The camp is not a destination, but you can create a fantastic hike to get there.
Days/Nights - 2/1
Miles - 9.4 (can be done in as little as 1 mile)
Elevation Gain - 1,831
Starting Elevation - 189
Ending Elevation - 189
Highest Elevation - 901 See AllTrails here
Overview:
Haypress Camp is an extremely accessible camp in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, being only one mile away from the trailhead located in the Tennessee Valley. If you are short on time or don't want to hike, or want to bring the kids out for a quick overnighter then look no further!
If that one mile is not challenging enough for you, then you will be happy to know that there are a network of interlocking trails surrounding the camp and you can customize your in/out for greater gains and distance, which is what I did per the AllTrails link above.
The site has 5 single camp sites and one group site, 2 vault toilets, and water must be packed in and trash must be packed out. Each site has an established tent pitch area, a food locker and a table/bench. Being one of the less popular campsites in the area, availability on reservations.gov tends to be easier, with weekends booking up fast.
The campsite itself has the feeling of being a "field". Very little privacy (except the group site), and very "unwild"! I prefer to feel a little more out there when overnighting, so this was not an exciting place for me, but it's surroundings are quite beautiful - foggy hills and mountains (apologies in advance for my crappy photo's - unusually, it was a trip I didn't take many on).
Like Glen Camp, this is a trip that is very much more about the walk than the destination, so for me would serve as a gear testing site versus an adventure.
That said, if you are hiking in/out or if you have a couple of nights here, the hiking in the area is world class, with nice trails, lovely mountains and beaches all within short hikes: Tennessee Beach (2 miles), Muir Beach (3.5 miles), historic Battery Townsley (3.5 miles), or Rodeo Beach (4 miles). The Fox Trail is a nice steep climb to the top of the headlands and a great place for training hikes.
The Hike
Starting at the Tennessee Valley trailhead this climbs up through a forested area before opening up after approximately one mile. After it opens up, the trail, while still heading upwards, becomes more flowy and offers views of the surrounding area. It can get quite foggy, windy and wet at times so bring a rain jacket along. The highest point is the junction with the Fox Trail. From here you can also hike to Muir Beach and Tennessee Valley Beach. The ocean views are incredible and very typically "Marin Headlands". The Fox Trail drops straight down into the Valley along a steep fire road, after which 2 left turns over about 0.7 miles, will get you to camp.
If you decide to hike as I did after your single overnight, exploring the southern hills is a good option. Despite both hikes being similar gains and mileage, this southern side always seems harder to me. It takes you up towards Hill 88 where you have the option of dropping down to Rodeo Beach. Again, fantastic views, including glimpses of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. If part of a multi-night, you also have the option of hiking to Hawk Camp from here. You begin a descent through a sheltered canyon, before joining a fire road again - the Miwok Trail. Here you will stay left, and after a short climb again, you will then start descending back down towards the Tennessee Valley trailhead.
