Env Sites Gear Checklist

What shapes your gear on Angel Island

Getting onto the island

The only ways in are the public ferry from San Francisco or Tiburon, or a private boat. In winter, the park says weekday service comes from the Golden Gate Ferry out of San Francisco, and the Tiburon ferry runs on weekdays only on a charter basis.

From California State Parks: Angel Island State Park

How far you carry gear

The park says campers carry their equipment up to two miles. One East Bay camper logged 1.4 miles in via the perimeter road and about a mile out, and counted 155 stairs on the shortcut. Another group hiked two miles uphill to a campsite.

From California State Parks: Angel Island State Park brochure, Avid Backpackers and Turn The Paige

The four camp areas

Water and pit toilets are close to each of the park's four environmental camping areas. East Bay tends to be sheltered from wind. The Ridge sites are more exposed but look out on the Golden Gate Bridge and the city. Sunrise sites can be booked one by one or together as a group camp.

From California State Parks: Angel Island State Park brochure

What is at the site

Each East Bay site has a barbecue, food locker and picnic table. The three share a pit toilet, a water spigot and trash cans. A group at Sunrise site 8 also used a metal food locker.

From Bluepoof, Inga's Adventures and Avid Backpackers

Wind and temperature

One August camper wore a long-sleeve shirt at arrival in the mid to upper 60s, then added a down jacket, hat and gloves by evening. The tent stayed at 56 degrees overnight. The camper says winds that day were reported at 15 to 25 knots and hit even the sheltered eastern side, so they moved to the empty neighboring site.

From Bluepoof

Ferry timing

Campers say to check the ferry schedule before booking, because boats do not run daily in the off season. One camper noted three boats a day, spread far apart. The Tiburon ferry and parking there took only cash in a 2019 report.

From Inga's Adventures, Turn The Paige and Avid Backpackers

What hikers carry on Angel Island

• A propane stove and a cook kit

  With no real campfire allowed, one couple cooked sausage wraps and hot cocoa on a propane stove and called it a life-saver. The park accepts charcoal as well as a stove.

  From Turn The Paige, California State Parks: Angel Island State Park brochure and Bluepoof

• A small wagon or jogging stroller

  A camper walking to East Bay noticed many people hauling coolers and bags in wagons or strollers. The walk to East Bay is about 2 miles with some steep stretches.

  From Bluepoof and Avid Backpackers

• Layers, a wind shell and a warm hat

  The park handout says wind and weather change fast in every season and to dress in layers. A camper put on a down jacket, hat and gloves as the evening cooled.

  From California State Parks: Angel Island State Park brochure and Bluepoof

• Tent stakes and a plan for a sloped pad

  East Bay sites 2 and 3 slope, so one camper staked the tent with the head uphill. Wind pushed the same camper to move sites, so firm anchoring matters.

  From Bluepoof

• A tarp and an umbrella for damp weather

  In a rainy April forecast one East Bay camper held an umbrella while the tent went up, then rigged a tarp over the picnic table and packed up the next morning under it.

  From Avid Backpackers

• A headlamp, warm clothes and rain gear for evening walks

  The same camper walked up toward Mount Livermore after dinner with warm clothes, rain gear and lights, and says the lights were the most important of the three.

  From Avid Backpackers

• Food packed to fit the site locker

  Rangers warn arriving campers about clever raccoons. Campers store all food in the metal site locker, and a magazine guide warns that raccoons tear through tents to get at food.

  From Inga's Adventures, Bluepoof and Sunset

• A paper map

  Trail signage on the island is spotty, so a group of four was glad to have a map even on a small island.

  From Inga's Adventures

• Cash for Tiburon parking and the ferry

  A 2019 camper found both parking and the Tiburon ferry were cash only and suggested using the ATM near the ferry dock.

  From Avid Backpackers

Gear questions for Angel Island