Kirby Cove Camp, Coastal campground in Marin Headlands, US
Kirby Cove Camp is a small coastal campground in the Marin Headlands, set in a sheltered cove just north of San Francisco with five tent sites and a day-use area. The site has basic facilities including pit toilets, barbecue grills, and picnic tables, but no running water.
The land was used as a military defense post from the late 1800s to guard the entrance to San Francisco Bay. After the battery was decommissioned, the area was opened to the public and eventually became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
The cove sits so close to the Golden Gate Bridge that its fog horns are clearly audible at night from the tent sites. Many visitors spend evenings watching container ships pass just beneath the bridge towers as they enter the bay.
There is no drinking water on site, so bring enough before you arrive, especially for overnight stays. Reservations are required well in advance, particularly on weekends and during warmer months, as the limited number of sites fills up fast.
The trail leading down to the camp passes through a grove of eucalyptus trees that were brought from Australia in the 1800s and are not native to California. Their strong scent fills the air along the whole walk down, making the approach feel unlike any other campground in the area.
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