Overview:
Angel Island can charm the socks off a day-hiker, but it's even better by night, when the state park closes up shop and sends the tour... more »ists home.
After that, campers lucky enough to reserve one of the island's 11 sites have the place to themselves. Urban attractions ringing San Francisco Bay light up as the night darkens, creating shimmering opportunities for photographers who know their way around a time exposure. Campers are free to roam to the top of Mount Livermore or just enjoy the view from their sites.
There's no more than 2.5 miles of hiking and 300 feet of elevation gain, so it's an easy outing by backpacking standards. Campers often bring wheeled carts brimming with luxuries unheard of on deep backcountry trips.
Best time to go: September and October are optimal: the warmest, sunniest times of year on the Bay. April and May bring spring wildflowers but campsites are much more difficult to reserve. Summer months are foggy, though fog often burns off. November-February are rainiest.
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Backpacking at Angel Island
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Backpacking at Angel Island
Overview: Angel Island can charm the socks off a day-hiker, but it's even better by night, when the state park closes up shop and sends the tour... more »
Tips: Call the Angel Island ranger's office at (415) 435-5390 before you start planning your trip to get the latest on fees and access to the... more »
Take this guide with you!
- 1. Download the EveryTrail app from the App Store
- 2. Search for the Backpacking at Angel Island guide
- 3. Enjoy your self-guided tour
Points of Interest
This is where the ferry will drop you off. It's up to 2.5 miles to your campsite from here.
Sites 1, 2 and 3 face the East Bay -- Oakland and the Bay Bridge -- are on the wind-sheltered side of the island. This means less ocean breeze blasting your tent at night, but also less of a view of San Francisco's night skyline. Descriptions of each campsite from the Angel Islan... More
Site 1: "Open, with a view, generally protected from the wind."
Site 2: "Close to site 3, sheltered in a pine grove."
Site 3: "View and some shelter, a small site on a slope."Less
Sites 7, 8 and 9 are close together and offer the best option for group camping. They provide the best view of the East Bay/San Francisco skyline but are more exposed to ocean breezes and therefore colder at night.
Sites 4, 5 and 6 along this ridge are more exposed to ocean winds and therefore chillier after dark. From the AIA Camping Page.:
Ridge Site 4: "Open space with a view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. Can be windy."
Ridge Site 5: "Some ... More
This site is near the shore but accessible via a path from Perimeter Road. You can paddle up to it, but a kayak/boat is not required to camp there.
This is near Perimeter Road not far from Camp Reynolds. Only those who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act are allowed to reserve the site. If you don't qualify, you won't be allowed to use it.
Lone exception: Campers have a first-come, first-serve shot at the site if it hasn't been reserved.
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