Camping near Antioch provides access to diverse environments across elevations from sea level in the Delta to 3,849 feet at Mount Diablo's summit. Summer temperatures in the region typically range from 80-105°F during the day, with Delta breezes providing cooling relief in the evening. The camping season runs year-round with spring and fall offering the most moderate conditions for outdoor activities.
What to do
Hiking to panoramic views: Mount Diablo State Park offers extensive trail networks with summit views. "We hiked up to Juniper campground from the Clayton side. The sites in the teens have less overhead shade but more privacy than those of higher numbers," notes one Juniper Campground visitor. Another camper adds: "Hiked to the top of the mountain, to the lookout point, on a trail through the woods and brush."
Fishing opportunities: Sherman Lake Marina provides direct water access for fishing. "Lots of fishermen in the morning but I stayed Friday-sat so probably less busy on weekend," reports one visitor to Sherman Lake Marina. Anglers can expect to catch bass, catfish, and striped bass in the Delta waterways.
Wildlife watching: Local campgrounds offer opportunities to observe Delta wildlife. At Mount Diablo, one camper mentioned, "We saw a mix of wildlife. Deer, hawks, wild turkeys." Early morning and dusk provide the best wildlife viewing times, with some campers reporting coyote sightings and howls.
What campers like
Scenic Delta views: Duck Island RV Park sits directly on the Sacramento River. "Large open view to Sacramento River," notes one camper about Duck Island RV Park. The elevated sites provide unobstructed water views and sunset watching opportunities from camp chairs.
Clean facilities: Anthony Chabot Regional Park maintains well-kept facilities. One camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park mentioned, "Restrooms are fairly clean, there are showers, and recycling collection, which I appreciate." Another noted, "The campground is clean and quiet. No generators are allowed which isn't an issue since there are full hookups at all 12 RV sites."
Cellular connectivity: Several campgrounds offer workable cell service for those needing to stay connected. A Mount Diablo camper noted, "Juniper had decent 10-15mbps ATT cellular service in most site locations, and also decent t-mobile, but ping was slow." At Sherman Lake Marina, a visitor reported: "I had solid service with Verizon."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to some Delta campgrounds can be challenging. A Rio Viento RV Park visitor warned, "The road to get into the park is rough but take your time, it's worth the drive." Another camper at the same location noted: "Beautiful, quiet clean dog friendly park with very nice helpful staff... Road to get into the park is rough but take your time, it's worth the drive."
Weather considerations: Summer heat can be intense, particularly at Mount Diablo. "We went during the summer and it was very hot. The camp ground did not have much shade," reports one camper. Wind can also be a factor at elevated sites, with another Mount Diablo visitor cautioning: "No matter how hot it is you'll never be able to escape the howling winds at night. Good tent stakes and warm gear is a must."
Gate restrictions: Some campgrounds have limited entry/exit hours. At Mount Diablo, "They lock you in at sunset; if you want to leave you have to call the fire department to open the locked gate... This significantly reduces flexibility, but I can understand why they don't want a bunch of cars trying to race up and down the mountain after dark."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park caters specifically to families with children. A visitor to Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park shared: "Nice playground, basketball court, volleyball, bouncy pillow, outdoor movies, pool, lazy river, water park, bumper boats, laser tag, boat rentals on the delta, restaurants and quick bites." Another parent added, "Our kids really enjoy the freedom to go play while the adults sit back and relax."
Budget considerations: Family-oriented campgrounds often have additional activity costs. "There are plenty of things to do for your kids but be prepared to spend a lot of money for a site for the weekend," notes one Jellystone camper. Another specified: "There is an ice cream shop, general store, and crafts some free some for purchase $7-$30."
Seasonal programming: Check for special events when booking family trips. "For October, we did an outdoor movie, magic pumpkins, costume contest, trick or treating, hay ride, and haunted house. My daughter loved everything except the haunted house, which she said was 'too scary!'" shares a Jellystone visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Sugar Barge RV Resort offers varied site sizes for different RV configurations. One visitor to Sugar Barge RV Resort & Marina advised: "We have a nice site right now, but decided to park the truck at a nearby on-site lot due to the size of this space... Site 70 was good size for us, suite 109 a little tight but in the shade and pretty view out the back!" They also noted a practical concern: "The water spigot is really close to the ground and really close to the sewer drain. Scrub with bleach before booking up your water and you'll be fine."
Hookup availability: RV sites around Antioch vary in hookup types. At Rio Viento RV Park, a camper mentioned, "Very nice large sites with large grass areas pet friendly, amazing helpful and friendly staff. My only complaint is no Wi-Fi." Many sites offer both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical connections for various RV requirements.
Privacy considerations: Many RV parks in the Delta region have sites with minimal separation. A Sugar Barge camper noted: "The rv spots are very close together." When seeking more privacy, request waterfront or corner sites when making reservations.
