Tent camping in Antioch, California requires preparation for the region's Mediterranean climate, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F and winter overnight lows dropping into the 40s. The region sits at the junction of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the East Bay hills, creating diverse camping microclimates within a 30-mile radius. Several campgrounds require advance permits for overnight stays, with reservation windows opening between 6-9 months ahead for summer weekends.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Delta Bay RV Resort, anglers can enjoy direct water access. "Spent the night at my usual fishing spot and had a great time. Staff is friendly and food is good," notes one visitor.
Volcanic exploration: The Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve offers unique geological features on an ancient volcano. A camper explains, "San Francisco East Bay residents actually have a volcano in their backyard at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. The Sibley backpack camp is a small, primitive hike-in site for a maximum of 15 campers."
Wildlife viewing: Morgan Territory Regional Preserve provides opportunities to observe local fauna. The preserve feels "very off grid" according to one camper, who noted their "camp experience was smooth and the sun was shining."
What campers like
Temperature variation: Juniper Campground at Mount Diablo State Park offers weather advantages during specific seasons. As one camper reported, "The weather in May was really nice imo. Not too cold at night with layers, & starts warming up quick in the morning. Bugs weren't too bad. Heard coyotes howling night and day which was neat."
Island camping: Sunrise Campground on Angel Island provides unusual bay perspectives. A visitor noted, "You have to take a boat to get out to Angel Island so you have to drive up to Tiburon and park your car and get onto one of the Ferry Boats!" Another camper advised, "I would definitely suggest this as a tourist. Many locals tried to show me the best view of the city but in my opinion the best view is to camp out and see the view at night and in the early morning!"
Privacy: Several tent campgrounds near Antioch offer secluded experiences. At Morgan Territory, camping "feels very off grid" according to visitor feedback.
What you should know
Water access issues: Always verify water availability before arrival. At Angel Island, one camper reported, "The water spigot at Sunrise was not working when we arrived, and this was not mentioned anywhere during the reservation process."
Heat challenges: Summer temperatures near Antioch can become extreme. One Juniper Campground visitor warned, "Insanely hot in the summer, I would recommend not going in July like we did. It was 104° or something and I was just drenching my clothes in water to stay cool."
Gear transportation: Many tent sites require carrying equipment from parking areas. At Sibley, campers must transport gear "a moderate 0.2 mile walk from the parking lot (NO VEHICLE ACCESS)."
Tips for camping with families
Facility considerations: When tent camping near Antioch with children, select sites with appropriate amenities. At Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, families can find accessible camping options with drinking water nearby.
Wildlife education: Turn animal encounters into learning opportunities. At Briones Regional Park, families can observe "deer, cattle, raccoons and many other four legged vermin running around the area."
Proximity to attractions: Some campgrounds offer quick access to family activities. Delta Bay has "a lot of cute tiny houses in this campground. You can bring your own tiny house, or rent one for the weekend. There is an open house once or twice a year you can come and visit all the tiny houses in the community."
Tips from RVers
Wind protection: At Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, one RVer noted the entire campground space is "encased in a barbed wire fence area playpen to keep the roaming cattle and other wildlife from coming near the area." This can provide some protection from the wind that frequently affects camping in the Antioch region.
Clearance challenges: Larger rigs may encounter difficulties on access roads. At Briones Regional Park, a camper mentioned, "A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around."
Access restrictions: Many tent campgrounds near Antioch have limited vehicle access. Las Trampas requires visitors to "hike all your gear in from here, and it's about 150 yards, so not all that bad, but the pathway is a bit choppy in places, so you'll want to carry most of what you've got on your back."
