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Haypress Campground

$75.00/night

Overview

Haypress Campground is nestled within the coastal scrub of Tennessee Valley, near Mill Valley. The hike to this campground is 1 mile from the Tennessee Valley Trail head parking lot, which means car or RV camping is not allowed. Typical Haypress campers enjoy hiking to Tennessee Cove, where they can admire the dramatic geology and colorful sand of this unique beach. 

Recreation

Tennessee Valley and the Marin Headlands are noted for great hiking, and trails are often populated with hikers regardless of the time of the year. Consider hiking to Tennessee Beach (2 miles), Muir Beach (3.5 miles), historic Battery Townsley (3.5 miles), or Rodeo Beach (4 miles). Contact the Marin Headlands Rangers at (415)-331-1540 to inquire about a ranger-led program or guided hike during your stay.

Facilities

This primitive hike-in campground has five overnight sites that accommodate up to four guests, and one group overnight site that accommodates up to 25 guests. Water must be packed in, and trash must be packed out. There is no water available at this campground. Each campsite has a tent pad and a food locker, and the group site has two picnic tables. The campground has two vault toilets in total. There is generally no cellphone service at the campground or at the Tennessee Valley Trailhead parking lot. Please be prepared for a 1 mile walk from the parking area to Haypress Campground. The trail is flat and partially paved/partially packed dirt. 

Natural Features

Haypress Campground spans over a large grassy swath that is lined by eucalyptus trees. California quails frequent the area, and raptors are often soaring overhead. Deer, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats share this open space. The geology that underlies Tennessee Valley is unique and world-renowned; for example, outcrops of radiolarian ribbon chert that line the trails are frequently admired by visitors from near and far. 

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 Haypress Campground.

Nearby Attractions

The San Francisco Bay Area has no shortage of fun and interesting things to do and see. The 150-year-old Point Bonita Lighthouse (a secret jewel of the Bay Area) and the historic Cold War era Nike Missile Site are just a 20-minute drive away from the Tennessee Valley trailhead parking lot. Awe-inspiring Muir Woods National Monument, with its old-growth coastal redwood forest and numerous hiking trails, is a 25-minute drive. Mount Tamalpais State Park, with hiking and sweeping views of the Bay Area, is another 10 minutes past Muir Woods. 

Within the Marin Headlands, consider visiting the historic Battery Townsley, the Point Bonita Lighthouse, or Nike Missile Site SF-88.

Charges & Cancellations

Group Site Cancellations and Modifications

The Haypress Campground Group Site must be cancelled or modified more than 14 days before your check-in date otherwise it will be considered a late cancellation.   

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.

Camp site features

Across 6 camp sites:

  • Largest party: 25 people

Directions

From San Francisco (traveling north): Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and continue on the US-101 N. Take exit 445B toward Mill Valley/Stinson Beach. Continue straight until you can turn left onto Tennessee Valley Road. This road will dead-end at the Tennessee Valley trailhead parking lot. From here, hike on Tennessee Valley Trail to Haypress Camp Trail. From Marin (traveling south): From US-101 South, take exit 445B toward Stinson Beach. Turn right on CA-1 and continue straight until you can turn left onto Tennessee Valley Road. This road will dead-end at the Tennessee Valley trailhead parking lot. From here, hike on Tennessee Valley Trail to Haypress Camp Trail.

Stay Limit

Check in from 1 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

Ratings (76)
5 stars
46
4 stars
18
3 stars
6
2 stars
5
1 stars
1
Rio B
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 5
Reviewed 2 days ago
Stunningly beautiful place! Very close to the San Francisco Bay Area. No running water at the site so bring water with you!
D C
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 1
Reviewed 3 days ago
Nice quiet camp
Roger D
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 2
Reviewed 23 days ago
The campground is in a quiet side valley off Tennessee Valley and is very accessible by bicycle. I had a very relaxing time there. Do note that there is no water available anywhere nearby and that the dirt on the tent pads can get hard in the summer (so bring a mallet).
Gabriel B
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 5
Reviewed a month ago
Beautiful location, great hiking right nearby
Samuel N
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 4
Reviewed 3 months ago
Awesome
Todd S
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 2
Reviewed 4 months ago
Campground was nice. The rain wasn’t.
Anthony G
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 3
Reviewed 4 months ago
Beautiful. Quiet. Peaceful.
Nance H
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 5
Reviewed 8 months ago
Great trails to explore nearby
Timothy M
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 5
Reviewed 10 months ago
This is a great campsite if you typically car camp, yet want to do something a little more off track. We were there when it was empty, so it was a uniquely quiet experience. I imagine it’s much busier in the summer.
Magdalena H
Loop:Haypress Campground
Reviewed 10 months ago
The campground was beautiful, clean, and felt private. The only downside was not being allowed to have a fire.
eduardo d
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 3
Reviewed 10 months ago
great weather, lots of trails in the surrounding area
Kat G
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 5
Reviewed a year ago
A very nice campground! We had a delightful time listening to birds and watching a bobcat hunt. We will be back again for sure!
Kaitlin B
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 5
Reviewed a year ago
Nice quiet campground off the beaten path. Some poison ivy around the edges, but otherwise nicely maintained. Loads of bunnies and quail. Be sure to print your reservation to leave on your windshield for overnight parking.
Oscar G
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 4
Reviewed a year ago
na
Robin F
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 4
Reviewed a year ago
Great
Quintin P
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 5
Reviewed a year ago
mountain lions
Maarten P
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 1
Reviewed a year ago
.
Shannon R
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 1
Reviewed a year ago
Always a great place to stay. Picturesque vistas pf the CA coast; great hikes, both for the novice and more experienced. Check for ticks and always pack out what you pack in
Margaret H
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 3
Reviewed a year ago
Quiet, clean, easy to access.
Ryan L
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 2
Reviewed 2 years ago
I rode my bike into camp and it was great! A short ride down to the beautiful, Tennessee cove.
Robert P
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 5
Reviewed 2 years ago
Great camping area. Some tent sites need to be leveled as they are sloped.
Amy H
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 5
Reviewed 2 years ago
Pristine campground, tucked into a grove of trees, easy walk into camp, quiet and peaceful. Loved it.
Rio B
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 5
Reviewed 2 years ago
A beautiful location with spaced out campsites.
Kaitilin G
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 4
Reviewed 2 years ago
Great spot, easy access to so many hikes!
Cole L
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 1
Reviewed 2 years ago
There was only one other group at the campsite, highly recommend you go on a weekday to dodge the crowds.
Henry S
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 1
Reviewed 3 years ago
Hike into the campground was easy. The campsite was clean. Online it said the site would be full but only half of campers showed up for their reservation which was surprising since it was Veterans Day weekend.
Joel F
Loop:Haypress Campground
Reviewed 3 years ago
So nice after they cut back the grass and weeds in campground. Not one tick this time. Bathrooms were not stocked until Sunday morning which is why I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Tyler Y
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 3
Reviewed 3 years ago
Peaceful campground. All the sites were full (friday) and everyone had their lights off and was very quiet. Saw and mostly heard some Owls throughout the night. Nice place to sleep.
William F
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 1
Reviewed 3 years ago
Used to be free; then $5. Now it's $25, and the same experience.
anders c
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 2
Reviewed 3 years ago
b
Mitzi C
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 3
Reviewed 3 years ago
I was car camping with my dog. I rent tent sites because you just pull your car into a tent site then sleep in the car. When I reserved this online I didn't notice that there was a 3/4 mile hike from a parking lot to the tent-only actual site - that was my own fault but I wish it had been clearer on the reservations page. The trailhead had a sign posted that said "no pets," and I didn't have a tent with me, so I was left with a conundrum. I walked in a ways with my 12-year-old arthritic dog, to see if I could talk to the host, but realized it was too far for her so we turned back and slept in my car in the parking lot. In the morning, when I walked to the bathroom with my dog on a leash, some snotty man on a bicycle yelled at me and lectured me for having a dog with me and endangering the wildlife, even though we were only in the parking lot and getting ready to leave. Please make it more clear on all pages of the reservation site that it's hike in ONLY and not amenable to car camping or pets. Thanks.
Markus S
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 4
Reviewed 3 years ago
Attention: this is a hike to campground! Tent only, no rv. Didn’t realize it until we arrived…
Karl F
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 4
Reviewed 3 years ago
Great facilities but if the rich women who ride horses could only pick up there poop that would make it more of a place for everyone not just rich horses people.
Elizabeth S
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 2
Reviewed 3 years ago
Enjoyed the campground and far away enough to enjoy. Was a little bit of a hike just don’t do the mistake I made by forgetting something in my car and had to walk all the way down to walk all the way up lol. All in all I really enjoyed it and would come back
Whitney H
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 1
Reviewed 3 years ago
We bike camped overnight here - very bike friendly (we had mountain bikes, which helped, but not totally necessary) and a ~25 min bike ride from town, so it was super easy to get places. Campsite was nice and clean.
Valerie I
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 2
Reviewed 3 years ago
-
Becky G
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 3
Reviewed 3 years ago
Lovely campsite tucked away from the Tennessee Valley trail. We arrived at the Tennessee Valley trailhead on a late Saturday afternoon. The parking lot and pullouts along the road were busy. However, we found parking in the trailhead lot as day hikers and mountain and gravel bikers were leaving. The food locker was neat and clean and the picnic table was is good condition. We camped in April 2023 after the winter rainstorms and the ground was soft enough to easily stake my non-freestanding tent. We had a bit of wind overnight and it felt colder to me than the forecasted low of ~45 deg F. A couple of reserved sites were empty and the other campers were chill. We had a restful evening and the morning sun was wonderful. I highly recommend this mini-backpacking experience!
Pamela C
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 2
Reviewed 4 years ago
Great little gem of a backpacking site hidden away.
Scott M
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 1
Reviewed 4 years ago
Great spot. Less than a mile from the trailhead with only a gentle grade to contend with. Trailhead and main trail are extremely busy, but the off-shoot that leads to the campground is about .5 miles and nice and quiet. Pit toilets at the site were extremely well cared for when I visited in October 2022. Bear boxes are provided, and my site (01) had a nice grade and a picnic table. If you are parking a vehicle at the trailhead, try not to leave anything valuable behind. There is a bunch of activity there, and you'll have to have a permit in your window, so it'll be obvious which cars are left unattended all night. I will absolutely return if I can.
Marina B
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 1
Reviewed 4 years ago
The campground is wonderful! Very quiet, next to eucalyptus trees, surrounded by green hills. The location is great. It is not far from Tennessee beach but hidden from the main trail. All sites are good but my favorite ones are #5 and #4.
Emily B
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 4
Reviewed 4 years ago
Gorgeous meadow. We camped at Site 5, and thick fog meant it was basically raining all night our tent. Bring a rain coat. The lack of water, or water source, is also tricky.
Alexander L
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 2
Reviewed 4 years ago
Great campsite. Perfect for beginners
Ryan M
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 1
Reviewed 4 years ago
Visited once before, a couple years ago, and I'm heartened to see that it really hasn't changed since then. Only stayed overnight, during the unholy heat wave of early September '22, and managed to beat the heat here, as it's only about a mile from the coast. Definitely check out the beaches, bunkers, and trails nearby. Be sure to bring plenty of water, as the nearest fountain is over the hills at Rodeo Beach. Bringing a hand cart for your equipment wouldn't be a bad idea for next time because the path is flat from the parking lot to the site.
Peter S
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 2
Reviewed 4 years ago
Though this is a “hike-in” campground, it’s not so remote that it is definitely going to be quiet. There was loud music late into the night and screaming kids early in the morning during my visit.
Lara E
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 1
Reviewed 4 years ago
A very beautiful campground! We did not find "Field Road' where the water source was located according to the website. There is no water at the parking lot trailhead.
Kylie W
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 4
Reviewed 4 years ago
Nice campground with great scenery and wildlife! There were bunnies and a family of quail the whole time in the spot next to ours, as well as great horned owl chicks and stellar's jay families. The camp is not a far walk from the parking lot ( .8mile) and only about a 3mile walk round trip to the beach. All five spots were reserved in the campground the night we stayed, but there was only 1 other tent set up and we never saw the person, so it was a VIP experience with the whole camp to ourselves. Bathrooms were fine and bear lockers provided.
Matthew K
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 3
Reviewed 4 years ago
Beautiful site for camping.
isabela f
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 3
Reviewed 4 years ago
The 1 mile walk seems to be much more When you have to carry things for camping .. good, quiet and many animals, several rabbits jumping along the trail.. It won't be my choice next time, but if you are willing to do that, go ahead. It will be a great experience
Vincent C
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 5
Reviewed 4 years ago
Unfortunately there were 5 cars in the hike in only campground and our site #5 did not have a table. I reported these things to the park and spoke with REC GOV and received a refund. The service was very good.
JoAnn H. S
Loop:Haypress Campground
Site:Site 2
Reviewed 4 years ago
We just had a quick one night stay to test equipment for an upcoming trek to Zion so didn’t get much time to explore trails or get to the ocean. The campsite was really nice as were the bathrooms. Unfortunately the group campsite had a large group that were partying with loud voices, drunkenness and loud music. They were kind enough to lower the noise when asked, but it still was disturbing to the experience. It would be nice to not allow amplified sounds/music in state parks/camps.
Popularity

Very busy · 96%

Busiest in July, when about 96% of sites are booked. Based on 3 years of reservations.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Location
Haypress CampgroundMarin HeadlandsGolden Gate National Recreation Area
Sausalito, CA 94965

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