California / Marin County / Marin Headlands State Park / Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Hawk Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Reopens in March. Reservations available up to six months in advance through Recreation.gov. Maximum stay is three nights per year.

About

Hawk Campground is the most remote campground in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, perched high above Tennessee Valley with sweeping views of the Marin Headlands. This primitive backpacking camp requires a strenuous uphill hike of either 2.5 miles from Tennessee Valley Trailhead or 3.5 miles from Miwok Trailhead, making it ideal for experienced backpackers seeking solitude and spectacular vistas. The campground features three walk-in sites nestled under a cluster of Monterey cypress and pine trees, each accommodating up to four guests with tent pads, food lockers, and picnic tables. The surrounding landscape is biodiverse coastal scrub dotted with manzanita, coyote brush, and sagebrush. Wildlife is abundant, with raptors soaring overhead and frequent visits from deer, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. From the campground, hikers can access Tennessee Beach, the Marine Mammal Center, Rodeo Beach, and Point Bonita Lighthouse. The area's geology is world-renowned, particularly the radiolarian chert outcrops along the trails. Temperatures remain mild year-round with lows of 50-55°F and highs of 60-65°F, though fog is prevalent May through September. Campers must pack in all water and pack out all trash, as no water is available on-site.

Directions

From San Francisco, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and continue on US-101 N. Take exit 445B toward Mill Valley/Stinson Beach. Continue straight until you can turn left onto Tennessee Valley Road, which dead-ends at Tennessee Valley Trailhead parking lot. Locate the white service gate near the stables and hike up Marincello Trail to Hawk Camp Trail (2.5 miles uphill). Alternatively, access via 3.5 mile uphill hike from Miwok Trailhead in the Marin Headlands.

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