East Bay Regional Parks offer tent camping near Castro Valley, California with sites located approximately 150-1,500 feet above sea level. The region's Mediterranean climate creates mild year-round temperatures ranging from 45-85°F, though summer nights can drop significantly. Most campgrounds require reservations through the East Bay Regional Park District website or by phone at 1-888-EBPARKS.
What to do
Hiking to volcanic terrain: Visit Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve where you can hike the East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail. "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," notes reviewer Elliott B.
Swimming in Lake Anza: Take a break from tent camping with a refreshing swim at Lake Anza in Tilden Regional Park. Stuart K. warns: "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, you would be hard-pressed to find a better regional park."
Creek exploration: Check out Little Yosemite in Sunol Regional Wilderness for water activities. According to a camper, "The hike is uphill.... it starts along a creek/river which is referred to as Little Yosemite. Fun creek area with lots of water/rock formations."
What campers like
Ridge views: Campers appreciate the high vantage points at Las Trampas Regional Wilderness with its strategic camping spots. "Pass the cows grazing in the meadows to climb clear to the top for a most spectacular view of Eastbay and nearby Mt. Diablo," shares Stuart K. about the hiking experience.
Wildlife encounters: Tent camping around Castro Valley offers opportunities to spot local animals. Las Trampas campers report: "When we were there we saw deer, cattle, raccoons and many other four legged vermin running around the area."
Urban escape: Coyote Hills Regional Park provides an accessible getaway from city life without traveling far. "We love going to Cayote Hills Regional Park it's so much fun. It's some of the cleanest campgrounds I have event seen," writes Ingrid B. "It's close and easy to access. It's beautiful and so nice to spend time here."
What you should know
Summer heat challenges: Plan accordingly for high temperatures when tent camping in Castro Valley parks, especially at higher elevations. A camper at Juniper Campground warns: "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."
Water access varies: Many campgrounds have limited or no drinking water available. "The sites are primitive and the water source questionable and unreliable. I hiked in all the water I needed," reports a Sunol camper.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage is essential when tent camping around Castro Valley. A Las Trampas camper notes there's "only a single locker to place your food (so first-come, first served!)" and at Juniper Campground, "the raccoons are very intelligent and they come out at night so be prepared for that."
Tips for camping with families
Little Farm visit: Kids enjoy the animals at Tilden's Little Farm. Stuart K. suggests: "taking the kids to Tilden's Little Farm (bring your own carrots, kale and lettuce)."
Short hikes for small children: Morgan Territory Regional Preserve provides tent sites with moderate access trails. According to Tyler S., the backcountry site "feels very off grid" while remaining accessible for family tent camping near Castro Valley.
Primitive camping introduction: Las Trampas offers a gentle introduction to primitive camping with vehicle parking nearby. "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. You'll have to hike all your gear in from here, and it's about 150 yards, so not all that bad."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most tent camping around Castro Valley doesn't accommodate larger vehicles. While some parks permit RVs, the experience is primarily designed for tent campers. Michelle F. notes about Garin Regional Park: "I have still not been able to make a reservation to camp there I not sure they allow RVs."
Food alternatives: When tent camping becomes tiresome, nearby restaurants offer a break from camp cooking. A Las Trampas camper suggests: "And if you get tired of the campfire food, it's SO easy to just head into nearby San Ramon for a classic In-N-Out burger or for the best bite around, try out Zachary's Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza and a frosty cold mug of Anchor Steam to wash it down with."
