About Point Reyes
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.
- Region
- West
- State
- California
- Designation
- National Seashore
- Entrance fee
- None listed
- Trail data for this park is still being added.
- Places for this park are still being added.
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Point Reyes.
Entrance fees
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.
Hours
- Mon
- Opens at 6:00AM
- Tue
- Opens at 6:00AM
- Wed
- Opens at 6:00AM
- Thu
- Opens at 6:00AM
- Fri
- Opens at 6:00AM
- Sat
- Opens at 6:00AM
- Sun
- 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.
Weather and when to go
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!
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.
Contact the park
- Address
- 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
- Phone
- (415) 464-5100
- pore_info@nps.gov
- Official site
- nps.gov/pore
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Point Reyes
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.
Things to do in Point Reyes
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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Hike the Chimney Rock Trail
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. A…
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Hike the Marshall Beach Trail
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…
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Hike to Mount Wittenberg from Bear Valley
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 Penins…
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Bike the Bear Valley Trail to the Glen Trail Junction
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 Trailh…
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Hike the Woodward Valley Loop
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…
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Hike to Divide Meadow
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…
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Hike the Abbotts Lagoon Trail to the Ocean
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 wildflowe…
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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 m…
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Swimming at Point Reyes
What comes to mind when you think about the beach? Surf, sand, and swimming are a few words associated with a day at the beach. However, swimming is not recommended at most of the…
Campgrounds in Point Reyes
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
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Glen Campground
Glen Campground is located deep within a wooded valley protected from ocean breezes. The closest beach is 2.5-miles away. One may access Glen Camp by foot or b…
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Sky Campground
Sky Campground is located on the western side of Mount Wittenberg at an elevation of 1025 feet. In clear weather, it has a sweeping view of Point Reyes, Drakes…
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Wildcat Campground
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, bic…
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Coast Campground
Coast Campground is nestled within a small coastal valley with easy access to the beach and tidepools. The beach is within 220 yards of the campground & tidepo…
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Tomales Bay Boat-in Camping
Tomales Bay boat-in camping is allowed on west-side National Park beaches north of Tomales Bay State Park's northern border (i.e., north of Indian Beach and Du…
What to pack for Point Reyes
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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