163 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Established campgrounds surround the Danville, California area, with notable options including Mount Diablo State Park and regional wilderness preserves. The region includes three main campgrounds on Mount Diablo—Juniper, Live Oak, and junction sites—offering tent and RV camping accommodations. Anthony Chabot Regional Park provides additional developed camping options with sites that accommodate both tents and larger recreational vehicles. Campgrounds generally feature picnic tables, fire pits, and food storage boxes, with varying levels of amenities such as drinking water, toilets, and showers.
Accessing Mount Diablo's campgrounds requires navigating winding mountain roads that can take 30-45 minutes from town, with extra time needed on weekends due to cycling traffic. A visitor commented, "It takes about 45 minute drive from town to the top, longer if you are doing it on a weekend when you'll be waiting to pass cyclists." Summer temperatures can reach over 100°F, while nights may bring strong "Diablo Winds" comparable to Santa Ana winds. Gates at Mount Diablo close at sunset, preventing exit without ranger assistance. Most campgrounds require reservations, which can be difficult to secure, especially during pleasant weather seasons. Cell service is generally available throughout the area, with varying reliability depending on campground location.
The camping experience varies significantly between locations, with Mount Diablo offering panoramic views of the East Bay area and beyond. A camper noted that Juniper Campground provides "absolutely worth it views of the east bay, and on a clear day, all the way to SF and the pacific." Wildlife encounters are common, including deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, and coyotes. Las Trampas Regional Wilderness offers a more secluded experience with fewer amenities but proximity to hiking trails. The ground at many sites is rocky and uneven, making sturdy tent stakes essential. Regional parks closer to urban areas like Anthony Chabot provide a wilderness feel despite their accessibility, featuring trails around lakes and through wooded areas, though swimming is prohibited in some bodies of water due to water quality concerns.
"as usual some spots are better than others but most close to restrooms and/or water. lots of poison oak and star thistle right off trail. great deterrent for kids to stay out of tick areas but id worry"
"Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty."
from $25 - $200 / night
Check Availability"be careful driving up the windy road and watch for the many cyclists. going up/down with you. "
"This mountain has many of hiking trails for various levels of hikers."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"The Fairview RV Park is a great Bay Area location easy to find right off hwy 680, in the Alameda county fairgrounds. The staff are all pleasant to work with and the park and facilities are clean."
"If the Alameda Fairgrounds are having an event, you can't beat this location, it's on the property."
"After time spent here at this oasis in the middle of Eastbay, California, you’ll very much feel like part of this place with its endless trails, fantastically well-kept camping grounds and the warm hospitality"
"Campsite amenities were great, easy access to water and bathrooms. Bathrooms were spotless the whole weekend, even though it was a holiday weekend and every site was booked."
from $15 - $200 / night
Check Availability"We didn’t have a reservation, but got 1 upon arrival around 2pm. Our site had nearby bathrooms, showers & trash. It included picnic table, fire pit, food storage boxes, & is very spacious."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"What they do have are scores of hookup sites for $60 / night and three tent / drive-in no hookup water-only sites for $45 / night."
"Since it's a new campground, the trees are young and don't supply much shade, but since it's close to the SF Bay, the bay breeze helps."
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $15 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $75 / night
Check Availability"The least expensive sites are very close to neighboring campers. Although drive through site and premium site have more space as price for site increases. We'll kept and convenient to Bay Area."
from $48 - $75 / night
"Magical :) I feel at Peace at Such a Beautiful Location. Its a Must see."
from $75 / night
Check Availability
GuideVery nice for a one night stop. Very windy road to get to the park. Sites are well kept and have a solid amount of room. Super clean bathrooms and good free showers. Lots of wildlife to see and hear (coyotes). Didn’t get 5 starts cause it was quite busy with loud neighbors!
GuidePopped in and only a few campers there. A bridge away from towns. Hot showers. Squirrels galore. Ill be back.
ScoutIt’s kinda more like a last choice in the area. I’m happy I had the opportunity to stay there (to compare the other campsites) and it is nicely set up with running water, picnic table, and pit toilets. Campsite 10 though is the worst of ‘em. Set directly in the middle with no privacy and no shade.
Whenever someone opened the pit toilet doors, the smell wafted gracefully like a hammer out of nowhere to abuse my olfactory senses! Just trying to be real and give the scoops.
The NPS does a great job with maintaining the campsite BUT I would definitely pick any of the other locations first. Eg Sky, Coast, or Wildcat. That being said, if there was nothing else available, I’d stay there again. Get in late and leave early.
TravelerReally wonderful spot to be. They have multiple camping options and day pass options. For RV setups your choices are parking, water only, and the works (water, electrical, waste dumping with fire pit and camping table).
Its a bit far from anything but if youre just looking to camp, charge, and relax then this is the spot for you. They have showes, bathrooms, and laundry on site.
Final notes, there are multiple hiking trails and wildlife to see, including a lovely group of Turkeys who don't mind you getting a little close for photo ops.
GuideCalled on 7/14/26, they said "we won't cancel any reservation due to arriving late or next day"
RangerThis was interesting and fun, glad we did it but certainly would rather enjoy the island as a day visitor. Some info.
GuideLeft our van for the day, took an $30 uber into San Fran to visit and came back right before sunset. Busy throughout the day so therefore we felt quite safe. Stayed for the night after, with a couple of vans/car campers around us, all was quiet. No noise apart from the wind. It is a parking lot like others note but perfect for a free night so close to downtown.
ScoutWe had been looking forward to this camping trip, but unfortunately our experience at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Lodi was very disappointing. Before our trip, I paid the Lock Fee($40) specifically to guarantee the campsite we had selected. However, when we arrived, we were assigned to a completely different site. After setting up our trailer, we went back to the office to ask about it. Instead of correcting the mistake, another employee told us that we didn’t even have a reservation and that we needed to leave the campground. We had to search through our emails, show our reservation confirmation, and even provide proof of payment from our bank before they finally found our reservation. Only then were we moved to the campsite we had originally reserved and paid extra to secure. Unfortunately, the worst part happened on our last night. We were camping with friends, and between us we had two electric bikes—one worth nearly$5,000 and another worth over$1,000. We went to bed around 2:30 a.m., and everything was still there. When we came out of our trailers around 8:30 a.m., both bikes had been stolen. We immediately called the police. The responding officer told us that just two weeks earlier, another camper had all of the sound equipment stolen from their vehicle at the same campground. What disappointed us most is that the campground doesn’t appear to have adequate security measures, such as surveillance cameras, and there was no warning at check-in that thefts had recently occurred. Had we known there was an increased risk, we would have taken additional precautions with our valuables. When families choose a campground like this, they expect a safe, relaxing environment where they can enjoy nature without worrying that expensive belongings will disappear overnight. The campground has great amenities and is a fun place for families, but our experience with the reservation issues and the lack of security left us extremely disappointed. I hope management takes these concerns seriously, improves security, and is more transparent with guests so other families don’t have the same experience we did.
ScoutOk, but you guys need to improve lots stuff. Pool was out of order, stuff were not that friendly, I would suggest if you can concrete sites, hard for in and out
The camping opportunities near Danville, California span elevations from 400 to 3,800 feet across various East Bay Regional Parks and Mount Diablo State Park. Summer temperatures can range dramatically between campgrounds due to elevation differences, with lower elevations experiencing more moderate conditions compared to Mount Diablo's extreme heat that can exceed 105°F in July and August. Ground conditions at most sites are predominantly clay soil with rocky substrates that can challenge tent staking and drainage during rare rain events.
Hiking trails access: Several campgrounds connect directly to extensive trail systems. At Las Trampas Regional Wilderness, "Pass the cows grazing in the meadows to climb clear to the top for a most spectacular view of Eastbay and nearby Mt. Diablo," notes Stuart K. Many trails have moderate-to-difficult ratings due to elevation changes.
Bird watching opportunities: The wetland areas provide excellent bird viewing during migration seasons. At Dumbarton Quarry Campground, campers appreciate "access to miles of trails by the side of the bay" with Tim C. highlighting the diverse shorebird population visible during morning hours.
Lake recreation: Some campgrounds offer water activities at nearby reservoirs. At Del Valle Campground, "Great lake for paddling as the speed limit for boats is low. Good fishing too," reports Tom G. Fishing licenses are required, and many sites restrict swimming access.
Quick escape proximity: Many campers value the accessibility from urban areas. "Paradise an hour from the city. It is great for laid back camping!" raves Kyla M. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park, where the short distance allows for spontaneous weekend trips.
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds report abundant wildlife sightings at dawn and dusk. "We saw deer, cattle, raccoons and many other four legged vermin running around the area," mentions Stuart K. about Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. Many campers recommend bringing binoculars for wildlife spotting.
Varied campsite options: The region offers everything from basic tent sites to full hookup RV accommodations. At Juniper Campground, "Our site had nearby bathrooms, showers & trash. It included picnic table, fire pit, food storage boxes, & is very spacious," notes Brittney L., highlighting the well-maintained facilities.
Gate closure limitations: Several parks enforce strict gate closures after sunset. "Only reason for 4 stars is that they lock you in at sunset; if you want to leave you have to call the fire department to open the locked gate," reports Blake H. about Mount Diablo State Park, restricting evening flexibility.
Weather extremes: Temperature swings can be substantial, particularly at higher elevations. "Insanely hot in the summer, I would recommend not going in July like we did. It was 104° or something," warns Ben W. about Juniper Campground, while also mentioning "Lots of free water and there's free showers too."
Reservation windows: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "It's popular, especially on the weekends, and I'd recommend reservations," advises Amanda P., with many sites opening reservation windows 6 months in advance.
Site selection guidance: Families should prioritize campgrounds with specific amenities. At Live Oak Campground, "The campsites provide a old broken down picnic table, a bear box, a grill, and a fire pit. There are shared restrooms with plumbing to use," explains Derek B., which offers basic necessities for family camping.
Wildlife education opportunities: Many sites provide excellent nature learning experiences. "We saw a mix of wildlife. Deer, hawks, wild turkeys. We saw an amazing sunset too," shares Sarah F., recommending dawn and dusk as prime wildlife viewing times for children.
Activity planning considerations: Seasonal conditions affect available activities. "The water is super clear and they have two beaches with a lifeguard which can get crowded," notes Rosina A. about Del Valle Campground, highlighting the swimming areas that operate primarily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Access route awareness: RV drivers should plan their approach routes carefully. "The road in is fairly winding with a bit of a drop down the cliff. If you're heading in at dusk or dawn, go slow," advises Ryan W. about driving to Anthony Chabot Regional Park, where narrow roads can challenge larger vehicles.
Utility considerations: Hookup availability varies significantly between campgrounds. At Dumbarton Quarry Campground, "Each pitch has a bench and fire pit, plus water, electricity and sewer hook ups. WiFi too, not super strong but it worked!" reports Sally T., though noting sites are "quite exposed" to wind.
Levelness challenges: Many sites require significant leveling equipment. "Sites #1-4 back up to the Towhee Trail, so expect hikers to pass by close behind you. The better sites are #5-12 with #11 and #12 being the best," recommends Lori T., providing specific guidance on selecting the most level RV-friendly sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Danville?
Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground is one of the best camping options near Danville, offering spectacular panoramic views of the East Bay area including Walnut Creek, Lafayette, and Danville itself. For those willing to venture a bit further, Las Trampas Regional Wilderness provides a more rugged experience with hiking trails and natural surroundings. Both locations offer an escape from urban life without traveling far from Danville. Mount Diablo's windy access road requires careful driving, especially when sharing the road with cyclists, but the scenic vistas make the journey worthwhile.
How much do campsites cost in Danville?
Campsite costs near Danville vary by location and amenities. At Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District, standard campsites typically range from $25-35 per night, with potential additional fees for extra vehicles. Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park offers more developed RV sites at higher rates, typically $45-65 per night depending on hookups and season. Most state park campgrounds in the region charge entrance fees separate from camping fees. Reservations are highly recommended for all campgrounds, especially during peak summer months and weekends. Many campgrounds offer senior or disabled visitor discounts, and some have day-use fees for non-overnight visitors.
What amenities are available at Danville camping sites?
Camping sites near Danville offer various amenities depending on the location. Anthony Chabot Regional Park provides campsites with convenient access to restrooms and water, picnic tables, and family-friendly areas. The park has designated tent areas separate from RV sections. Juniper Campground — Mount Diablo State Park offers basic amenities including water access and walk-in sites. Most campgrounds in the region provide fire rings or pits (subject to seasonal fire restrictions), picnic tables, and access to hiking trails. Bathroom facilities range from flush toilets to vault toilets depending on the specific campground.
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