Steep Ravine Camp Gear Checklist
Steep Ravine is a car-camping stay with a short wheelbarrow haul, not a backpacking trip. The seven tent sites sit on a coastal bluff below a locked gate, with water faucets and flush toilets nearby. What campers write about is wind, raccoons, no power and a gate code you need before you leave home. They bring ordinary camping gear, a headlamp, a sealable cooler, extra stakes and cash for firewood.
What shapes your gear on Steep Ravine
- What the site is
- The state park lists seven primitive environmental campsites and nine rustic cabins one mile south of Stinson Beach. Reservations open up to six months ahead through ReserveCalifornia. Site 7 is wheelchair accessible.
- Getting your gear in
- A locked gate leads down about 1 mile to the bluff, and only one car per site may park. Wheelbarrows wait near the lot, and a camper at site EN03 put the walk from lot to tent at 3 to 5 minutes.
From The Outbound, Reddit r/norcalhiking and The Dyrt
- The gate code
- Campers say to call for the code before leaving home, because cell service is weak and one caller waited on hold for 20 minutes or more. Another camper says to skip the reservation line and call the Mount Tamalpais station instead.
- Water and toilets
- The park says restrooms and water faucets are nearby. Campers describe flush toilets with sinks near the lot and an outhouse closer to the sites, with water spigots and a fire ring and picnic table at each site.
From California State Parks, The Outbound, Reddit r/norcalhiking and The Dyrt
- Shade and wind
- Site EN02 had tree cover for shade and wind protection, while EN03 had no shade. A longtime visitor says the trees that shaded the tent sites have mostly died. Wind ranges from nothing to strong enough that three people were needed to set up a tent.
From The Outbound and Reddit r/norcalhiking
- On the ground
- Campers warn about poison oak and about ticks in the grass, and one asks that you stay on cleared areas to protect habitat.
From The Dyrt and Reddit r/norcalhiking
What the agency requires on Steep Ravine
A small party and no pets
Each campsite takes one vehicle and five people at most, and pets are not allowed.
What hikers carry on Steep Ravine
Ordinary car-camping gear, not backpacking gear
A repeat visitor told a first-timer without backpacking kit not to worry, since the wheelbarrows handle the haul. Cabin visitors say to bring a regular camping kit minus the tent, meaning sleeping bag, air mattress, stove, cooking gear and lantern.
From Reddit r/norcalhiking and Gardenista
A headlamp or lantern
There is running water but no power, so trips to the bathroom after dark need a light. Cabin visitors also list a lantern.
From Reddit r/norcalhiking and Gardenista
Cash or a phone for firewood
Wood is sold on site, and campers say to bring cash or use the contactless QR payment. Cabin guests bring their own charcoal for the patio grill.
From Reddit r/norcalhiking and Gardenista
Extra stakes and a wind plan
One camper has seen wind that took three people to hold a tent and advises staking well if you leave camp. Another unzips the tent body, pushes the ice chest inside and builds the tent around it so it cannot fly off.
A way to lock food away
Raccoons are busy here. One camper had a site overrun by them, and another lost a neighbor's food overnight, so the advice is to eat early, stay tidy and clean up thoroughly.
The gate code, collected before you drive
Several campers in one thread tell newcomers to call for it from home, because a code is needed to unlock the gate and signal is poor.
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
Lightweight backpacking kit bought for the trip
Wheelbarrows and a 3 to 5 minute walk mean a normal-size cooler is fine.
Cooking at dusk
Arriving late and eating at dusk is when raccoons arrive, according to one camper, who suggests eating early.
Wandering off the cleared paths
A tent camper spotted poison oak but never close to the cleared paths, another says not to bushwhack, and a third caught a tick crawling on their neck after walking through grass.
From The Dyrt and Reddit r/norcalhiking
Gear questions for Steep Ravine
Do I need backpacking gear for Steep Ravine?
No. Wheelbarrows at the parking area carry your gear on a short walk to the sites, so regular camping equipment works.
From Reddit r/norcalhiking and The Dyrt
How do I get the Steep Ravine gate code?
Call before you leave home using the number on your confirmation. Signal is poor on site and one caller was on hold 20 minutes or more. A camper suggests skipping the reservation line for the Mount Tamalpais station, and the park's info sheet lists the Pantoll ranger station at 415-388-2070.
Can I buy firewood at Steep Ravine?
Yes. Campers say wood is sold on site and the seller takes cash or a contactless QR payment. Cabin guests report the same sale.
From Reddit r/norcalhiking and Gardenista
Are there raccoons at Steep Ravine?
Yes. Campers report busy raccoons, including one site overrun by them and a family whose food was taken overnight. Keep food secured and eat early.
Is there drinking water at Steep Ravine?
The park says water faucets are nearby, and campers describe spigots throughout the campground and flush toilets near the lot. There is no power.
From California State Parks, The Outbound and Reddit r/norcalhiking
Sources
- Mount Tamalpais State Park info sheet · California State Parks · Agency
- Steep ravine tent camping EN03 · Reddit r/norcalhiking, u/krispykittydvp · Reddit thread
- A Breath of Fresh Air (Steep Ravine Campground) · The Dyrt, Tai R. · Forum thread
- Steep Ravine Environmental Campground · The Outbound, Billy Boockford · Forum thread
- Steep Ravine Cabins: Million Dollar Views for $100 a Night · Gardenista · Blog