Haypress Campground
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Haypress Campground is nestled within the coastal scrub of Tennessee Valley, near Mill Valley. The hike to this campground is 0.7 miles 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.
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. 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.
Need to Know
Reservations can be made up to three months before your arrival and may extend up to two days beyond this 3 month booking window.
- Only 3 nights per season per camper! This is in order to ensure everyone gets to enjoy Haypress Campground.
Maximum campers for Sites 1-5 is 4 people. For the Group Site the maximum is 25 people. Sites 1-5 are each allowed 3 vehicles. Group site is allowed 5 vehicles.
No further emails will be sent. Your confirmation is your permit.
- Please print your confirmation email after reserving your site, place a copy on the dashboard of each vehicle, and keep a copy on you. Park at the Tennessee Valley Trailhead, and be prepared to hike 0.7 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.
Campers must provide their own water for drinking, cleaning, etc; bring enough water to last your entire stay. Water is also available at the public restrooms on Field Rd.
Leave No Trace
- Pack out all of your trash. Do not leave trash at the campsite.
- 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.
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.
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.
Changes & 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.
Contact Information
Physical
Haypress 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, 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.
Available Campsites
- Site Group Site, Loop Haypress Campground, Type Hike To
- Site Site 3, Loop Haypress Campground, Type Hike To
- Site Site 4, Loop Haypress Campground, Type Hike To
- Site Site 2, Loop Haypress Campground, Type Hike To
- Site Site 1, Loop Haypress Campground, Type Hike To
- Site Site 5, Loop Haypress Campground, Type Hike To
