Hawk Campground
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Hawk Campground is located above Tennessee Valley and offers sweeping views of the Marin Headlands. The site is a 2.5 mile uphill hike from the Tennessee Valley Trailhead parking lot, or a 3.5 mile uphill hike from Miwok Trailhead in the Marin Headlands. Car or RV camping is not allowed. This campground is recommended for experienced backpackers. The hike may be steep, but the views are more than worth it!!
This primitive campground has three overnight sites that accommodate up to four guests each. Water must be packed in, and trash must be packed out. There is no water available at this campground - campers must bring any water necessary for drinking, cooking, etc. Each site has a tent pad, a food locker, and a picnic table. There is one port-a-john. There is limited cell service at the campground, and no cell service at either of the recommended parking areas (Tennessee Valley Trailhead parking lot or the Miwok Trailhead parking area.)
Need to Know
There is no water available at this campground. Campers must provide their own water for drinking, cleaning, etc; bring enough water to last your entire stay. Bring your own hand sanitizer and hand soap.
Reservations can be made up to 3 months before your arrival and may extend up to 2 days beyond this 6-month booking window.
- Only 3 nights per season per camper! This is in order to ensure everyone gets to enjoy Hawk Campground.
No further emails will be sent. Your confirmation is your permit.
- Please print your confirmation email after reserving a site. Place a copy of your confirmation on the dashboard of each vehicle. There is a maximum of 3 vehicles for each site. Be prepared to hike over 2 miles to the campground.
The Parking area is separate from the actual campsites. This is a walk-in, Tent Only facility. No RVs or car camping is allowed.
Leave No Trace
- Do not leave trash at campsite or in food lockers.
- Help us keep wild animals wild! Raccoons, deer, coyotes and bobcats frequent the area. Do not feed or approach wildlife; keep area clean of scented items and keep all food items in the food locker until the end of your stay.
Campground Quiet Hours are between 10 PM and 6 AM. Please be respectful to others.
No wood or charcoal fires allowed; gas camp stoves are permitted.
Pets are prohibited, only trained service animals are allowed.
Hammocks tied on trees or structures are not permitted. Only free standing hammocks are allowed.
In Case of Emergency call 911 or Park Dispatch at (415) 561-5656.
For more information, call (415) 331-1540 or email us at goga_marinheadlands_info@nps.gov.
Looking for something to do during your camping adventure?!
1) Beginner Birding with a Park Ranger - Join a NPS Park Ranger for a guided hike/program around Rodeo Lagoon and learn all about our local feathered friends. Taking place Saturdays at 11am during the months of March and April 2025. For more information and to sign-up: Click Here
2) Layers of History - A Ranger Guided Hike/Program - Hike along with a ranger on a 2-mile loop starting/ending at Fort Cronkhite and learn all about the multi-layered history of the Marin Headlands. For more information and to sign-up: Click Here
3) Nike Missile Site SF-88 - Check out this relic and fully restored piece of Cold War history and take a FREE Ranger/Docent led tour of the site. Open all year every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with three tour options per day at 12:15PM, 1:15PM, and 2:15PM (No reservation required). For more information: Click Here
Natural Features
Hawk Campground sits atop of the rolling landscape of the Marin Headlands, within a biodiverse coastal scrub landscape. While the campground itself is situated under a cluster of Monterey cypress and pine, the undulating hills leading up to it are dotted with manzanita, coyote brush and sagebrush. Raptors frequently soar overhead, and deer, coyotes, foxes and bobcats share the landscape with campers. The geology that underlies the Marin Headlands and Tennessee Valley is unique and world-renowned; for example, the outcrops of radiolarian chert that line the trails are frequently admired by visitors from near and far. There are multiple black sand beaches within hiking distance of the campground.
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 Hawk 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 5-minute drive from the Miwok Trailhead parking area or a 20-minute drive away from the Tennessee Valley Trailhead parking lot or. 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, and Nike Missile Site SF-88.
Recreation
Tennessee Valley and the Marin Headlands are noted for great hiking, and are often populated by hikers regardless of time-of-year. Consider hiking to Tennessee Beach (4 miles), the Marine Mammal Center (4 miles), Rodeo Beach (4.3 miles), or the Point Bonita Lighthouse (5 miles). Contact the Marin Headlands Rangers at (415)-331-1540 to inquire about a ranger-led program or guided hike during your stay.
Changes & Cancellations
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.
Contact Information
Physical
Hawk Campground Marin Headlands Golden Gate National Recreation Area Sausalito CA 94965
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: (415)-331-1540
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving 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, locate the white service gate near the stables and hike up Marincello Trail to the Hawk 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, locate the white service gate near the stables and hike up Marincello Trail to Hawk Camp.
Available Campsites
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