Backpacking Trip for Beginners: San Francisco’s Angel Island
A two-day backpacking excursion with big, beautiful views of the Bay.

Please note that as of spring 2021, campgrounds are closed on Angel Island due to COVID-19 concerns. Please keep checking the California Department of Parks and Recreation to learn when camping will reopen to the public.
Newbie backpackers seeking the latter can look no further than San Francisco’s Angel Island. Just a 30-minute ferry ride away from neighboring cities, explorers feel all the bliss of remote camping with clear views (and cell service) of the entire San Francisco Bay.
Begin your journey at Pier 41 where the ferry brings you and your pack past Alcatraz and into Angel Island’s tree-bound marina. Upon arrival, campers can easily locate rangers offering maps and insight on the island’s trails and sites. Home to just nine campsites, day-trippers head back to the city no later than 5 p.m., leaving overnighters with complete serenity and solace.
Nearly all the island’s campsites are within a two-mile hike of the marina, making it an ideal destination for new backpackers looking to test out what to bring and how to pack without the pressure of a multi-day experience. Beyond its approachable hikes, Angel Island offers some of the most exquisite views around. Hikers can catch vast vistas of San Francisco’s historic Golden Gate Bridge and the Eastern end of the Bay Bridge all in one shot. Not to mention: Its five-mile circumference makes it easy for active folks to explore every side of the island within 24 hours. Ready to adventure? Check out the itinerary below: