Morgan Territory Regional Preserve offers backcountry camping experiences at an elevation of approximately 2,000 feet in the eastern hills of Contra Costa County. Campers should prepare for temperature variations that can range from 50-90°F depending on the season, with summer days frequently exceeding 90°F. The region's oak woodlands and grasslands provide habitat for diverse wildlife including deer, turkeys, and various bird species.
What to do
Hiking trails with elevation gain: Mt. Diablo State Park features numerous trails for various skill levels. "Hiked to the top of the mountain, to the lookout point, on a trail through the woods and brush. We come every year and will continue the tradition in years to come," shares Linda A., who camped at Juniper Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region supports abundant wildlife across several preserves. At Del Valle Campground, campers regularly spot "deer, turkeys, and plenty of other wildlife. There was quite a bit of wildlife roaming through the park mainly in the early morning. I saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground," according to Uriel S.
Water recreation: Multiple sites provide water activities from fishing to paddleboarding. "This is a big campground with everything you need for boating and fishing. They have a big boat launch for easy launching," notes Ed S. about Brannan Island State Recreation Area, which serves as a gateway to the Delta waterways.
What campers like
Sunset viewing spots: Campers praise the views at several locations around Brentwood. At Mt. Diablo State Park, "Juniper is way up there, plan for a 45 minute drive from town to the top... But it is absolutely worth it for the views of the east bay, and on a clear day, all the way to SF and the pacific. Truly one of the best camping views I've had," reports Blake H.
Relatively uncrowded weekday camping: For those seeking quieter experiences, timing matters. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, "Midweek in June the park, which is fairly large, is still nearly empty. The sites are fairly close to each other, which matters because one of the other campers is right next to mine," notes Ryan W.
Grass camping areas: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Brentwood offer grassy sites rather than dirt. At Turner Cut Resort, campers appreciate the "AWESOME SPOT WITH GREAT GRASS & SHADE AND WATER ACCESS. Good for camping on the delta with green grass and close to the boat spots," according to Nando.
What you should know
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. Blake H. reports from Mount Diablo that "Juniper had decent 10-15mbps ATT cellular service in most site locations, and also decent t-mobile, but ping was slow." Meanwhile, Del Valle offers "a lack of cell reception [which] really helps the feeling of being away from the city life," according to campers.
Road conditions: Some access roads require careful navigation. At Rio Viento RV Park, visitors note "Beautiful, quiet clean dog friendly park with very nice helpful staff. Large brick sites. Road to get into the park is rough but take your time, it's worth the drive."
Evening winds: Several campgrounds experience significant evening wind, particularly at higher elevations. At Mt. Diablo, Mike C. advises, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers structured programming for children. "We go with several families with kids 5-13 and they all have a blast. The price per night is very expensive but there are a lot of amenities. Nice playground, basketball court, volleyball, bouncy pillow, outdoor movies, pool, lazy river, water park, bumper boats," explains Katie B.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many children enjoy animal sightings at various campgrounds. At Del Valle, campers report seeing "a mix of wildlife. Deer, hawks, wild turkeys. We saw an amazing sunset too," according to Sarah F.
Tick prevention: When hiking with kids and pets, be prepared for ticks in grassy areas. One Anthony Chabot camper notes, "If you walk the single track trails with your dogs, you'll be spending some quality time with them later picking off ticks. Be aware of the poison oak as well."
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: Choose wisely at pet-friendly camping areas near Brentwood. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, "The better sites are #5-12 with #11 and #12 being the best... there are full hookups at all 12 RV sites. All sites seemed relatively level," according to Lori T.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary between parks. Rio Viento RV Park offers "Very nice large sites with large grass areas pet friendly, amazing helpful and friendly staff. My only complaint is no Wi-Fi," according to Kelly N.
Summer heat management: For RV campers with dogs, seek shaded sites during summer months. At Del Valle Campground, campers note "It can get hot during summer but close to the lake to swim and paddle board" and sites without shade can be particularly challenging during peak heat hours.
