Tent camping near Pittsburg, California offers opportunities for overnight stays in settings ranging from volcanic preserves to island getaways. Located in Contra Costa County, the region has a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers where fire restrictions are common from June through October. Most tent sites in the area sit at elevations between 500-2,000 feet, creating moderate temperature variations between day and night.
What to do
Hike volcanic landscapes: At Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, campers access a primitive site via a short 0.2-mile walk from the parking area. "The Sibley backpack camp is a small, primitive hike-in site for a maximum of 15 campers, a moderate 0.2 mile walk from the parking lot. The site has basically 360 degree views of Mount Diablo, Vollmer Peak and Tilden Park," notes camper Elliott B.
Explore island camping: For a unique experience, take the ferry to Angel Island State Park for tent camping with city views. "Load your backpack, get on a ferry in Tiburon and head to Angel Island. We try to get what they call the 'group' kayak site. There is ample room here and there is direct access to the water," explains one camper. The island has only 10 campsites, so advance reservations are essential.
Go fishing: Delta waterways near Pittsburg provide fishing opportunities combined with camping. One visitor to Delta Bay RV Resort noted, "Spent the night at my usual fishing spot and had a great time. Staff is friendly and food is good."
What campers like
Off-grid feeling: Morgan Territory Regional Preserve offers a backcountry experience close to urban areas. Camper Tyler S. describes it as feeling "very off grid. Camp experience was smooth and the sun was shining."
Urban accessibility: Parks near Pittsburg balance natural settings with proximity to conveniences. Referring to Tilden Regional Park, camper Ethan K. notes it's "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. It is great for biking (but be weary of the hills)."
Weather conditions: Spring and fall offer optimal camping conditions. One camper at Juniper Campground noted the "weather in May was really nice. Not too cold at night with layers, and starts warming up quick in the morning. Bugs weren't too bad."
What you should know
Water availability: Check water status before arrival. At Angel Island, one camper reported: "We were surprised to find that the water spigot at Sunrise was not working when we arrived, and this was not mentioned anywhere during the reservation process, or mentioned by the ranger when we checked in."
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife is active around tent sites. A camper at Juniper Campground "heard coyotes howling night and day which was neat. No raccoons. Saw some lizards."
Temperature variations: Las Trampas Regional Wilderness and other higher elevation sites can experience significant day-to-night temperature drops. Summer days often exceed 90°F while nights can drop below 55°F, requiring appropriate clothing and sleeping gear.
Limited availability: Most backcountry sites have few spots. At Las Trampas, "This site is a nice hidden gem that many won't know even has a campground. While tiny and available only for a small number of campers, if you can get a spot booked well in advance, you'll have the place nearly all to yourself."
Tips for camping with families
Bring appropriate footwear: Shower shoes are recommended for campgrounds with facilities. One camper at Juniper Campground advises to "BRING SHOWER SHOES AND SOAP UR GOING TO WANT IT."
Consider seasonal timing: Summer heat can be challenging for children. A camper at Juniper Campground warns it gets "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."
Visit educational sites: Briones Regional Park offers educational opportunities alongside camping. "Lots of opportunities for horse riders in area. Pets on leash," notes one visitor, making it ideal for animal-loving families.
Food storage precautions: Wildlife can access improperly stored food. A Juniper Campground visitor warns: "They have food lockers, not bear lockers, and ours was broken one time so have a solid backup plan, the raccoons are very intelligent and they come out at night so be prepared for that."
Tips from RVers
Road access considerations: Many campgrounds have narrow, winding approach roads. At Briones Regional Park, an RVer noted: "A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around."
Alternative accommodations: Some RV parks offer unique lodging options. At Delta Bay RV Resort, a visitor noted: "They have a lot of cute tiny houses in this campground. You can bring your own tiny house, or rent one for the weekend. There is an open house once or twice a year you can come and visit all the tiny houses in the community."
Parking permits: For tent sites with RV or car access, check permit requirements. Some parks like Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve require displayed permits: "3 parking permits are included in the reservation and will be mailed 5 days in advance. No additional parking permits are available."
