Point Reyes National Seashore is a national seashore run by the National Park Service in California.
In the park service’s words
From its thunderous ocean breakers crashing against rocky headlands and expansive sand beaches to its open grasslands, brushy hillsides, and forested ridges, Point Reyes offers visitors over 1500 species of plants and animals to discover. Home to several cultures over thousands of years, the Seashore preserves a tapestry of stories and interactions of people. Point Reyes awaits your exploration.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Things to do
- Hike the Chimney Rock Trail (40 to 90 Minutes): Enjoy spectacular views of Drakes Bay, the Pacific, and, in spring, wildflowers along this open coastal walk. From January through May, look for migratory whales from the point. Allow 45 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Chimney Rock Trailhead.
- Hike the Marshall Beach Trail (50 to 90 Minutes): Marshall Beach is a 400-foot-long (366-meter-long) beach on the west side of Tomales Bay in the northern part of the national seashore that may be reached via the via the 1.2-mile-long (1.9-kilometer-long) Marshall Beach Trail. Allow 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Marshall Beach Trailhead.
- Hike to Mount Wittenberg from Bear Valley (2 to 3 Hours): The hikes described on this page start at the Bear Valley Trailhead and feature steep 400 meter (1300 feet) climbs to Mount Wittenberg, the highest point on the Point Reyes Peninsula at 1407 feet (426 meters) in elevation. A few limited views of the ocean and Olema Valley may be enjoyed near the ridge crest. These rout
- Bike the Bear Valley Trail to the Glen Trail Junction (1 to 3 Hours): This wide gravel trail through Douglas fir forest is great for a family cruise, a mellow ride, or the start of a multi-sport adventure! This trail begins at the Bear Valley Trailhead, at the south end of the Bear Valley Parking Lot.
- Hike the Woodward Valley Loop (6 to 7 Hours): Travel from forest to tidepools on this ambitious hike. This trail includes beautiful forest and spectacular coastal hiking with sweeping ocean views, though much of this area was burned in the Woodward Fire that began as lightning strikes in August of 2020. This hike starts at the Bear Valley Trailhead, at the south e
- Hike to Divide Meadow (1 to 2 Hours): Stroll through a forest of towering Douglas fir trees and along a shaded creek on this family-friendly hike to Divide Meadow. This hike begins at the Bear Valley Trailhead, at the south end of the Bear Valley Parking Lot.
- Hike the Abbotts Lagoon Trail to the Ocean (60 to 90 Minutes): Take an easy hike that will lead you past a unique coastal lagoon bordered by sand dunes to the Pacific Ocean. This hike offers great opportunities for viewing birds and wildflowers. Allow 20 to 25 minutes driving time from Bear Valley to the Abbotts Lagoon Trailhead.
- Fishing at Point Reyes: Fish on! Point Reyes National Seashore allows fishing as a means of providing for public enjoyment, and customary and traditional use, and regulates fishing to ensure that it is managed in a manner that avoids unacceptable impacts to park resources.
Fees and hours
Entrance fee: No entrance fee.
Hours: Daily, Opens at 6:00AM. Point Reyes National Seashore is open to visitors every day of the year! The park is open from 6 am to midnight. (Visit our Visitor Centers web page, for the hours for the Bear Valley Visitor Center, the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center at Drakes Beach, and the Point Reyes Lighthouse and the stairs leading down to the lighthouse.) Overnight parking is only permitted in the park with a valid backcountry camping permit or for visitors staying at the Point Reyes Hostel.
Camping
| Campground | Sites | Booking | From | RVs | Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomales Bay Boat-in Camping | 20 | Reservable | $30 | No | cell signal |
| Coast Campground | 14 | Reservable | $30 | No | water |
| Glen Campground | 12 | Reservable | $30 | No | water |
| Sky Campground | 12 | Reservable | $30 | No | water |
| Wildcat Campground | 8 | Reservable | $30 | No | water |
Lodging
- Limantour Lodge at the Point Reyes National Seashore: The only lodging within Point Reyes National Seashore is offered by Limantour Lodge. They offer dormitory style accommodations, as well as four private rooms. Please call 415-663-8811 for more information between 8 am and 7 pm.
Getting there
Point Reyes is located along the west coast of California approximately 30 miles (50 km) north of San Francisco. Travelers may approach the park from the winding scenic Highway 1, either from the north or the south. Visitors can also reach the park via Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or the Point Reyes/Petaluma Road.
| Airport | City | Drive to the park | Straight-line miles | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS) | Santa Rosa, CA | No road route | 32 | Regional |
| San Francisco International Airport (SFO) | San Francisco, CA | No road route | 41 | Large hub |
| Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK) | Oakland, CA | No road route | 43 | Large hub |
Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.
Miles are straight-line distances.
Visitor centers
- Bear Valley Visitor Center: Daily, 9:30AM - 5:00PM. The Bear Valley Visitor Center is scheduled to be open daily from 9:30 am until 5 pm. The Bear Valley Visitor Center is closed on December 25 and usually closes at 2 pm on Thanksgiving.
- Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri Closed; Sat 10:00AM - 4:30PM; Sun 10:00AM - 4:30PM. Provided there are no active exceptions, the Kenneth C. Patrick Visitor Center is open from 10 am to 4:30 pm on weekends and federal holidays that fall on Mondays; closed on weekdays.
- Point Reyes Lighthouse Visitor Center: Mon 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Tue 12:00PM - 4:00PM; Wed 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Thu 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Fri 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 4:00PM; Sun 10:00AM - 4:00PM. The Lighthouse Visitor Center (LHVC) and the stairs leading down to the lighthouse (LH) are open from 10 am to 4 pm every day of the week. The stairs to the LH are closed when winds exceed 40 miles per hour. The stairs are typically closed until noon on Tuesday due to ongoing preservation work.
Weather
The moderating influence of the Pacific Ocean creates a climate with no great extremes of heat or cold. Any season can bring interesting weather during your visit to Point Reyes National Seashore. Come prepared!
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Know before you go
Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.
Nearby
The nearest national park is Pinnacles, about 144 miles away in a straight line.
Sources
Last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee at Point Reyes National Seashore?
No entrance fee.
Where is Point Reyes National Seashore?
In California. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, about 32 miles away.
Can you camp at Point Reyes National Seashore?
Yes, at 5 campgrounds the park service lists.
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