Best Campgrounds near Diablo, CA

Mount Diablo State Park and surrounding areas provide a range of camping options within an hour's drive of the San Francisco Bay Area. Tent and RV sites are available at several developed campgrounds including Live Oak, Juniper, and Anthony Chabot Regional Park. The Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park offers full hookups for RVs, while Del Valle Campground includes cabin accommodations. Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and Las Trampas Regional Wilderness feature more primitive camping experiences. Most campgrounds are situated on hilly terrain with varying degrees of shade and access to hiking trails.

Road conditions require careful driving, particularly on Mount Diablo where narrow, winding roads are shared with cyclists. Campsites at higher elevations like Juniper Campground experience significant temperature fluctuations and strong winds known locally as "Diablo Winds." Many campgrounds require reservations through their respective management agencies, with Mount Diablo State Park sites often filling quickly during pleasant weather seasons. Water availability varies by location and may be limited during drought conditions. A review mentioned that "Juniper had decent 10-15mbps ATT cellular service in most site locations, and also decent t-mobile, but ping was slow."

Campers consistently highlight the spectacular views as a primary draw for Mount Diablo campgrounds. The higher elevation sites provide panoramic vistas of the East Bay and, on clear days, San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean. Wildlife sightings include deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, and coyotes. Several visitors noted that summer temperatures can be extremely hot during the day but cool significantly at night, requiring appropriate gear. The gates at Mount Diablo close at sunset, restricting nighttime movement. A recent review warned that "the ground itself was very rocky. Irritating that there wasn't really any level spots to set up the tent, so sleeping on a slant was a real treat." Despite these challenges, the proximity to major urban areas makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations for Bay Area residents.

Best Camping Sites Near Diablo, California (159)

    1. Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    29 Reviews
    Castro Valley, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $25 - $200 / night

    "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."

    2. Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Diablo, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (925) 837-2525

    $30 / night

    "-It takes ~30-45 minutes to drive from the bottom of the mountain to Juniper Campground depending on the amount of traffic on the mountain. "

    "Diablo, and is the closest to the peak of the mountain. I like it because there is a large open space that looks out to the southwest, w and nw with views."

    3. Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Pleasanton, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (925) 426-3340

    "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."

    4. Juniper Campground — Mount Diablo State Park

    2 Reviews
    Diablo, CA
    3 miles

    $30 / night

    "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."

    5. Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District

    23 Reviews
    Livermore, CA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $15 - $200 / night

    "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."

    6. Morgan Territory Regional Preserve

    1 Review
    Brentwood, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    7. Las Trampas Regional Wilderness

    1 Review
    Alamo, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $75 / night

    8. Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay

    10 Reviews
    Newark, CA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $45 - $65 / night

    "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."

    "The showers are roomy with ok water pressure (for California) and warm water. The laundry is super convenient. They even have summer ranger programs but we didn’t see many kids here."

    9. Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park

    1 Review
    Piedmont, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $75 / night

    "Magical :) I feel at Peace at Such a Beautiful Location. Its a Must see."

    10. Briones Regional Park

    1 Review
    Pleasant Hill, CA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 327-2757

    $75 - $200 / night

    "Good parking and turn around. Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash."

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Recent Reviews near Diablo, CA

724 Reviews of 159 Diablo Campgrounds


  • Sary W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    San Francisco RV Resort

    Close to City

    We stayed here as we had baseball game tickets in SF during our RV trip. Close to city and in a safe area. Liked sleeping to the sounds of crashing waves and was able to use full hookups.

    Bathrooms were pretty dirty - not as pictured. Although I liked that the showers locked. Rec area was very run down. Laundry has mobile payment and was clean and accessible.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Pantoll Campground — Mount Tamalpais State Park

    Pantoll

    Very nice small campground on Mt Tam. All sites are a small walk up on a hill kind of steep. Ranger station at parking lot that sells firewood. Water faucets, bathrooms. No showers. Bear lockers.

  • Jake M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    Very quite/ beautiful sites

    We’re hoping to get a spot with less of a hill to climb but on the top it’s a nice flat terrain. Nice view some campsites are closer to watch other than others.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Lake Solano County Park

    Great campsite, loud road

    I loved staying here for one night and wish I could’ve been there for longer. The bathrooms are accessible, I had a beautiful spot by the water, my neighbors were friendly, the staff were welcoming. The only catch was that the road parallel to the lake is super loud and for me bothersome at night. I did not get good sleep because of this, i recommend bringing ear plugs if you are sensitive to noise and sleeping outside (i was in a tent). I don’t know how noisy it is for other spots farther away, but I would guess the sound still travels but is not as bad as having a spot along the water. Normal site are $30 per night, sites along the water are $40.

  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA

    Great area, safe, kid friendly

    I planned to stay here just one night and stayed like 4. Great spot, I loved downtown Petaluma and enjoyed the safe feeling and convenience of this location. Great amenities for children too.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Lovely site, really close to San Francisco!

    On visiting San Francisco we were looking for a site that wasn’t a car park. This really met the mark! Beautiful place with great sites. Nice picnic tables & fire pits! Was very quiet

  • T
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Anthony Chabot Regional Park

    Nice location and activities, but a bit cramped

    I just needed/wanted a short getaway without driving hours from home. Since I'm used to this place for mountain biking, I figured I'd try camping here for a couple nights. 

    I did a recon ride previously on my mountain bike, so knew which spots I'd prefer and booked site 35 for a Thursday and Friday night. 

    Arrived at about 5PM and found my spot. The ranger booth was closed, but I didn't feel the need to chat with them anyway. The place was largely unoccupied at this point. Maybe a dozen or so spots appeared taken. 

    The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting. I believe it was 88 in Castro Valley, but felt about 78 at the campground. I don't have AC for the van, but didn't feel I needed any. 

    I got setup and then headed out for a short ride, followed by a warm shower, cold beer and dinner. It was quiet that evening and I slept well. 

    I worked through the morning Friday, though the Starlink suffered some interruptions due to the tree cover. Early afternoon more people started to show up, as I expected. I went for a long ride and when I returned the place was much more occupied and people were setting up tents, starting their bbq's, etc. Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious. 

    My advice would be to know the spot you're selecting and know that in the summer months the grass isn't green :) 

    I'd score the individual aspects as follows (1-5):

    Bathrooms: 4

    Location: 5

    Activities: 5

    Privacy: 3

    Cleanliness: 4

  • g
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Olema Campground

    Nice spot, little privacy

    Lovely large meadow with scattered trees. RC/van spots are arranged in cul de sacs, tent spots on the edges of fields.

    Somewhat noisy - kids, dogs, radios - but settled down by 9. Friendly vibe. Expensive at $83/nt but good showers. Wifi was slow when I stayed.

    Decent backup option for the area if Samuel Taylor is booked.

  • g
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground

    Small and lovely

    Lovely site in redwoods. Sites are close, but have some privacy. Stream is accessible shallow. Beautiful trees.


Guide to Diablo

Campsite options near Diablo, California include both higher elevation locations with panoramic views and lower elevation sites with more protection from the elements. Trails around these campgrounds vary in difficulty, from flat paths along lakes to steep ridge climbs with elevation changes of 1,000+ feet. Temperatures between sites can differ by 15-20 degrees depending on elevation and proximity to the Bay.

What to do

Hiking to summits: Multiple trails lead to panoramic viewpoints at Mount Diablo State Park. "We hiked to the top of the mountain, to the lookout point, on a trail through the woods and brush," notes a visitor to Juniper Campground. Many paths are moderate to strenuous with significant elevation gain.

Fishing for multiple species: The lakes provide opportunities to catch various fish. At Del Valle Campground, "The marina to Lake Del Valle is a few miles away. They rent recreational boats as well as aluminum fishing boats," according to one camper. Bass, trout and catfish are common catches.

Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings offer the best wildlife viewing times. "Wildlife sightings include deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, and coyotes," reports a camper at Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Coyote Hills Regional Preserve features numerous waterbirds and estuary species.

Mountain biking: Technical trails with varying difficulty levels run throughout the region. A visitor to Redwood Regional Park mentions, "We love Anthony Chabot! There is an extensive network of trails accessible from the campground." Some routes require advanced skills for steep climbs and technical descents.

What campers like

Cool morning temperatures: Even during summer heat, mornings provide relief. A camper at Juniper Campground reports, "The weather in May was really nice imo. Not too cold at night with layers, & starts warming up quick in the morning." Morning temperatures can drop into the 50s even when days reach 90+.

Bird activity: Dawn chorus starts early with multiple species. "Lots of birds singing. The views of the lake are very nice," mentions a visitor to Anthony Chabot. Turkey vultures, hawks, and songbirds are common throughout the region.

Night sky viewing: Higher elevation sites provide better stargazing opportunities. The Diablo overlook at Juniper is noted as "spacious- good views for sunset, sunrise, stargazing." Light pollution diminishes as you gain elevation, with Mount Diablo summit offering the clearest night skies.

Access to multiple parks: The concentration of parks allows exploration of several ecosystems. "Morgan Territory Regional Preserve feels very off grid," reports one camper, while still being within an hour of several other preserves and parks.

What you should know

Wind conditions: Higher elevation sites experience significant winds. A camper at Mount Diablo warns, "One other thing, 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." Wind speeds can exceed 25mph at upper elevations.

Ground conditions: Rocky soil makes tent setup challenging in some areas. "The ground itself was very rocky. We had some trouble staking down on the rocky dirt," notes a Juniper Campground visitor. Tent pads are limited at most sites.

Temperature fluctuations: Daily temperature swings can exceed 30 degrees. At Anthony Chabot Regional Park, a camper reports, "The weather, though hot in the Bay Area at this point, was quite nice. The breeze and shade of the park made for a very comfortable setting." Plan for both hot and cold conditions.

Limited site privacy: Many campgrounds have closely spaced sites. "The sites are fairly close to each other," notes a visitor to Anthony Chabot. Sites on ends of loops or backed against natural barriers typically offer more separation.

Tick and poison oak awareness: Both are prevalent on trails throughout the region. A camper warns, "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 for camping with families

Playground access: Some campgrounds have dedicated play areas. Dumbarton Quarry Campground features "a great playground if you have small kids, and lots of gentle hiking trails." This offers recreation options beyond hiking.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings provide the best wildlife sightings. "We saw deer, turkeys, owls, etc." notes a visitor to Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Most wildlife is most active around dawn and dusk.

Swimming options: Not all water bodies permit swimming. At Del Valle, a camper reports, "They have a swimming beach area and they rent kayaks as well." Check regulations as some reservoirs prohibit body contact with water due to water quality concerns.

Noise considerations: Sound travels between campsites in most locations. "Though a bit close to the neighbors, none of them were obnoxious," reports a visitor to Anthony Chabot. Midweek camping typically offers quieter conditions than weekends.

Tips from RVers

Space limitations: Many campgrounds have tight turns and limited maneuvering room. At Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park, a visitor notes, "Our slot 170 was very narrow, other spots had more space. You could not see that on the onlinemap." Research specific site dimensions before booking.

Leveling challenges: Most sites require significant leveling. "The sites are fairly close together, which matters because one of the other campers is right next to mine and doesn't understand basic camp etiquettes," reports a camper at Anthony Chabot. Bring leveling blocks even for sites marked as level.

Dump station availability: Few campgrounds offer on-site dumping facilities. A visitor to Del Valle recommends using sanitation stations in nearby towns as most campgrounds lack this amenity.

Gate closure considerations: Many parks lock gates at night. A camper notes, "Gate closes at 10PM, but you can exit the park over the tiger teeth at any time if you need to." Plan accordingly for late arrivals or departures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Diablo, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Diablo, CA is Anthony Chabot Regional Park with a 4.6-star rating from 29 reviews.

What parks are near Diablo, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Diablo, CA that allow camping, notably Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore.