Steep Ravine Cabins Gear Checklist
The Steep Ravine cabins are bare wooden rooms on a windy bluff above the Pacific, with a wood stove and bunk platforms but no power, no running water and no bedding. People who stayed describe a packing job that is closer to moving into a room than to backpacking. They bring sleeping gear and padding for the platforms, lanterns, something to cover the windows, food in hard containers, and warm layers. They say you can skip the tent, firewood and trash bags.
What shapes your gear on Steep Ravine Cabins
- What the park says is in each cabin
- State Parks lists nine rustic cabins one mile south of Stinson Beach. Every cabin gets a small wood stove, a picnic table, bunk platforms and a barbecue outside, and none has running water. Restrooms and water faucets are nearby, and cabin 1 is accessible.
- Inside, per guests
- Two writers describe a built-in table and benches, a counter, a small closet, and sleeping platforms equal to two doubles, a twin and a child's bed. They also say the windows have no coverings but come with clips for hanging a sheet.
From Gardenista and The Outbound Collective
- Weather on the bluff
- A 2026 article puts the average August high near 70 degrees and the January high near 57, and says even in summer the exposed site can be chilly or foggy. A blog writer adds that it turns chillier when the fog rolls in.
From Islands and The Blonde Abroad
- Getting in
- The cabins sit behind a locked gate and each cabin has its own padlock code. Writers say the gate code arrives after you book, and one advises calling for it before the drive because cell service is limited.
From 7x7 Bay Area, The Outbound Collective and Islands
- Parking, restrooms and cost
- One listing gives one parking space per cabin, restrooms that are clean but have no showers, and a price of $100 per night for up to five people. A writer in 2026 repeats the $100 figure and describes a communal restroom with no showers.
From The Outbound Collective and Islands
- Reservations
- State Parks says reservations open up to six months ahead and that a lottery-style system is used for these cabins. An older 2017 blog post describes a daily rolling release at 8 am instead, so trust the park.
From California State Parks and 7x7 Bay Area
What the agency requires on Steep Ravine Cabins
One vehicle and five people per cabin
State Parks allows only one vehicle and five people in each cabin or campsite here, so pack for that headcount and carpool.
A plan that leaves pets at home
State Parks says no pets are allowed at the Steep Ravine cabins or campsites.
What hikers carry on Steep Ravine Cabins
Padding, a sleeping bag and a pillow for the platforms
The bunks are bare wood. One writer wants more cushioning than a yoga mat, another brought an air mattress, and a third packed sleeping bags, pads and pillows. A 2026 article stresses there is no bedding at all.
From The Blonde Abroad, Gardenista, 7x7 Bay Area and Islands
Lanterns, flashlights or headlamps
There is no electricity. One guest hung candle lanterns from the rafters. Another recommends solar lanterns for indoor use at night. A weekend guest's list includes headlamps.
From The Blonde Abroad, 7x7 Bay Area and Gardenista
Blankets or light fabric for the windows
The windows have clips but no curtains. A weekend guest recommends small blankets for privacy and to keep out early sun, while another writer likes the open windows for hearing the ocean at night.
From 7x7 Bay Area, The Blonde Abroad and Gardenista
Printed confirmation, gate code and cabin code
You need both codes to get in. One writer says the gate code comes from the rangers after booking and cell service is weak, and another says to put the printed confirmation on the dashboard because she heard cars without it get ticketed.
From 7x7 Bay Area, The Outbound Collective and The Blonde Abroad
Food in hard-sided containers
A 2026 article says to store food in hard-sided containers against rodents and raccoons. An older listing also puts food containers on the packing list to keep out pests.
From Islands and The Outbound Collective
A kitchen kit and meals that need no fridge
The cabins have a table and a barbecue but no running water. One guest packed forks, plates, cups, a cutting board, a lighter and paper towels. Another planned grill meals that do not need refrigeration. A third brought a camp stove and cookware.
From 7x7 Bay Area, The Blonde Abroad and Gardenista
Warm layers
Fog and wind can make the bluff chilly even in summer. One writer says to bring layers for sitting out at sunset.
From The Blonde Abroad and Islands
A water jug and a deck of cards
Water faucets are outside, so a jug keeps some inside. Two weekend guests say they spent the evenings playing cards and reading with no power or screens.
From The Blonde Abroad and 7x7 Bay Area
5 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.
Plan a trip hereWhat hikers regret or leave behind on Steep Ravine Cabins
A tent
The only camping item two writers say to leave at home is the tent, since the cabin replaces it.
From Islands and Gardenista
Firewood, trash bags and water
A weekend guest wrote that wood is sold on site, the cabin has a trash can with a bag, and there are several taps for water. Another says the wood runs about $8 a bundle. Both prices come from posts several years old.
From 7x7 Bay Area and The Blonde Abroad
A large stash of toilet paper
One 2017 post says the restrooms have real toilets with paper. Another writer still lists toilet paper and hand wipes, so a small roll is cheap insurance.
From 7x7 Bay Area and The Blonde Abroad
Toys for kids
One family wrote that children did not need toys from home.
From Gardenista
Gear questions for Steep Ravine Cabins
Do the Steep Ravine Cabins have electricity or running water?
No. State Parks says the cabins have no running water, and guests add that there is no electricity. Faucets and restrooms are nearby, and the bathrooms have no showers.
From California State Parks, The Outbound Collective and Islands
What should I bring to the Steep Ravine Cabins?
Guests carry sleeping bags, pads and pillows for the bare bunk platforms, lanterns, food in hard-sided containers, a kitchen kit, warm layers and something to cover the windows. They leave the tent at home.
From 7x7 Bay Area, The Blonde Abroad, Islands and Gardenista
Are the Steep Ravine Cabins cold at night?
They can be. The cabins have a small wood stove, firewood is sold on site, and guests say the bluff is windy and foggy even in summer. They tell visitors to bring layers.
From California State Parks, The Blonde Abroad and Islands
Can I bring a dog to the Steep Ravine Cabins?
No. State Parks says no pets are allowed at the cabins or the campsites next to them.
Sources
- Mount Tamalpais State Park information sheet · California State Parks · Agency
- Hidden Getaway: Steep Ravine Cabins promise a secluded stay at Stinson Beach · 7x7 Bay Area, Sarah Chorey · Blog
- Fairytale Cabins at Steep Ravine in California · The Blonde Abroad · Blog
- Steep Ravine Cabins: Million Dollar Views for $100 a Night · Gardenista · Blog
- Steep Ravine Cabins · The Outbound Collective, Joshua Contois · Forum thread
- California State Parks' Most Coveted Reservation Is Historic Cabin Stay On A Spectacular Coastal Bluff · Islands, Hillary Louise Johnson · Blog