Tent campsites near San Ramon, California range from rustic backcountry sites to developed campgrounds with basic amenities. The region features rolling hills between 1,000-3,800 feet elevation with oak woodlands and chaparral ecosystems. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F at lower elevations, while fall brings milder weather and fewer campers.
What to do
Hiking at Mount Diablo: The Juniper Campground provides direct access to summit trails with significant elevation gain. "The hike is pretty nice to the summit from there," notes camper Ben W., who recommends avoiding July visits when temperatures reached 104°F.
Wildlife watching: Morgan Territory Regional Preserve offers backcountry sites with ample wildlife viewing opportunities. Camper Tyler S. describes the experience as feeling "very off grid" with good sun exposure, making it ideal for nature observation.
Swimming at Lake Anza: Tilden Regional Park provides access to Lake Anza for cooling off. Nicholas M. notes, "Tilden Park is perfect for anyone whose interested in wildlife and hiking in perfect climates. Tilden offers a lake in the middle to swim in and fish."
What campers like
Spacious tent sites: Juniper Campground at Mount Diablo gets high marks for site layout. "Our site had nearby bathrooms, showers & trash. It included picnic table, fire pit, food storage boxes, & is very spacious," writes Brittney L., who visited in May.
Regional trail access: Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve connects to extensive trail networks. "The 31-mile East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail, part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail system, traverses the preserve along the ridgeline between Wildcat Canyon and Anthony Chabot Parks," notes Elliott B.
Overnight stargazing: The tent camping areas at higher elevations provide excellent night sky viewing opportunities. Holland G. mentions Tilden's unique setting: "Tall eucalyptus trees surrounding the open grassy area of the campsite," creating partial canopy for stargazing in clearings.
What you should know
Food storage requirements: Las Trampas Regional Wilderness has limited food storage options. A camper notes the area has "only a single locker to place your food (so first-come, first-served!)" and warns about "raccoons and many other four legged vermin running around the area."
Water availability varies: Many tent sites require carrying in water for overnight stays. In Morgan Territory, the primitive nature means "the water source questionable and unreliable," according to camper MarinMaverick, who "hiked in all the water I needed."
Reservation timing: Popular tent campsites fill quickly, especially for weekend dates. Brittney L. reports getting a site at Juniper Campground without a reservation by arriving around 2pm on a weekday, but this is uncommon during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Bring shower supplies: Mount Diablo's Juniper Campground has shower facilities, but Ben W. advises "BRING SHOWER SHOES AND SOAP UR GOING TO WANT IT" after a hot day of hiking.
Consider educational options: Nearby Tilden Park offers family-friendly attractions. Nicholas M. mentions 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!"
Check age restrictions: Some primitive tent sites have minimum age requirements for safety reasons. The Sibley backpack camp limits group size and Elliott B. notes it's "a small, primitive hike-in site for a maximum of 15 campers (although this would be super cramped in my opinion, unless it a bunch of small kids)."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Most tent campsites near San Ramon don't accommodate RVs. At Briones Regional Park, Cococounty L. notes: "A few low spots. Cleared 12' barely with minor scrapes. Good parking and turn around."
Consider hybrid camping: Some RV owners use tent sites as base camps while parking vehicles elsewhere. Michelle F. mentions at Garin Regional Park: "I not sure they allow RVs. Dogs are allowed they have picknic area's and a kite area."
Check road conditions: Access roads to tent campsites often have steep grades and tight turns. Stuart K. warns about Tilden's location: "What this campground lacks in ambiance, grooming and amenities, this location makes up for by putting you smack dab in the middle of some very phenomenal hiking."
