After my first couple of nights camping at Pantoll, I wanted to move somewhere quieter.
I was surprised to find that Bootjack campground was just a short walk away– literally just 0.4 miles away up the Matt Davis trail.
I found an open site, set up my tent, ran back down to the Pantoll Ranger Station, and paid for my first couple of nights at Bootjack Campground.
I picked out site 7 because, on top of having its own stone grill and barbecue, it was also closest to the water and washing stations.
Site 7 is near the top of the hill, but, at the time, there were still three sites above it. (Site 9 has since been buried in fallen trees for unknown reasons.)
Most of the sites (including mine) were split level, with a flat area for a tent clearly set above the area with the picnic table, racoon cabinet, and grills.
Since I set my tent up right next to the creek, and there were only two other campers in the whole campground, I assumed I would finally get a peaceful, quiet night’s sleep.
What I got instead was a lesson about leaving food in my tent. A relentless raccoon kept me awake from about 2am to 6am.
I kept scaring it off by making loud noises, but it kept coming back.
The camp provides racoon boxes, but I had accidentally left some beef jerky and dried fruit in my tent. Never again.
Other than that, though, this campground was really peaceful. I’ve ended up coming back at least two more times.
By Memorial Day weekend, the campground was entirely full, and it was becoming difficult to get a spot.
I had secured my spot by arriving very early on Wednesday morning, and paying through the next Tuesday.
I remember watching the last couple snag the last spot. “Babe, it’s open! Bring the tent! Bring everything you can!” They were so happy, they looked like they had just won a prize.
Of course, Memorial Day weekend was not a quiet, peaceful weekend. I’m sure it was much worse at other campgrounds, but at least a few people came here to party late into the night.
Pantoll Rangers cruise through frequently to make sure there are no vandals in the parking lots, but they are not as concerned about midnight campground music.
The cost to stay here is surprisingly cheap, at only $25 a night, which you can get half off of with a disabled or senior access pass.
The cheap price must be because the bathrooms aren’t well kept, and because you can’t drive to your site. But, if those things aren’t very important to you, then, this campground is a steal.
Bootjack is located in prime hiking territory, literally in the middle of the Matt Davis and Bootjack trails. It’s only two miles down to Muir Woods.
In recent years, Muir Woods has become so popular that they’ve begun requiring reservations to enter through the front gates. Tickets sell out months in advance.
There are no gates on the hiking trails, though (except for on the Redwood Creek Trail by the front entrance). It is free to hike in via the Matt Davis, Bootjack, Stapleveldt, or Hillside trails.
So, for only $25 a night, you can camp in Mount Tamalpais, hike to Muir Woods, and park at any other state park (like Stinson Beach or Cataract Falls).
If you are there for more than a few days, the hikes to Mountain Theater and West Point Inn are also both incredible (but challenging).
Of course, my personal favorite hike in the world is Dipsea, which intersects with the campground trails just half a mile away at Cardiac (which is wheelchair accessible via the Old Mine Trail).
This is one of my favorite campgrounds I’ve found so far. As I continue to travel around Northern California, I’m hoping to find more high quality, first come first serve campgrounds like this.
Camp Host Diaries 