190 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Sunol region of Alameda County supports a range of camping accommodations from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV parks and cabin options. Del Valle Campground, located within East Bay Regional Park District about 15 miles south of Livermore, provides tent camping, RV sites, and access to hiking trails and lake activities. Sunol Regional Wilderness offers tent camping with picnic tables and fire rings in a more natural setting. Several other options include Alameda County Fairgrounds RV Park in nearby Pleasanton and Anthony Chabot Regional Park to the northwest, which accommodates both tent and RV camping.
Many regional campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer months and weekends. The East Bay parks typically have standard amenities like drinking water, restrooms, and fire rings, though facilities vary by location. "I've been coming here since jr. high. Good hiking, exploring is fun, fishing too," notes one visitor about Sunol. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, while winters bring cooler temperatures and occasional rainfall. Most campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during summer and fall months when wildfire danger increases.
Campers consistently highlight the hiking opportunities and natural features throughout the Sunol area. Little Yosemite, a scenic creek area within Sunol Regional Wilderness, receives particular mention for its rock formations and water features. One backpacker described camping on "a beautiful ridge" after hiking uphill from the Little Yosemite area. Del Valle Campground earns praise for its proximity to the lake, which offers swimming, paddling, and fishing opportunities. Reviews indicate some sites lack shade coverage, which can be challenging during hot summer months. Wildlife sightings, including deer and wild turkeys, are commonly reported at several campgrounds, enhancing the outdoor experience. Proximity to Bay Area cities makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations for locals seeking a nature escape without extensive travel.
"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."
from $15 - $200 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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."
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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 Availability"The least expensive sites are very close to neighboring campers. Although drive through site and premium site have more space as price for site increases. We'll kept and convenient to Bay Area."
from $48 - $75 / night
"We walked through and enjoyed the nature areas so much. We continue to go back and spend time at Cayote Hills because it is so beautiful. We can't wait until thwe next time."
from $75 / night
Check Availability"Dogs are allowed they have picknic area's and a kite area.thete are several different entrances."
from $100 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice camping away from the car experience. It's a short walk up a paved path from the parking to the campsites."
"Great walk-in campground so close to home in the South Bay Area (albeit walk is slightly uphill)."
from $33 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe came in around 9pm. There's a board with names and site numbers on the office building. These are snug spots but we have enough room to put the slide out. It is a level gravel parking lot. There's not alot of places in San Fran to even day park. This is just fine. They do fill up fast. Called the next day to extend through Sat, they are booked solid.
TravelerThis is a fun place for you and the fam either to camp or for the day.
The tide comes in and out here as it’s a low level island and the approach to access sometimes will be under water from the tide. It is just like that, not poorly maintained, just one short section that can get 6inches deep and is not an issue for anybody.
I stayed in a tent camper fold-out. I hugged the hedge next to a teardrop. Everyone was nice and it was a relaxing stay. Can launch boat/kayak or do all the wind surfing type sports they talk about.
ScoutIt’s quite large compared to to other campsites. It was pleasant and have no complaints. Nothing special but hiking trails are fantastic.
GuideVery well run & clean. Mostly quiet. 20 minute walk to Capitola Village (north) or Seacliff (south). Some shady sites, some are exposed.
LegendLas Trampas is one of those wonderfully odd camping experiences that almost feels like you’ve discovered something you weren’t supposed to know about. Despite sitting on the doorstep of Danville and San Ramon, this 6,050-acre preserve quickly trades suburbia for steep ridges, oak woodland, grasslands and some terrific views across the East Bay. And camping here is decidedly primitive: the Corral Area is a single reservable group campsite for 17–50 people, rather than a conventional campground with individual sites. That means lots of privacy, lots of space and very little resembling a traditional developed campground.
While my earlier review goes into considerably more detail, I thought I’d revisit this campground with a quick topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS - along with a fresh batch of photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Remarkable feeling of seclusion considering you’re only minutes from the suburban East Bay, with Oakland lying just beyond; (2) Having essentially one primitive group camping area makes this feel more like your own private campground than a conventional campsite; (3) Picnic tables, BBQs, food-storage box and a drinking-water spigot provide just enough infrastructure without spoiling the primitive experience; (4) Direct access to a huge trail network with Rocky Ridge reaching 2,024 feet and panoramic views toward Mt. Diablo and the surrounding valleys; and (5) Abundant wildlife, seasonal wildflowers, grazing cattle and those beautiful rolling East Bay hills make the setting the real amenity here.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) This is group camping only, with a 17-person minimum, so it simply doesn’t work for a couple or small family looking for an ordinary campsite; (2) No hookups, showers or flush toilets - here, primitive means primitive; (3) Water at the campsite should be considered unreliable, so bring your own rather than betting the weekend on the spigot; and (4) Many of the best trails are steep, exposed and short on shade, which can make hot-weather hiking considerably more strenuous than the beautiful scenery initially suggests.
Insider’s Tip: Bring more water than you think you’ll need and make time for a ridge hike. Las Trampas is one of those places where climbing a few hundred feet completely changes your perspective especially when the suburban Bay Area seemingly disappears beneath you, which is precisely what makes camping here so unexpectedly special.
Happy Camping!
TravelerGreat place to stop overnight. I spent one night. Great views (obviously). Plenty of parking away from the crowd, quiet and secure.
Clean restrooms and trash cans everywhere.
ScoutThis is not a dispersed campsite , the locals are yuppies that think they run shit, we are supposed to be able to camp here 2 weeks at a time , I’m being ran off after 12 hours . I’m indigenous to north , ga being ran off public land in California
GuideI came into Santa Cruz to visit family and needed a place to park my bus while there- this park was available and fit my needs perfectly. It’s a simple gravel parking lot set up - clean bathrooms / showers, full hookups. Not what I would call camping but a great place to stay with proximity to the things that matter.
ScoutMany said this particular location is large and nice. It’s just ok along with many other locations. I guess it comes down to what individual preferences are. I have no negative things to say, the experience here was good to visit.
Camping options near Sunol range from established campgrounds to backcountry sites at elevations between 200-2,300 feet. The region experiences summer temperatures regularly reaching 95-100°F during peak season, with nighttime temperatures cooling to the 50s even in summer months. Prevailing winds from the west can make campsites along ridgelines particularly gusty, requiring sturdy tent stakes and wind-resistant equipment.
Hiking trails from camp: Del Valle Campground offers multiple trail connections directly from campsites. "We've camped many times here. I hiked in and car camped. Fun to see the wildlife and nature all around. Can get hot during summer but close to the lake to swim and paddle board," notes Erica K. about Del Valle Campground.
Lake activities: Recreational options at Lake Del Valle include regulated boating with speed limits. "Great lake for paddling as the speed limit for boats is low. Good fishing too," reports Tom G. The lake offers swimming areas with lifeguard supervision during peak season, though camping visitor Rosina A. points out that "you have to drive to go swim and the campground isn't really walking distance to swimming."
Mountain biking: Terrain around Sunol provides challenging climbs with rewarding views. "Close to home! Love the hiking trails. Mountain biking for those who can climb," says Jamie H. about Del Valle. Trails vary in difficulty, with most riding routes requiring intermediate to advanced skills due to steep terrain.
Wildlife viewing: Anthony Chabot Regional Park offers frequent wildlife encounters near campsites. "We love Anthony Chabot! The eucalyptus groves make the air smell wonderful, and there is so much wildlife to see (deer, turkeys, owls, etc.)," says Amanda P. Morning and evening hours provide the best viewing opportunities across the parks in this region.
Ridge camping views: Backpacking options in Ohlone/Sunol Wilderness provide panoramic vistas. One backpacker at Sunol Regional Wilderness shared: "I camped on a beautiful ridge. The hike is uphill... it starts along a creek/river which is referred to as Little Yosemite. Fun creek area with lots of water/rock formations. Then climb and climb the hill." These backpacking sites require permits and reservations.
Hot showers: Campground facilities at some parks include complimentary shower access. "The showers were great. Hot and FREE!" reports Ryan W. about Anthony Chabot Regional Park. Not all campgrounds in the area offer shower facilities, so check amenities before booking if this feature is important.
Site exposure: Many campsites in the region lack natural shade coverage. "Our campsite (#139) could have used some shade, but we had plenty of space and the views were awesome," notes Colleen S. about Del Valle Campground. Sites at Del Valle can reach temperatures 5-10 degrees hotter than surrounding areas due to sun exposure.
Water availability: Several camping areas have limited or unreliable water sources, particularly in backcountry locations. "The sites are primitive and the water source questionable and unreliable. I hiked in all the water I needed," advises a backpacker at Sunol Regional Wilderness. During summer months, water restrictions may affect availability at established campgrounds as well.
Permit requirements: Backcountry sites require advance planning. "A permit is required as well as a reserved camping spot. There are other sites beyond Hawk's Nest all along the ridge lines," explains a camper at Sunol. Permits for backcountry camping typically run $5-10 per night per person depending on location.
Park accessibility: Mount Diablo State Park offers family-friendly camping with educational opportunities. "The campgrounds on this mountain include picnic tables, grills, bathrooms, and amazing views of the Bay Area. The summit is just a short drive away from the campgrounds and has a visitor's center that has history of the mountain and the surrounding area," notes Haley C. The visitor center provides interpretive displays suitable for school-age children.
Wildlife education: Parks throughout the region provide opportunities for wildlife spotting with children. "Wildlife sightings, including deer and wild turkeys, are commonly reported at several campgrounds," with Anthony Chabot camper Ryan W. reporting, "Lots of birds and wildlife–beware says the sign...all the signs, but I mostly only saw turkeys and a few water birds."
Food storage: Secure food storage is essential with children. "Make sure that you lock up all food at night as the wildlife is very present and will take advantage of left out food," advises a Mount Diablo camper. Most campgrounds provide food lockers, but campers report raccoons are particularly bold at some sites.
Level site selection: Dumbarton Quarry Campground offers newer RV facilities with varying site characteristics. "Sites, though asphalt, require some leveling," notes an RVer named Kim G. Most campgrounds in the area have at least some uneven sites, so bringing leveling blocks is recommended regardless of destination.
Easy access: Some campgrounds provide straightforward approaches for larger rigs. "The grounds are clean; parking pads are concrete and flat; and drive lanes AND parking spots are wide and spacious for maneuvering large RVs," reports Tony C. about Trailer Villa RV Park. Most established RV sites in the region can accommodate vehicles up to 35 feet, with select sites handling larger rigs.
Hookup options: Del Valle offers partial hookups but lacks sewer connections. "We camp with a 27' Travel Trailer and the campgrounds can accommodate it. There were no hookups where we camped for the travel trailer," reports Ed E. RVers requiring full hookups should check with individual parks, as availability varies significantly between locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Sunol, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Sunol, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 190 campgrounds and RV parks near Sunol, CA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Sunol, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sunol, CA is Del Valle Campground — East Bay Regional Park District with a 4.1-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sunol, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Sunol, CA.
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