California camping

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Kelly Lake Loop - Henry Coe, California

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Kelly Lake Loop - Henry Coe, California

Kelly Lake Loop - Henry Coe, California

15.2 miles / 4,066 ft elevation

Henry W. Coe State Park is one of the few parks in the San Francisco Bay Area not completely overrun by visitors on the weekends. It is also one of the few parks where you can backpack and wilderness camp without needing advanced permits, which means it is also one of the most accessible parks for backpackers. This park offers an abundance of trails and lakes to backpack to and camp next to; you can camp anywhere along the lake shore in this park. During your visit you can expect to see rolling grass hills, oak trees, wildlife including turkeys and deer, and if you go in the spring, massive fields of wildflowers.

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Coast Camp to Sky Camp Loop - Point Reyes, California

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Coast Camp to Sky Camp Loop - Point Reyes, California

Coast Camp to Sky Camp Loop - Point Reyes, California

12.1 miles / 2,497 ft elevation

Point Reyes National Seashore boasts some absolutely gorgeous backcountry campgrounds, and one of our favorites is Coast Camp nestled behind a grassy hill just off of Limantour Beach. This is also a great intro-to-backpacking backcountry site, with the camp only being 2 miles from the trailhead on a relatively flat trail. Pack in, set up your camp, and enjoy the surrounding area including a scenic 8 mile loop hike to Sky Camp, sunsets and bonfires on the beach, and plenty of wildlife including deer, seals and sea birds. You can also do this trek as a 12 mile day hike instead of camping overnight.