Outdoor Activities

Point Reyes National Seashore comprises over 259 square kilometers (100 square miles), including 13,500 hectares (33,300 acres) of coastal wilderness area. Estuaries, windswept beaches, coastal scrub grasslands, salt and freshwater marshes, and coniferous forests create a haven of 128 kilometers (80 miles) of unspoiled and undeveloped coastline.

Abundant recreational opportunities include 240 kilometers (150 miles) of hiking trails, backcountry campgrounds, and numerous beaches. Hiking, biking, kayaking, horse riding, beachcombing, wildlife viewing, and fishing are just a few of the self-guided activities awaiting your visit. Please check at a visitor center when you arrive at Point Reyes for the most recent information on trail advisories and closures or other important information you may need for your visit. In the immediate vicinity of the Bear Valley Visitor Center are a few short nature trails and other interpretive exhibits.

Please, Leave No Trace. Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Learn how to enjoy your park while leaving it in as good of a condition, if not better, as you found it.

Outdoor volunteer activities include habitat restoration, monitoring harbor seals, helping out at Kule Loklo or the Morgan Horse Ranch, repairing trails, and educating visitors about elephant seals, snowy plovers and tule elk, amongst other opportunities.

 

• 

  Take a Hike.

  Hiking at Point Reyes National Seashore

  The National Seashore has about 150 miles (240 kilometers) of hiking trails to explore. Learn how to keep your adventure safe and enjoyable.

• 

  Go Camping at Point Reyes

  Hike-in and Boat-in Backcountry Camping

  Point Reyes National Seashore offers year-round camping. Permits must be obtained before starting a trip.

• 

  Kayak safely.

  Kayaking at Point Reyes

  The most popular area for kayaking in the Point Reyes area is Tomales Bay. Learn how to prepare for your trip and make it a safe experience.

• 

  Observe tule elk.

  Viewing Tule Elk

  Tule elk can be found at several locations within the park, but the best chance of seeing them is at the Tule Elk Preserve at Tomales Point.

• 

  Where are the elephant seals?

  Viewing Elephant Seals

  While elephant seals are most numerous in the winter, they are present on the beaches near Chimney Rock year-round.

• 

  Whale watching!

  Watch for Whales at Point Reyes

  Gray whales migrate past Point Reyes from December through May and can frequently be seen from the Lighthouse and Chimney Rock areas.

 

Multimedia

NPSWilderness has produced two videos about America's Wilderness and Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics which hikers, campers, cyclists, horse riders, and other visitors to Point Reyes may find of interest.

 

• 

  America's Wilderness

  The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System, a national network of more than 800 federally-designated wilderness areas. These wilderness areas are managed by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Forest Service.

  Duration:

  2 minutes, 50 seconds

 

The requested video is no longer available.