Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Livermore? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Livermore campgrounds for you and your tent. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Livermore, California's most popular destinations.
Jan 2025 - due to to extensive damage from wildfires, this campground will be closed indefinitely.
$35 / night
Hikers and equestrians have access to an extensive 51 mile trail system. Mountain bikes are permitted on over 75% of the park's trails as designated. The diverse trail system at the park makes this a popular place to stage large-scale organized trail events such as equestrian endurance rides, mountain bike events and foot races. Dogs are also allowed on the trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds as long as they are on a 6 ft. leash.
Shaded picnic areas are available on a first-come first-served basis. Campers can choose from almost forty (40) reservable family campsites. Hot showers are available with paid campsite use. Group picnic and youth camping areas are available by reservation. One large lake and several smaller ponds are accessible for warm water fishing. Fires are permitted in designated fire rings only. Do not gather wood. Extinguish fires when unattended. When posted "NO FIRES", only campstoves or gas grills are permitted. For further questions please call the park office: (408) 274-6121.
$15 - $400 / night
In the middle of San Francisco Bay sits Angel Island State Park, offering spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline, the Marin Headlands and Mount Tamalpais. The island is also alive with history. Three thousand years ago the island was a fishing and hunting site for Coastal Miwok Indians. It was later a haven for Spanish explorer Juan de Ayala, a cattle ranch, and a U.S. Army post. From 1910 to 1940, the island processed thousands of immigrants. During World War II, Japanese and German POWs were held on the island, which was also used as a jumping-off point for American soldiers returning from the Pacific. In the '50s and '60s, the island was home to a Nike missile base. Today, there are two active Coast Guard stations - at Point Blunt and Point Stuart - on the island. Angel Island became a State Park in 1958.
CAMPSITES
11 environmental, including an ADA site (each site accommodating up to 8 people) and a kayak-accessible site (holds up to 20 people).
For more information contact the rangers office: 415-435-5390
Please check in with the park staff upon arrival on the island.
Be prepared to carry and/or transport your equipment up to 2.5 miles. Some sections are uphill, total elevation gain may be over 300 feet. Tables, food-lockers, running water, pit-toilets, and a barbecue are located at each site.
Bring charcoal or a stove as no wood fires are allowed. Raccoons are active making food-locker storage very important. Travel on the island after sunset is prohibited in some areas for park security and public safety.
$30 / night
Castle Rock State Park is a land of sculpted sandstone, lush forests, and sweeping vistas. From one of the highest ridges in the Santa Cruz Mountains, park visitors enjoy hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Rock climbers explore the park's caverns and rocks, including the namesake Castle Rock. Plant-lovers come for California black oaks, knobcone pines, and high-elevation coast redwoods. The park’s 34 miles of rugged trails conveniently connect to an extensive trail system that links the Santa Clara and San Lorenzo valleys to nearby Big Basin Redwoods State Park and open space preserves on the Skyline to the Sea Trail.
The Castle Rock Trail Camp is open year round on a first-come, first-serve basis. The campground is a 2.5 mile (4 kilometer) hike from the parking area and you will have to carry all of your equipment into the camp. Castle Rock Trail Camp has trash receptacles, bathrooms, and 20 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Wood is available for sale during the wet season. Fires are not allowed during fire season.
Camping is permitted only in designated camps. Campers are required to be in their campsites from sunset to 6 a.m.
To register and pay your fees, check in at the Entrance Station at the Castle Rock parking lot. If you arrive when the station is not staffed, you can use the self-registration envelopes. Make sure you bring exact change or a check to use in case you must use the self-registration. Place your receipt on the dashboard in a visible place as proof of payment. Rangers will verify payment. For more information about camping and fire closure dates, please call Castle Rock State Park at (408) 867-2952. For more information and reservations for Waterman Gap Trail Camp, please visit the Santa Cruz Mountain State Parks Backcountry Trail Camp Page.
$8 / night
Welcome to Uvas Canyon County Park. This lushly wooded park of 1,147 acres, is nestled in upper Uvas Canyon on the eastern side of the Santa Cruz
Mountains. This mountain park offers hiking, camping and picnicking opportunities throughout most of the year. Enjoy your visit today and return often to experience the many features of Uvas Canyon County Park.
$34 / night
Juniper Campground
$30 / night
Scout
Enjoyed tent camping at mount Madonna. I was able to reserve a drive in tent campground one month out . Many miles of trails and excellent facilities.
Guide
This campground has large open sites for tent camping. It was covered in trees and had some options for better more private spots, but sadly the campground was almost to capacity when we went. The options for tent camping was limited. I know for our next visit to reserve ahead of time, and to request cliff side tent camps. Cliff side tent camps are separate and have full vista views.
Legend
Often booked so you’ll want to get a reservation. $35/night for tent camping plus 7.99 reservation fee. No electric for tent camping but there is water. Safeway is just a mile away. Super cute town close by with fun shops and restaurants. The wind in the afternoon can be annoying but the views are worth it. I love staying here after working in Burlingame which is only 30 minutes away. Super easy to get to Mavericks, San Francisco etc.
Scout
The staff was amazing. Tent site was spacious. Not too crowded. Clean bathroom and shower. Several trails to walk. Close to town in case we forgot something.
Traveler
Only 3 tent sites available, You have to reserve ahead of time, No drive in access, unloading our staff was very big work, Very nice views and a lot of hiking trails are available
Traveler
Do this. “Hike in” means a paved lot with wheelbarrows to help you get your gear to your site which is less than a mile.
Yes these can be hard to get but the new “rolling reservation “ means dates are released 6months to the day not a whole month at a time. Be flexible and you can get a site. We have also stayed in the cabins which are a fantasy experience but the tent sites are cheaper and easier to get.
Tent sites have raccoons and are $25/night Cabins have mice and are $100/night
Site 2 is on the edge of the world. Several trees had been chopped down and there was little shelter but an unbelievable view! We camped for two nights in November and it was sunny and chilly.
Raccoons are abundant and brazen. They got into my lock top storage container but didn’t even try the flimsy food locker. Our bandit made off with a loaf of bread and the marshmallows.
Other tips: Site 1 is very exposed. Site 2 is ample for two tents if needed Site 3 ample for two tents with just a cedar fence between site 2 and 3 Site 4 is tucked down on the hillside with a great view south.
Beach access is via larger boulders. Have good shoes.
Firewood is available onsite for $7. Clean outhouse near tent sites. Clean bathrooms near parking lot- no soap or showers.
Legend
I am a tent camper and there are some good tent sites here. A bit open so can be windy but pick your site.
Access to the Delta with a boat ramp. Access to fishing all around you. Beyond water sports not a lot to do here but relax. Or go fly a kite.
Guide
I tent camped here and really liked it. There is also an RV section. It has flush toilets, showers and WiFi. For recreation you have the park behind the camp with great hiking trails and the whole Napa region. The people who work there are nice and do a great job keeping it up.
Guide
Snug harbour sits on Steamboat Slough of the California delta. It is a small island that has pretty calm water around it. It is under new management (2022). They were gracious and helpful. Bathroom were clean. (I am a bathroom snob). Extremely dog friendly. Tent camping is allowed. Back in RV SITES back right up to the river, with their own dock. There are also cabins and two manufactured homes. A cute beach sits at the end of the island. There was plenty to do if you enjoy boating or fishing. Looking forward to going back.
Ranger
We tent camped here but most people had a trailer. Translation: the bathroom was empty. Quiet with quick access to the beach via a steep paved path. The premium spots seem super worth it with panoramic views of the Pacific. Warning: the line for the dump station wound through nearly the entire park.
There is a BMX park a short drive away.
Guide
Came here last minute on a surf trip to Santa cruz so its partially our fault, but this place is not the best for tent camping in my opinion. They had a small plot to the side of the rest of the rv slots with a little grass to pitch a tent. Not secluded at all from the hustle and bustle which to me is a major part of the allure for camping. Otherwise the place was nice and looked great for rvs
ScoutThe tent camping is good. It’s spread out now because of social distancing. There are only 3 other campers besides me. Dogs are allowed but not on the trails so that’s a real bummer because this is a great place for hiking and horseback riding. Campsite is nothing special but the restroom gets 4 stars and the shower does as well only because the shower pressure is fantastic. Take yer skin clear off . I’m happy that I’m here and really that’s all you can ask for
ScoutThis campground is tucked away between Watsonville, CA and Gilroy, CA in a small stand of second growth redwwoods. They have one loop of rv sites and three other loops of gorgeous tent sites. They have redwood trees, showers, restrooms, archery, hiking trails, Henry Miller's vacation home ruins, camp fire programs and a pen of exotic white deer.
I've been camping here my entire life in every season and I never get tired of it.
ScoutBasic outdoor setting near downtown Napa. Clean and well appointed bathrooms and showers. RV as well as tent camping in different sections. Recommend bicycles, if you have them, to ride into town, or on nearby backroads to view acres upon acres of vineyards. Park allows daytime use for mountain bikes, hikers and horseback riders. During current COVID times (eg 6/2020), wineries require appointments for visiting, as compared to many with “drop in” ability in the past, so plan ahead. Open 7am-7pm, with gate code given for late entrants. Recommend earlier check in (starts at 1pm).
Legend
Theses are limited (5) hike in tent sites. Not far in - less than a mile. You are on your own here. Bring your own water. No fires. You get a picnic table and a food storage locker, nothing else.
Meadow sites against a row of trees. There is very little privacy between sites but the couple times I have been here it was not full. It can get windy - there is some shelter under the tress.
Here you can strike out hiking through Tennessee Valley to the beach and beyond!
Great for a close get-a-way and seclusion.
GuideShort walk to the beach. You can walk for miles on the beach or on the bluff trails. Everyone is laidback which makes for a peaceful experience. Great sunsets!!
Tenting camping and RVs. Limited electrical hookups.
Legend
This is a hidden gem. A little bowl full of redwoods, a creek and great hiking. Lots of great tent sites but pick your site wisely so you are not too close to your neighbors. Also have some good back country hike in sites.
There is a nature trail along the creek.
If you hike up to the ridge on a clear day you can see the ocean. There is also an old landing strip on the hill you can hike to as well. Great hike along the ridge where you can bakcpack into a trail camp. Little streams along the way to get access to water.
Guide
Yes, this is a KOA, so if you are into tent camping or an immersive forest setting, you might want to look elsewhere. But for a quick weekend jaunt for RV campers, this location slightly more than an hour from the Bay Area is hard to beat. Full hook-ups are available, there is an on site restaurant and outdoor bar, and there is close proximity to multiple beaches and tide pools. The resort also has great activities for kids that they occasionally bring on site, such as a climbing wall and nature talks with live animals. The sites at the bottom of the first loop with awesome sunset views are my favorite. Very grassy and “outdoorsy” for a KOA.
Legend
This is sweet hike in trail camp. We have used it for two purposes. First when were were climbing in Castle Rock State Park and this was our hub and second when we were doing the Skyline to the Sea Trail and wanted a easy first day. This is primitive. There is a shelter with tables in the event there is rain. Then there are scattered sites, some with tables for you to find a tent site. If busy - you will be sharing.
Shaded, though hike down can be in the open. Primitive restrooms. Water available. Picnic Tables.
Great home base for climbing - good trail camp for the march to the sea.
LegendThis is one of the most enchanting places I have ever been to. Just wow! There is only 4 tent sites, but they are huge! Plenty of RV spots as well. ADA accessible site are limited but they are #17, 23, 24, 109, 112. This is near a 40 acre redwood grove with so much old growth. The trees are towering above you! It is kind of pricey but well worth it. you can see an amazing view of the night sky and hear the sounds of the waves from the nearby ocean.
You do have to be bear aware here, there are food lockers though.Also, watch out for the poison oak... so much. Each site also has a fire ring and picnic table. They have clean bathrooms with flush toilets and showers that are $0.25 per 2 minutes.
I love this campground and miss it, as I have moved out of California.
Legend
We've been camping here a few times now, since it is about a half hour from where we live. We camp with a 27' Travel Trailer and the campgrounds can accommodate it. There is also several tent campsites as well. The marina to Lake Del Valle is a few miles away. They rent recreational boats as well as aluminum fishing boats. They have a swimming beach area and they rent kayaks as well. There is some decent hiking trails from the campgrounds. There were no hookups where we camped for the travel trailer. Lots of turkey and deer in the area. The fee for us was $27/per night. They is a per fee as well.
Guide
This R.V. Park is rustic, but has a lot of amenities and is very close to Santa Cruz. We visit family and friends in the area often, but this was the first time we camped in the area. It is $50 base price per night, which I think is very exorbitant for a tent site. There is an additional $3 charge per night for any more than two campers per tent or R.V. site. Because there was me and my two daughters it was $53 per night. I gave it 4 stars because the price is so high.
There are just four tent sites here. We were in T2 which was just over a small footbridge over a creek from our parking spot. The spot was small, but had a picnic table, fire pit, and elevated wooden deck. I’m not sure if the deck is for setting up your ten on or lounging on, but we opted to set up our tent on the ground.
We spent most of our time with relatives, so we didn’t have a lot of time to use the amenities, but there were lots of kids around using the playground, bicycling, playing basketball, and swimming in the pool. There was also a large clubhouse with foosball, ping pong and arcade games which is open from 9am - 9pm. My daughters used the clubhouse while I set up camp and after waking up while I stayed in bed for a little while.
There was no AT&T sevice for me, but free WiFi was available so it was fine. The check in process was slow, but okay. Our campsite neighbors seemed very squeamish about camping and left out food that a raccoon family got into in the early morning waking them and us up. I think they were just inexperienced campers.
Overall I’d stay here again, but I might hesitate at the price. I think this would be a nice place for a family to hang out at. There are lots of things for the kids to do and lots of friends to play with.
ScoutWe've camped here twice and it's been nice with a couple of exceptions. 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. It is right off 84 near the Dumbarton bridge so there can be a lot of traffic noise. There are some nice trails that will take you to the Bay and also to Coyote Hills Regional Park. It's also near Ardenwood Farm so if you have little kids it's a good spot to visit.
They have RV and tent sites and it looks like they will have a little store and laundry facilities in the future. There are lots of shopping and restaurant options very nearby if needed.
We had an issue with a camper that was next to us playing very loud music and when we asked them to turn it down they refused so we asked at the office if there was a space available somewhere else and they accommodated us without question.
We appreciate how convenient it is for people who live in the Bay Area and if you want to visit the area from out of state or out of the Bay Area, it would be a great place to park your camper and explore.
TravelerHow is it possible that I am the first to review this place, the number one most difficult to reserve spot in all of California (and therefore presumably all of America)?!
So the cabins are not only notoriously difficult to reserve -- you need to be ready to click "reserve" on the website at no less than 5 minutes before the window opens for your dates of interest, which was 6 months ahead of time when I reserved -- but kind of expensive for what they are, at $100/night plus reservation fee.
For that, you get your own seaside cabin with million dollar views just 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sleeping platforms for about 6 people split among 3 semi-private rooms. Flush toilets at the parking lot and an honor system for buying firewood bundles with kindling. A full-time host lives in the house at the parking lot. There are dish washing spigots scattered among the cabins. There are wheelbarrows for schlepping your stuff to the cabins and campsites; more on that later. And charcoal grills outside each cabin. A couple general use picnic tables scattered about. So those are the basics you can read anywhere.
Various thoughts and recommendations, based on my solo weekend visit in mid-March 2018, staying in Cabin 7 at the bottom of the hill closest to the little beach:
My advice? If you're a small party that just wants a couple days with the gorgeous oceanfront views and location, stay at the tent sites, not the cabins. You won't sleep with one eye open waiting for the mousetraps to pop, and it's a flat, easy portage from the parking lot to the campsites. Easier to keep clean, and I find cooking outside to be less of a hassle and easier to clean up than doing it inside the cabin where there isn't any water, sink, or spillage containment solution. Cheaper and (barely) easier to reserve a tent site, too.
If you're intent on having the cabin experience, or if you're staying in winter, or staying for more than a couple days, or have kids and really want to set up house, then go for a cabin, and I'd recommend choosing a cabin close to the parking lot. They're actually more private and you can use the wheelbarrows to move your stuff from car to cabin. The cabins further away from the parking lot are further down the hill; wheelbarrows are not an option, and footing is iffy when carrying large, heavy items up and down from the parking lot. Views are the same from all cabins so you're not losing any benefits. I'll try for CB04 next time.
But take whatever cabin you can get, and check "Steep Ravine Cabins" off your camping bucket list.
Legend
Pantoll is a pretty campground located adjacent to the entrance to Mount Tamalpais. You can hike to, bike to, take the bus to, or even drive to this campground. If you choose to drive, just know that it can be impossible to find a place to park on busy weekends (you'll need to drop your stuff off, find a place to park along the road, then come back to park in the evening when the parking lot clears). We hiked in. On a weekend night in March, only four of the 16 sites were taken so we had no problem nabbing a spot. The campground is situated across a steep-ish hillside. Water spigots are spread out among the sites, but all the bathrooms are located down the hill near the parking lot. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and a flat spot to pitch a tent. Sites are fairly close together in bunches (for example, 2, 3, and 5 were close, 6 and 7 were close, but there was a bit of space between the groups). Firewood is sold at the ranger kiosk but they have limited hours. Some spots are larger than others, and very few can accommodate a house-size tent (you know what I mean - and no judging, I have a house-size tent for car camping). We had our 3 person backpacking tent with us and it would have fit in all the sites. Sites up the hill require a bit of a hike-in but are farther from the road noise and busy parking lot. There is one dishwashing station near the bottom.
Pros:
- Location. You can hike anywhere from this campground. Down to Muir Woods in less than 3 miles. Up to Rock Springs, Bolinas Ridge, and Mount Tam. Down to Stinson Beach. I could spend a week here exploring all the trails.
- Amenties. Dishwashing sink, many water spigots, food storage lockers, fire pits, toilets that flush. And Wifi from the ranger kiosk (squee!!!) which we appreciated to check the weather and bus schedule (very poor Verizon signal).
Cons:
- Noise from Panoramic Highway.
- Busy parking lot with lots of people potentially moving around the campground (especially the lower sites).
- No reservations: FCFS only.
Overall I'm really happy I finally got to chance to camp here and would recommend.
LegendWe rarely make reservations to camp in California Beach Parks, as they are usually filled up weeks or even months in advance. While meeting up with some friends in Half Moon Bay we happened along the campsite and simply enquired if they had an open site for the night. They did, and we ended up staying for 2 nights due to a cancellation. It never hurts to ask!
The campsite is a nice quiet stretch of grass, live oak trees, and beach shrubs about 30 vertical feet above the Pacific beach shoreline. While you get away from the blowing sand, you get to hear the pounding ocean at night. I can’t imagine a more gentle lullaby, frankly. The sites themselves are a little close quarters, but all provide just about enough space for a long camper and a tow/towed vehicle as well. For a small camper like us, there’s even enough room to have a friend visit.
The sites offer electrical and water hookups, additionally there is a dump station just as you exit the camping area. Showers and flush toilets are available, but also used by all the beach goers in the area, so you know what they look like....never clean.
The town of Half Moon Bay offers pretty much everything you need in terms of restaurants or grocery stores. Riding your bike, or walking along the path toward town for a well-earned brunch should definitely reach the top of your to-do list while you’re there. We had brunch at Mavericks Creparie and dinner at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. Both are absolutely fantastic!
Beachcombing, sunbathing, swimming, horseback riding, and skim boarding during the warmer months also are great ways to fill up the day. The beach path goes for miles in either direction so you can get some exercise off of the main roads.
Scout
This is nice little campground that is only about 15 minutes from downtown Livermore. It’s a great escape from the craziness of the Bay Area without having to drive too far. The lack of cell reception really helps the feeling of being away from the city life. There was quite a bit of wildlife roaming through the park mainly in the early morning. I saw deer and turkeys roaming the campground.
The restrooms and showers were clean and functional. Maybe a bit outdated, but I don’t see that as a negative considering everything works. It’s also nice that the showers are free, no need to bring your roll of quarters.
The close proximity to the lake and all the hiking trails is a huge plus.
The only negatives I can mention are the camp store and the lack of privacy at each site. It seems like the camp store is only open on Saturdays which means if you need anything, it’s close to an hour long commitment to drive into Livermore, buy what you need, and drive back. I’m not sure if that’s always the case but when I visited in April that was what the sign had posted. As far as the lack of privacy, I don’t think it’s a deal breaker since there is a good amount of space between sites but they are all fully exposed. I can see these being a bit of a problem especially on a crowded weekend.
Overall a nice campground in a good location with plenty to do in the area.
Tent camping near Livermore, California, offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can enjoy the great outdoors. From well-equipped parks to serene backcountry sites, there's something for everyone.
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