Wildcat Campground
1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA, 94956
National Park ServiceLast Updated: November 5, 2025
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Campground Overview
Wildcat Campground is located in an open meadow on a bluff overlooking the ocean with a short walk to the beach. One may access Wildcat Campground by foot, bicycle, or horse; not by boat, auto, or RV. It is a 6.3-mile hike from Bear Valley Trailhead or a 5.5-mile hike from the Palomarin Trailhead. The only bicycling route is via a strenuous 6.7-mile ride along the Stewart Trail from the Five Brooks Trailhead. There are five regular (1- to 6-person) sites and three group (7- to 25-person) sites.
Reservation Info
Camping is by permit only. Camping permits must be obtained before starting your trip. Visitors may make online reservations for a permit at this backcountry (i.e., hike-in) campground at Recreation.gov. Some permits/sites are available at 7 am three months to the day in advance and some are available at 7 am 14 days to the day in advance. Print your Recreation.gov confirmation email and be prepared to show it to park rangers on the trail and at your campsite. Print out additional copies of your confirmation email to place face up on the dashboard of each vehicle remaining overnight at park trailheads.
Rules
Fire/Stove Policy
Gas camp stoves are permitted. Charcoal fires: The charcoal grills at Wildcat Campground were permanently removed on May 12, 2022. Charcoal fires are now prohibited. Beach fires: Permits are required for beach fires in the park and can be acquired at the Bear Valley Visitor Center or from our Beach Fires page at https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/beachfires.htm. Small fires made out of natural driftwood are only permitted on sandy beaches (below the high tide line, if possible). Downed wood above the beach's vegetation line may not be gathered and burned. Put fires out with water, not sand. Visit https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/beachfires.htm for more details. Fire bans: Visitors planning to cook food over a beach fire should come prepared with an alternative means of cooking (e.g., self-contained gas stove) in the event of a Spare the Air Alert or high, very high or extreme fire danger.
Regulations Overview
Visit our park's Backcountry Camping web page for more about the rules and regulations. Basic rules and regulations include: * Permits are required. * Camp in designated sites. * Dogs and/or other pets are prohibited. * Drones are prohibited. * Glass containers are prohibited within 50 feet of the beach. * Follow Leave No Trace principles. * Store your food and other scented items properly in the food storage lockers provided at the campsite. * Properly dispose of human waste. * Do not wash dishes, bathe, or wash clothing at water faucets. * Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited at the campsites. * Fireworks are prohibited. * Most types of weapons are prohibited. * Hunting is prohibited. * Quiet hours are from sundown to sunrise. * Campers must vacate their campsite by noon on their day of departure. Campsites should be left clean. Do not leave anything behind. * The maximum number of horses or pack animals in any campground is eight. Pack animals & horses must be tied to hitch rails. Llamas are prohibited.
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