Laura K.
Scout
ScoutCalifornia Delta's Snug Harbor
This campground needs a lot of work including docks, boat births and sites need pads and less weeds, stickers, burs.
Camping near Mountain View, CA
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Campgrounds within driving distance of Mountain View, California range from waterfront options in the East Bay to rustic sites in the Marin Headlands. Anthony Chabot Regional Park, located approximately 35 miles northeast of Mountain View, offers both tent and RV camping with full hookup availability. Several established campgrounds in the region provide mixed-use facilities accommodating different camping styles, from primitive tent sites to developed RV areas with electrical connections. Mount Diablo State Park, Skyline Wilderness Park, and Samuel P. Taylor State Park expand the camping options with locations that feature fire pits, picnic tables, and in some cases, cabin accommodations.
Reservation requirements vary significantly among the regional campgrounds, with many requiring bookings up to six months in advance, especially during summer weekends. Most developed campgrounds in the Bay Area operate year-round, though seasonal weather patterns affect camping conditions. Winter camping brings cooler temperatures and occasional rain, while summer offers warmer, typically fog-free days but more crowded facilities. Cell service remains generally reliable near established campgrounds but can become spotty in more remote areas like the hills around Mount Tamalpais or deeper into regional parks. One visitor commented on the experience at Anthony Chabot Regional Park: "Despite it being quite accessible to Oakland, the park felt like camping in the wilderness, even though I could hear cheers echoing through the canyon from a graduation somewhere below."
The proximity to water features represents a common highlight in visitor experiences at Bay Area campgrounds. Campers at Del Valle Campground appreciate the lake access and hiking trails combined with the "escape from the craziness of the Bay Area without having to drive too far." Sites with waterfront views at Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground tend to receive consistently positive feedback, with one camper noting they could "hear the pounding ocean at night" creating a "gentle lullaby." Several reviews mention wildlife sightings, including deer, turkeys, and various bird species, especially in the early mornings at parks like Del Valle. Facilities at most established campgrounds include flush toilets and shower buildings, though cleanliness and maintenance standards vary considerably between locations, with newer facilities at Dumbarton Quarry Campground receiving particularly positive mentions.
Best Campgrounds near Mountain View (158)
1. Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground
"This mountain has many of hiking trails for various levels of hikers."
"Live Oak is the closest to the entrance (and town), and features some cool rock formations to explore, but it's colder, has terrible cellular data service, and doesn't quite have the sunset / sunrise views"
from $30 / night
Check Availability2. Anthony Chabot Regional Park
"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."
from $25 - $200 / night
Check Availability3. Skyline Wilderness Park
"A ton of great hiking and horseback riding trails. Literally 5 mins outside of the town of Napa. Ate at an amazing Brazilian Steakhouse and came to camp in just a short drive."
"Nice, clean place with beautiful hiking trails. The garden is very cute, perfect for a quiet walk or meditation. Sites are close to each other. This place is a good getaway into nature."
4. Benicia State Recreation Area
"The area is beautiful and lots of people come here to walk and exercise, and once I took my dog on a walk I saw why nobody brings their dog - TICKS! So many! "
"It's peaceful and there is a sense of stillness despite there being a few dozen people walking throughout at any given time."
from $12 / night
Check Availability5. Tilden Regional Park
"Tilden is great for anyone looking for a close park right outside of the Berkeley/San Fran area. It is a rather large park area that overlooks Berkeley."
"Tilden offers a lake in the middle to swim in and fish. The campsites have lots of fire pits. The weather is always great too!"
from $75 - $120 / night
Check Availability6. Tradewinds RV Park
"Close to highway. Noise not a problem. Very friendly staff. Sites are close together but easy entry. Level sites with FHU’s. Would stay here again."
from $42 - $47 / night
Check Availability7. Briones Regional Park
"Good parking and turn around. Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash."
from $75 - $200 / night
Check Availability8. Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park
"Angel Island is a California State Park, but it's surprising how many visitors do not know of the 10 campsites scattered around the island!"
"Campsites are walk in throughout the island. Remember there will be fog and there will be wind. We try to get what they call the "group" kayak site. "
from $30 / night
Check Availability9. Samuel P. Taylor State Park Campground
"Beautiful trees and wonderful California charm. The campsites were decently located. Above the Mendocino coast the mornings are wet and Cold. Loved this place"
"This campground is less than an hours drive from San Francisco. It is along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard which takes you through a bunch of very cute tiny towns."
from $35 - $225 / night
Check Availability10. H. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound
"I decided to stay here, because it was the right location for my road trip, it was free, and I thought the view of the city would be excellent."
"Reasonably quiet on the side away from the road. Very safe, police patrols throughout the day/night. Good hiking areas nearby. Bathrooms and trash cans. Highly recommend as it is also completely free."
Drive Time
- 19 min from Vallejo, CA
- 32 min from Napa, CA
- 34 min from San Francisco, CA
- 59 min from Santa Rosa, CA
Recent Camping Photos near Mountain View, CA
160 Photos of 158 Mountain View Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Live Oak Campground — Mount Diablo State Park Campground
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
Sunrise Campground — Angel Island State Park
Skyline Wilderness Park
Kirby Cove Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Brannan Island State Recreation Area
Willow Campground — Brannan Island State Recreation Area
Hawk Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Sandy Beach County Parkj
Bicentennial Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation AreaC
Haypress Campground — Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Alice Eastwood Group Camp — Mount Tamalpais State Park
Recent Reviews near Mountain View, CA
838 Reviews of 158 Mountain View Campgrounds
- ttom S.
GuideSugarloaf Ridge State Park Campground
Excellent campground
We arrived and looked at our site and needed sun to recharge our batteries so the attendant let us pick one from the available list. A bit dusty but well worth it for the amenities.
Luis P.Scoutsmittle creek
Not a camping area
This is a private area managed by Napa County. Gate closed.
T T.GuideH. Dana Bower Rest Area Northbound
Rest Stop
This is more of a rest, stop in a camp area and there’s signs all over that say do not leave valuables exposed in vehicle. Amazing dude perfect time to be here for a airshow
- T T.Guide
Dumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
Great safe place in sourh east bay
Great location with spaces in safe SE bay area location and reasonable prices New development small young trees limited natural shade
Tom T.ScoutDumbarton Quarry Campground on the Bay
Open sky great starlink users.
Very quiet campground at night. See stars clearly. Use the fire pit after 730pm when the wind has calmed down.
KrystleScoutMineral Springs Trailhead
Overnight stays not allowed
I was woken up by law enforcement and asked to leave on my second night staying here. They will issue a citation (luckily they took mine away and gave me a warning) this needs to be removed as a dispersed site.
Dawn S.GuideSan Francisco RV Resort
Great for visiting the City
There are many spot. It's a parking lot and the spots are very snug. The edge by the ocean lost a few.
Staff is kind, helpful and responsive. Area is clean and very peaceful. It's a bit pricey. Our standard spot was $150.
- TTwindaddyGuide
Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District
East Bay Parks - IYKYK
Like most/all east bay parks, this is well appointed for the masses. It’s also surrounded by rolling hills and close to suburbia. For many, these are positives. As an east bay resident they are for me as well. Del Valle is a bit more removed than many east bay parks. From my location in Fremont, it’s a one hour drive. A pleasant drive for the most part. I camp to get away for a bit and almost always to mountain bike. As such, I seek parks that have trails. Del Valle has a map of many trails. They also appear on many of the mapping services used by mountain bikers. Review those and digest them if this is also your intention - these are east bay parka style trails. In other words, mostly steep and loose fire roads, with many “social trails” sprinkled between. If you are compelled to stay legit/legal trails, bring an ebike. Now on to the camping. I picked a spot as far removed from any booked spot on the map. I triple checked this up until the day before I arrived. I want solitude! When I arrived Thursday afternoon, I was surprised to see the sites just 3 spaces away, on both sides, occupied. This is a fairly compact area. And while I’m sure they’re lovely folks, this isn’t what I expected on a Thursday. Saturday? Sure. Anyway… be aware that these reservation services aren’t completely reliable in that regard. The bathrooms and showers are amazing! Clean, smell good, cared for. Noteworthy is the hot showers in the camp grounds are free and your one push of the button provides water for two minutes I'd guess. Very nice! The space, 135 for me, is okay. A couple trees for shade, a nice table and fire pit. It’s now dark and the noise is minimal - mostly from the group campsite just down the hill. I’ll update this with more details in the coming days since it’s a 4 day visit.
Update 1: it’s my first morning here. Using starlink as there is no cell signal to be found. What I noticed last night was that this park is directly below the flight path to the local airports. Every couple minutes last night, a plane would fly overhead. According to flight aware, they’re at about 10,000 feet. If this will ruin your getaway, you’ve been warned.
Update 2: On Friday night, the majority of the spots were filled. Many large groups of people with varying degrees of consideration, but to their credit almost all (except the barking German Shepard) were quiet by 10PM. It was a bit more crowded come Saturday morning. Some friends came to visit for a mountain bike ride, and we set off at about noon. I had been complimentary of the facilities and bragged that I'd be taking a nice shower after our ride. Unfortunately, upon our return, there was no hot water and no lighting in the showers. And, sadly, someone decided to remove the tags and hangers from their TJ Maxx haul and leave them all over the floor of two of the showers.
Verdict: I'd only come back here in the springtime when it's likely to be green and have some water in the arroyo and only during the week. The density and composition of the people here was akin to being at Costco on a Saturday, and I only did that once.
Guide to Mountain View
Camping near Mountain View, California offers both coastal and inland sites within a 35-60 minute drive. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F at these campgrounds, while winter nights can drop to the 40s with occasional rain. Cell service varies dramatically between locations, with mountaintop sites like Mount Diablo offering surprisingly good connectivity compared to some forested campgrounds.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: At Mount Diablo State Park, trails cater to various skill levels with significant elevation changes. "There are a lot of trails for hiking. However the draw back to this place is the amount of cyclists on the narrow and worn out pavement that we call roads," notes one camper who recommends being prepared for twisting mountain roads.
Beach exploration: Kirby Cove Campground offers unique coastal experiences just 45 minutes from Mountain View. "You can Uber there if you have to. If you forget the salad at home, just go get it. SF and Marin are less than 15 mins away," writes one camper, highlighting the unusual blend of urban convenience and natural setting.
Wildlife watching: Early mornings at regional parks provide opportunities for animal sightings. One visitor at Mount Diablo reported, "We saw a mix of wildlife. Deer, hawks, wild turkeys. We saw an amazing sunset too." Many campgrounds in the region host similar wildlife, particularly during dawn and dusk hours.
What campers like
Proximity with separation: Anthony Chabot Regional Park earns praise for feeling remote while remaining accessible. One camper noted: "Always went here when we don't wanna drive too far. Staff is great and place is clean. Campsite #69 has the best view but is next to trail. Very nice trails and not super far from town to get food."
Urban escape views: Elevated campgrounds provide unique perspectives of the Bay Area. A camper at Angel Island State Park shared: "There's only 10 sites on Angel Island, so permits are limited! Try to get a campsite towards east ridge so you can get a view of Alcatraz and both the Bay and Golden gate bridge."
Nature immersion: The regional parks offer surprising ecological diversity. "We love Anthony Chabot! The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.). It's a great natural area that is so conveniently located in the Bay Area," wrote one visitor about their experience.
What you should know
Reservation challenges: Most campgrounds within an hour of Mountain View require advance planning. For Angel Island, "There are only 10 sites on the island and being so accessible from the San Francisco Bay Area (only a ferry ride away from Pier 39), you can see why it is in so high demand."
Weather preparation: Bay Area camping demands layered clothing regardless of season. A visitor to Samuel P. Taylor State Park advised: "One thing to note, the night is COLD up this way, and mere miles will cover several different weather systems. Bring layers."
Wildlife encounters: While generally not dangerous, local wildlife can be persistent. At Kirby Cove, "I've been camping my whole life and NEVER have I seen raccoons so persistent. Not aggressive. Just persistent. And fearless. They. Will. Not. Leave. You. Alone. From like 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm they will stalk your site looking for ANY unsecured food."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Skyline Wilderness Park provides diverse recreation beyond standard hiking. "The 800+ acres of hills, woods and fields offers archery, disc golf, hiking, horseback riding and more. Very friendly, helpful staff. Bonus: short drive to Downtown Napa."
Noise considerations: Campground noise varies significantly across the region. At Samuel P. Taylor, a camper warned: "If you're tent camping, the vehicle noise from the nearby Sir Francis Drake Blvd can be distracting if you are a light sleeper."
Short-trip suitability: Several campgrounds serve as ideal first-time camping locations. One reviewer described Samuel P. Taylor as "for families who want a quick trip over Golden Gate Bridge to introduce their children (or adults!) to the great outdoors, their first camp, nowhere is more convenient and instantly gratifying."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites at many campgrounds near Mountain View have varying qualities. At Skyline Wilderness Park, "RV Campsites are nothing fancy and close together. But the park itself is nice...hiking trails, views, nature, and close to Napa."
Leveling needs: Some parks have uneven sites requiring equipment. A visitor to Skyline Wilderness Park noted: "Sites are level with minimal need for blocks. Staff are friendly."
Connectivity options: Cell service varies dramatically. One RVer at Skyline reported: "Cell phone coverage is good. Have both Verizon and Att with at least 2-3 bars. 10-12 Mbps down 4-5 Mbps up." This connectivity makes some sites suitable for remote work while camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Mountain View, CA?
Where are the best campgrounds in Mountain View, CA?
While Mountain View itself doesn't have campgrounds within city limits, several excellent options are available within a short drive. Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers spacious sites with great hiking trails, though some areas have poison oak near the trails. For coastal camping, Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground provides beautiful ocean views and occasionally has last-minute availability. Both parks are family-friendly with good facilities. Other nearby options include Del Valle Campground in Livermore and Mount Diablo State Park in Clayton, both offering excellent hiking opportunities within driving distance of Mountain View.
What RV parks are available near Mountain View, California?
What RV parks are available near Mountain View, California?
Half Moon Bay RV Park offers pull-through sites with helpful staff who assist with site assignments and entry instructions. It's a coastal option that's relatively close to Mountain View. San Francisco North-Petaluma KOA is another option with amenities including WiFi and clean restrooms. This KOA sometimes has last-minute availability on weekends and features a playground and hay wagon rides for kids. Marin RV Park is also within reach of Mountain View, though reviews note that spots can be narrow. Tradewinds RV Park near Vallejo is another alternative with big-rig-friendly spaces.
Are there camping sites in Mountain View, CA that allow car camping?
Are there camping sites in Mountain View, CA that allow car camping?
Car camping isn't available in Mountain View itself, but several nearby options welcome car campers. Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa offers car camping with separate areas for tents and RVs. The tent section is on a grassy area with picnic tables, though it's fairly basic. Spring Lake Regional Park provides drive-in sites with easy access to water activities, hiking trails, and is connected to Trione-Annadel State Park for mountain biking. The campground features newer bathroom and shower facilities, though sites are somewhat exposed. Both parks are within a reasonable drive from Mountain View and make good weekend getaways.
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