-
Coast Camp - Point Reyes…
3 reviews
Pt. Reyes Station, CA
Category: Campgrounds
Wildcat Camp of Point Reyes National Park
Category: Campgrounds [Edit]
Coast Trail1 mile from Alamere Falls, up a bluff and along a meadow
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
(415) 464-5100
4 reviews for Wildcat Camp of Point Reyes National Park
Watch my video of the hike to Wildcat Camp, shot in June: http://www.youtube.com...
On the beautiful Pt. Reyes seashore. Be sure to take the Coast Trail part of the way there -- it lengthens your trip by about a mile but takes past the gorgeous Arch Rock, perched over the ocean.
Wildcat is in a grassy meadow, next to the sea -- incomparable vistas and the sound of crashing waves to put you to sleep. It is an especially good place to camp because it is only 6.5 - 7.5 miles from the Bear Valley Trailhead near the visitors center.
We hiked from Palomarin Trailhead on Oct 24/25 2009 -- this is the best and most scenic route along the ocean with many ponds/lakes along the way. The trailhead has toilets and trash cans -- I did not notice water outlets. The trailhead is crowded but the trail is not. Many do not go all the way to Wildcat but only half way to Bass Lake.
Be prepared for two things at Wildcat: LOTS of condensation (100%) humidiy at night time even on a clear day) and wind. If you prefer NOT to bring a tent, bring a tarp to sleep under to stay dry. There is a water faucet in camp but , as told by rangers, it is not guaranteed as safe -- bring a filter to be sure. Each campsite is clean and well maintained. They each have two tables, two bear boxes, two BBQ's. Clean pit toilets are avail with TP but bring some just in case a large group has been there ahead of you. For most people hiking 5.5 miles will take about 4 hours each way. Plan on eating lunch on the trail each way.
Point Reyes is about 1 hour north of San Francisco. The campsite is 6.3 mi from the trailhead. At Wildcat there is a vault toilet, water spigot, 2 picnic tables, grill and food storage locker. The campsite is a very short walk to the beach and a 1 mile walk to Alamere Falls.
I've come to this campsite twice with my brother...the outdoor guru. The hike in is not bad, an average, trained hiker can do it with no problem. Wildcat Camp is spacious and each campsite is somewhat isolated from the other sites. Since it is on a bluff near the beach, nights can be windy and chilly so make sure you pack layers!
The hike and view of Alamere Falls is beautiful. Bring your Teva's or Chaco's and you can play in the water. On one occasion that we went, there was a beached whale on the sand...incredible to see!
go for site #7 when you make a reservation. it's closest to the ocean and secluded from the other *very* open group sites. private with an ocean view (and you can hear the waves). though technically it can accomodate 4, there's really only room for 1 tent.
the hike there from palomarin is a little more hilly than the walk to coast camp, but inclues great views of the whole coast, lakes, and a couple of bridges to cross.
oh and the site has a built in bathroom area to pee. it's surrounded by bushes and is accessible only from site #7. use it so you don't catch something from the pit toilets.
