2016
Great little first come, first serve campground.
Got there around 6:45am on a Friday (Veterans Day Weekend) to secure my spot, and there were already 3 parties ahead of me.
If you arrive before the camp ranger, there are envelopes for you to put your camping fee in.
Cost is $25 bucks a night, and that includes parking.
Stayed in site 9, which turned out to be a perfect spot to solo camp. If you're coming with a group, definitely try to grab spots 10&11. They are stacked on top of each other, but are more isolated than most of the other spots.
They sell firewood at the Rangers office for $8 a bundle.
Timothy G.
8 years on Hipcamp
November 2016
Parked at the Stinson beach community center and hiked up. Theres a small general store near the base if you forget anything.
Its a 3.9 mile hike to the campsite which starts uphill. Its a gorgeous hike with views of the beach and woods. Save some weight by not bringing as much water, there is water at each campsite. There is also firewood for $8.
Campsite is a slope uphill, numbers start 1-16 from the bottom of the site / parking lot with the higher numbers on the ridge. Best sites are 16, 11, 13 as they are on the peak and more secluded. 6 is also OK.
$5 per person camping if you hike or bike in.
$8 for your car.
$25 per camp site.
Great hike!
Alex F.
8 years on Hipcamp
October 2016
I planned a camping trip here with my boyfriend for his birthday so we could hike Alamere Falls. It's a perfect location to stay at for a few days and check out all the hikes in the area. There's a great parking lot, with clean bathrooms and water fountains to fill up water bottles. You don't have to go far to find amazing views, and there are hikes to suit all skill levels. It is first come, first serve though, so make sure you plan ahead for that!
There are fire pits at the camp sites, and there's not too much privacy between each site.
Make sure you bring cash.
Jenny C.
8 years on Hipcamp
August 2016
Awesome location for hiking--we did the Stinson Beach loop on day one, and hiked to the summit of Mt. Tam on day two. We were able to get a spot on a Saturday in August, but only because we got there EARLY--I got there before 7am and there were people already waiting for a spot. Same goes for parking: the lot had completely filled up by 9am. (That said, when we left on Monday there were a ton of sites left unoccupied.)
Best spots are 16, 15, 13, 10, and 11, although 6-9 aren't bad. We were at 16, and while it was a steep little hike to get there, it was one of the most secluded spots. I personally would try to avoid 1-5 if possible....while they're an easier walk, they are very close to the parking lot with very little privacy.
Haley B.
8 years on Hipcamp
June 2016
Easy drive to get to and perfect location to do any of the numerous trails around. You can hike up the mountain or hike down to Stenson Beach.
We got here on Sunday at 6pm and there was still several of the 'first come first serve' camps left. We didn't bring any firewood and were easily able to collect everything we needed to keep a fire going for several hours. We got here and decided it would be nice to have a beer or two and found a market at Stinson Beach only 12 minutes away. Be sure to bring warm clothes; during the day you're above the fog and it can be sunny and warm but at night the fog will roll in and it can get very cold.
Jon F.
9 years on Hipcamp
April 2016
We had a great weekend here! The sites are perfectly located for some great hiking down into Muir Woods or up to Mount Tam's peak. We arrived Thursday afternoon since it was a long weekend and we wanted to be sure to get a spot - we were the first ones there and had our pick. The sites are sort of close together and not far from the road, but still great bang for your buck. Will come back!
Amy B.
9 years on Hipcamp
February 2016
This was such a beautiful and ideal spot to camp at. Super close to the beach (4 miles), and so many trails to go hiking! LOVED camping here.
Tessara H.
9 years on Hipcamp
December 2015
A nice site within 30 minutes of San Francisco. We headed up there Friday after work and had no problem getting a site, though it was early December and a low of 40°F, so I didn't expect there to be too many people there.
Bring $25 cash per night to put in the box. You have to put a tag in your car so they know whether you've paid or not.
The sites are very close together. Not much privacy.
Each site has a fire ring and a little cabinet to put wood and stuff in. You can purchase firewood from the person in the RV at the bottom of the parking lot if the office is closed.
Caleb D.
9 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
Camping here was a nightmare. Had yellow jackets swarm us from sunrise to sunset. Couldn't cook without them flying around us. I'm surprised that I did not get stung.
We stored our food in the lockers provided and that too, was just covered in bees. We ended up eating in out tent. Packed up the next day and left as we were unable to even cook breakfast and enjoy the crisp air. Very unfortunate.
Cydney H.
9 years on Hipcamp
August 2015
Can anyone tell me how much space there is in the food lockers? Approximate dimensions? Thanks guys!
M
Maggie B.
9 years on Hipcamp
LocationPantoll Campground, Mount Tamalpais State Park, California, United States
Is anything missing?Suggest edits to improve this listing for fellow campers.
Campfire allowed
Pets allowed
No showers
Toilets
Potable water
Picnic tables
No sewage hookups
No electric hookups
Other campgrounds in Mount Tamalpais State Park
Your guide to camping in Pantoll Campground
Overview
Biking
While Mount Tamalpais is the birthplace of mountain biking it also offers unparalleled options for road bikers (not to mention it can be quite the challenge as well!). For road bikers, the main challenges are the infamous seven sisters and the twisting road to the top while mountain bikers can enjoy the Coast View and Dias Ridge multi-use trails as well as park fire trails.
Fishing
If you bring your fishing gear to Mt. Tam, you could easily come home with dinner. Lakes in the park have catches such as bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. This is a wonderful place to go and “get away from it all,” all the while answering that rumbling in your stomach. Some of these reservoirs do have special guidelines, so be sure to read up before you go.
Hiking
There are more than 50 miles of trails within the park that connect to a much grander 200 mile trail system. The climb to the peak is an incredible journey that will be rewarded by stunning panorama views of the Bay Area. You know those days when the entire bay is foggy and cold? On those days, the peak of Mt. Tam rises majestically above the fogline only to be matched by its sister peak, Mt. Diablo across the bay. These foggy days may be our favorite time to hike the mountain - especially for sunrise! The Steep Ravine Trail is another favorite. You can start from Stinson Beach or the top at the Pantoll Ranger Station, either way you’ll be exploring the beautiful lush ravine with its waterfalls and old growth Redwoods. The shade protection makes this the perfect hike for a hot day. Reward yourself with a dip in the Pacific Ocean at the end! The hike up to Cataract Falls is another epic one There are also frequent guided hikes hosted by the amazing Friends of Mt Tam, open to the public.
Horseback riding
Mount Tamalpais is known for its beautiful views, and it can be even more beautiful when taken by horseback. Given the right day, you can see the Sierra Mountains and Farallon Islands in the distance. The park features a variety of trails, so saddle up!
Climbing
Mount Tamalpais is well suited for both novice and expert climbers. If you make it to the top, you won’t be disappointed - the peak features stunning views of the Pacific ocean. Climbing classes are available, and make sure you get an overview of the various routes.
Wildlife watching
Mount Tamalpais is a great place to see some of California’s wildlife . The park has more than 150 bird species along with deer, cats of prey and even the occasional gray whale spotted at Steep Ravine.
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