Bay Area Backcountry: Napa

Pt. Reyes has over 60,000 acres of mostly untouched land, extending from the shore over some low hills. There are four campgrounds in the park - camping is allowed only in the campgrounds. Campers are limited to a total of four nights. Check in at the visitor center before departure - trails are often impassable and water at the campgrounds can be tainted.

All campgrounds have water, fire grills (you know, a metal box on top of a three foot high pole), toilets, food lockers, and a hitching rail for you horse.

Campground reservations are required, and can be made up to three months in advance. Get reservations early - this is a popular place.

Just north of Pt. Reyes is a large private campground - Olema Ranch Campground - with water, toilets, and showers. Reservations accepted at (415) 663-8001. $16 and up per night.

2,800 acres, all beautiful. The center of activities is a creek running through a redwood grove, but there are miles of trails, canyons to descend into, and hills to huff-n-puff up.

The campsites look nice - car camping, no environmental sites - but I have never been able to get a reservation. Looks like you need to call well in advance (ie, six months may not be enough time).

Potable water is available.

Sugarloaf is far enough from the Bay Area to keep the crowds down. Visit during springtime to see the wildflowers in bloom, and the park generally green. Resembles a blast furnace in the summer.

The park used to have primitive campsites, but I have heard they've been developed since I was last there. You can expect to find toilets and potable water available in the campground, plus tables and fire pits or stoves at each campsite.