Kirby Cove Campground Golden Gate National Recreation Area California

Kirby Cove Overview

Kirby Cove Campground has 5 campsites that are a short walk to a beautiful beach where you can also enjoy spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge. All campsites are available by reservation only (tent camping) and can accommodate up to 10 people and 3 vehicles per site (in the parking area).

Access to the Kirby Cove gate is available to all campers. Your permit confirmation will include the gate codes. The walk from the parking area to a campsite ranges from 400 to 800 feet.  Wheelbarrows are not available to transport items.

Amenities include vault toilets and trash collection (parking lot dumpsters). Water is not available. Each site also has a tent pad, table, food storage locker, fire ring and grill. Pets are not permitted.  There is also a reservable day-use / picnic area near Kirby Cove Campground. Cell service is good.

You might also like Point Reyes National Seashore (29 miles away). It offers 4 hike-to campgrounds. Hawk Campground (7 miles away) and Haypress Campground (8 miles away) are also in Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Both are hike-to as well.

Kirby Cove Recreation & Activities

Outdoor recreation includes hiking, surf fishing, swimming (you’ll love the cold water), kayaking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Visitors can also explore Battery Kirby, a historic army batter that was in use from 1898-1934. The Point Bonita Lighthouse and Nike Missile Site SF-88 are also close to the campground.

Kirby Cove History

The first visitors to this secluded cove were likely the Coast Miwok. In 1775, the first Spanish ship sailed by the cove and through the Golden Gate.  In 1870 the military took over and built dispersed military fortifications. The U.S. military chose the location because of the cove’s “field of fire” and sweeping view of the Golden Gate Straights. The Battery Kirby (named in honor of Civil War veteran Lieutenant Edmund Kirby) was completed in 1898. After the attack on Pearl Harbor the Army set up rapid-fire guns disguised by camouflage.  Though occupied by the military for more than a century, not a shot was fired in anger from Kirby Cove. In 1961 it was transferred to the California Division of Beaches & Parks. It became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1978.

Make a Reservation for Kirby Cove

Amenities

• BBQ Grills
• Campsite Tables
• Cell Service - Good
• Fire Pit
• Fire Rings
• Food Storage Locker
• Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
• Grills
• Picnic Tables
• Trash Collection

Activities

• Beach
• Beach Access
• Beach Combing
• Bird Watching
• Hiking
• Historic Sites
• Kayaking
• Mountain Biking
• Nature Trails
• Ocean
• Paddle boarding (SUP)
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Surf Fish
• Swimming
• Wading
• Walking Trails
• Wildlife Viewing