Description

What’s that good looking little parcel of land on the shores of San Pablo Bay? That’s Back Ranch Meadows Campground! As you’ll soon see, this diverse campground is sprinkled among a sunny patch of land (it’s more like a hill). There are 30 campsites situated among groves of oaks, bay laurels, and madrones, which also provide a bit of shade. If you’d like a little more seclusion, make sure to check out sites 9-15). One thing to keep in mind is that all the sites here are walk-in. However, it’s a VERY short walk (grandma can definitely make it). It’s about 5 minutes total to get from your car to the campsite and you must carry your supplies. The campsite has restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and fire rings. It’s also close to a plethora of mighty fine trails. This place is so close to the city...get out there..you’ll dig it!
Campsite area
Tent sites
32 sites
Up to 45 guests per site
Up to 6 vehicles
No wheelchair access
Essentials
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
No pets
Amenities
Picnic table available
No potable water
No showers

Activities

Offered near the campground.

Biking

Among other things, China Camp offers some awesome riding for intermediate riders. In fact it offers some of Marin's best mount...Read more

Boating

China Camp is an awesome place for a boat excursion. On a hot summer’s day, the San Pablo breeze feels just right. The park is...Read more

Fishing

Striped bass, flounder, perch and sturgeon can be found in good supply if you catch China Camp’s fishing environment on the r...Read more

Hiking

With over 15 miles of trails for hiking (or running if you’re hardcore), this place has some exploring to do. We recommend this...Read more

Horseback riding

China Camp is home to fifteen miles worth of trails that are open for horseback riding .

Paddling

Kayaking is even better when you’ve got a good backdrop. Thanks to amazing scenery, China Camp is known as one of the best kaya...Read more

Swimming

China Camp is the ideal open water swimming location. It features warm water and a weaker current. The water tends to be on ...Read more

Wildlife watching

China Camp can be a great place for wildlife watching. The camp even houses two known endangered species - the California clap...Read more

Terrain

Natural features you'll find at Back Ranch Meadows Campground.

Beach
Forest
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19 Reviews

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Hipcamper Alex
Alex H.
didn't provide a recommendation.
September 23rd, 2019

Camped in September. Glad we had one of the sites slightly off to the side (#26) as the center loop area was a bit of a toddler zoo. Yellowjackets were a bit annoying but otherwise no wildlife problems. Lots of mountain bikers on these trails -- we only saw one other on-foot hiker. Trail surface is a bit rocky/annoying to traverse at parts. Beautiful views of the water along the trails, also lots of tiny lizards, also turkeys and deer. Firewood available for sale at campsite on honor system.

Hipcamper Hedy
Hedy K.
recommends this listing.
July 12th, 2017

You will have to park in a parking lot and carry everything to your campsite, so I recommend bringing a wagon if you have one. There are trashcans on wheels but they are in high demand during check-in/check out.

Hipcamper Elizabeth
Elizabeth C.
didn't provide a recommendation.
July 9th, 2017

So...my husband and I camped at site #15 this week. The pluses are water, functional trash, coin showers and bathrooms which were clean and well maintained, and the sort of gorgeousness only a oak woodland can deliver. (Arborists, please note: the site is dominated by Bay Laurel, which makes the place smell heavenly.)
HOWEVER, and this is a biggie, the food lockers, which are very old wooden boxes, do not keep any animal out. Mice were able to gain access to our food. They despoiled about a third of it, which- seeing as we backpacked in-was a big problem. The food boxes are so derelict, that soon the raccoons will be able to rip their way inside.
Bottom line: You must bring vermin-proof food storage with you.

Hipcamper Cydney
Cydney H.
didn't provide a recommendation.
June 28th, 2016

Made a reservation for 005 - it was incredibly hot as there are not many trees, we did go early in the day, around 3pm the heat was unbearable. We noticed some campsites were still open so we had asked if we could move our camping gear to a site that was more shaded, the ranger was more than happy to let us switch sites. The campsite has lots of lovely critters, wild turkeys, squirrels, little salamanders. At night the raccoons will come out. There are plenty of wasp traps so there are not a lot of bees around the campsites, however, there are lots of fruit flies and very few mosquitoes. I had taken my camera with me and added more photos of the campsites. Will definitely be going again.

Hipcamper Allie
Allie F.
didn't provide a recommendation.
May 17th, 2015

Camped there for Thanksgiving weekend! We had a rough time with wildlife at night. China Camp is beautiful and it was great to see quails running around everywhere!

Hipcamper Clinton
Clinton L.
didn't provide a recommendation.
February 16th, 2015

Just camped at site 28 for the weekend. Love this campground! Super organized and facilities were taken care of. I would recommend the sites closer to the parking lot for a great view of the bay (site #26, 27, 28). For a more secluded spot, #30 is farther away from the crowds. Overall, love the campground and we will be back again!

Hipcamper Annelise P.
recommends this listing.
August 21st, 2018
Hipcamper Dan S.
has mixed feelings towards this listing.
August 28th, 2018
Hipcamper David C.
recommends this listing.
July 5th, 2018
Hipcamper Nick R.
recommends this listing.
June 18th, 2018
Hipcamper Janis L.
recommends this listing.
May 10th, 2018
Hipcamper Corey J.
recommends this listing.
January 23rd, 2018
Hipcamper William J.
recommends this listing.
September 11th, 2017
Hipcamper Briana K.
recommends this listing.
September 11th, 2017
Hipcamper Emily D.
recommends this listing.
August 14th, 2017
Hipcamper Cory E.
recommends this listing.
August 9th, 2017
Hipcamper David S.
recommends this listing.
June 25th, 2017
Hipcamper Christina O.
recommends this listing.
May 23rd, 2017
Hipcamper Julian B.
recommends this listing.
December 14th, 2016
Park
China Camp State Park
State
California
Country
United States
Phone Number
(415) 456-0766
Directions
View on Google Maps
Official Website
View Website
Coordinates
38.007° N, 122.494° W
Unknown price
Tent Only: 31 Sites
(Up to 8 people per site)
Unknown price
Tent Only - Group: 1 Site
(Up to 45 people per site)