Point Reyes National Seashore

Backcountry Camping at Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore offers year-round backcountry camping along Drakes Bay and among the hills and valleys of the Phillip Burton Wilderness. Backcountry camping is allowed in one of four established campgrounds at Point Reyes National Seashore. The backcountry sites may only be accessed by hiking, riding bicycles, or riding a horse to the campgrounds. Backcountry camping permits are required and may be reserved online at Recreation.gov up to three months in advance.

Become a Point Reyes Junior Ranger!

Do you care about exploring, learning about, and protecting Point Reyes National Seashore? If so, become a Junior Ranger!

Bike the Bear Valley Trail to the Glen Trail Junction

This wide gravel trail through Douglas fir forest is great for a family cruise, a mellow ride, or the start of a multi-sport adventure! This trail begins at the Bear Valley Trailhead, at the south end of the Bear Valley Parking Lot.

Bike the Estero Trail

This trail through grassland and cattle pastures offers outstanding views of Drakes Estero and Estero de Limantour, and the opportunity to see the birds, bat rays, and leopard sharks that call these ecosystems home. Allow 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Estero Trailhead.

Bike to Coast Campground

Ride your bike on this multi-use trail, through alder forests and grasslands, to beautiful coastal bluffs with ocean views. Allow 15 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Coast Trailhead.

Bike to Sky Campground

Ride your bike up a moderate incline along this multi-use trail through Douglas fir forest to Sky Campground, where you can enjoy a break with oceans views. Allow ten minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Sky Trailhead, which is located along Limantour Road.

Bike to Wildcat Campground

Biking to Wildcat Campground is no easy feat—but a lot of work yields a lot of reward! Enjoy your lunch at sunny Wildcat Campground or spend some time at Wildcat Beach after you bike up and over one of the highest points of Inverness Ridge. This ride starts at the Five Brooks Trailhead. Allow 10 minutes drive time from Bear Valley to the Five Brooks.

Birding at Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore offers some of the finest birding in the United States. About 54% of all North American bird species have been observed in Point Reyes National Seashore. Learn about where to look for birds and what kinds of birds you might find at the seashore.

Boat-in Camping at Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National Seashore offers year-round boat-in camping on the west shore of Tomales Bay. There is a fee and permit system for overnight camping within Point Reyes National Seashore. Reservations may be made online at Recreation.gov up to three months in advance.

Fishing at Point Reyes

Fish on! Point Reyes National Seashore allows fishing as a means of providing for public enjoyment, and customary and traditional use, and regulates fishing to ensure that it is managed in a manner that avoids unacceptable impacts to park resources. 

Hike the Abbotts Lagoon Trail to the Footbridge

Take an easy hike that will lead you to a unique coastal lagoon bordered by sand dunes that offers great opportunities for viewing birds and wildflowers. Allow 20 to 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead.

Hike the Abbotts Lagoon Trail to the Ocean

Take an easy hike that will lead you past a unique coastal lagoon bordered by sand dunes to the Pacific Ocean. This hike offers great opportunities for viewing birds and wildflowers. Allow 20 to 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead.

Hike the Chimney Rock Trail

Enjoy spectacular views of Drakes Bay, the Pacific, and, in spring, wildflowers along this open coastal walk. From January through May, look for migratory whales from the point. Allow 45 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Chimney Rock Trailhead.

Hike the Estero–Glenbrook–Muddy Hollow Road Loop

This loop hike passes through young woodlands, coastal scrub, and grassland within the Phillip Burton Wilderness. It offers views of Estero de Limantour and the possibility of seeing tule elk and other wildlife that call this area home. It is also a great hike for spring wildflowers. Allow 15 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Muddy Hollow Trailhead.

Hike the Estero Trail to Drakes Head or Sunset Beach

This trail through grassland and cattle pastures offers outstanding views of Drakes Estero and Estero de Limantour, and the opportunity to see the birds, bat rays, and leopard sharks that call these ecosystems home. Allow 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Estero Trailhead.

Hike the Estero Trail to Home Bay

This trail through grassland and an abandoned Christmas tree farm to the head of Home Bay offers the opportunity to see the birds, bat rays, and leopard sharks that call these habitats home. Allow 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Estero Trailhead.

Hike the Kehoe Beach Trail

Follow this relatively flat trail from Pierce Point Road along the northern edge of Kehoe Marsh and out to Kehoe Beach. This beach is at the north end of the eleven-mile long Point Reyes Beach. Pets are permitted year-round on the Kehoe Beach Trail and on the beach to the north of the trail (e.g., to the right if you are facing the ocean). Pets must be on a six-foot or shorter leash at all times. Allow 25–30 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Kehoe Beach Trailhead.

Hike the Laguna-Coast Loop

This moderate hike through coastal scrub and grasslands offers some breath-taking ocean views and a couple locations to descend to a beach. Allow 15 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Laguna Trailhead.

Hike the Marshall Beach Trail

Marshall Beach is a 400-foot-long (366-meter-long) beach on the west side of Tomales Bay in the northern part of the national seashore that may be reached via the via the 1.2-mile-long (1.9-kilometer-long) Marshall Beach Trail. Allow 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Marshall Beach Trailhead.

Hike the McClures Beach Trail

A rugged trail descends moderately steeply down a ravine to the ocean. McClures Beach is contained within a beautiful cove backed by rocky cliffs, but watch out for tidal fluctuations and dangerous surf. Allow 35 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the McClures Beach Trailhead, located at the end of the Pierce Point Road, below Pierce Point Ranch to the west.

Hike the Meadow–Horse Trails Loop

This hike takes you through dense forest and a few meadows, starting with an uphill climb on the east side of Inverness Ridge to a ridgetop with ocean views. Most of this hike's distance is within the Phillip Burton Wilderness. This area was burned in 2020, when lightning strikes in the Woodward Valley started what became the Woodward Fire. This hike starts at the Bear Valley Trailhead, at the south end of the Bear Valley Parking Lot.

Hike the Muddy Hollow Trail

This out-and-back trail offers an easy hike with opportunities to see diverse bird life, wildflowers, and possibly tule elk! Allow 15 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Muddy Hollow Trailhead and 20 minutes to Limantour Beach.

Hike the Rift Zone Trail

Explore the floor of a valley that follows the San Andreas Fault, passing through meadows and woods between Bear Valley and Five Brooks. This hike can begin at either the Bear Valley Trailhead or the Five Brooks Trailhead. Allow about 10 minutes to drive from Bear Valley to Five Brooks.

Hike the Rift Zone Trail to the Vedanta Society Retreat Access Road

Explore a section of the floor of a valley that follows the San Andreas Fault, passing through meadows and woods. This trail begins at the Bear Valley Trailhead, at the south end of the Bear Valley Parking Lot.

Hike the Sky–Bear Valley Loop

This varied hike takes you through dense forest, meadows, chaparral, and coastal grasslands, starting with an uphill climb on the east side of Inverness Ridge to a ridgetop with ocean views. Follow the forested ridgeline to the coastline, and return on a mostly flat trail through Bear Valley. This hike starts at the Bear Valley Trailhead, at the south end of the Bear Valley Parking Lot. Most of this hike's distance is within the Phillip Burton Wilderness.

Hike the Sky–Woodward Valley–Fire Lane Loop

Descend from forested Inverness ridge through coastal scrub to the coast. However, it's a steep return through the forest back to the trailhead. Most of this hike is within the Phillip Burton Wilderness and much of this area was burned in the Woodward Fire, which was ignited by lightning strikes in August of 2020. Allow ten minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Sky Trailhead, which is located along Limantour Road.

Hike the Tomales Point Trail

Ramble along the crest of an open ridge that offers spectacular views of tule elk, Tomales Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. Allow 35 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Tomales Point Trailhead, located at the north end of Pierce Point Road.

Hike the Tomales Point Trail to Windy Gap

Take a short walk along the ridge crest of Tomales Point to a location from which tule elk are frequently seen. Allow 35 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Tomales Point Trailhead, located at the north end of Pierce Point Road.

Hike the Woodward Valley Loop

Travel from forest to tidepools on this ambitious hike. This trail includes beautiful forest and spectacular coastal hiking with sweeping ocean views, though much of this area was burned in the Woodward Fire that began as lightning strikes in August of 2020. This hike starts at the Bear Valley Trailhead, at the south end of the Bear Valley Parking Lot. Most of this hike's distance is within the Phillip Burton Wilderness.

Hike to Alamere Falls

Alamere Falls is an incredible sight, as water cascades over a 40 foot cliff onto a beautiful sandy beach below. Getting there is no easy trek—a 13 mile minimum roundtrip hike is required, parking fills up early and you must time your visit to the falls with low tide. The best thing you can do to guarantee a safe, fun visit to the falls is to be prepared! Allow 10 minutes drive time from Bear Valley to the Five Brooks Trailhead and 35 minutes to the Palomarin Trailhead.