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Wildcat Camp via Palomarin

Marin · Managed by Point Reyes National Seashore (NPS) · Region: Point Reyes National Seashore
Difficulty 11/100 · Easyout and back#coastal#beach#waterfall-day-trip#marin
Distance
11 mi
Total gain
800 ft
Net gain
800 ft
Net loss
800 ft
Elevation
266–781 ft
Days
1–2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires prohibited

Overview

Wildcat Camp is Point Reyes's wildest beach camp: 5.5 miles down the Coast Trail from Palomarin to a blufftop campground above the ocean, with Alamere Falls' tidefall a day hike away. The park's most dramatic coastal overnight.

Highlights

  • An oceanfront camp on the seashore's south coast
  • Alamere Falls — a waterfall dropping onto the beach — as the classic day trip
  • Bass Lake and the coastal lakes along the approach
  • The most remote feel of the four Point Reyes camps

How hard is Wildcat Camp via Palomarin?

CaliPeaks rates this route 11/100 (Easy). The score weights five factors: climbing counts for 45% — 800 ft puts this trip at 7% of the reference climb; distance 20% at 11 miles; maximum altitude 15% at 781 ft; route technicality 10% (established trail throughout); and trip length 10% at 2 days. A score under 20 suits first-time backpackers; 60+ means serious endurance. See how we score difficulty for the full method.

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Palomarin Trailhead · parking: Palomarin trailhead lot; fills early on weekends — arrive before mid-morning
  • Water: Potable faucets at Wildcat Camp; treat as backup per signage.
  • Resupply: None; Point Reyes Station has services.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Stove required: yes — no fires possible on this route

Permits

  • Agency: Point Reyes National Seashore (NPS)
  • Reserve or apply on recreation.gov
  • Quota: Designated sites only; reservations open 3 months (and some 14 days) in advance.
  • Reservation window: Reserve online through recreation.gov; no same-day or walk-up permits.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires prohibited. Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited at all Point Reyes hike-in campgrounds. Only gas stoves or canned heat may be used. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: March, April, May, September, October.

Snow: Year-round.

Heat: Fog is common year-round.

Bugs: Ticks and poison oak in warm months.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • The Palomarin lot fills early — weekends can close to entry for hours
  • Gas stoves only — wood and charcoal fires are prohibited
  • No dogs on the trails or in the campgrounds
  • Fog and wind are year-round companions

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Elevation sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Glen Campground — hiking routes. Point Reyes National Seashore (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/glen-campground.htm. Accessed 2026-09-10. License: Public domain (US government work). Palomarin Trailhead coordinates; the Coast Trail runs 5.5 mi from Palomarin to the Stewart Trail at Wildcat Campground, passing Bass Lake and coastal viewpoints; Alamere Falls access and parking guidance.
  3. Backcountry Camping. Point Reyes National Seashore (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/camping.htm. Accessed 2026-09-10. License: Public domain (US government work). Reservation-only permits via recreation.gov, $30/night fees, fire prohibitions (gas stoves only), food lockers, four-night limit, and pet prohibitions.
  4. Wildcat Campground reservations. Recreation.gov / National Park Service. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233359. Accessed 2026-09-10. Online reservations for Wildcat Camp's designated sites.