Overview
As San Francisco's only group campground, Rob Hill offers a national park camping experience just minutes from the city. Here you will have access to all of the recreational opportunities the Presidio of San Francisco has to offer, including hiking and biking trails, scenic overlooks, picnic sites, beaches, a golf course, and so much more. The campground's spacious campsites make it a perfect choice for groups of all kinds, including multi-family gatherings, school field trips, and scout troops. To learn more about the campgrounds rules we ask you to please read over the Terms and Conditions . We look forward to welcoming you to Rob Hill!
Recreation
Located at the Golden Gate, the Presidio of San Francisco is a place to escape in nature and explore key moments in history. The park features San Francisco’s best hiking and biking trails, scenic overlooks, picnic sites, beaches, a golf course, and other top attractions. And the Presidio is home to more than two-dozen visitor-serving businesses , including multiple museums, a golf course, and hotels and venues for celebrations and meetings .
There are a dozen major trails in the Presidio and eight scenic overlooks. Whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging hike, the Presidio has a trail for everyone. Learn more about hiking and biking trails on the Presidio Trust website .
Visitors who wish to take advantage of the Presidio's many scenic bike routes can rent bikes through the Bay Wheels Bike Share program or at the Sports Basement on Crissy Field. Learn more about biking in the park on the Presidio Trust's biking page .
In addition to the many hiking and biking trails, the Presidio is home to some of the best beaches in San Francisco. Whether you’re looking to dip your toes in the water and splash with the kids, toss a Frisbee near the Golden Gate Bridge, or watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean, we’ve got great choices for you. Learn more about our beaches on the Presidio Trust's beach page .
Facilities
Rob Hill is generally open for camping between April 1 and October 31 each year. The campground has four group campsites that can accommodate up to 30 people each. Two of the sites, the Ishmen and Yunahia sites, are accessible campsites that contain raised tent pads. Each campsite is equipped with a fire ring, a large charcoal grill, four picnic tables, and two food storage boxes.
Rob Hill is a tent-only campground. RVs, pop-up trailers, camper vans, or other similar camping-vehicles are not allowed. All four of the campsites can be reached by an approximately 200 ft walk up a paved, accessible path.
Rob Hill has indoor toilets with running water, but no showers. The restrooms are ADA compliant. A set of utility sinks are located near the bathrooms where campers may wash their dishes. Potable water is available at the drinking fountain near the restrooms or the water faucets on the east and west sides of the campground.
There are landfill, recycling, and organics/compost bins on the east and west sides of the campground. Campers at Rob Hill can help the Presidio’s goal of becoming a Zero Waste park by separating their compostable items, recyclable items, and landfill waste into the appropriate bins provided at the campground. Learn more about which items go where on the Recology website .
Small lockers for personal items are available at the campground located in the scullery. Each site is offered one (1) locker which corresponds with the name of the campsite. Information on how to open and lock lockers is available on the front and back of each locker door. You may utilize the locker for your entire reservation and all items must be removed by 11 AM on the day of check out. If you forget your code, call the camp site manager at (415) 314-8135. Please allow 72 hours for a response as staff is limited. Items left behind will go to Lost and Found at the Presidio Field Station and be held for 14 days.
Four parking spaces are allocated per campsite at the campground parking lot on Central Magazine Rd. Additional vehicles will need to park off-site, in any public parking lot in the Presidio. The nearest parking lots are approximately a 5 minute walk away. Please see your reservation confirmation for suggested off-site parking lots. Additional information about transportation and parking can be found on the Presidio Trust's Transportation page .
Natural Features
The Presidio is a natural oasis right next door to a big city – a place where you can experience wildflowers, watersheds, and wildlife on an afternoon hike. It is also a where important work is being done to revitalize natural areas and to show how people and the environment can thrive in harmony. At the Presidio, you can explore habitats that have been lost in the urban Bay Area; see a fox or a hawk hunt for their next meal; or stroll around a natural lake that has been brought back to life.
Mountain Lake, one of San Francisco's last surviving natural lakes, is located less than two miles south of Rob Hill on the southern edge of the Presidio. Since 2013 the Presidio Trust has been working with scientists, academic institutions, and volunteers to help revitalize the lake. Polluted soil and invasive species were removed from the lake, and native plant and animal species, such as the Western Pond Turtle and Pacific Chorus Frog are being reestablished. In addition to the many resident species that call Mountain Lake home, 65 migratory bird species have been document visiting the lake on their journey along the Pacific Flyway.
Experienced and newer birders alike will also want to visit Crissy Marsh and Quartermaster Reach Marsh , located about two miles northwest of Rob Hill. The fresh water that flows through the Presidio's largest watershed, the Tennessee Hollow Watershed ultimately meets the salty waters of San Francisco Bay here, creating a vibrant destination for more than 100 bird species, including those stopping for rest as they make their long journey along the Pacific Flyway.
Campers interested in learning more about some of the unique plant life that can be found in the Presidio are encouraged to visit the Ecology Trail . A little over one mile in length, this trail passes through lush restored serpentine grasslands where, from spring to early summer, you may see the endangered Presidio Clarkia and other native wildflowers in bloom. You'll also find yourself amid towering redwoods, oaks, eucalyptus, Monterey pine, and Monterey cypress at various points along the trail.
To learn more about the natural history of the Presidio, visit the Nature and Sustainability page on our website.
Nearby Attractions
In addition to the many places to visit within the Presidio, there is so much to explore in San Francisco itself. You can visit the Golden Gate Bridge, explore endless dining opportunities, visit a museum, and so much more. Visit the SF Travel website for tips to help you plan your visit to the city.
Located just over one mile from the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center , the campground makes for an excellent base camp for groups wanting to walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Check with the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District for tips to make the most of your visit to this beloved International Orange icon.
Campers looking for more national park experiences can explore the other units of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), including Fort Point National Historic Site , Muir Woods National Monument , and Alcatraz Island . Stretched across 80,000 acres north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge, the 37 parks sites of the GGNRA constitute one of the world’s largest national parks in an urban setting. In total, the GGNRA has more than 130 miles of trails, and 1,200 historic structures, making it a wonderful place to explore for nature lovers and history buffs alike.
Charges & Cancellations
Reservation holders may make up to two changes per reservation. A service fee may be charged at the time a modification is made depending on the changes.
Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Cancellations less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee.
Please read Recreation.gov's Rules and Reservations Policies for more information.
Camp Observer