The East Bay Regional Park system offers several equestrian camping options within 30-45 minutes of Brisbane. Trails in these parks range from easy valley paths to steep ridge climbs, with elevations from 200 to 1,500 feet. Most equestrian trails remain open year-round, though winter rains can create muddy conditions from November through March.
What to do
Hike accessible trails: Las Trampas Regional Wilderness provides multiple hiking options from its main entrance. "From the parking lot, there's 3-4 hiking trails to take, but the one to the campsite is the only one heading south from the parking lot... 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. about Las Trampas Regional Wilderness.
Paddle on Lake Chabot: The waters of Lake Chabot near Anthony Chabot Regional Park offer fishing and paddling opportunities. "Great lake for paddling as the speed limit for boats is low. Good fishing too. 'Private' covers along the lake to hang out in," says Tom G. about Del Valle Campground.
Explore volcanic formations: Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve offers unique geological features. "San Francisco East Bay residents actually have a volcano in their backyard at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. Originally called Round Top Park, Sibley shares with Temescal and Tilden Parks the distinction of being one of the East Bay Regional Park District's original parks," explains Elliott B. from his visit to Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings provide opportunities to see local fauna. "I saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground. The lack of cell reception really helps the feeling of being away from the city life," shares Uriel S. at Del Valle Campground.
Proximity to city amenities: Many horse-friendly campgrounds near Brisbane provide wilderness experiences with urban conveniences nearby. "Not sure what this campground is like during peak season, but it was a great little getaway for us during the first week of March," writes Lori T. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Trail accessibility: The interconnected trail system makes it easy to explore multiple parks. "This was our first visit and we were impressed. The campground is clean and quiet. There are plenty of easily accessible hiking and biking trails in the area," notes Colleen S. about camping in the region.
What you should know
Horse camping considerations: Dedicated equestrian facilities are limited. "If you decide to try and bike be mindful that most trails are hiking and equestrian only. A few trails are multi-use. Bicycles are not allowed on narrow-gauge trails, except on the Skyline Trail between the Sibley visitor center and Old Tunnel Road," explains Elliott B.
Seasonal challenges: Summer heat and winter rains affect camping conditions. "It can get hot during summer but close to the lake to swim and paddle board," advises Erica K. about Sunol.
Reservation requirements: Most parks require advance reservations. "Reservation must be completed at least 5 days in advance by calling 1-888-EBPARKS or 1-888-327-2757, press option 2," notes Elliott B. about Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve.
Water safety precautions: Not all park waters are safe for swimming or animal contact. "The warm waters of Lake Chabot was beautiful and tempting as a siren, but don't touch it, or let your dog touch it, unless you want to get mutated like the Ninja Turtles... The water will make you sick or your (or your pets) skin break out in a real not fun way. It is toxic," warns Ryan W.
Tips for camping with families
Visit Little Farm: Tilden Regional Park offers child-friendly attractions. "Whether heading towards Lake Anza for a cool dip (beware the snapping turtles!), taking the kids to Tilden's Little Farm (bring your own carrots, kale and lettuce), an arduous bike up and down the Berkeley Hills or going for a stroll nearby Lake Jewel," recommends Stuart K. about Tilden Regional Park.
Select sites with shade: For summer camping, prioritize shaded areas. "The sites are fairly close to each other, which matters because one of the other campers is right next to mine and doesn't understand basic camp etiquettes," explains Ryan W. about camping at Anthony Chabot.
Plan for temperature changes: Coastal locations can experience significant temperature shifts. "During the day it actually got pretty hot at our campsite (#1), lots of exposure probably around low 70s. At night it did get chilly, 38-39 degrees F, nothing a good sleeping bag couldn't fix," advises Char A. about Coast Campground.
Tips from RVers
Prepare for narrow roads: Large RVs may face challenges on winding park access roads. "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. You will see deer stepping through the road," advises Ryan W. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park.
Check site amenities: Hookup availability varies by park. "RV Campsites are nothing fancy and close together. But the park itself is nice...hiking trails, views, nature, and close to Napa," notes Rich J. about Skyline Wilderness Park.
Know gate hours: Some parks have strict entry gate times. "I definitely recommend getting there well before the gates close because there were issues getting a hold of the camp host," suggests Moriah M.
